NATURAL REPELLANTS

Nobody really knows why insect repellants work, but here are a few familiar herbs that you can use to stay mosquito bite-free this season.  You can keep crushed leaves in containers around your patio or you can rub the crushed leaves of all except marigolds and wormwood, which cause contact dermatitis, on your skin for added protection.  Some also repel other insects in the garden or home.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

• 10 times more effective than DEET, the compound used in most commercial insect repellents, at keeping mosquitoes away.
• cats will crush this plant if it is in a garden bed and it has a tendency to become invasive, but keeping a couple of plants in hanging containers helps avoid both problems.
• also repels cockroaches and repels ants

 

 

 

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

• great for repelling mosquitoes and other flying biting insects
• ideal for planting around outdoor seating areas, pathways and close to doorways to act as an insect deterrence
• also repels moths, flies, ants, mice, cockroaches, mites and bedbugs
• also used for treating insect bites

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

• most useful for repelling mosquitoes and gnats when planted in the garden it can also be planted in pots and placed by doorways and windows
• cut and or dried lavender can be placed on windowsills to stop mosquitoes entering the house
• dried lavender flowers can also be used in wardrobes to repel moths and keep clothes smelling fresh
• also repels flies, silverfish and fleas

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

• the lemon scent, which repels the mosquitoes, is very strong
• plant the lemon balm outside, perhaps near your front or back door, or on your deck, patio or wherever else you often sit outside, as the plants will help ward off bugs in those areas

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

• this plant has a lemony scent that mosquitoes hate
• also used to repel fleas

 

Marigold (Tagetes spp)

• do not rub on skin
• in addition to mosquitoes, marigolds repel garden pests, such as aphids and whiteflies, plus are an excellent companion plant for your vegetable garden
• also kills nematodes

Mint (Mentha spp)

• oils are unpleasant to mosquitoes, so keep a pot or two of these handy and aromatic plants around
• as an added bonus, can also do double-duty as itch relief if you do get bitten!
• also repels flies, fleas, mice, rats and ants.

Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)

• repels mosquitoes and gnats
• great to plant in the garden, but it is best utilized as a topical insect repellent applied to the skin
• crush the stems and put them in pockets, bags and hats.
• crushed pennyroyal leaves and stems can also be rubbed on dogs to help repel ticks and fleas.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

• oil of this shrub is heavenly to most humans, but disgusting to mosquitoes.

 

 

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

• Do not rub on skin
• repels mosquitoes, moths, slugs, and flies
• also repels ants as well as mice

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world and all who live in it”
Psalm 24:1

WINDOWSILL HERB KIT

 

Need a unique gift for a gardener?  Create a windowsill herb kit, so the growing can continue inside through the winter months! 

 

All you need is a waterproof lined paper bag (I use ones meant to package food or tea, but you could use any heavy-weight decorative bag and use a freezer bag liner), potting soil mix to fill half the bag, pea gravel/fish tank gravel to form 1” in the bottom of the bag, large sealable plastic bag (large enough to contain the potted bag), seed packet and a seed packet holder (optional). 

 

Simply label/decorate bag, package soil mix and gravel separately and place inside bag with large sealable plastic bag and instructions, fasten shut, punch a hole and add seed packet in holder or tie punched seed packet to bag with ribbon.  Some herbs to use include: basil, chives, cilantro, dill and parsley – my favorite is chives!

 

Instructions for use:

WINDOWSILL HERB KIT

• Cut grow bag in half (use pinking shears/decorative scissors if desired)
• Lightly moisten the enclosed soil mix packet
• Add gravel to the grow bag for drainage then add and level the soil
• Open seed packet and sprinkle seeds over soil and cover with reserved soil mix
• Lightly water with a spray bottle
• Place entire potted grow bag in large sealable plastic bag and set in a warm area out of direct sunlight
• When seeds sprout, remove plastic bag and place in a bright location to grow
• Water as needed, but avoid over watering

 

 

 

“All hard work brings a profit,

but mere talk leads only to poverty.”

Proverbs 14:23

PUMPKIN

  

(Cucurbita pepo)

 

Let’s talk pumpkin!  Their name comes from the Greek pepon meaning “large melon,” and refers to certain cultivars of squash that are spheres, with smooth skin and are usually orange but can also be yellow, white, green or red.  Native to North America, pumpkins are scientifically a fruit since they contain seeds, but they are often referred to as a vegetable.

 

Pumpkins are a warm-weather crop and fall just wouldn’t be the same without them!  The plants have both male and female flowers that are typically pollinated by bees to produce the thick shelled fruit with rigid, prickly and angular stems.  They vary in size with the average weighing about 12 pounds, however in 2010, the world record was 1810 pounds.

 

Pumpkins have many different uses in addition to their culinary side, so let’s take a look at some of the ways you can incorporate this garden gem into your life:

 

1. Pumpkin is loaded with beta-carotene-rich antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and works wonders on the face and skin.

PUMPKIN FACE MASK

2tsp pumpkin puree

1tsp brown sugar

1/2tsp honey

1/4tsp milk

            Combine and then apply to face avoiding eyes and relax for 10-15 minutes then rinse with warm water.  Enjoy your nourished and conditioned face!

PUMPKIN BODY BUTTER

1/2 c pumpkin puree                                              

1/2tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 c solids from a can of coconut milk

            Mix ingredients and apply generously to clean skin, massaging gently to work well into the skin.  Allow to remain on for 10 minutes or so, then rinse with warm water and pat dry.

2. Pumpkins can double as a vase.  Cut off top, remove pulp and seeds, then place a container filled with water inside filled with a bouquet of fall flowers.

 

3. Create floating pumpkin candles using miniature pumpkins from the farmer’s market.  Carefully cut out a circle from the center to fit a votive candle, then float in a bowl surrounded by a grapevine wreath as a fall centerpiece on a coffee table.

 

4. Make a pumpkin planter for your porch.  Use a carved or an uncarved pumpkin and plant a colorful mum inside in potting soil for a festive decoration that can later be planted in the garden.  Plant the whole thing before your first frost – the pumpkin will naturally decompose and provide fertilizer for the plant.

 

5. Recreate the scent of pumpkin pie by carving round holes in the sides to vent in a hollowed out small pumpkin and rubbing spices onto the inside of the lid.  Add a tea light candle and this pumpkin incense burner will fragrance your home for about six hours!

 

6. Pumpkins are a tasty snack for furry or feathered friends if you live in the country.  Cut into fourths, remove seeds for the birds and place away from the house as perfect food especially for deer.

 

Note: If using pumpkins indoors, use chlorine bleach and wash them well to remove dirt and make them last indefinitely!

 

 “All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
Proverbs 14:23

AIR PURIFYING HOUSEPLANTS

Have you thanked a green plant today? 

 

Houseplants not only are useful as accessories in our homes, they also make people feel better, perform better and enjoy life more.  All green plants use the carbon dioxide we breathe out and provide us with oxygen through photosynthesis, but some do much more.  Some are also beneficial as living air purifiers removing several common pollutants of our everyday lives.  In order to obtain the most benefit, use one 6” plant container for every 100 square feet of living space.

 

This is a list of plants that are recommended for treating the following sources of indoor air pollution:

Trichloroethylene (TCE) - primarily used in the metal degreasing and dry cleaning industries; also in printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes, adhesives.

 

• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum
• Dracaena (Dracaena spp)

 

 

Benzene - a very commonly used solvent also present in many common items including inks, oils, paints, dyes, plastics, rubber, dyes, detergents, gasoline, pharmaceutical, tobacco smoke, synthetic fibers.

 

 

• Dracaena (Dracaena spp)
• English Ivy (Hedera helix)
• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

 

 

Formaldehyde - major sources include foam insulation and particle board or pressed wood products. Also used in consumer paper products including grocery bags, waxed papers, facial tissues and paper towels. Many common household cleaning agents contain formaldehyde. Other sources include heating and cooking fuels like natural gas, kerosene, and cigarette smoke.

 

• Aloe (Aloe barbadensis)
• Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)
• Philodendron (Philodendron spp)
• Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
• Golden Pothos (Epipiremnum aureum)
• Mother-in-law’s Tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)
• Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans)
• Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina)

                                     
Another way to purify the air indoors is to eliminate bad odors with some herbs that add pleasant aromas with benefits:

• Scented Geraniums (Pelargonium spp) – variety of aromas to please everyone
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)- aroma improves cognitive function
• Lavender (Lavandula spp) – aroma relaxes lungs and help calm stress
• Mint (Mentha spp)– aroma refreshes which makes air easier to breathe
  

 

 

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world and all who live in it”

Psalm 24:1

BENE-FUL BERRIES

July is National Blueberries Month, but blueberries are not the only berries packed full of health benefits.  All berries contain an array of vitamins and minerals plus dietary fiber – generally the darker the berry, the greater the benefits especially to fight disease.  Choose fresh, frozen or dried berries as they all contain nearly the same antioxidant levels – of course growing your own is the best choice!

