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Witch Hat Pattern // Crafty Intentions

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Lunar Cycle Correspondences

NEW MOON}

The beginning of a lunar cycle, a time of personal initiations and new beginnings; for setting new intentions, self-affirmations, and making a promise, a vow, or a wish that will grow as the moon does. The soil is at its most fertile, the moon drawing water up from the earth, making it a time ideal for planting seeds in your garden and life. It's also a time to renew relationships and projects already in your life. The new moon invites Magick for new beginnings, for rebirth, and a fresh start.

The New Moon offers its energy of intention, a perfect time for workings in renewal, release, love, new directions, personal improvements, manifestation, and ridding ourselves of negative habits in our lives, in our minds and bodies of toxic thoughts, patterns and substances. Its energy is gentle and light.

WAXING MOON}

WAXING CRESCENT}

The moon appears to be growing, and its energies assist with growth, bringing to light things needing improvement, especially that which you don't want to face. This phase is perfect for working on the self in working toward reaching your highest potential. It is a good time to look deeper into your feelings, especially in relationships, to tap into the answers you hold hidden within. This is a time to anchor into your intentions and to focus on that which you aspire to bring to existence. The growing moon carries a magnetic energy, assisting in bringing things out of you.

The waxing moon is a time of energizing projects you already have and the new ones you've begun. It's a time for adjusting and adapting your projects, to reassess and redesign your plans and path there. This is a good time for healing and self-healing work, a time for doing activities that build your strength, and also a good time for protecting yourself and your environment, for sharing your loving protection with your world.

This is a time to work with constructive Magick, Magick that builds/brings things to us. This is the best time to work on magick for yourself, pertaining to new beginnings, and a best time to commit to your intentions and goals, to take the energy of the building moon to invite inspiration and passion, a time to work Magick and spells in courage, motivation, inspiration, an attitude adjustment, in patience and in healing.

FIRST QUARTER}

This phase of the moon has energies most conducive to attraction and drawing things in. While the waxing crescent is best for going within and bringing things out, the waxing half moon is best for Magick that attempts to draw things outside of yourself to you. Use this time for spells and meditations meant to attract that which you want in your life, such as money, protection, or success, or missing objects, pets, people...

This is a time to move forward. The vision was born during the new moon, has faced the stresses of development during the crescent, and now is ready to be put into action. We've defined our goal developed our resources--refine our plan and act on it. Make the most of your momentum. Tap into the energy and momentum, get things done.

WAXING GIBBOUS}

Still a time for constructive magick, best used toward 'reeling in' what you've been working for already. This phase is great for renewing your strength, will, and determination to see your efforts through. Take this energy and give yourself a power boost through your temptations. This is a good time for any kind of precision work or reviewing and fine-tuning. You are on the brink of manifestation, but do not give in to rushing through but feed off the moon's patience and persistence. Refine your goals. Revive what you've let slide off. Use the nearness of the full moon to blaze through your procrastination, to propel you through to your goal at manifesting at the full moon. Like the first half moon, this is a time for attracting, but more often for inner strength and motivation to complete tasks and achieve goals.

FULL MOON}

The full moon carries the strongest energies of all the phases, when the moon is centered between the earth and the sun. Many witches save their biggest Magick for this time, putting aside smaller spells for less powerful phases. The full moon is seen as "all purpose", that its energies flow into all areas and needs, whether constructive or destructive. This is a time to reserve for workings in things in your life where major change or major boosts are needed. Utilize this energy for your priorities in life, such as needing to win a court case or to find a job with better pay to prevent you from losing your home. Magicks and meditations centered around spirituality, psychic development, dreams and divination are particularly well times for the full moon.

Half the lunar cycle has been spent striving for this point. The earth glows in her divine silver light. Shadows seem vibrant and alive. The sun illuminates the moon here, and she reflects his light upon the earth, transforming it and producing a mystical, silvery glow. These energies of illumination and reflection give us pause to reflect on our lives and selves, and we see more deeply into our own souls, as well as others. We're drawn toward the elusive and mysterious... her power is tangible. This is a powerful time, of excess and extremes, which can manifest in positive or a negative way.

