Butterly Gardening

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.