 

 

 

BLUEBERRY

            Blueberry fruit and leaf are one of the oldest remedies in the history of medicine and are also a powerhouse of phytochemicals.          
          Fresh berries have a high level of antioxidants in comparison to other fruits and vegetables and contain vitamin A and C, as well as compounds such as natural sugars.  In addition to helping your brain and heart, blueberries also contain lutein, an important carotenoid for maintaining eye health. Blueberry leaf tea in addition to providing antioxidants can slightly lower blood sugar in “borderline” cases as well as prolonging the effects of insulin or reducing the amount of insulin needed.

 

 

 

CRANBERRY

            Fresh cranberries, which contain the highest level of beneficial nutrients, are the bright red cousin of blueberries.  They are high in vitamin C and A, potassium and fiber and have long been valued as one of nature’s best weapons against cystitis and urinary tract infections with their antibacterial qualities, but they also promote gastrointestinal and oral health. Although not easy to grow in your backyard, they are readily available fresh for Thanksgiving and freeze well.

 

 

 

 

RED & BLACK RASPBERRY

            Picked and eaten since prehistoric times, red & black raspberry fruit and leaves have been used for centuries as a beneficial for good health.  The fruit is nutritious and mildly astringent and is said to have a beneficial effect on the heart, plus the juice makes an excellent beverage.  Raspberries have been found to be among the strongest berries for attacking free radicals and fighting cancer.  Red raspberry leaf tea contains vitamins A, C, D, E and F as well as iron, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium and has been connected to female health, including pregnancy as well as making a good mouthwash for oral health.  Numerous varieties of this cane berry are available to grow plus you can also find them in the wild.

 

 

 

 

 

STRAWBERRY

            Easy to grow plus found in the wild, strawberries contain the highest vitamin C content of any of the commonly grown berries.  They are important for improving brain and immune function plus overall health.  Strawberries also have a healthy dose of magnesium and fiber.

 

 

Although always best eaten fresh, try making this freezer jam to preserve the harvest from your garden or grocer:

BERRY FREEZER JAM: Puree 3 pints of any berries or a combination such as blueberries, black raspberries and strawberries and strain to remove seeds. Mix 3c berries with 5c sugar and let set 10-15 minutes.  Combine 1 box of pectin with 1c water and boil for 1 minute, then pour into berry mixture and stir until sugar dissolves.  Pour into clean containers, cover and leave at room temperature overnight.  Freeze or keep in refrigerator.

 

 

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.”
Psalm 24:1-2

ORNAMENTAL HERBS

 

June is Perennial Gardening Month and these ornamental perennial herbs can be planted together in the garden, added to specific gardens or mixed in with your landscape in beds, borders or anywhere you want some interesting color or texture.  Herbs are great as cut flowers also.  In addition try adding Calendula, it's an annual, but reseeds each year. The colors are bright and cheerful. They are similar to daisies, and can be direct seeded. Calendulas grow up to 18 inches tall, and will bush out once they really start growing. Keep the plant deadheaded and it will continue to produce bright blooms!

ANISE HYSSOP (Agastache foeniculum) - attractive purple flower spikes that attract butterflies and bees           

            FRAGRANCE, BUTTERFLY GARDEN

BEEBALM (Monardra didyma) - Unusual edible red spidery flowers that attract hummingbirds

            FRAGRANCE, TEA, HUMMINGBIRD GARDEN

CATMINT (Nepeta cataria)– purple flowers, silver foliage, mounding habit for borders and edging                
            GROUND COVER, FRAGRANCE, BORDERS

CHIVES (Allium schoenoprasum)– purple flowers and grassy foliage for borders

            BUTTERFLY GARDEN, EDIBLE FLOWER GARDEN, BORDER

BRONZE FENNEL (Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpureum') – feathery bronze aromatic foliage

            BIBLE GARDEN, FRAGRANCE GARDEN, DYER’S GARDEN, BUTTERFLY GARDEN

GERMANDER (Teucrium chamaedrys) – Semi-evergreen miniature hedge also known as poor man’s boxwood

            KNOT GARDEN

LADY’S MANTLE (Alchemilla mollis)– Semi-evergreen ground carpet with frothy green flowers and leaves that catch the dew/rain

            GROUNDCOVER, MOONLIGHT GARDEN

LAMB’S EAR (Stachys byzantine) – Silver wooly leaves and tall, purple-flowered spikes

            GROUNDCOVER. HUMMINGBIRD GARDEN

LAVENDER (Lavandula angustifolia)– Classic fragrant purple flowers and great for low hedges, edging for walks, rock gardens, and potted plants

