This is our first year having a real garden. We've grown vegetables in the past but this year's garden makes those attempts seem laughable. In the past we have simply dug up a small plot, and I do mean small, like, flower bed small. This year our main garden is 50 ft x 20 ft! We've been tilling, and fertilizing, and starting seeds in anticipation. We still need a fence to keep the deer away. Here is some of our progress in photos.
No more throwing away or composting the ends of celery for me! You can regrow your celery stalks using the end that is cut off and usually tossed. To do this, simply place the cut off end into a small dish of water. Within a few days you will see leaves growing from the center. Simply replant into soil outside if it is warm enough or in a planter indoors in a sunny spot until it can be transplanted outside. No need to fuss with seeds! You will have small celery stalks within a few short weeks.
It is only March and I have already seen (and felt) those pesky little blood sucking insects. Mosquitoes. I personally don't usually have too many issues with them. I guess they don't like the way I taste, being bitter and all, hehe. My husband and kids, on the other hand, seem to be a mosquito's favorite treat.
In the past we have always purchased various bug repellents in chemical form. That is not an option for us this year. We are avoiding as many harmful chemicals as we possibly can. So, since sprays and lotions are out. I have been researching some natural mosquito repellents.
Marigold: I already knew about this one and had already planned to plants lots and lots of marigold around the yard. So far I have 16 flowers in the small flower bed in the front yard and have planted lots of seeds in the same flower bed and on the side yard where we will not be cutting grass. This is the same area where our picnic table will be so I am really hoping it helps. Apparently marigold also wards off deer, so we may be planting them around our vegetable garden too.
Catnip: I had no idea. Some people swear by it, saying that just picking some catnip and rubbing the plant on their skin and clothing keeps the pests away. I bought catnip seeds yesterday. I read that it is an invasive plant, meaning it will take over and area so I am thinking that growing it in a container that can be moved around from area to area will be a god idea. I'll do the same with mint.
Mint: I already purchased mint seeds, but not for their repellent benefits. I planned to grow mint for teas and cooking. I just learned that mint is great at warding off mosquitoes. Wonderful! Double duty plants, hooray! Mint will be grown in a large container because it spreads and is hard to contain otherwise, this also gives us the option to move the mint plants to whatever section of the yard we are in.
Citronella: I have been unable to find citronella plants locally, but then again, it is only March. I will continue to look. I do know that my local farmer's market sells citronella essential oil. I am sure I can come up with a recipe for a spray or salve of some sort using that. I'll keep you posted.
Rosemary: Lucky for me there was already a very lovely rosemary plant in my backyard when I moved in. That plant is the center and focal point of my herb garden to-be. I already make a tea from the shrub and use it for cleaning since it has a wonderful scent and antibacterial properties.
Lemongrass: Another beautiful plant in flower beds and gardens. I am still searching for this one and hope to make it a part of my herb garden and flower beds.
This is what I have found so far and I think that with all of these herbs and flowers combined I will have a good advantage on winning my war on mosquitoes this summer. What are your plans for keeping the flying vampires at bay? I'd love to hear from you!
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My husband and I try our hardest to feed our children and ourselves the healthiest foods available. This often comes with a high price. Choosing organic and natural foods definitely comes with a higher price, but we believe paying the higher prices now will save us money in the long run. By choosing to eat better we are healthier and require less medicines and doctor visits.
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| The space between the wooden stakes will be our garden. |
Since we plan to have a garden this year and we are not about to purchase and use any crazy fertilizers with words we cannot pronounce and chemicals that can and will compromise our produce and our health we have been composting, or rather "feeding the worms", as we tell our three year old, since December.
What is vermicompost?
Vermicompost is a rich organic material produced when worms eat and then expel organic matter. Or, worm poop. It is much more scientific than that but I will not bore you with it here. However, for those of you who must know, you may click here to read more.
What You'll Need:
