Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!   Many of you may purchase the “Lucky” Shamrock plant that is available this time of year.  The plant you purchase is really not a clover, but from the oxalis family.   The leaves come in green, yellow, and purple.  Flowers may either be white, pink, or purple. After you purchase your plant, place it in a sunny location.  Allow the soil to dry out between watering, and only water to slightly moisten the soil.  Use an all purpose house plant fertilizer as instructed. The plant leaves close at night and open again in the morning. Oxalis plants have an active and dormant period.  If the leaves start to die back, it is going dormant.  Stop watering and fertilizing.  You can either cut the leaves back, or allow them to die back.  Place the plant in a cool, dark place until new leaves start to emerge from the soil.  Bring the plant back to a sunny place and start watering and fertilizing again.  Your plant should last a number of years.

Spring Gardening Tips:
Spring officially arrives March 20th at 1:46 p.m.  However, most of us will continue to be threatened by a late frost until after April.  That doesn’t mean we can’t do anything in the garden.   

If you didn’t prepare your garden spot last fall (I didn’t), you can start to do that now.  If your soil is not too wet, turn the garden and add organic matter such as compost. 

+ Perennials can be divided and moved.

+ Ornamental grasses should be cut down to about 6” before any new growth appears.

+ Fertilize rhododendrons and azaleas. 

+ Trim your butterfly bush down to just a few inches above ground. 

+ Check your tiller and lawn mower now.  It is easier to get repairs and maintenance done now before the spring rush starts.

+ Start seeds now for May planting.

+ Check garden tools to see what is needed, be sure your tools are  clean and where you need them.

+ Plant onion sets.

+ Apply fertilizer to fruit bushes if needed.

+ Plant new strawberries

+ Finish planting bare root trees and shrubs.

+ Feed and mulch existing beds

+ Don’t forget those lawn and garden shows for some great ideas

Herbs to Know:  Lavender
Lavender has to be my favorite herb.  Known for its fragrance, lavender can be used in a variety of ways.  From soap to lemonade, lavender earns its keep in your garden.  It is easy to grow, requiring only full sun and good drainage.  There are dozens of varieties of Lavender and you should check with your local nursery or herb farm to see what grows well in your area.   When planting, you may want to add an inch or two of coarse sand as a mulch.  It is best to buy plants rather than trying to start from seed since germination may be erratic.  Space the plants about 12 inches apart to promote good air circulation.

Lavender can be used therapeutically for burns, cuts, and insect bites.  Purchase a small amount of lavender essential oil (not fragrance oil), to keep in your first aid kit.  For a minor burn, cut, or bug bite, apply a small amount, neat (means undiluted) on the area.

My granddaughter (age 2) mistakenly touched our fireplace insert burning the tips of her fingers. I immediately rubbed a drop on each fingertip (being sure she didn’t rub her eyes) and the pain immediately stopped and there was no redness or blistering.

Lavender is also known for it’s calming, relaxing properties and can be found in sleep balms, bath teas, soaps, and sleep pillows.  A few drops of essential oil added to the bath can help promote a restful night.  Inhaled, lavender can help ease headaches, and relieve insomnia, anxiety and nervous tension.  Lavender essential oil SHOULD NOT be taken internally.

A little known use of lavender is in cooking.  The flowers can be used fresh or dried and would be a great addition for a bridal shower, tea, or garden party.  Here are a couple of recipes to get you started.

Lavender Herb Tea
1 tsp dried lavender flowers
1 tsp dried chamomile flowers
1 tsp green tea leaves
4 cups boiling water

In a warmed teapot, add the dried herbs and green tea leaves.  Pour in 4 cups boiling water.  Cover and steep for 3-5 minutes.  Strain the herbs, sweeten with honey if desired and serve. 

Lavender Jelly
1 1/2 cups fresh lavender flowers
3 1/4 cups water
1 box powdered 'certo'
4 cups white sugar
1 tbsp white wine vinegar

Sterilize (5) 1cup jelly jars, rings and seals in a large pot according to directions on jars.  Bring the water to a boil in a pot, add lavender, and cover with a lid.  Lower heat to simmer for 5 min, and remove from heat. Steep for at least 20 minutes up to several hours.

Strain.  Measure 3 cups of the lavender water and place in deep jelly making pot.  Whisk in powdered certo and vinegar, bring to a boil, and whisk in sugar.  Keep pot boiling until it is at a rolling boil that can't be stirred down (about 1 min.)

Remove from heat, and let sit for 5 min. Skim the top if necessary.

Quickly bottle and seal the mixture before it jells. