Helping Nature Heal

"In working with nature," notes Rosmarie, "the shrubs and trees respond to our tending of the soil, weeding, trimming, deadheading - all the activities we do while gardening helps to complete the energy cycle."

Rosmarie believes the energy generated while we work the soil ends up in the plants and the food we eat. "That's why a fresh carrot tastes so good," she says, "we recognize ourselves in it on the cellular level, it is familiar to us, so it is yummy . . ."

"With Helping Nature Heal, we work mostly by manual labour. We are the finest organic tools in the trade, we eat well, work hard, sweat a lot, absorb some dirt and give of ourselves in blood, sweat and sometimes tears.

"Organic Gardening provides a chance for the crew and myself to get to know the clients more fully, we encourage and welcome them in working with nature alongside us if they wish to do so. In turn, they can enjoy a sense of ownership of their garden and landscape.

It also presents an opportunity for me to connect with the client on a more subtle level. Often, we become friends along the way."

1. Respect the soil: build its nutrients with mulch, manure and HNH Liquid Kelp Concentrate

2. Grow your favourite vegetables

2. Avoid over-planting - focus on quality, not quantity

4. Remember, most vegetables are happiest with lots of sun

5. Keep your crops healthy and happy by rotating them annually

6. Make the most of your space - plant quick growing vegetables such as spinach or lettuce between slower growing rows of cabbage or carrots

7. Harvest throughout the season with smaller, successive plantings

8. Pick your vegies early when they're nice and tender

9. Plant nutrient-rich cover crops on bare ground - the following season, plant the space with vegetables

10. Have fun working with nature! Make gardening a family-time.