Wormwood

Often confused with Mugwort. Wormwood is silvery green on both sides of the leaves, whereas Mugwort is only silvery green on the bottom of the leaves. 

As a companion plant, it is known to deter carrot flies, cabbage maggots and lopers, moths, and other garden pests, it will leave a bitter taste when grown with produces.  It is best to grow it near but not in food gardens or in containers.

It is also believed to deter mice.

It is a bitter herb containing absinthe and anabsinthin.  Though not a hallucinogen, it contains thujone, which is toxic and can be fatal taken in large doses. Traditionally, Romans soldiers would put some in their shoes to improve endurance. It is believed to reduce anxiety.  It is a uterine stimulant and not to be taken during pregnancy. It is known to stimulate gallbladder and digestive function.

Sunflower Garden Prep

Nothing like the brilliant and cheerful colors of sunflowers.  They are my favorite.  Every year they grace my garden.  Last year I started a section near the road as a neighbor indicated that she loves them as well. The dirt is hard and of poor quality.  It's been 4 full years since it has been treated with chemical weed killers and is now considered to be organic.  

Last year I worked in some organic gardening soil.  Throughout the winter, I added rabbit droppings and used hay for fertilizer.  

Today I worked it in the soil along with chopped straw and peat moss.

My raspberry bed had several volunteers

So they were dug up and 20 were transplanted in the freshly amended rows.

Chopped straw was laid around them to help hold in moisture. The tender plants were covered with old grow pots.

Then all of them were lightly soaked several times to ensure that the chopped straw was wet and not going to blow away in a light breeze.

They will be uncovered in the evenings and soaked for this week.  Depending on how well they take this process will take about a week or two.  Then they will be uncovered and enjoy the growing season.

Here's to a good transplant! Hoping to have sunflowers gracing our garden soon.

Foraging for Asparagus

Foraging for Asparagus

Late April - Early May

Found near waterways and ditches

Best to harvest them when they are solid tight spears like pictured above.  

When they start to bolt, they will still be tasty but be careful of harvesting at this point so as to not damage the plant and allow for a second growth.

Seeding stage.  Leave alone and allow the plant to propogate and prepare for the next growing season.

Chives

This time of year, these cheery blossoms are a welcome treat for the honey bees and butterflies.  I share some with them and enjoy a few heads in my salads.  Once the flowers are done blooming, I snip bit from the stems to add to potato dishes.

They are great companion plants that help almost every other produce bearing plant grow well.  The ones that they should not be planted near are peas, beans, spinach, and asparagus.

Chives are eager to grow and self seed nicely.  This planter has had chives growing in it for about 25 years now.  It just keeps going.  Every few years I sprinkle in some vegetable fertilizer to give it a boost.

Powdery mildew is combatted with chive tea.  Just mix a handful of chopped chives with boiling water.  Cool and spray on infected leaves.

Preying Mantis Ootheca

If you are lucky enough to run across one of these beauties makes sure to leave it where it is or carefully place it where you want it to hatch.  It is a Preying Mantis Ootheca, ie Chrysalis.  

These garden warriors not only are entertaining to watch but they keep the harmful bugs at bay. I can hardly wait to see them running around our gardens.  They should be hatching soon.

Earwig Traps

Gardening season is in full force now.  Insect control is a reality.  Being one who prefers to use gentle, earth friendly methods for this as much as is possible, I was thrilled when I came upon this idea and it worked.

These are very simple and inexpensive traps to create and maintain. You need small inexpensive plastic containers with lids, a soldering iron, soy sauce and oil.

I like to use containers like this.

I then use a soldering iron to make 8 holes: two on each side near the top of the container.

Then I add 1 TBS each of soy sauce and oil

Put the lid on and place in the soil with the dirt coming near the holes but not covering them.

Check them daily at first and then spread out how often they are checked as the amounts of earwigs entering are diminished.  Empty them as often as you prefer and add more soy sauce and oil.