Garden Chick - in My Garden

Fourth of July

2009-07-04T05:12:00.000-07:00

Wishing you and your family a safe and happy 4th of July!

"You may think you have overeaten, but it is only Patriotism" (Erma Bombeck)

Amber Resin

2009-06-29T06:36:00.000-07:00

There are so many essential oils available, that I will never be able to sample them all. Some I use for their medicinal quality, others simply for their fragrance. I tend to lean toward the sweet smelling floral ones; such as jasmine, neroli,or ylang-ylang. Vanilla is another scent I love. Others such as patchouli are a little too "earthy" for me. I use lavender a lot in my bath salts, linen sprays, monster spray and dream pillows because of it's calming and sedative properties. But I admit, it's fragrance is a little too medicinal for me, and I often pair it with vanilla, tangerine, or sweet orange. In my dream pillows I mix it with other "sleep herbs" such as roses, chamomile, and hops. (Gardenchick)

I was at the local "green" market the other day looking for some dried St. John's Wort. The essential oils are nearby and I can't resist taking a few "sniffs" of the samples. I kept smelling the most wonderful scent and finally located it. It was amber. A small rock size piece of this resin could be smelled through the package. The only description I can use to describe this is "exotic" It is a little expensive. This small rock size piece was $3.99, but I snatched one up, knowing I would figure out what to do with it later.

Amber is not an essential oil however. According to EdenBotanicals (Marge at Naturesgift says they are THE place to purchase your amber and I always listen to Marge!), the term amber "generally refers to either Baltic amber or to fragrant amber resin." The baltic amber is fossalized tree resin and used primarily in jewelry. The fragrant amber, is a semi-solid mass of tree resins mixed with essential oils, bees wax, and fragrant plant powers. Each amber resin maker uses his or her own, unique secret formula for making their resin.. Eden Botanical's is known as Amber Essence.

I decided the easiest way to start out using this scent was as a body powder. You can create your own body powder by taking 1 cup arrowroot or cornstarch and placing it in an airtight container with about a pea size piece of the amber. Close the container and allow it to sit for about a week.

Body powders are great for this summer weather. After a hard day in the garden, they will make your skin feel silky smooth, and help to keep you cool and dry.

You can either place your finished powder in a shaker container to buy online, or why not "repurpose" a pretty salt and pepper container? Maybe you can find a salt and pepper shaker at a local thrift or antique mall for a unique gift for family and friends. I often see the old body powder containers at flea markets and antique shops for a reasonable price, and you could pair this with a "powder puff" from your local dollar store or Walmart.

You don't have to limit yourself to amber. Ground rose petals and a few drops of rose absolute essential oil would also make a fragrant and attractive body powder.

*picture from http://www.edenbotanicals.com/

Home Depot Gift Card Giveaway-Winner

2009-06-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

Ta Dah! And the winner of the gift card giveaway is: Kariteimo@gmail.com

Here's how I Picked the winner. It was very scientific. All the names were placed in a bowl. You received more than one entry if you tweeted,facebooked, or blogged, so a couple of peoples names were in the pot (bowl) 3-4 times. I then reached in and Wa-Lah! Out it came.

I will contact the sponsor, and give her the address, and she will mail the gift card.

Congratulations, hope you send me a picture of your project.

Karen

Summer Solstice

2009-06-22T06:22:00.000-07:00

It's Official! The summer solstice occurred yesterday marking the first day of Summer. Like most of you, I didn't need a calender to tell me that. Did I miss spring? Sweltering temperatures in the 90's with a heat index in the 100's has lingered here for the last week or so. We were out in the garden early yesterday morning to weed and water, and by 9:00 a.m. the heat was oppressive.

Sol +stice is derived from a combination of Latin words which mean "sun" and "to stand still". In the Summer Solstice, the sun reaches it's highest peak in the sky, resulting in the longest day and shortest night of the year. The Summer Solstice

has been celebrated by civilizations for years, both Pagan and Christian.

