Garden Chick - in My Garden

Butterly Gardening

2008-05-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

Due to the the destruction of wilderness areas, and growing urban developement, butterfly habitats are growing scarce. If you would like to play a part in these beautiful creatures conservation, plant a butterfly garden. You don't have to have a big area, several potted plants grouped together in the sun can provide a haven for butterflies. Keeping in mind a few simples "rules", you should soon be enjoying these beautiful creatures in your yard.

Butterflies are sun loving creatures. Plant your garden where it will receive at least 6 hours of sun each day

Plant both nectar and host plants.

Examples of nectar plants include butterfly bush, blueberry bushes, mock orange, plums coneflowers, milkweeds, spearmint, lantana, verbena, zinnias, lavender, asters, bee balm, and black eyed susans. This is only a very limited list.

Host plants, where the butterfly can lay their eggs, and feed the butterfly, include alfalfa, clovers, sweet fennel, dill, parsley, fennel, carrots, snapdragons, plants in the mustard and cabbage family. Remember, the caterpillar will be feeding on these plants, so if you are concerned about a few"ragged " plants, you may want to locate them in an area where they won't be seen.
Provide water for your butterflies. They don't need deep water like a birdbath. Provide a patch of wet sand along the edge of your garden, or a shallow container. In the container, fill partway with sand, and in the recessed area, put your water. The butterflies will stand on the sand and drink.
No pesticides or herbicides can be used on your plants. Butterflies are sensitive to chemicals.

Now relax and enjoy

Herbal Pest Control

2008-05-08T17:38:00.000-07:00

I have always had trouble growing roses. They just require a little more attention than I like to give. None the less, I purchased two Don Juan climbing roses several years ago. After the second year, the aphids found them. The leaves fell off, leaving bare limbs with a few dark red, bug bitten roses. I cut them down to the ground throughout the summer. This spring, I decided to give them another chance and try some natural pest control since I wanted to use the petals in my bath teas. A couple of things caught my attention and I plan to try them this year.

Garlic spray: Blend 1 garlic clove and 2 cups hot water for 1-2 minutes on high speed. Allow to sit for one day. Strain and mix with 1/2 gallon water. Fill a sprayer and spray the top and bottom of the leaves. Add a few drops of vegetable oil or dish soap to help it stick to the leaves.

Catnip: According to April issue of Organic gardening, catnip has been shown to contain a substance with matches the chemical structure of the male lacewings Pheromone. Plant catnip in your beds and both male and female lacewings will be attracted. Lacewing larva eat hundreds of aphids and mites. Other herbs that have shown the ability to attract lacewings include angelica, dill, and cilantro.

Girlfriends

2008-05-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

Back from the beach in Gulfshores, Alabama with my girlfriends. I missed last years trip, and have had a rough past year. Feeling sorry for myself I almost turned the trip down again. What a mistake that would have been!Girlfriends don't expect anything from you, will listen to a little whining, then put you in your place. Refreshed and relaxed I am ready to tackle my Gardenchick website, new products, and get out and garden!

Here's to my girlfriends, Becky, Deena, Jodie, and Joanie. Ya"ll are the best!

Karen

P.S. Thanks to another great girlfriend, Shawn for her cowgirl on the beach picture.

Planning new gardens

2008-04-24T18:32:00.001-07:00

It has been a long time since I posted, but the time has been spent dreaming and planning this years gardens. Azaleas have bloomed, the daffodils have come and gone, and trees that we weren't so sure would survive last years late freeze are doing beautifully. Newly planted are butterfly bushes and several purple coneflowers around an old stump in the back yard. Last years herb garden has been plowed over allowing us to enlarge the vegetable garden, and it is looking for a new home. This year I am doing things a little different. I haven't always planned my gardens, and have been disappointed in the way they have turned out. While most herbs do require full sun, I found that the mints for my teas could have taken a little shade. This year spearmint, catnip, apple mints, and pineapple mints, will be put in pots and set beside the shed where they will be a little protected from the hot sun in our backyard. I am planting only those things I will use. Chives, calendula (for teas and bath products), lavenders, comfrey, chammomile, will be going into the new garden. I don't cook, and the oregano, parsley, and basil will not return this year. The Pineapple sage has been placed at the edge of the garden, near my butterfly bush and echinaccea, since these all attract butterflies. I plan to create more "garden rooms", and have a place to get out of the sun that covers our backyard for most of the day. Stay tuned for pictures that will check out my progress, and see if I "stick" to my plans.

