It’s Wednesday and all over the internet you will find photos with no words of explanation. Why? Because pictures say a thousand words. This week I’m going to have a few words of explanation, but I’ll let the pictures do most of the talking.

Our small garden spot hasn’t been looking very garden-like over the past few years. The weeds took over and I wasn’t sure how or where to begin.

With a little prompting and slight pressure from my husband we decided to spend an afternoon in late May revamping our seemingly hopeless garden into something beautiful.  A very sweet friend gave us a few organic seedlings to get things started.

We laid down paper to try to combat the weeds.

We are a few weeks in and look what’s happened.

And this.

Can you guess what we’re growing? What’s growing in your garden?

If you have a chance check out these great blogs who also share on Wordless Wednesday: I Thought I Knew Mama, Dagmar’s Momsense, My Organized Chaos, Farmer’s Daughter.

We were up in Maine this past weekend and the mosquitoes were fierce. It was difficult to go outside without getting eaten alive. Our only saving grace was when a breeze kicked in and the mosquitoes could no longer focus on our delicious ankles, arms and legs.

The first line of defense is to cover-up

It may seem counter-intuitive for the summer months, but the best way to keep the mosquitoes at bay is to cover up your skin with long sleeves, long pants and a hat. The less skin exposed the less likely you are to get numerous bites.

DEET-Free

Over the years I’ve been on a quest to find DEET- free bug repellents and thankfully there are plenty of options. Unfortunately,  I forgot to bring our Buzzawayalong on this  trip so we were breakfast lunch and dinner for the Maine mosquitoes. Last night my youngest son counted over 30 bites on one leg.

In addition to DEET-free bug repellents there are a few plants which will help keep mosquitoes away.

Pot of basil

Basil is a known mosquito repellent (it’s also known to repel flies). Planting fresh basil around your outdoor eating areas is a simple way to repel those pesky mosquitoes. If there’s no time to grow your own pick up fresh basil at your local farmers market or supermarket and place it in a vase on the table.  If mosquitoes are circling your head and buzzing in your ear while you are trying to catch some z’s place a vase of basil on your night table to keep the mosquito and the buzzing away.

Catnip

Catnip is a natural mosquito repellent . “Catnip” is the common name for a perennial herb of the mint family. It is native to Europe and is an import to the United States and other countries. The catnip plant is now a widespread weed in North America. In August 2010, entomologists at Iowa State University reported to the American Chemical Society that catnip is ten times more effective than DEET.

To grow your own catnip you’ll need a perennial herb called Nepeta cataria, which can be found at a nursery or by purchasing the seeds online. Line your yard with catnip to ward off mosquitoes. Another option is to place catnip oil directly on your skin. Note of caution to cat owners-cats might find you irresistible.

Citronella

Citronella has been a known mosquito repellent for quite some time. You can find citronella scented candles, bracelets, buckets and sprays. The scent from the citronella plant itself  is your best bet in keeping the mosquitoes away since that provides the strongest protection. Citronella’s strong smell tends to mask your scent, making it harder for mosquitoes to find you.

According to eartheasy:

Citronella is a perennial ‘clumping’ grass which grows to a height of 5 – 6 feet. It can be grown directly in the ground in climate zones where frost does not occur. If grown in the garden or near the patio, it should be planted in the ‘background’, behind small decorative flowers and shrubs. In northern climate zones citronella can be grown in a large pot or planter, ideally with casters, so it can be rolled indoors during winter.

Natural remedies for bug bites

Last night my son with the 30 bites on his leg couldn’t sleep. The intense itching was keeping him awake. We ended up putting a cold washcloth on his legs in the middle of the night and he was able to fall back asleep. HERE are a few more natural bug bite remedies.

Are you a mosquito magnet like I am? How do you keep the mosquitoes away?

Stock Photo © pz.axe #2284534

Linked up with Farmer’s Daughter.

It’s Wednesday and all over the internet you will find photos with no words of explanation. Why? Because pictures say a thousand words.

This photo was taken on a bike ride through the mountains. Can you guess what state I was in? Hint: not Massachusetts, but close by.

Linky Love:  Dagmar’s Momsense, I Thought I Knew Mama,  Organic Mama.

Over the years I have been very diligent about planting a garden each spring with my three boys. Working together to create a vegetable garden has always been an incredibly rewarding process. One of my missions as a parent is to help my children understand that there’s a connection between the food they eat and the earth that grows their food. A garden is a perfect place for that lesson.

Not much can compare to watching children tirelessly dig and craft a garden. However, after 6 years of this gardening ritual we gave it up. Our garden space was growing smaller and smaller each year as the trees grew in and the sunlight decreased.  I was also finding it difficult to find the time to make our garden work.

Last year was our first year without a garden and we all really missed it. So this year the plan is to bring our garden is back and make it the best one yet.

If you are interested in planting a garden here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Scout out the perfect spot. I’m going to need a new spot this year. Sunlight is one of the most important elements in growing a vegetable garden. Most vegetables need an average of 6 hours of sunlight.  Your local climate will dictate which plants will grow well in your garden.
2. Test your soil. Different types of vegetables require different types of soil. You can buy an inexpensive kit to test the PH of your soil. Once you have tested the soil you can determine what’s needed to enrich your soil. Having quality soil in place will help your garden grow.
3. Use compost. Create a compost pile or use what you already have. Compost piles provide excellent nutrients for your garden soil. They also are a great spot for dumping your banana peels, grass clippings and apple cores.
4. Buy organic seeds. Try to avoid buying conventional seeds since chances are those seeds came from a genetically modified crop. There’s also a good chance that conventional seeds were sprayed with pesticides while growing on the parent plant. If it’s too chilly out to plant consider starting your seeds indoors.
5. Have fun! Turn gardening into a family affair.  Your garden doesn’t need to be perfect- enjoy what it has to offer.