Herbs and flowers played an important part in these rituals, believed to have magical powers.

The herb, St. Johns Wort (hypericum perforatum)) was thought to ward off evil spirits , and is often known by the name of chase-devil. The name St. Johns Wort came about after the Catholic Church established the Feast of St. John as an alternative to the pagan midsummer celebration.

Today, St. John's Wort is widely used to treat mild depression. The bright yellow flowers are often used in tinctures, tablets, capsules, and teas. A perinneal herb, hypericum perforatum can be grown in both sun and light shade. A wild growing weed in many areas, it will spread easily, and should be planted where it can be contained.

*The St. John's Picture is from www.wikipedia.com

Fathers Day

2009-06-21T13:30:00.001-07:00

Dad, I miss you, but felt you in the garden with me this morning.
Jesse H. Johnson
September 27, 1926- August 15, 2008

Herbal Tub Teas

2009-06-20T05:51:00.001-07:00

I gathered up my courage, and early this morning went out to gather the lavender off of my plants. Who knew bees got up so early? I hadn't even heard my little rooster attempt his weak crows this morning. Anyway, not to be deterred, I dove in and started clipping back the stalks. The bees could have easily moved on to other plants, but no, we both were determined to get the lavender. I won without incident. I read if you showed no fear, the bees would not sting you. They must have fell for my ruse, because we both were working as fast as we could with only a few warning buzzes to move me back. After the lavender dries (I am placing it in a brown paper in the back of my hot, closed up car for a few days), I will to make some fresh lavender buds. I have a mixture left over that I use for the tub teas I sell and it still smells wonderful. I will add a little lavender essential oil to freshen it up.

What you need:

Heat sealable tea bags (Large) (http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/ or http://www.thesoapdish.com/ )

dried herbs (I have lavender, rose buds, calendula)

milk powder (I am using coconut milk powder purchased from (http://www.thesoapdish.com/) but you can use any kinds of dried milk powder. I have used honey powder before which smells delicious.

oatmeal (not the instant kind)

Essential oil (optional)

Mix the ingredients. I usually use equal parts oatmeal, powder, dried herbs and a few drops essential oil.

Place in the heat sealable tea bag and iron the top shut or in a muslin bag.

Place the bag under the running water, or make a tea from it and pour into your running bath.

I have some great tub teas on my website. Just go here to purchase www.gardenchick.com/tub_teas.html

Want to learn more? Check out Tina Sam's blogpost at http://www.theessentialherbal.blogspot.com/2008/12/holiday-herbal-gift-series-17.html

Lavender is Blooming

2009-06-10T04:49:00.000-07:00

I love lavender, and planted this one plant last year next to our patio. I put the old garden gate behind it, and the sign hanging off the back says "Lavender". A little hemp beehive and old yellow metal chair complete the scene. I am going to cut this lavender this morning, and it should have been much earlier. Lavender should be cut right before the buds open. The honey bees have been dining on the lavender and someone is going to have some great lavender honey.

There are so many ways to use lavender. Cooking, in healing salves, tub teas, sachets, and many different ways. I cut mine and place in a brown paper bag, and place that in the back of my car, or on the dashboard in the sun. It is so humid here, I have trouble getting herbs to dry by placing them outside in a shaded place.

Here is a recipe from the blog http://www.abouthyme.com

Lavender Lip Balm

This lip balm would be great for sunburned or chapped lips since lavender is known for it's healing properties
½ cup cosmetic oil (apricot kernal, sweet almond, or grapeseed oil) ¼ cup fresh lavender flowers lavender essential oil 1-2 tsp pure beeswax, grated

In a clean lidded jar, steep the lavender flowers in the oil for a week. Strain into a small saucepan, add 5-6 drops of essential oil, and place over low heat. When warm, begin adding the beeswax. When you've melted in the first teaspoon of wax, removed from the heat and test for hardness by placing a little on a saucer and putting in the refrigerator. After a couple of minutes, check to see if the gloss has congealed. If it isn't hard enough, add a little more wax and reheat. If it's too hard, add a few drops of oil and reheat. When done, pour into a small lidded jar and let it cool.