If you would like help in planning your garden, get some great ideas, and recipes, you can purchase a garden planner from my website www.gardenchick.com/garden-decor.html

Check out the Essential Herbal Magazine

2008-01-30T16:47:00.000-08:00

I spend way too much money on magazines only to find there is one article or a couple of pictures that I really like. Not so with the Essential Herbal Magazine which is chocked full of information on all things herbal. Recipes, herb information, and crafts are found in each issue.

Want to check it out and see if you like it. Then click on this link for a free downloadable issue of the March/April 2007 magazine. It was sold out so you will only see it here. P.S. Subscribe and you may see an article I have written.

http://www.essentialherbal.com/March%20April%202007.pdf

Jasmine Moon Reopens

2008-01-26T15:59:00.000-08:00

I closed the shop the week after Christmas, and for the first two weeks in January. My father has been ill, and my parents needed my help. It was also a good time to renew and get refreshed to start the New Year. Here are some pictures taken of the shop: I like to use my "repurposed" furniture as displays for my garden items such as the wasp catchers and misters on the potting bench made from a door. The old enamel table is holding Valentine gifts such as dips, valentines, and a pair of red candlesticks. While I do carry new items in the shop you will notice many items that have been purchased from auctions, flea markets and yard sales. Once white wicker chairs are now pink, and a discarded brown chest of drawers is now white and waiting for a new spot in someones home.

Dreams

2007-12-02T08:02:00.000-08:00

Life has a way of putting your dreams on hold, but then, just as quickly, reawakening them in you. You realize they weren't gone, just asleep for a while. I want to thank Maureen at Herbworld (http://www.herbworld.com/) for suggesting a book in her latest newsletter. The book "Make Your Creative Dreams Real", spoke to me when I first read the cover. It indicated this was a plan for procrastinators, perfectionists, busy people and people who would rather sleep all day. Since I am such a procrastinator, and one who gets bored easily, the author's method of making your dreams real with "micromovements, was just what I needed to get back on the track to creating my dream life. Written in a 12 month format, the book assists you in identifying your dream, the roadblocks that keep you from living your dreamlife, and encouragement to pursue your dreams. If like me, you thought you couldn't live your dreams because of time, obligations, money, ........ I encourage you to buy this book or checkout at your local library. You can purchase the book at SARK's website http://www.planetsark.com/ or you can call your local bookstore. I encourage your to visit the website because there are other resources, newsletter etc. that you may enjoy.

It's gonna be a long winter

2007-11-25T14:48:00.000-08:00

Today was a gloomy rainy day, and only 50 degrees outside, but I am already anxious for next spring, and next years garden. Not a lot can be done in the garden this time of year, but the long cold winter days are great for dreaming of next spring. I am going to start a garden journal, filled with all of the things I want in my garden next year. New herb beds with enough herbs to make my herbal products, an arbor covered with jasmine vine to provide a shaded area, lots of garden whimsy (I love making garden objects out of flea market finds), rugosa roses, a garden path to my shed lined with flowers, a cutting garden.............
Why not start yours today. Cut out pictures, take pictures of your garden area to help plan the area, and start researching the growing conditions of your plants.

Calendula 2008 Herb of the year

2007-11-15T16:24:00.000-08:00

The weather has turned a little chilly with the lows tonight in the 30's. That means the electric heat has come on and already my skin and lips are dry feeling the results of dry heat, low humidity, and hotter and longer baths. One of my favorite herbs, so easy to grow, and with so many uses is Calendula (calendula officinalis). No wonder it has been chosen as "The Herb of the Year" for 2008. Be sure to include this pretty herb in next years herb garden. In my zone (7A) calendula is treated as an annual. Harvest the petals, dry, and save to make a great skin cream for the winter. Calendula salve is easy to make.

I take my dried petals, (1/2 cup) place in a mason jar, and cover with 6 ounces olive oil. Place a cap on top and be sure to keep the petals covered with the oil. Allow to sit in a warm window for at least a week. (If you are in a hurry, you can put in a crock pot on low heat overnight.)

Strain out the flowers and add to the compost pile. This makes an infused oil.

To make the salve, warm the calendula infused olive oil, add 1 oz melted beeswax and pour into small jars or tins. Allow to harden overnight.

Rub over chapped hands and lips as often as necessary. I also find that calendula salve is good as a cuticle cream.

Jasmine Moon Photos

2007-10-19T19:56:00.000-07:00

I love this potting bench (or bakers rack) made from reclaimed materials; an old door, a window with a mirrow behind it, and the legs from various tables,beds, etc. On the bench is an old enamel pitcher with hens and chicks, and an old rusty tool box with ivy. Beside the bench is an old canvas carrier which used to be in some of the carpet mills around the area. It is filled with a peace lily. the other picture is my "Plays in the Dirt" t -shirts, hats, and bags. Behind it you see a kitchen island made from old barnwood, tin, and shutters. The top has a beautiful red and yellow mosiac tile top. The pink bed is a flea market find, painted pink.
thanks to my daughter n law Ashley who made these pictures. She knew I would never get around to it!

Pictures of the Jasmine Moon

2007-10-19T19:43:00.000-07:00

This picture shows an old wicker chair that would look great under a tree, with a sign (this one says "Plant it Here") or cradling a fern. On the counter at the back are some great concrete Egyptian goddess heads. Tucked in a plant, or a fun suprise as you stroll in the garden.

ICE campaign

2007-10-19T18:31:00.001-07:00

As a critical care nurse I know how important it is to have accurate medical information and the ability to contact a patients family in an emergency. As I was checking out the blogs of a number of people on my "bloggers group", I came across this post on SunRose Aromatics blog. It involves a campaign started by a paramedic encouraging people to store their emergency info numbers in their cell phones. We all have one right?

Check it out, and be sure to update those cell phones tonight!
www.sunrosearomatics.blogspot.com

The benefits of lavender

2007-10-19T17:20:00.000-07:00

I am down to one large lavender plant in my garden, and next year I have plans to plant many many more. Lavender plants tend to weaken with age, and often need to be replaced every 5-6 years. After our vegetable garden was removed in September, I decided to relocate and replace many of my herb plants. I removed my 3 lavender plants which were becoming "woody" and sprawling. One of my favorite herbs, lavender has been used throughout the centuries for it's sweet perfume, and soothing, calming qualities. I use lavender in a number of my products, both the buds and essential oil of the plant. If you are having trouble sleeping, try a bath with lavender soap, or tub tea made with lavender buds and essential oil. Spritz your bed linens with a lavender linen mist to promote sweet dreams. If you have plans to add lavender to your spring garden consider the following:

Lavender is hardy in zones 5-8 and should be planted in FULL sun.

Rejuvenate your soil now with aged manure or compost for spring planting

Lavender is a perennial, and grows to a height of 2-3 feet so plan accordingly

There are many varieties of lavender, so check with your garden center for the best variety for your area. I plant the English lavenders, since I have found the spanish variety does not do well in my humid southern weather.

Prevent waterlogging, or "wet feet" by adding some sand to your soil. Lavender will not tolerate my Georgia clay soil without some amendment to loosen the soil. I did not need to water my lavender throughout our drought this summer since it tolerates dry conditions.

When planting your new plants, (either purchased or from cuttings), do not harvest the first year.

You can experience the benefits of my lavender products by clicking on the links below: Sweet dreams!

http://www.gardenchick.com/handmade_soap.html

http://www.gardenchick.com/tub_teas.html

http://www.gardenchick.com/bath_salts.html

Practice Thankfulness

2007-10-06T15:39:00.000-07:00

I have been feeling a little sorry for myself the last month. Our shop 'The Jasmine Moon", has had a rough time along with the other merchants due to streetscaping. The project was to be completed mid September, but the sidewalks have not even been poured.

One of my yahoo groups involves a band of newbie bloggers, plus a few seasoned ones who are prodding, pushing, and cajoling us to increase our blogging posts. Tina, the headmistress, has given us a few "assignments" to get our creative juices flowing. The last idea was something like taking a look at something we may take for granted, and looking at it in a different way.

