Go Slowly, Tread Lightly - Caroline's BEL

Howdy Folks!

Welcome to my Boot Experience Log. In the last few months, I have begun a psychological transition away from "normie" life. I have chosen to come to Wheaton Labs as a Boot to try out a physical transition away from normie life and of course to learn EPIC gardening. What I have realized in these months is how slowly the natural world changes, especially compared to our digitalized world. I think hustle culture has trained us to believe that slow is bad... however, now I am starting to believe that slow requires more care and intention, rather than being objectively bad.

In my few days at WL so far, I have felt this amplified, especially by the energy of my fellow boots. As I embark on this new journey, I plan to move slowly with intention, rather than to stomp and trample the world unknowingly.



I do not know how to get this photo to rotate correctly LOL

Welcome to Permies and Wheaton Labs!

It is so good to see another Boot. I hope you have an amazing experience and share it with us so we can live vicariously.

Step on the soil, not on the logs! -- A lesson I learned this week while watering the hugels at basecamp... I moved too rapidly and a log was dislodged from the hugel and took out a dandelion plant with it... quite theatrical, and I hope to not repeat it!

One of the successes of a healthy garden is a diverse population of insect guests and arachnid homesteaders. (the distinction is made because most (adult) insects visit plants whereas the arachnids make their homes there). In honor of Wheaton's Labs healthy gardens, I have decided that part of my BEL will be a Bug Of The Day (BOTD) to feature the tiny beauties who live amongst us.

Today's BOTD is the Oil Beetle (genus Meloe) -- here are two oil beetles mating, captured at Allerton Abbey. While pretty, the oil beetle is not a friend to other insects OR ponderosa pines, as their larvae eat the eggs of other insects and the adults eat pines! Good thing they don't eat willows!


Additionally, I started planting. Here is one of my first jobs: Chickpeas! I am experimenting with different planting methods. If anyone has a tried and true planting method (watering, mulching, intentions, etc) please let me know.