This is one of the blogs of Susan Wittig Albert, the best selling author of the China Bayles mystery series.

In My Garden

2009-06-09T07:18:00.000-07:00

What a difference 5 weeks make. We planted the garden less than 5 weeks ago, and you can see how the rain we have had has really helped the garden grow. I think we have watered only twice. Once at planting, and a couple of days ago. We have corn, green beans, okra, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers. There are small tomatoes and peppers already.

chick update

2009-06-09T06:58:00.001-07:00

Aren't my babies getting to be big? They are now in their own HUGE pen. I tried the first few nights to corral them into their house, but found that they liked roosting in the trees, and it was getting a little embarrassing knowing they continually outsmarted me. This pen is on the side of the hill on our property and is shaded by huge trees. I still need to get a couple more hens for the two roosters.

PrairieFlowerFarm Blog

2009-06-01T17:13:00.000-07:00

I am always finding these wonderful blogs, and then can't remember how I got to them. There are so many creative, and talented women on the web, and I could spend all day reading blogs.

The latest I found caught my eye because of the colors (I love red), and her slide show of pictures. Funny how so many people have the same taste. And then, right before my very eyes, was a chicken tea towel to embroider. Do you know how long it has been since I have embroidered anything. Let's just say way too long. I couldn't resist the the chick tea towel pattern FREE! I received and downloaded the pattern in less than two minutes, and can't wait to get started. Please visit Linda's blog www.prairieflowerfarm.blogspot.com and pick yours up! She is also having a giveaway for the tea towel.

Home Depot 100.00 Gift Card Giveaway

2009-06-01T06:26:00.000-07:00

The rain has finally stopped here in North Georgia, and I know you all have projects you are anxious to get started on for the house and garden. My husband and son finished putting the roof on our new deck, and before it was even finished I was telling my husband how I wanted a garden shed/building to house my business Gardenchick. There is a wonderful two story one at Home Depot that has my name written all over it!

I was contacted by Home Depot and offered a $100.00 gift card for the readers of my blog! What a great giveaway to get your home and garden ready for summer, and what Dad would not love a Home Depot gift card for Father's Day.

Here's how it works. Go over to Home Depot's Garden Club site and look through the popular gardening DIY projects. Then submit on the comment section of this post, the “DIY gardening project” you would like to tackle or what you would buy if you win the $100 gift card on my blog. BE SURE AND LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN!

Also, tell me if you tweet about it, blog about it, or put it on your facebook page, and you will get extra entries increasing your chance of winning!

The contest runs from June 1 through June 21st Fathers Day.

The Home Depot Gardening Club can also answer any of your gardening questions within 24 hours and has great coupons, tips, and DIY advice on gardening, lawn care, landscaping and outdoor living projects. ENTER NOW!

Enter here: homedepotgardenclub.com

Good luck, and happy gardening
Karen

Time to Garden!

2009-05-28T18:21:00.000-07:00

Finally, a few clear days to finish up the garden. It has rained steadily here for the last month. We have the corn, beans, squash, peppers, tomatoes, okra, green beans and cucumbers planted. I swear, I saw those green beans come up and grow overnight!.

My chickens are in the yard daily, and boy have they grown with all the green grass and weeds. They are still small enough to catch by tricking them with their food, but Sunday I am going to fix their pen, and they are going to learn to live outside and not in my dining room. They can really make a mess. The final result is 2 roosters, 1 hen. I am going to have to find a couple more hens to keep the boys happy.

I haven't posted for over 2 weeks, due to a stomach bug, and then into my chest. Thanks for those who checked in on me. I am never sick, and this has really gotten me into a funk! But, I am back now, getting ready to go to Chicago in the morning. I was selected to Pitch My Products at the Country Living Womens Entrepreneur Conference. I am taking along my "Mackenzies Garden Products" and hope the judges love my products. Tomorrow, before I will leave, I will post a new giveaway. I was contacted by Home Depot to give away a 100.00 gift card! Just in time for the summer and Father's Day.