Last night my husband and I went for a walk in Downtown Chickamauga. I looked up in the sky, and saw the clearest stars. Tina, I thought of you, and your assignment. How can we feel sorry for ourselves when we have the ability to see what others might not. The local high school football game was going on and the band was playing. How thankful I should be to hear. So .......
I have, for at least the time being, gotten off my pity wagon, and I want to say I am thankful for the following and so much more:

I am able to walk that 1 mile walk around the school, using my own two legs.
I am thankful I can see the stars, and hear the band and cheers for the football team.
I am thankful for my two sons who are healthy, a wonderful daughter n law who puts up with my craziness, and the MOST beautiful two granddaughters, Mackenzie, and Kendall.
I am thankful for my mom and dad (ages 78 and 81,) who without fail, call every birthday and insist on singing the whole birthday song, and who still think I am their little girl.
I am thankful for my sister and brother in law, her son, and his family.
I am thankful for all my friends, who I can without a hesitation call and whine, gripe, laugh and cry.
And last, but certainly not least, my husband, who has put up with my crazy ideas for 30 years now.
And thanks to Tina and her simple assignment that had me looking at the stars in a different way. You can read Tina's blog at www.essentialherbal.blogspot.com

It's Fall Ya'll

2007-10-01T17:52:00.000-07:00

Officially fall arrived September 23 around 5 a.m. , but you wouldn't have known it here in North Georgia. Temps hovered in the 90's, and I was still in shorts and sandals. But, finally Saturday and Sunday, while still in the 80's a cool breeze and even cooler nights, made it appear fall may have really arrived. With the temperature dropping down to the 50's, I couldn't resist leaving the bedroom windows open and slipping under a light quilt. Cooler weather requires good comfort food and my friend Michele at Possum Creek Herbs offers a great recipe for sausage soup over at her blog http://www.possumcreekherbfarm.blogspot.com/
Cook up a big pot for dinner tonight, and plenty leftover. (you know it's better the 2nd and third time around!)
Karen

Tailgating Party

2007-09-17T11:48:00.001-07:00

I confess, I am not a big football fan, but my husband is, and I know a lot of people enjoy getting together to watch the big game. Here's a couple of recipes for game day get togethers.

Chicken fajitas

Cut into strips, 1 pound boneless chicken breast
1 T cornstarch
2 T lemon juice
1 t garlic powder
1 t seasoned salt
1/2 t pepper
1/2 t oregano
1/8 t liquid smoke flavoring
2 T oil
1 c green bell pepper strips
1 c onion wedges thinly sliced
1/2 c salsa
warmed flour tortillas
sour cream

In a medium bowl, combine the first 8 ingredients. cover and refrigerate 2-8 hours to marinate. Discard the marinade. In a skillet, heat oil until very hot. Saute chicken until just cooked. Add green peper and onion; cooking until crisp tender. Add tomato and salsa; simmer one minute longer. Serve immediately in tortillas, top with additional salsa and sour cream. You can also substitute on pound of beef steak, cut across grain in 1/4 inch strips, or raw shrimp, peeled and deveined.

Tortilla Black Bean Casserole
2 c. chopped onion
1-1/2 c green pepper, chopped
14-1/2 can tomatoes chopped
3/4 cup picante sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 t. ground cumin
15 oz can black beans, or red kidney beans drained
12 6-inch corn tortillas
2 c fat-free Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

In a large skillet, combine onion, green pepper, undrained tomatoes, picante sauce, garlic and cumin. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Stir in beans. Spread one-third of the bean mixture over bottom of a 13x9 pan. Top with half of the tortillas, overlapping as necessary, and half of cheese. Add another third of the bean mixture, then remaining tortillas and bean mixture. Cover and bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Let stand for 10 minutes. Cut in squares to serve. Makes 10-12 side servings or 6-8 main dish servings.

These receipes came from the Gooseberry Patch Holidays at Home Book. I have most of their books and they have great decorating ideas as well as recipes.

