Dancing Waters

Rural consensus-run community striving to live in sustainable relationship with the land and one another Land and buildings are owned in common.

sion-making at least every other week, and potluck together weekly or more. Other gatherings include work parties (sometimes with lunch), singing, games, bonfires, etc. Our feeling of extended family is treasured. Like most families, there can be disagreement and conflict. We aim to work through these times with healthy process, an ongoing learning that is challenging and rewarding. Incomes are not shared and the group does not have employment for members. Some folks work from home, some commute up to 25 minutes, two are retired. Each member pays a share of monthly running costs, and buys a share of the community which can be paid in monthly installments over time. The commonest work activities on the land are the common gardens & putting food by, improving the health of the forest, harvesting firewood, orcharding, mapling, wildcrafting, making medicine, and caring for animals--so far chickens, pigs, sometimes goats, with grazing cows planned. Some years see a lot of construction or maintenance of dwellings or outbuildings. We are currently 11 adults and a baby. Half of us are founding members. Two are returned adult offspring. We currently occupy 6 households--three couples moving into their senior years, two young couples and a baby, and a single. Each of these units currently resides in an unshared house or apartment (tho there has been a communal household of up to 6). A 7th household is awaiting new member(s), and an additional one will be vacated during the coming year when the occupants move into the new house under construction. Most of our electrical energy still comes from the grid; we would like to move away from that.

09/19/2023

One third inch rain overnight. Grateful for every drop.

08/19/2023

04/16/2023

YOU CAN GROW NATURALLY WITHOUT PESTICIDES

The way to stay away from harmful synthetic chemicals and pesticides, and grow Naturally, is to select plants for your garden that will help control and repel your insect pests. This method is called Companion Planting, and will help cut down on your workload in the Garden, It works best when you plant your Companion Herb varieties at same time you plant your Veggies, but you can also plant afterwards. When you are planning your Spring Garden, you can work a few of these in to help with pests.

It is always important that you experiment to find out what works best for your situation. Here are some of the best Companion Plants:

ARTEMISIA - This plant produces a strong antiseptic aroma that repels most insects. Planted as a border, it can also deter small animals like Rabbits and moles.

BASIL -The oils in Basil are said to repel thrips, flies and mosquitoes. Planted alongside Tomatoes, will help you to grow larger, tastier tomatoes.

BEE BALM- I love this plant because it attracts bees to my garden. It is another plant that you can grow with your Tomatoes.

BORAGE - Borage repels Tomato horn worms and cabbage worms, and also attracts beneficial bees and wasps. Borage also adds trace elements to the soil. Borage flowers are edible

CATNIP - This plant repels just about everything, including flea beetles, aphids, Japanese beetles, squash bugs, ants, and weevils.

CHIVES - Chives are great plants to repel Japanese beetles and carrot rust flies. It has also been said that Chives will help prevent scab when planted among apple trees.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS - When I do use an insecticide I use one made from chrysanthemums called Pyrethrum. This all-natural pesticide can help control things like roaches, ticks, silverfish, lice, fleas, bedbugs, and to control ants in certain parts of the garden. In the garden white flowering chrysanthemums are said to drive away Japanese beetles, and Painted Daisy kills root nematodes.

DAHLIAS - Dahlias repel nematodes and the blooms are great for adding some color to flower borders and fresh arrangements

DILL - Dill is best planted with Cucumbers and Onion varieties. During the cool season It can also be planted with Lettuce. Dill attracts Hoverflies and predatory wasps, and its foliage is used as food by swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. Tomato horn worms are also attracted to Dill, so if you plant it at a distance, you can help draw these destructive insects away from your Tomatoes. Dill repels aphids and spider mites. Sprinkling Dill leaves on squash plants will also repel squash bugs,

FENNEL- Repels aphids, slugs and snails.

GARLIC - In addition to its great taste and health benefits, Garlic planted near roses repels aphids. It also deters coddling moths, Japanese beetles, root maggots, snails, and carrot root fly. When planted alongside Onions, they also deter moles and mice.

HYSSOP - Hyssop is great for attracting honeybees to the garden, and you will need them for pollination of some of your Veggies.

LAVENDER - Lavender is a favorite among many beneficial insects, including bees, and also repels fleas and moths.

MARIGOLDS - The Marigold is probably the most well known plant for repelling insects. French marigolds repel Whiteflies and kill bad nematodes. Mexican marigolds are said to keep away a host of destructive insects and wild rabbits as well. If you choose marigolds for your garden they must be scented to work as a good repellant. And while this plant drives away many bad bugs, it also attracts spider mites and snails--which are good.

NASTURTIUMS- You can plant Nasturtiums with my Tomatoes and Cucumbers as a way to fight off wooly aphids, white flies, Squash bugs, and Cucumber beetles. The flowers, especially the yellow blooming varieties, act as a trap for aphids.

PETUNIAS - They are great to have for color in your garden, and you get the added benefit that they repel Asparagus beetles, leaf hoppers, and a range of aphids, Tomato worms, and a good many other pests.

ROSEMARY-Deters Cabbage moth, Bean beetles and the Carrot fly

SUMMER SAVORY: Plant with beans and onions to improve growth and flavor. Include it with sweet potatoes. Discourages cabbage moths, Mexican bean beetles, sweet potato weevil and black aphids. Honey bees love it when it is in bloom.

SUNFLOWERS - I use Sunflowers as a way to draw aphids away from my other plants. Ants move their colonies onto Sunflowers. The Sunflowers are tough enough that they suffer no damage.

THYME-Deters Cabbage worm

At THE SEED GUY, you can get our 60 Variety Heirloom Seed package that is Small Farm Grown, fresh from the New Fall 2022 Harvest, has 34,000 Seeds, and contains several of the Companion Plant varieties listed above. You will get 49 Veggie Seed varieties, and then 11 Companion Herb Seed varieties, and Great SALE Pricing Now at $79.

You can click on link to website to see Seed varieties and ORDER at https://theseedguy.net/seed-packages/50-60-variety-heirloom-seed-package.html

We also have 8 other Heirloom Seed packages. and all our individual varieties in Stock Now on our Seed Guy website at https://theseedguy.net/15-seed-packages

You can also Call Us 7 days a week, and up to 10:00 pm each night, at 918-352-8800 if you would rather Order By Phone.

If you LIKE US on our page, you will be able to see more of our great Gardening Articles, New Seed Offerings and healthy Juice Recipes. Thank you and God Bless You and Your Family :) https://www.facebook.com/theseedguy

Address

Gays Mills, WI

Telephone

(608) 632-2183

Website

http://www.ic.org/direct…/dancing-waters-permaculture-co-op/

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Building a Cooperative Life

We are a stable, 34-year old rural intentional community. Our little village nestles around the clear bubbling springs that are the headwaters of the West Fork of Knapps Creek, in a cozy hollow blessed with beautiful vistas and fertile soil, surrounded by wooded hills. Land and buildings are owned in common. Decisions are made by consensus, and we are continually learning to hone our collaboration skills. We meet for discussion and decision-making at least every other week, and potluck together weekly or more. Other gatherings include work parties (sometimes with lunch), singing, games, bonfires, etc. Our feeling of extended family is treasured. Like most families, there can be disagreement and conflict. We aim to work through these times with healthy process, an ongoing learning that is challenging and rewarding. Incomes are not shared and the group does not have employment for members. Some folks work from home, some commute up to 25 minutes, three are retired. Each member pays a share of monthly running costs, and buys a share of the community which can be paid in monthly installments over time. The commonest work activities on the land are the common gardens & putting food by, improving the health of the forest, harvesting firewood, orcharding, mapling, wildcrafting, making medicine, and caring for animals--so far chickens, pigs, sometimes goats, with grazing cows planned. Some years see a lot of construction or maintenance of dwellings or outbuildings. We are currently 10 adults, no kids currently (which we miss). Half of us are founding members. Two are returned adult offspring. We currently occupy 7 households--three couples moving into their senior years, one young couple and two young singles. Each of these units currently resides in an unshared house or apartment (tho there has been a communal household of up to 6). An 8th household is awaiting new member(s). Electricity for 7 of our households is provided by a newly installed, grid-tied solar array.