Send me good thoughts!
Karen

Baby Chicks are here: What Kind Are They

2009-05-09T06:54:00.000-07:00

Little brown and orange chicks with feathers on their legs. Bantam chicks. Anyone know the name?

My granddaughters and I could not resist the sign that said baby chicks for sale 1.50. Okay, so they can't read. I couldn't resist it. We stopped at a little house where an elderly couple lived. They had a huge garden plowed, about 50 or more tomato plants to put in, and the elderly man said he just didn't garden like he used to! They had peacocks that strutted for the girls, goats, and lots of chickens on this little place tucked in behind other houses. We picked out our 4 chicks three which were two weeks old, and one (because it was smaller and sweeter according to the girls) that was one week old. Next a stop at the feed store for chick feed and a feeder. We had an old cage that had been used for transporting something at one time, and in they went in the back yard. It was a beautiful day and they enjoyed the grass under their feet. They stayed in my office during the day because of the next week of constant rain, and unfortunately we lost the youngest one. An appropriate burial took place at my granddaughters house, officiated by my son. I think it is his turn to take over this practice, after years of me assisting with the burial of dogs, cats, birds, squirrels, lizards..............

Now that they are getting larger, I think we are left with two roosters and one hen. They are little bantam chicks with feathers on their legs. Can anyone identify them?

The feed store is going to have sexed chicks next weekend. The owner said they sold out of the last chicks in two days and says that plants and seeds are selling like wildfire. I think everyone is taking this self sufficiency idea seriously. I want to buy about 3 more hens and think that will be enough. We have a very large fenced in area, but chickens can clear out an area with their scratching in no time. I also have a portable pen my son will bring me, but it will hold only about 3 chickens at a time. We can move this around outside the fenced in area to give them more room. I can't let them roam freely because of neighborhood dogs, and the last chickens we had chose my deck railing to roost at night. Chicken poop everywhere.

Send me all your comments on raising chicks, coops etc, and help me identify these chicks.

Create a Healing Garden

2009-05-06T14:22:00.000-07:00

Lemon Balm Chamomile

St. Johns Wort

The current garden project I am working on is an apothecary garden. I want to make more tinctures, oils and salves for myself and for my business , so I have plans to fill it with a number of healing herbs. Like any herb garden it will need to be planted in full sun, and drain well. Any of the mints may need to be contained. Yarrow, and St. John's Wort can be invasive, so I haven't decided if I want to plant in one big bed, or use raised beds and containers.

Some plants I am considering include:

Calendula (calendula officinalis)
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Comfrey (symphytum officinale)
Lemon Balm (melissa officinalis)
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita )
Passionflower (passiflora incarnata)
Bee Balm (mondara didyma)
Yarrow (achillia millefolium)
Catnip or Catmint (nepeta cataria)
Echinacea (echinachia augustifolia)
Aloe Vera

www.christopherhobbs.com

Mothers Day Gifts

2009-05-05T07:28:00.000-07:00

For those of you who read my blog, but haven't visited my website, this is a PERFECT time to do so. Great mothers days gifts can be ordered today, and still reach you by Saturday via priority mail. As an incentive for shopping with me, I will charge you regular mail charge, and ship Priority. This mothers day, and for all your shopping days, choose to buy locally, or from someone (like me), who takes pride in their products, makes all the bath and body products in small batches for freshness, and is not an impersonal big box store! I will hand change the shipping when processed as it will show up priority on your cart.

Visit me at www.gardenchick.com

Happy Mothers Day

Karen

Here's some great ideas just in case you need them. A great gift basket could be made from these. If your mom lives out of town, give me her address and I will ship there with a note just from you.

Torchsong Studio 10th and final week of contest!

2009-05-01T17:06:00.000-07:00

Torchsong Studio will be hosting the 10th and final week of our blog contest.Maryanne is offering something a little different to close out the contest.A lead-free pewter garden pin with a little glass ladybug charm in the middle and garden tools on either side.Just comment on this, or any of the other blogs participating for a chance to win one of ten pins to be given away. MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE A CONTACT email.

Remember all of the blogs below are participating, so visit all of them and post to increase your chances of winning.
Aquarian Bath
The Essential Herbal
Herbs from the Labyrinth
Patti's Potions
PrairieLand Herbs
The Rosemary House
Nature's Gift Torchsong Studio
SunRose Aromatics

Our final contest - check back on May 8 for the list of winners!Thanks everyone for participating and for playing!

Blueberries-Grow Your Own

2009-04-26T06:40:00.000-07:00

We started off with three blueberry bushes in our garden a few years ago. We are down to one. One succumbed to the Barbie Jeep, and I have no idea where the other one disappeared to, so blueberry bushes are on my list of purchases when I visit the Chattanooga Market next Sunday.

Most blueberries need a different variety near them to encourage a lot of fruit. The one bush left standing bears very good and is a "rabbiteye" variety, which grows well in the south, and is a more compact variety. We will need to look for a different variety which is for our Zone 7.

Be sure and choose the right variety for your climate. My blueberry bush is hardy in Zones 7-9 so be sure an check with your local nursery before purchasing.

Like most fruits and vegetables, blueberries do best when planted in full sun, but will tolerate some shade. When planted in moist, well drained soil, rich in organic matter, your blueberries will provide you with a bumper crop.

Blueberries are different from a lot of fruits, however, due to the fact that they prefer an acidic soil. (pH 4.5-5.5) You can amend your soil with soil sulfur before planting a new bush or sawdust, composted leaves, wood chips, cottonseed meal, leaf mold and especially peat moss, will lower the soil pH. You can pick up a soil testing kit from your local nursery or submit to your local agricultural extension center.

If you are planting a new bush, remove all the flowers or fruit the first year. Doing this will help establish the plant, and provide you with a bigger crop next year.

Plant your blueberry bush according to directions, then spread a deep layer of mulch over the soil around the plant. Pull it back away from the stem a few inches. This thick mulch will provide protection not only from the cool weather, hold in moisture, but keep voles, mice and other pests from attacking the plant underneath the mulch.

Blueberries are easy to care for, and should not require any pruning the first 5-6 years. After that, you may cut away any old stems to the ground, allowing new limbs to take their place.

Top dress each year with compost. The roots of blueberries are very sensitive, and can be easily damaged if you over fertlize. If you do use fertilizer, use it at a rate 1/2 or 1/4 of the recommended amount on the package.

Netting or fencing may be needed to protect your plants. The birds love our blueberries, and if not caught in time, can eat half your crop before you know it, and Granddaughters can really clean a bush off in record time!

If you don't have the space, or your soil is poor or stays soggy, blueberries can be grown in containers. Choose large containers, and plant in an acidic potting mix.

Blue-Blueberry Muffin

1/4 cup butter, softened

2/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla1

1/4 cups blueberries

1 cup plus 2 tbsp cake flour, sifted

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup milk

1/4 cup chopped pecans,

optionalTopping:1 teaspoon sugar mixed with 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon or ground nutmeg

Preheat oven to 375°. In large bowl, cream butter, sugar, and lemon until light, about 4 to 5 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla. Mash 1/4 cup of the blueberries and beat into batter. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.Fold dry ingredients into batter, a little at a time, alternating with milk. Fold in remaining 1 cup berries and pecans Divide into 8 paper lined muffin cups. Sprinkle each muffin with the sugar and spice mixture. Bake until muffins spring back when lightly touched, about 20 to 25 minutes.

For more blueberry recipes go to http://www.blueberry-recipes.com/

Week 9 Blog Contest - Nature's Gift

2009-04-23T18:10:00.000-07:00

At Nature's Gift we have been pleased and excited about hosting this week's contest. The hard part has been trying to decide what to offer as the prize!
We chose Deluxe Personal Inhalers from our new shipment, filled with the winner's choice of several healing synergies.