Gardening with kids-Making a Scarecrow

2007-09-14T18:44:00.000-07:00

One of these days, I want to write a booklet on gardening with kids. This is one of the activities I have in my file to include. Making Scarecrows:
Scarecrows have been used for years to keep crows from the corn, but now are used more as a garden accent. Kids will love making their own pint size scarecrow using their own clothes. Put them to work finding two sticks the same size for making the base. Garden stakes, brooms, or old tool handles can also be used. Fashion the sticks into a cross and secure at the intersection with nails or twine. Put the shirt on the cross and stuff with straw, hay or paper Tie each arm with twine at the cuffs to keep the stuffing from falling out. Stuff the pants and slip them up over the bottom part of the cross. Stuff the shirt into the pants and either pin them together with safety pins, or sew them together. Use a solid color pillow case, stuffed, for the head (draw a face on it), or a bucket with a face painted on. Stake the scarecrow in the garden, or prop it up against a fence or bale of hay.
Happy Fall Ya'll

Construction at the Jasmine Moon Shop

2007-08-22T17:06:00.000-07:00

The city of Chickamauga where my shop "The Jasmine Moon" is located received a streetscaping grant. This included replacing all the drainage pipes underground, taking up the trees, installing underground utilities, new sidewalks, and new landscaping. The opposite side of the street where my shop is, was started first. While not completed, at least there is parking now on that side of the street. The islands for landscaping are installed, but empty, and the new light post are up. I closed the shop yesterday and today, since they started on our side, and a huge hole was in front of my business this morning when I went in to check for mail, and my voicemail messages. By this afternoon, they had placed yellow police tape on both sides of the door leading out to the road, and had "created" a gravel walkway. I thought this was a great opportunity for me to do some shopping and I traveled to Murfreesboro, Tenn (1 1/2 hours) to pick up some "garden junk" I like to buy old gardening tools, garden gates, and other trash to treasures. I packed the car with a gate, some concrete garden mushrooms, old yellow/red metal bread trays (they will look great on the wall with some black and white photo's tied to them, an old yellow beehive to put in the garden, old metal pitchers to plant hens and chicks in and a few other "treasures". I want to go in early tomorrow to rearrange in the shop, hoping that the construction and weather doesn't keep the shoppers out.

Sweltering weather

2007-08-22T16:31:00.000-07:00

We have had about 3 weeks of daily near 100 degree weather. Our garden is now gone, with only the pumpkins for my granddaughters to be harvested. We planted the "jumbo" variety and they are really getting big, but we still have to water these. I was so tired of this hot, sweltering weather, and trying to keep up with the weeds and watering, that I just mowed down my herb garden leaving only the rosemary bush standing. It's hard to think of gardening in this hot weather, but fall is a great time to plant a new garden and I am looking for a new spot that does give a little shade for the mints. I'm only going to plant things that I use, and focus mostly herbs that I can use for teas and my bath products.

If you have an herb garden you can continue to harvest until Mid October in the southeast.

Here is a simple recipe for bath herbs using your gardens harvest. Mix in equal amounts any or all the herbs. I like to mix in dried milk and some oatmeal to soften the skin.

Bath Herbs for Relaxing

Lemon Balm

Lavender

Chamomile

Roses

Place in a muslin bag and put in the bath while the hot water is running. You can also make a "tea". Place the muslin bag in a cup of just boiled water and allow to steep for 10 minutes. Pour the water and bag into your bath. Use the herbs only once, then rinse and dry the muslin bag.

I am going to place these mixtures in big glass jars in my shop along with the muslin bags so customers can "scoop" their own. *If you are allergic to ragweed, asters, chrysanthemums you may be allergic to chamomile

The lemon balm and chamomile make a great before bed time tea also.

Squirrels need love, too

2007-07-29T18:24:00.000-07:00

We have several feeders at our house and feed the birds all summer long. For a number of years we didn't have any squirrels. I think our dogs kept them away, but now that they are getting old, the squirrels have returned. We decided not to try to fight them, but have provided them with feeders of their own. As long as they are kept full of corn or sunflower seeds, the squirrels tend not to destroy the bird feeders. My husband hung this cricket bucket on a hanger and as you can see it gets visited frequently. (I think this one was laughing at the dogs lying on the deck watching him.)

Garden's harvest

2007-07-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

I picked these out of the garden this afternoon. Lot's of great cucumbers, squash, greenbeans, and a couple of zuchinni.

While looking through a new book I bought at Books a Million today, I found a recipe for chocolate zuchinni bread. There are several books by Laura Childs called the Tea Shop mystery series. I love mysteries and especially like these books since they are set in Charleston, South Carolina. The heroine is the owner of a tea shop and each book includes recipes and ideas for hosting tea parties. I also like the fact that the books often give great ideas for marketing a business, and since I have opened the Jasmine Moon Shop I am always looking for ways to get more people into the shop. You can find out more about the books at www.laurachilds.com This recipe comes from "The Jasmine Moon Mystery". (This is where I got the name of my shop, although in the book, it refers to the Jasmine Cemetary where a "ghost walk" is being held.

Here's the recipe, I am going to try it in a couple of days and take some to the shop for customers.

Haley's Chocolate Zucchini Tea Bread
3 cups all purpose flour
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 cups shredded zucchini
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate bits

Combine flour, eggs, sugar, oil, vanilla, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and buttermilk in a mixing bowl. Beat at medium speed for two minutes. Stir in zucchini and chocolate bits. Pour batter into two well-greased loaf pans and bake at 350 degrees for one hour and 15 minutes. Cool, slice and serve with cream cheese and orange marmalde.

Mackenzies garden

2007-07-22T18:48:00.001-07:00

I love having my granddaughters in the garden. If you check out my website http://www.gardenchick.com/, you will see "Mackenzies Garden" products. I have sold quite a few of the fairie garden kits, and here you see a picture of the garden we planted using one of the kits. These little kits in purses have planting instructions, seeds, and stickers (either fairie or butterfly depending on the kit). We built a raised bed which makes it easier to weed, and Mackenzie scattered the seeds over the surface, lightly patted, watered and watched. These kits make great party favors, and presents for the little girl in your life. They can't be planted until next spring, but the seeds will be good next year. Here are the flowers in Mackenzies garden, all of which are great for attracting butterflies, or the "wee folk" into your back yard. The flowers include cosmos, zinnias, nasturtiums, sunflowers and others.

The Garden

2007-07-22T18:31:00.000-07:00

In my last post I talked about the water shortage here in Georgia. I saw a church sign about 3 weeks ago that said "Pray for rain, pray for the farmers". Well, it worked. For the last two weeks it has rained about 9 of the last 14 days. The grass that was turning brown, and the potted plants that couldn't be resussitated even with daily watering, are all flourishing. My husband has mowed the grass once, and was on the second mowing today when, what else, it rained.

We have already harvested cucumbers, squash, peppers, black eyed peas, and greenbeans. Our corn was knocked over by the wind in the last rain, but by the next morning had straightened itself up, reaching for the sun.

Finally, Rain

2007-06-24T18:07:00.000-07:00

There is a water shortage in Georgia, and restrictions have been placed on watering your garden. We can only water on certain days. Our vegetable garden hasn't suffered, because my husband has been responsible for it. We had some great fried squash with dinner last night. There is going to be lots of cucumbers, and tomatoes soon. I was out this morning at 7:30 a.m. (before the blistering heat and humidity has taken hold), and finally weeded, and trimmed my herb garden. My rosemary is about 5 years old and has taken over the bed. I trimmed it back along with sage, oregano, chamomile, lemon balm, catnip, pineapple mint, and chives. My yarrow is looking okay, and the pineapple sage planted in the vegetable garden is already flowering. A lavender planted by the steps going down to the patio has flourished in this hot weather and has hundreds of blooms. I hope they stay pretty so that I can cut some for the shop opening on Saturday. I want to have a "lavender" table all by itself. I picked up 10 lavender plants from Possum Creek Herbs today, and will make Lavender Tub Teas, and Bath Salts this week for the table. Add lavender soap, and linen spray and I hope the table will be a hit. the shop will smell good if nothing else.

Chive Blossoms:

Here is a photo of my chive blossoms. These are edible and are good in a salad or an egg omelet. Pick them when they are nice and full and before they start to dry out. I try to trim my chives when they start drooping over. This will perk them right back up. Every 3-4 years, dig them up and separate the little bulbs. Replant, or give several to your friends.

pictures of shop

2007-06-18T06:53:00.001-07:00