Approach this phase with awareness. The waxing phases are used to grow, learn, build and structure so that when the full moon arrives, we have a harness on this great energy. Things we have been working toward, or neglecting to work toward, will have manifested. Things will come to light. This is the most active period of change and can be useful for changing or breaking habits and routines. It is a good time for evaluation, as things are illuminated at this phase, both figuratively and literally.

The full moon is a time of celebration, celebrating energies that you want in your life, that are already present and celebrating achieved growth. It's a time of honoring energies, being in a place of gratitude and thanks.

DISSEMINATING MOON}

WANING GIBBOUS}

This is a time of releasing, banishing, and purging things in your life that are obstacles for you. This is also a time for purifying yourself, your environment, and your activities. This is a good time to clean house--house being your environment or Self.

Waning energies repel rather than attract, so is a good time to do workings on spells to rid yourself of things. It's a great time to work on release and self-reflection. Really focus on self-reflection and releasing what no longer serves you. This is a good time for general cleansings, in your home, office, your personal spaces... This is a good time to cleanse personal objects, such as jewelry or magickal tools... think of this phase as a routine 'dusting', to keep things clear to prevent problems before there's any major buildup.

If you're needing closure or to end something in your life, this is a good time to bring things to fruition. In meditation and divination, this is a good time for introspection rather than looking toward the future or new things. Where have your previous attitudes and actions brought you? What's been affecting you most? Are you happy? Do you need to make attitude or behavioral adjustments?

This time is primarily about endings and letting go. It's time to begin releasing things you're holding onto, to realize that a transformation is needed before further growth. The disseminating phase is integrative. Our awareness is imperative, and we must really stop and look around to see what awaits us. Others' needs and goals and their effects on us are heightened. We begin to see where our knowledge may be useful to others, and theirs to us. This is a time to step back and to look at situations objectively. Knowledge, wisdom, understanding, and subconscious all reside in the depths of the shadows. Turn your attention here, to begin to seek and understand. This is a time to process what ideas we came to know by the full moon, and to raze through those thoughts, information and memories and divine wisdom by them. Be open to change. Ask yourself what your need to transform, what you need to let go of, ideas, habits, routines, etc. Something has to end to make room for new growth, or to allow it to be reborn in a different and better way where you've felt stalled or found yourself in a rut. Something has to change to open new doors and paths, giving new options for growth.

WANING HALF-MOON}

This phase offers an opportunity to get to the root cause of a problem and to get rid of the blocks stopping you from moving forward. This is a good time for divination work, to discover what changes must be made to remove your obstacles and offers appropriate energies for helping you burst through these hurdles.

This is a time to banish any temptations that may not be serving you, or a time to utilize the moon's energy in aiding in transitions you may have to make or want to make in your life, smoothing out any wrinkles or potential snags on your path. This is a time of transition, transformation, and evolution. Sometimes, there is an energy of restlessness, unease. We instinctively feel something is happening, changing. The energies are more subtle, but deep and powerful. This is time of decision making, where to from here? This is a time of change, as we are beginning to form plans for the future, realizing repercussions of the past and deciding what will or must continue and will bring with us on. Rest and contemplation are integral to the waning phase, and a good time to take care of details. What needs to be eliminated? Now is the time for restructuring and reconsidering plans, to take a hard look at what has and hasn't worked, to make use of information that's been gathered.

WANING CRESCENT}

If needing to clear your life and home of negativity, stress, strife, chaos, etc, now is the time. Approaching the dark moon phase, this time is suitable for stronger banishing than any other time of the moon. Get rid of whatever has been plaguing you, anything you've found to be particularly annoying, frustrating or concerning (but save serious threats for the dark moon). If you need things to stop in their tracks, this phase is a good time to do it, a good time to cast a spell for anything you wish to bring to a swift and benign ending.

This is a time of quiet contemplation. We withdraw into our shadowy depths of thought and emotion, resting, reflecting, thinking, feeling, dreaming, preparing... existing in the 'invisible worlds' of subconscious, spiritual realms, daydreaming, and our own inner depths.

This is a time to notice the subtle, especially within yourself. This isn't a time of dramatic change and/or hectic action, though its own kind of chaos. This is a time of release, of acceptance and letting go. We must have faith in ourselves and the natural cycle, knowing that what we let go of now will be reborn, resources reused, that we are making way for something new by releasing emotions and beginning healing. This is also a time of preparation, to gather our strength and resources for the new moon is verging upon us. Let your spirit and soul play, your mind and body relax. Your imagination run wild. The moon is retreating into the shadows, withdrawing into herself, resting and preparing to come back strong and vibrant in the next cycle. We should also prepare ourselves to be refreshed and ready for great momentum and new growth to come.

A great use of the Dark Moon is rest. It's a time to give yourself a break, to get in touch either with yourself or nature. To stop and smell the roses and to do the mundane, routine tasks that don't require strenuous activity or mentality. Let the subtle flow through, to let your mind relax and your subconscious, soul, and imagination flow.

This is an excellent time for final endings. This isn't a phase to push for something to happen but is good for dealing with things you don't want to return. In tough situations, if anything needs to be ended, this isn't a time to address the problem, but to wait for the new moon for those workings. However, this phase can be great for inspiration and creativity. The logical and forward moving parts of things might stall here, but often what we're needing now is a break from activity and some objective, unusual thoughts on our matters, art.

DARK MOON}

The dark of the moon is the hours before the new moon, where the moon has no energies with ties to the earth. Energies are literally void and makes this a very good time to surround yourself with your personal protective totems. Deep level release work is good here, but be sure to use familiar totems and tools. The dark of the moon is, traditionally, a tricky time and you can't be sure what your energies will do. This isn't a good time to begin a new relationship with a totem or new kind of project. It's a good time to go into that deep spiritual place within, and to ask for the deepest kind of shamanic connection and renewal you can achieve on the path.

Information gathered from Juliet Diaz's "Witchery Embrace the Witch Within", Amber Wolfe's "In The Shadow of the Shaman Connecting with Self, Nature & Spirit" and trolldomblog.tumblr.com 's article on Moon Phases and Correspondences (https://at.tumblr.com/trolldomblog/moon-phases-and-correspondences/zven4l8vufcv).

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The Compass Spread

A perfect spread for finding some guidance, when you are feeling lost.

Central - You right now

East - New beginnings, what's on the horizon.

South - Your Passion, where you should draw your fire from.

West - Your Subconscious. What are you keeping hidden? Where do you need to look inward?

North - Your Wisom, where should you look for guidance and wisdom?

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Obsessed with these intention candles and smoke wands from Sacred Smoke Herbals! They also sell a bunch of loose herbs, prerolls, and altar tools/accessories :-)

I am partnered with them to offer 15% off every order, but I am genuinely and consistently impressed with the quality of their items. I’d definitely encourage you to check them out! 

https://www.sacredsmokeherbals.com/?rfsn=4398202.ea5ed6

Use the above referral link or my code, ADELAIDE15 to get 15% off your order. Even if you decide not to use it, I still encourage you all to check them out!

Links to the items in the images are as follows:

https://sacredsmokeherbals.com/collections/cauldron-candles/products/12-oz-imbolc-cauldron-candle-candlemas-ritual-candle

https://sacredsmokeherbals.com/collections/cauldron-candles/products/autumnal-magick-vintage-tea-cup-intention-candle

https://sacredsmokeherbals.com/collections/smoke-wands/products/goddess-floral-sage-smoke-wand-organic-white-sage-lavender-flowers-rose-buds

https://sacredsmokeherbals.com/collections/ritual-tools/products/triple-crescent-moon-chest-three-drawer-chest-altar-herb-box

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Thesleepypine

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Some of the best oils for your skin!!

Disclaimer: Do NOT put straight up essential oils on your face! Make sure it’s properly diluted into a carrier oil or lotion!

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An 18k gold floral Jugendstil opal ring

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We're staying at Austin's friends' place, and his wife is in tune with her spiritual side, ok. So its been a long time since I really have, but she was telling me some stories of entities here on the property, which has since been exorcised of them.

Ouija boards had come up, and I have one at home. I think I'm getting pink eye or something since staying here, and last night, I looked at the end of the bed and felt there was a man staring at me. And then lying next to me, but next to me, it was almost childlike--peevelike--, like that grotesque comic with the bulging eyes and ear-to-ear grin. I tried to tell the man to go, to propel a white light from us, but I felt weak and that I'll leave tomorrow and we'll be good. But what if he comes?