            FRAGRANCE GARDEN, BUTTERFLY GARDEN, BIBLE GARDEN

MEADOWSWEET (Filipendula ulmaria) – Feathery almond scented plumes in summer/fall, long lasting cut flowers for bridal bouquets

            MOONLIGHT GARDEN, CUT FLOWER GARDEN, POTPOURRI GARDEN

MOUNTAIN MINT (Pycnanthemum virginium)– shrub-like native that is an excellent bee plant

            FRAGRANCE GARDEN, BIBLE GARDEN, TEA GARDEN, EVERLASTING GARDEN

OREGANO (Origanum spp) – Purple/Blue flowers on ornamental varieties excellent for dried arrangement

            EVERLASTING GARDEN, DYER’S GARDEN, ROCK GARDEN

RUE (Ruta graveolens)– Lacy blue/green foliage (model for the suit of clubs) and yellow waxy blooms

            BIBLE GARDEN, EVERLASTING GARDEN, MOONLIGHT GARDEN

SAGE (Salvia officinalis) – Grey-green pebbly leaves, pale blue flowers, some with variegated foliage/silvery foliage shrub-like

            HUMMINGBIRD, MOONLIGHT, BIBLE GARDEN

SOAPWORT (Saponaria officinalis) – Delicate pink blossoms on low growing mounds

            GROUNDCOVER

THYME (Thymus vulgaris)– Low growing fragrant foliage that can be walked on

            ROCK GARDEN, PATHS, FRAGRANCE GARDEN

VALERIAN (Valeriana officinalis) – Also known as garden heliotrope – an old-time favorite with white flowers

            BIBLE GARDEN, CUTTING GARDEN

ST. JOHN’S WORT (Hypericum perforatum) – Ground cover with balsam-scented foliage and yellow flowers that turn red when pinched

            GROUNDCOVER, BIBLE GARDEN

YARROW (Achillea millefolium) – Yellow/white button flowers and silvery ferny foliage

            EVERLASTING GARDEN

 

 

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,

the world and all who live in it”

Psalm 24:1

SEED SPROUTING

 

Seed sprouts are filled with nutrition and considered one of the world’s “Super Foods.” They taste good, are easy to grow, can be done all year in any location and are economical since they produce 5 times the amount!  Increases in protein quality, fiber content, essential fatty acids, and vitamin content are just a few of the amazing nutritional changes that occur upon germination.

 

Anyone can do it and all you need are a few items to get started: quart canning jar with ring lid, piece of nylon screen, seeds and water.  Given proper moisture a seed will germinate.

 

Basic Directions: Add seed to quart canning jar, cut nylon screen to fit mouth of jar and screw on lid, add 1c water and soak for 8 hours.  Drain well, rinse with cool water 2-3 times a day and lay on side in indirect sunlight to sprout.  Regular rinsing will add moisture while draining controls the amount of moisture.  Rinse before eating and refrigerate within 8 hours of the final rinse.

Here are a few seeds that produce great sprouts:

ALFALFA

• the most famous sprout in the United States
• mildly nutty flavor and a crispy texture
• contains more chlorophyll than spinach, cabbage, or kale! 
• Use 2Tbs seed – ready to use in 5-6 days

BROCCOLI

• flavor and texture to practically anything
• excellent source of Vitamin A, selenium and betacarotene plus contains a powerful antioxidant found in cruciferous plants
• add to salads, soups, pizza, wraps or you can enjoy them all by themselves with a bit of dressing
• Use 2-4Tbs – ready to use in 3-6 days

RED CLOVER

• most common sprouts commercially available
• sweet, nutty and mild like Alfalfa, but with a lighter green leaf
• stores longer in the fridge
• Use 2Tbs seed – ready to use in 3-5 days

FENUGREEK

• a pleasant, subtle and sweet taste
• detoxify the body, and help control blood sugar levels
• popular on sandwiches, in sushi or sautéed with garlic cloves and butter and served with basmati rice
• Use just enough to create a single layer of seeds – ready to eat in 4-6 days

RED LENTILS

• fairly mild in taste, but they do have a great crispy texture
• Add them to a spring greens salad or a stir-fry
• Use just enough to create a single layer of seeds – ready to eat in 4-6 days

MUSTARD

• spicier than most sprouts
• popular in Indian curry dishes, but can also be used to spice up a sandwich or salad
• Use 2-4Tbs – ready to use in 3-5 days

RADISH

• quite spicy
• contains a considerable amount of protein and Vitamin C and are also an excellent source of calcium.
• liven up a salad, sandwich, or main dish
• Use 2-4Tbs – ready to use in 3-5 days

 

 

 “For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise
 spring up before all nations.”

Isaiah 61:11