TOP: AMY & FINN HOGUE | BOTTOM: NT_STUDIO - ADOBE STOCK 13 www.SmallFarmCanada.ca WASTE NOT WINTER OPPORTUNITIES TO REDUCE, REUSE & REIMAGINE ARTICLE BY AMY HOGUE & FINN HOGUE The winter months are typically quiet and contemplative; the days are shorter, the perfect time to start planning for the growing season. As we flip through seed catalogues, plan out garden beds and ensure livestock are as warm and well-bedded, there are plenty of opportunities to limit our waste right now. In our last story we explored how to use every part of the harvest to reduce waste, now let’s turn towards typically discarded items leftover from the season. From winter greenery to gift boxes to seed planning, we can find many ways to give these items more life. PINE NEEDLE TEA Consider a few ways to reduce waste while honouring longstanding traditions. Today, pine boughs and branches are often used to decorate doorways, mantles and outdoor planters during the winter season, but historically they were used for everything from tea to mulch, and with good reason. Pine needle tea has deep roots in North America. Many Indigenous peoples used this nutrient-rich tea as a source of vitamins and medicine. Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, pine needle tea has long been valued for supporting immunity, aiding circulation, and reducing inflammation. In some areas, pine needle tea also held ceremonial significance, symbolizing purification and resilience. During the 16th and 17th centuries, early European explorers and settlers adopted pine needle tea after learning it could restore health, especially for crew members suffering from scurvy. The tradition also extends far beyond North America: around the world: wherever evergreen forests are abundant and winters long, communities have used conifer needles to create nutrient-rich syrups, teas, and infusions to support respiratory health and immunity throughout the cold months. Add this tea to your morning ritual to boost your Vita- min C and immunity during the long winter months. WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • 2 cups of water • 1/3 cup fresh Eastern white pine or red pine needles • Optional: honey and/or lemon to taste HOW TO MAKE IT: Remove brown ends of pine needles. Chop needles into half-inch pieces (chopping releases the beneficial properties). • Bring water to boil. • Add chopped needles to a large tea pot and pour in 2 cups of boiling water. • Cover and let steep for 10 to 15 minutes. You will see a change in colour and the needles will sink to the bottom. • Strain the needles. • Optional: add a teaspoon or of two lemon and/or honey. Other ways to use your festive greenery and decor: MULCH FOR GARDEN BEDS: Dry needles break down slowly and are excellent for pathways, berries, and acid-loving plants. LIVESTOCK BEDDING: Dried evergreen branches can be layered under straw to add fragrance and extra insulation. VEGETABLE PROP SUPPORTS: Trimmed twigs make perfect lightweight props for peas, young tomatoes, or seedling hardening. GIFT BOXES OR CARDBOARD GOLD Corrugated cardboard boxes typically tend to find their way into the garbage or recycling after the holidays, but what if they could be used for something more? Cardboard is a surprisingly valuable resource for gardeners, and there are many ways you can give these discarded boxes a second life that can also support your garden, your compost and even wildlife. • SHEET MULCHING (LASAGNA GARDENING) Any good gardener knows mulching is key to supporting plant health throughout the growing season, ensuring our crops not only thrive but provide us with nutrient rich fruits or vegetables. Cardboard is the perfect addition to our mulching plan. Simply lay flattened cardboard under compost or mulch to suppress weeds, retain moisture and build soil health. Ensure you remove tape and any glossy paper first. • PATHWAY BARRIERS There is nothing more frustrating than having to weed a garden’s walkways in addition to garden
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQyMDk=