All of these rocks are made up of a mix of common minerals: Quartz Felspars Mica Amphibole Pyroxene Olivine Calcite Plus, a splattering of minor minerals.

Here is a table of just a few of the common rock types 
and the minerals they contain:


Rock type        Rock Name        Minerals
Igneous            Granite              Quartz, Feldspar, Mica
Igneous            Rhyolite             Quartz, Feldspar, Mica
Igneous            Basalt                Amphibole, Feldspar, Pyroxene, Olivine
Metamorphic     Marble               Calcite,
Metamorphic     Schist                Mica, Quartz,
Metamorphic     Gneiss               Quartz, Feldspar,
Sedimentary     Sandstone          Quartz, Feldspar, Mica, Clays
Sedimentary     Shale                 Clays
Sedimentary     Limestone          Calcite


Once a rock is exposed to the weather it will start to break down "physically" into smaller grains, and "chemically" into different minerals. These major rock forming minerals break down into the following (lesser/minor) minerals. These are the minerals that you will find in your soils:

Original Mineral         New Mineral      Released Elements
Quartz                        Quartz Felspars                      Clays                 Potassium, Sodium,  Calcium
Mica                           Clays                  Potassium
Amphibole                   Clays,                Iron
Pyroxene                    Clays,                 Iron
Olivine                        Clays,                Iron, Magnesium
Calcite & Dolomite      Calcite,               Calcium, Magnesium

Comfrey is probably one of the most talked about plants in permaculture plant forums, and it’s no wonder! This prolific plant is stout, easy to propagate and very useful. This little dandy is sometimes called knit-bone, because it is commonly used as a poultice to help heal broken bones. How cool is that!

In fact, since so much has been said, I won’t say too much my self, but I would like to point you to a couple of awesome resources on the matter!

First, there’s Paul Wheaton’s video, “Why Permaculture Folks Love Comfrey.” It’s a 10 minute video, where some permaculture experts talk about the awesomeness of this beneficial plant! Toby Hemenway, author of “Gaia’s Garden,” even calls comfrey the King of Permaculture! If you are even a little bit curious, about comfrey, I would check it out. 

Secondly, I’m going to point you to the Plants For A Future Database (PFAF). They are a non-profit, research organization dedicated to researching and providing information on ecologically sustainable horticulture. They have been compiling a database for more than a decade. That database currently has more than 7,000 different species of plants. THEY ARE AWESOME!!!! PFAF lists 5 different species of Comfrey, edible, medicinal, and other uses for the plant, growing conditions, propagation techniques and more. 

Here are some highlights from the PFAF entry on Symphytum officinale, or common comfrey:

• Comfrey likes to grow in Damp, often shady localities, in meadows, woods etc, especially near streams and rivers.
  
• USDA hardiness zone : 3-9
  
• Suitable for nearly any kind of soil.
  
• It’s most commonly used for the external treatment of cuts, bruises, sprains, sores, eczema, varicose veins, broken bones, as it contains a substance called 'allantoin', a cell proliferant that speeds up the healing process.
  
• It’s roots and dried leaves are dried and used for tea, or are roasted and ground to be used with chicory and dandelion to make a coffee substitute.
  
• And finally, comfrey’s nutrient-rich leaves make an excellent plant food as a green mulch, or soaked in water as a compost tea.
  

For more on this highly beneficial plant, including toxicity information, check out the database at www.pfaf.org.

We’ll see you soon with another awesome Plant Profile from Haven Homestead!

Have you reached Bread Equilibrium?

Equilibrium is when opposing forces find balance, or when something is in a physical state of balance. When I talk about bread equilibrium, I am referring to finding a balance between the deliciousness, healthiness, and feasibility of making homemade bread while also being a busy mom/wife/artist/professional/writer/photographer/etc. 

For example, have you ever tried making croissants? They literally take days to make from scratch, but they are SOOOO delicious. I don't make them. They take too long to make myself. I find equilibrium here by buying them on occasion.


I have been trying to find that perfect balance of recipe, timing and know-how in all sorts of home-made bread making experiences. I feel like I have reached Tortilla Equilibrium (I'll post the recipes below!), I am almost to Dinner Roll Equilibrium, but Sandwich Loaf Equilibrium seems to elude me! Share your experiences with Bread Equilibrium (or the lack thereof!) below. And don’t forget to check out my post on Grit.com, “Reaching Tortilla Equilibrium: A Follow Up Post.”


Oh! and here are those recipes! I hope you enjoy!

Every one likes to see that beautiful dark earth when they till up their garden in the spring, but then they spend the rest of their summer pulling weeds, watering and fertilizing the bare earth around their plants. Then when autumn comes, people fill up their garbage bins with all of the fallen leaves, and leftover stems and dead plants.

Well, I'm here to tell you there is a better way. Mulch. Mulch makes everything better.