Dono.

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Tarot Tips

🃏 Find The Empress in your deck. The card behind her will reveal what you need to do to nurture and care for yourself. 

🃏 When in conflict or competition with someone, look for 5 of Wands. The card behind it will reveal the solution to the problem.

🃏 If you see the same card over and over again in readings, it is a sign and you must pay attention to its message for you.

🃏 For a better understanding of each card, observe it closely and form your own interpretation that follows its themes. It will help you interpret readings better.

🃏 To find out what is making you feel stuck or delayed, look to The Hanged Man. The card underneath him will show what is holding you back. The card in front of him will show you how to overcome it.

🃏 When shuffling your cards, if any card drops out of your grasp, take it as a sign and read the card. 

🃏 You do not need crystals with you to do proper readings, but a good way to cleanse your deck is to place a clear quartz on the top of your deck before each reading. Keep in mind; there’s a variety of ways you can cleanse your deck.

🃏 Often when The High Priestess appears in a reading, she is trying to tell you that you know the answers and that you should listen to your inner voice.

🃏 There is no wrong way to shuffle or cleanse your deck. Do what feels right for you!

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On Kitchen Magic

There are a lot of misconceptions about kitchen magic on here. 

(It’s nobodies fault this is how social systems work)

I’d like to clarify somethings out of my years working professionally and decades of cooking experience and the effect it has on people and lives in general.

The magic isn’t in the intention, or correspondences, or the direction your stir, or sigils and designs you draw into dough, or the herbs you grew in your window.

The magic is in the cooking.

Want to be an amazing practitioner? Want to get to the level where you can wield real power with it like other forms of craft? Practice Cooking.

Forget everything about magic and learn:

1. Knife skills- your knife should become an extension of yourself. Practice different techniques. Supreme, Brunoise, Chiffonade, etc. Your knife is more than a wand it’s also a weapon. There’s something incredibly grounding about it.

2. Mise en Place- Just like with ceremonial work- everything in its place. Make sure you’re keeping your work space clean as you go. Prepare things ahead of time like- peeling & blanching veg, prepping meat, anything you can ahead of time. When everything has a place nothing can slow you down or get lost.

3. Food Knowledge- Sure you know basil is good for attracting wealth but what color does it turn water when its boiled? How to keep it from bruising while making pesto? How long it takes to blanch? What species do you buy at the market and how does it differ in flavor from others? Just an example. You need to know everything about everything. A chef never stops learning. Learn how to eyeball measurements. Start baking by weight. Make something from every country. Make old old old ancient recipes. Ferment! Never! Stop! Learning!

4. Cook- You can’t just read. or watch. You need to apply yourself in the kitchen.

Get yourself a good chef’s knife if you dont have one, a solid cutting board, a decent saute pan, a pot made of non-reactive metal, tongs, and a plating spoon.

Do not pay more than like 5 dollars for a plating spoon. These are all you’re really gonna need to make just about anything. Certain things you’ll acquire when you take interest in specific things (say candy thermometer, silicone brush, uhh, baking pans, all sorts of things) but you don’t need a lot to start with at all.

Your fuck ups will teach you something and might actually be your best creations. Do not ever be afraid to make something even if you think you’ll fail.

5. Passionate and Getting Good?- DO NOT GO TO COOKING SCHOOL

Cooking school is a scam unless this is something you know you want to do for life. I cook professionally and even I don’t want to cook for life this business isn’t cut out for everyone and that’s okay. Go stage at a restaurant looking for work. TONS of restaurants hire people with no experience because they want to teach. I’ve quit positions because i’ve been over qualified thats how bad they want to teach sometimes. Seriously! Go learn from real chefs who are in the shit everyday. You’ll learn far more this way, you’ll get paid for doing it, and you’ll start building your cooking resume up.

This is obv an optional step but if you really wanna hone your skill and love cooking I just gotta beg you dont waste your money on cooking school.

My most successful peers never went or dropped out. Everyone who did go and is still actually cooking works middle management and hates their life.