We'll ship one of these pretty purse-sized inhalers filled with your choice of our SineEase Synergy, for easing sinus pain and congestion, Happy Morning Synergy, recommended for easing the nausea of morning sickness, but also helpful for motion sickness, etc., or our research based depression fighter "Citrus Smile."

To be entered in the contest, respond to this post, here, and at all the blogs listed below.

And to make the contest even more exciting, ONE lucky entrant, drawn from one of the listed blogs, will receive a signed copy of Marge's Book "Essential Oils and Aromatics".

You may check these links for some of the reviews. From the Journal of the Northeast Herbal Association, or from The Massage Therapy Journal.

Remember all of the blogs below are participating, so visit all of them and post to increase your chances of winning.

Aquarian Bath

The Essential Herbal

Herbs from the Labyrinth

Earth Day 2009- Growing "Green" Kids

2009-04-20T13:39:00.000-07:00

My first earth day celebration was in 1986 when my oldest son Josh was in the first grade. His school hosted many activities including beginning to recycle at his school. This project was sponsored by a number of "room mothers", including myself, and approved by the principle.

Today, 23 years later, I am enjoying introducing my granddaughters( 5 and 3) to gardening and a love of the outdoors. One minute they are playing with their dolls, dressing in high heels and make-up, the next catching minnows in a little branch running down our property, and digging for worms. You can see my granddaughters on my web page at http://www.gardenchick.com/ .

Earth Day is April 22 every year, and is a great way to reinforce your committment to use less energy, eat locally, and save our natural resources.

Here are some simple ways to introduce children to "green living"

Create a green living reward chart and receive stickers for participating in green activities.
Decide what your reward will be for a certain number of stickers.

Have them decorate a pot and place a houseplant in their room. Situate in the correct light for their plant and water it when it is thirsty.

Remind them to turn off the lights, television, stereo, and computer when they leave the room.

Turn off the water when brushing teeth. This will save a couple of gallons every day. Did you know Americans use 100 gallons of water each day, and that is twice the rate of other industrial nations

Purchase a resuable bag for your groceries. Keep in the car for those quick trips into the grocery store or local farmers market

Visit a local farmers market. On average, food travels over 1500 miles to get to our plate. Introduce your children to locally grown food, and discuss how this helps local farmers, saves gas, and is much more healthy.

Plant a garden. Even if it is small, or a container garden. Tomatoes, peppers, herbs, onions, are some of the vegetables that can be grown in a container.

Plant a tree in your yard.

At the grocery store, look for products with recycled content such as toilet tissue, paper napkins, paper towels and facial tissue. We could save over 150,000 trees if each U.S. household replaced just one typical box of facial sheets with recycled sheets, 500,000 if each household replaced just one roll of 75 sheets of paper towels.

Buy school supplies made from recycled materials, and encourage the school to use recycled school supplies.

Use water bottles that are not disposable.

Have at least one all vegetable meal each week. A farmer uses an average of 6 gallons of water to grow lettuce, but 1,000 to produce a cheeseburger with lettuce. Feed for cattle is very inefficent to grow. When you do make your own burgers, use locally grown, grass fed beef. It taste better and is better for you.

Recycle and reuse: Recycle cardboard, plastic bags, paper, and aluminum cans. A cardboard recycling center on my way to work has one special bin to donate small amounts of cardboard to a local charity. Instead of buying containers for your kids rooms, have them decorate cardboard boxes to hold their pencils, supplies, jewelry pieces, cars, etc.... Donate used toys and clothes to a local thriftstore, or have a yard sale. Shop thrift stores and yard sales. Not only does it save money, it is reusing what someone else does not want.

Shop Wisely- Do you really need it?