Looking for a few more ideas to make gardening a fun event with your baby? Healthy Child Healthy World has a few extra tips.

Are you going to plant a garden this year? What tips do you have?

Photo © DLeonis – Fotolia.com

It’s Wednesday and all over the internet you will find photos with no words of explanation. Why? Because pictures say a thousand words.

What do you think this picture is saying?

Linky Love: The Green Phone Booth, I Thought I Knew Mama.

This is part two in a two part series of discussions with Roger Cook and Kevin O’Connor from This Old House. Part one focused on the host of This Old House- Kevin O’Connor. Part two focuses on green landscaping techniques from This Old House, Landscape Contractor, Roger Cook.

It’s January and recent weather has been far from the wintry weather we would expect this time of year. Given the lack of snow on the ground, it’s not that far-fetched to imagine a green, thriving lawn and the beautiful landscaping we normally see in the spring. A few more months of winter are in our forecast, but it’s never too early to start planning out your strategy for your landscaping in advance.

I had the opportunity to chat with Roger Cook, Landscape Contractor for the Emmy Award-winning television series This Old House. Roger has served as the shows Landscape Contractor for over 20 seasons and is a wealth of information.

Gardening isn’t always synonymous with a green lifestyle. Roger was eager to share ways to create green landscaping that thrives without the use of pesticides and without wasting precious water. He emphasized that the trick is to work in harmony with nature, not against it.

Here are a few of his tricks:

Call Before You Dig

Even small, shallow excavation jobs can be a risk if you don’t know where underground lines are buried. Call your utility company to let them know you are planning to dig. They will generally send a representative out (free of charge) to verify that it’s safe to dig.

Prepare the Soil

Before you can plant, soil preparation is a must.  Soil requirements vary from region to region and a soil test will be needed to find out what it is lacking or not lacking. If the soil is properly prepared then the plants will grow and won’t need as much water and less pesticides to thrive.

Buy Native, Local and in Bulk

Using plants that are native to a region will:

• Decrease the amount of water needed.
• Require very little long-term maintenance if they are planted properly.

Try to buy locally grown plants. Buying local reduces the energy resources needed to get the plant or tree from the nursery to your home. Buy plants in bulk to reduce the need for excessive packaging.

Reuse and Recycle

Save yourself some money if you are thinking about changing around your landscaping-transplant existing trees, shrubs and plants to a new spot. Roger suggests reusing plants at least along the edges of the project.

Build a Raised Garden

Raised gardens have a number of benefits:

• You can control they type of soil used by bringing in your own soil.
• The walls of the garden act as a barrier to pests.
• Less water will be required for the plants to thrive.
• Raised beds will reduce the strain on your back when bending over to pull weeds or plant.
• Raised beds heat up faster in the spring.

What are your tricks for a ‘greener’ landscape?

Thank you to Roger for taking the time to chat ‘green landscaping’ with me.

[Photo credit: Webb Chappell]

Photo used under Creative Commons from Diana di_the_huntress

For the East Coast and around much of the country, winter means the arrival of snow and ice-and lots of it.  The removal of snow and ice from walkways and driveways is a job that most homeowners would love to hand off to someone else.  However, many of us find shoveling well within our job description each time a new dumping of snow falls.

You can do your part to help protect the planet by following a few simple guidelines when removing snow and ice.

THE DON’Ts OF SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL

Don’t use salt to melt ice

Salt will melt the ice but……its not so eco-friendly.

• Salt can leach heavy metals which can end up in our water supplies
• Salt can hurt our pets if it gets lodged in their paws
• Salt residue prevents plants from absorbing moisture and nutrients. Salt kills our flowers and grass.
• Salt is corrosive and can damage cars, leading to reduced sustainability of vehicles.
• It will also damage bridges and any other concrete surfaces it comes in contact with.
• Salt run off  from sidewalks and streets can increase salinity in local bodies of water, causing long-term damage.

Don’t use ash and kitty litter

• They don’t melt the ice. They do provide traction only on the surface of the snow.
• They can adversely affect vegetation and get into waterways.
• Can be messy once spring hits.

THE DO’S OF SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL

1. Use an ergonomic shovel to protect your back from injury.
2. Use an ice breaker and some muscle to chop up the ice.
3. Shovel more and use sand less.  Get out there and shovel early and often. Clear away as much snow and ice as possible and the need for anything additional will diminish.
4. Use sand if traction is all that is needed.  Use sparingly because it can clog up sewers and lower air quality in areas that use a lot of it. It can also ruin hardwood floors if tracked inside.
5. Use an eco-friendly ice melt product when needed-but use sparingly.  When choosing an environmentally friendly ice melt, take the time to read the ingredient list.  Make sure all the ingredients are safe for you, your kids, your pets and the environment.

*Ingredient info: Magnesium chloride is salt, a safer and less corrosive salt than the more common sodium chloride, but still salt.

NOW BRING ON THE SNOW!

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