Garden Recipes

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PRESERVING BRITTLE FLOWERS

Use high quality fabric softener full strength or dilute using

1 part glycerin to 3 parts softener , remove leaves from the bottom

stems and place in solution until they feel supple.

HARVESTING HERBS

To ensure good flavor and scent pick fresh herbs right before the

plant begins to flower, on a warm dry day.

HERBAL INSECT REPELLANT

Grind 1 ½ cup of dried herbs or 3 cups fresh and place in 1 quart of

water, let it sit for 24 hours, strain, add 1/4 t. of dish soap. A

variety of herbs are known to repel a variety of insects. Experiment

to see what works best in your situation. Here are some that may

work: catmint, feverfew, marigolds, sage, thyme, pennyroyal,

wormwood, chives, painted daisies, southernwood, lemon bam, tansy,

lavender, bay and garlic.

COMFREY TONIC

Comfrey significantly is high in potash and other essential for plant

nutrition, which makes it ideal for feeding your plants. Put comfrey

leaves and water into a water tight container with a brick on top to

weigh the leaves down and allow the mixture to stand for 4 weeks. The

result is a ready to use evil smelling brew that can be diluted and

watered onto plants. I add 1/8 to 1/4 of the comfrey tonic to a

watering can and fill the rest with water to use the comfrey spray,

dilute 1 tablespoon with 2 pints of water. Add a drop of dish soap as

a spreader sticker.

MOLES

Bury a glass bottle upright in the soil near their run. Leave about

an inch of the neck above ground the weird whistling vibration

disturbs the moles. You can also stick inexpensive pinwheels into the

soil near tunnels and mounds. Moles with their delicate skulls are

extremely sensitive to vibrations.

HERB TONIC FOR HEALTHY PLANTS

1 1/2 teaspoon dried plantain herb

1/2 teaspoon dried horsetail herb

1/2 teaspoon dried nettle

1/2 teaspoon dried yarrow

1 clove garlic

1 kelp tablet (about 150 micrograms) crushed

6 cups boiling water

Combine all ingredients, pour on the water, and let steep, covered,

for 5 minutes. Strain and use to water herbs. Or make a sun tea,

letting the herbs steep all day. This tonic provides nutrients that

herbs needs, and helps keeps pests away. ~ from " The Good Herb " by

Judith Benn Hurley

Apply a surface application of an all around garden fertilizer in

late fall to help plants survive the winter. Add another in early

spring while plants are dormant and once more about six weeks into

the growing season.

Controlling pests that enjoy devouring the hard-earned fruits of our

labor is as important to a healthy garden as water, fertilizer, and

weed control. Always remember that any chemical pesticide is by

definition toxic to something, and may have direct or even an

indirect effect on other living things, not just on what you are

wanting to treat. You can easily mix your own simple and effective

sprays. Following are probably the most popular among those who like

to keep chemicals out of the garden.

Garlic Spray Insecticide

One whole garlic bulb

Two cups water

Combine in blender the entire garlic bulb and two cups water, and

blend on high speed until garlic is finely pureed. Put in storage

container and set aside for a day. Strain out pulp, and then mix

liquid with one gallon water in sprayer. Spray tops and bottoms of

leaves thoroughly. Apply about once a week, and after a rain.

Fungicide Spray Treats Powdery Mildew & other fungus

One gallon water

Three tablespoons baking soda

One teaspoon dishwashing liquid

One tablespoon bleach

Warning! NO more than this amount Mix all ingredients in sprayer and

spray all areas on the plant that look affected. It's best to remove

all leaves and other parts of the plant that are the worst affected.

Apply sparingly to unaffected areas, and keep in mind that too much

bleach can harm the plant. Try to avoid getting it on healthy leaves.

Hot Pepper Spray

Helps repel rabbits, deer, and other nibblers

6 - 10 Hot Peppers

2 cups water

1 quart water

Combine peppers and two cups water in blender and blend on high speed

for 1 - 2 minutes. Pour in storage container with lid and put aside

for a day. Strain through cheesecloth, and add this liquid to one

quart of water in sprayer. Spray plants liberally every week and

after a rain.