Karen

www.greenandsave.com

www.kaboose.com earth day activities for kids

Compost Your Coffee Grounds

2009-04-20T09:42:00.000-07:00

This morning, like so many other mornings, I emptied my old coffee grounds in the garbage. I admit it, I don't have a compost pile. I have meant to make one, but........
While drinking my fresh cup of coffee, reading the ads in the back of Mother Earth News, I came across an ad from Peace Coffee (www.peacecoffee.com) with ideas on uses for old coffee grounds. In the morning, my coffee grounds will be taken down to my newly plowed garden and dumped. I promise. (if it's not raining).

Did you know:

Coffee grounds provide a good source of nitrogen for your garden.

They can be applied directly as a top dressing to acid loving plants such as blueberries, hydrangeas, and azaleas. I have all three plants, so no excuses.

Combine your coffee grounds with browns such as leaves and straws to generate heat. They act as a green material. For large amounts of grounds added to the compost bin, add 1 teaspoon lime or wood ash for every 5 lbs to counteract the acidity of the grounds.

Use your coffee grounds in vermicomposting (worm bin).

Sprinkle used grounds around plants before rain or watering for slow-release nitrogen

Encircle the base of plants with a coffee and eggshell barrier to repel pests

To make a gentle fast acting liquid fertilizer, dilute a half pound of wet coffee grounds with five gallons of water.

Source: Picture from www.starbucks.com/aboutus/compost.asp

Information: www.starbucks.com/aboutus/compost.asp

www.peacecoffee.com/blog

Herbal Giveaway from the Rosemary House

2009-04-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

Bertha Reppert (1919-1999) was the founder of The Rosemary House and our mum. She was a Renaissance woman ahead of her time when she opened a herb and spice shop in a conservative East coast town in 1968. Convinced that once everyone learned about herbs they would love these plants as much as she did, she became an avid educator about the secrets of herbs. Lecturing, writing and always promoting herbs, Bertha Reppert became a mentor to many. This weeks prize is a copy of her last herbal and one of our very favorites.

Bertha Reppert's TwelveMonth Herbal features 365 herbal essays one for each day of the year. Written like she is speaking to a friend this book is fun, informative and easy to read. Many folks have told us they reread the book every year and make their own daily notes in the margins. Be sure to leave a comment to this post and at the other participating herbal blogs (see the links below) for your chance to win this clever book (an $18.00 value) filled with herbal lore, recipes and crafts (priceless)

Sisters Susanna, the herbalist, and Nancy, the culinary artist, continue to share their Mother's love of all things herbal at The Rosemary House, the herb and spice gift shop, and at Sweet Remembrances tea room.

The following blogs are also participating, so stop over, post a comment on these blogs for additional chances to win this weeks giveaway AND the chance to explore some cool blogs.

Herbs from the Labyrinth

Patti’s Potions
PrairieLand Herbs
Aquarian Bath
The Rosemary House (where a list of winners will be posted on the 24th)

Check back we have a couple more weeks of give-aways!

Gardening by the Moon, Part One, The Phases of the Moon

2009-04-12T11:50:00.000-07:00

What was once old is now made new

I have said a number of times my love of gardening was handed down by my grandmother and father. I vividly remember when I was young, my grandmother waiting until just the right time to plant,according to the moons phase, and the signs of the zodiac. Was it a new moon? This was the best time to plant above ground annual crops. After the full moon? In go the root crops such as onions and potatoes. My Dad often consulted the Farmers Almanac to see when to plant.

The resurgence of organic and natural gardening has reignited a growing interest in lunar gardening. Added to an arsonal of weapons such as composting, companion planting, and organic fertilizer, planting by the moon can significantly effect the harvest and quality of the vegetable garden People may mistakenly think this idea is rooted in folklore or superstition, but there is actually science to back it up.

The Earth is in a huge gravitational field. As the Moon travels around the earth, it's gravitational pull on the earth creates the daily tides, and also affects the smaller bodies of water, including moisture in the soil.

New Moon:

During the new moon, the tides are at their highest. The Sun and Moon are lined up with the Earth. This is the first quarter and one of the two waxing phases. Seeds germinate easily, so it is the best time for planting, specifically annuals that produce their yield above ground, and their seeds outside the fruit. Examples would include: lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, celery, and grain crops. Cucumbers are one exception to this rule. Any activity that relates to growth and expansion should be undertaken in the waxing phase or the time between the two phases before the full moon.

Second Quarter:

The second quarter is another waxing phase, occurring immediately after the new moon. The second quarter produces good leaf growth, and is the ideal time to plant annuals that produce their yield above the ground, with their seeds inside the fruit. These would include beans, melons, peas, peppers, squash and tomatoes. Vining plants can also be planted during this time.

Any vegetable picked that is for immediate use should be picked during the waxing phase.

Full Moon:

This is the third quarter. The full moon is the waning period of the moon, or the time it's energy is drawing down. The moonlight is decreasing, and putting energy into the roots of plants. This is the time to plant root crops such as potatoes, onions, beets, carrots, and peanuts. Perennials, biennials, bulbs, shrubs and trees should be planted during this waning phase. Transplanting should be done during this time due to active root growth taking place, as well as pruning.

Fourth Quarter:

Due to the decreased gravitational pull and moonlight, this period is considered to be a resting period. You can cultivate, harvest, prune, weed, spray and transplant during this time. Drying, preserving, conserving your harvest is best done during the waning phase of the moon.

Also, mow your lawn during the 3rd and 4th quarter, as growth will be slowed during this time.

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T07:36:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter to all.

Karen

Week 7 of the herbal blog contest

2009-04-10T05:47:00.000-07:00

Welcome to week 7 of the herbal blog contest! This week we are featuring Aquarian Bath your source for all natural gentle soaps, herbal balms, salves, deodorants, and spa pillows. Aquarian Bath's soaps, balms and salves are either unscented or lightly scented with only pure essential oils. This week, enter to win you choice of a Lavender Spearmint Lip balm in a 0.15 oz tube OR a Lemon Lime Lip Balm in a 0.25 oz slide tin, and 20% off on your next order with Aquarian Bath.

The Lavender Spearmint Balm is made with Extra virgin olive oil, Shea butter, Beeswax, Castor oil, Spearmint and Lavender essential oil.

The Lemon Lime lip balm is made with Coconut oil, Shea Butter, Castor oil, Beeswax, Jojoba, Lime and Lemon Essential oils, and Zinc Oxide, a mineral used in sunscreens.

To win one of these lovely balms, enter by posting a comment in response to this blog entry and take a chance at winning! Entrants must include their email address to be eligible to win. US and Canadian residents are eligible. You can receive additional chances to win in the following ways:

* Tweet about this blog contest on twitter.com including @aquarianbath in the tweet. Come back and log your tweet with a comment to receive 1 additional entry.
* Visit and join Aquarian Bath's fan page on Facebook. Leave a comment so we know you joined to receive 1 additional entry.
* Make a comment about your favorite item from Aquarian Bath's etsy or 1000markets stores to receive 1 additional entry.
* Make a purchase with Aquarian bath to on etsy or 1000markets to receive 3 additional entries.

*The following blogs are also participating, so stop over to enter with them for additional chances to win AND the chance to explore some cool blogs.
Aquarian Bath
Make a purchase from one of these 9 host blog's online stores to receive 2 additional entries and leave a comment at the host's blog's contest:
The Essential Herbal
Herbs from the Labyrinth
Patti's Potions
PrairieLand Herbs
The Rosemary House
Nature's Gift
Torchsong Studio
SunRose Aromatics
Garden Chick

One lucky winner from one of the 10 host blogs will be contacted to receive 2 free soaps of their choice along with their lip balm and 20% off coupon, so be sure to visit and enter at all 10 blogs.

The winners will be announced at the Aquarian Bath blog when the results are in from all participating blogs. Enjoy.

Keep coming back and keep entering. We have some great prizes coming up, and we'll be having the contests until the middle of May

Georgia Garden Bloggers

2009-04-07T05:20:00.001-07:00

Are you a Georgia Blogger? Then drop by http://www.asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ and add your name to the list!