In conclusion- Until your technique is second nature your magic will be weak.

Start worrying about the flips, tricks, correspondence n glitz after.

Obviously I’ve got the teaching bug myself and I’d love to continue to share industry tips some secrets. Maybe even teach some classes.

You don’t need a lot to get started but it’s an overwhelming field to jump into just like anything else. Consider this a 101.

Keep your nails short and clean.

Keep your hair up.

Wear a clean apron.

Wash your hands on entrance.

-Chef 🔪

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A short ‘n sweet explanation of the 8 schools of magic from 5th edition!

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this is what modern day witchcraft looks like

sharing private moments for my own healing and wandering eyes

me doing some spellcrafting and writing on beaver moon // documenting ritual for upcoming personal art project

blessings4all

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Incense Witch Tips!

Like real ones you can actually use

Learn how to use a mortar and pestle the right way. Different kinds of resins need to be crushed differently. Frankincense in particular is hard to get used to. Done incorrectly, it’s a bit like trying to grind up dried chewing gum. Myrrh is a bit similar, but is, in my opinion, easier to grind. Benzoin, dragon’s blood, and copal blend with a bit of a pop. They’re easy.

When blending an incense, start with the harder resins (frankincense and company), then your easier resins (copal, benzoin), then your roots (orris, etc.). After, add your plant leaves to powder. Then your plant materials such as flower petals. End with your liquids and binding agents - essential oils, wine, egg, etc.

Adding a few drops of liquid to homemade loose incense can act as a binding agent. An egg can also be used, but this creates shelf-life problems. This will not help you create joss sticks, but little nuggets of incense. Why would you want this, you ask?

The texture of loose incense matters. If the incense is chunky with bits of resin, it will take a longer time to burn. The chunks of resin will often ooze oil as they burn. Powdered incense burns more quickly. It can even burn mid-air if you aren’t careful. If you’ve ever accidentally tossed powdered incense near a candle flame, you know what I’m talking about! My favorite method, creating small pills and nuggets gives you the best of both worlds - longer burning incense and beautiful plumes of smoke.

Like a good soup stock, a quality incense is better after it’s had some time to flavor. Let it sit for a while! If you have an altar, let it cook on your altar. Let it sit for a couple of months.

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What should you put in your bath?

black tea: soothes sunburns [1] [2] and is antimicrobial [3] contains some essential polyphenols and tannin, reduces puffiness/inflammation [4] 

green tea: antioxidant and detoxifier [1] soothes rashes, increases healing rate, softens skin [2] heals sores and wounds, rejuvenates skin cells, improve psoriasis and dandruff [3] anti-aging, mood stabilizing [4]

apple cider vinegar: anti inflammatory and softens skin [1]

ground ginger: increases circulation, promotes sweating, opens pores, relieves pain [1]

lemon: antioxidant (brightens skin) [1] 

olive oil: moisturizes skin [1]

calendula flowers: soothes burns, inflammation, rashes, insect bites, skin disorders [1] useful for small children [2]

elder-flowers: anti-inflammatory and heals rashes cuts and wounds [1]

Himalayan salt: soothes insect bites, heals blisters, relieves arthritis pain [1] softens skin [2]

oatmeal: soothes, anti-inflammatory, calms angry skin [1]

rose petals: relax mind, relieve sleepiness, soothe headaches and stress [1] promote positive feelings [2]

valerian root: relax the mind, relieve sleepiness, soothe headaches and stress [1]

lavender: relax the mind, relieve sleepiness, soothe headaches and stress [1] [2]

mugwort: relax the mind, relieve sleepiness, soothe and headaches and stress [1]

chammomile: soothes nerves [1] good for dry skin [2]

passion flower: soothes nerves [1]

hops: soothes nerves [1]

rosemary: pain relief, soothes headaches and fatigue [1] relaxing, increases alertness and clarity of mind [2] soothes sore throat[3]

thyme: pain relief, soothes headaches and fatigue [1]

devils claw: eases joint pain [1]

juniperberries: soothes muscle aches [1]

peppermint: increase blood flow, relieve congestion [1]

eucalyptus: increase blood flow, relieve congestion [1] increases energy [2]

thyme: increase blood flow, relieve congestion [1]

jasmine: emollient and antiseptic, soothes skin [1] 

organic coconut flakes: nourish the skin [1]

sage: uplifting, good for oily skin and back acne [1] stimulating [2]

marjoram: decongestant, soothes muscle pain [1]

whole cow’s milk: hydrates and mildly exfoliates skin [1]

cow’s buttermilk: hydrates and thoroughly exfoliates skin [1]

goat’s milk: thoroughly hydrates and exfoliates skin, provides nutrients [1]

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Can't afford to buy things for your garden?

*Re-posting, with new information

A store-bought bag of topsoil, a roll of landscaping fabric, or a bag of cedar chips doesn’t go very far if you have a large garden or a very limited budget. Here are some ways to create the materials you need for a beautiful, organic, productive garden, by both re-directing household waste, and foraging in your local area. I use a lot of these tricks in my garden to make it almost completely free for me to continue growing new things, and expanding the workable area every year!

For soil

Save your food scraps to create a rich compost for growing veggies and amending your soil. There are numerous options for every size of dwelling and yard. Small space solutions such as Bokashi and vermicompost work indoors and don’t produce bad smells, so you can keep them underneath the sink.Worm towers, compost heaps, and outdoor compost bins are a great solution if you have more space. The more you add, the more rich, nutritious material you can make for your garden. I like composting because it means I don’t have gross smelly garbage bags to deal with, because food waste is diverted. It seems like a lot of work at first, but it actually saves time, money, and transportation.

Seaweed or kelp is one of the best things for your garden, with over 70 essential nutrients, and acting as a weed barrier and a moisture-retentive mulch. I collect seaweed nearby on the beach with my bike trailer, or, when I go for a walk I bring a little home with me each time. It’s an absolute miracle for your soil.

Worm tower

Fertiliser

There are three things that are essential for plant growth. These are nitrogen for leaves and vegetation (N), phosphorus for roots and shoots (P), and potassium for water movement, flowering, and fruiting (K). Commercial fertilisers will give the relative concentrations of each of these compounds with and “NPK” rating. Plants like tomatoes also need calcium to produce healthy fruit. You can create amendments for your garden and soil at home so that you do not have to purchase fertiliser.

For nitrogen

Grass clippings contain 4% nitrogen, 1% phosphorus, and 2% potassium (NPK = 4-1-2).

Human urine contains 12% nitrogen, and it’s sterile. Dilute before adding directly to plants.

Legumes such as beans, clover, peanuts, and alfalfa fix inorganic nitrogen into the soil with mycorrhizal organisms and nodules on their root systems. Plant these crops every few years in rotation with others to renew the soil organically.

For phosphorus

Human urine is also a great source of phosphorous and trace amounts of potassium.

Ground up bones or shells add a slow-release phosphorous to the soil

Had a baby recently? Bury the placenta in the garden.

For potassium

Hardwood ashes 

Composted banana peels

For calcium

Break down all of your eggshells, or seashells you have found, in a plastic bucket, using vinegar. This creates a soluble calcium solution you can add to a watering can. 

Soil Acidity/Alkalinity

Many plants are particular about what the soil pH should be.

To make soil more acidic: add oak leaves, pine needles, leaf mulch, urine, coffee grounds or sphagnum. 

To make soil more alkaline: add wood ash, shell, or bone.

Mulch

Mulch is decomposing organic matter that adds nutrition to the soil, while simultaneously keeping out weed growth and retaining moisture. It also attracts worms, fungi and other beneficial creatures to your soil. Free sources of mulch include:

Leaves

Garden waste

Grass clippings

Straw (often straw bales are given away after being used for decoration in the fall. You can also plant vegetables directly in straw bales using a technique called straw bale gardening).

Wood chips (if you can borrow a wood chipper after you’ve collected some wood you can have attractive wood mulch for free)

Straw bale garden

Landscaping fabric

When mulch isn’t enough to keep the weeds down, many people opt for landscaping fabric. It can be quite expensive and inorganic-looking. Free solutions that both attract worms and can be replaced in small segments as they break down include:

Newspaper*

Cardboard*

Egg cartons*

Printer paper, looseleaf, etc. in thick layers*

*try to make sure you are using paper that has vegetable-based dyes, so you aren’t leeching toxins into the soil.

Soil density/drainage

If your soil is compacted and you have plants that require low levels of water, or excellent drainage, add sand. I don’t recommend stealing it from the beach, but ask around and you’d be surprised at how easy it is to get for free. Sawdust also improves drainage. Adding organic matter and mulch encourages worms, who also till and aerate compacted soil.

If the area still needs drainage, dig a hole and fill it with bricks or rocks to create a “dry well”

For drainage in pots, add crushed bricks, terra cotta pot fragments, packing peanuts, small stones, marbles, orsand to the bottom under the soil layer. I find these in construction sites, on craigslist, or at flea markets.

Pots and growing containers

If you have space, raised beds are a great no-dig way to establish growing space. If you are pressed for space (like working on a balcony) there are many cheap or free options for container gardens.

Creating raised beds allows you to build up the soil without digging. Free ways to do this include using rocks or lumber (like my DIY “lasagna garden” made with the sheet composting technique), using the “wattle“ method with sticks and posts you have found, using discarded straw bales, old bricks,paving stones, cinder blocks or really anything else you have lying around.

Hugelkutur raised beds, which fix carbon and provide drainage, can be made by stacking sticks and untreated wood, and then piling soil or compost over it. (Thanks milos-garden)

Rubber tire gardens retain heat in the night and allow for great drainage. They can also be painted in fun ways.

Herb spirals (here is mine: 1, 2, 3) can be built with stones, bricks, and other found materials.

I often use old cooking pots, barbecues, teapots, or other found objects as planters.

Making wooden planters is easy, and scrap or salvaged wood is also easy to come by. I’m not a fan of using wooden pallets for DIY projects, but they are also a free source of lumber for things like planters.

If you can track down peat moss, cement, and vermiculite, you can make an easy Hypertufa planter in whatever shape you would like, provided you have a form in which it can dry.

I’ve made hanging gardens out of soda cans.

You can build a self-watering container with a 2L pop bottle.

Start seeds in eggshells

Make biodegradable pots out of newspapers.

Wattle raised beds

Rubber tire gardens

Hugelkultur

An herb spiral

Hanging gardens in cans (2)

Trellises and supports

Many plants need external support, such as stakes of trellises, to thrive.

Rebar can almost always be salvaged cheaply or free and makes a great trellis, arch, or purgola 

Build trellises and supports out of the pliable young stems of plants like willow

Rebar trellis/arch

Living willow arch/trellis

Paving

Paving often requires a foundation of sand or another stable and well-drained substrate, and a covering of stones, bricks, or other weatherproof elements. Slowly collect stones over time, or free paving stone fragments to create a mosaic-type walkway. Often people give these things away on craigslist. I made a patio and fireplace out of free salvaged bricks, for example.

Salvaged garden walkway

Greenhouses and cold frames

Here is a gallery of greenhouses made out of salvaged windows and doors

A cold frame is easy to make with salvaged lumber, and plastic sheeting.

Window greenhouse

Palet cold-frame

Seeds and plants

Swap seeds with other gardeners

If you see a plant you like at someone’s house, ask for seeds or cuttings

Save seeds every year and build a library of options. Here is a great guide to seed saving.

Save seeds from foods you like from the grocery store: consider growing peanuts, ginger, garlic, peppers, or a walnut tree: all of these and more can be planted from store-bought produce.

Learn to take cuttings. There is a tonne of info on the web about basic cutting propagation, layering, (like I do with rhododendrons) air layering, and numerous other techniques to take clones of plants you like. This saves going to a nursery and shelling out big bucks for all the variety you want.

For cuttings, willow tea and honey are great rooting hormones/antiseptics/anti-fungal agents, which can save you $40 if you were thinking of buying commercial rooting hormone.

You can root cuttings in a potato! (See my methods for rooting “borrowed” plants here)

Air layering

Rooting cuttings in potatoes

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I hope this helps you build your garden outside of the usual capitalist channels! It can be a cheap or free hobby if you are willing to think outside the box, and maybe put up with things that don’t look as clean or crisp as a hardware store catalogue. If you have any further ideas, please add them! The more information the better.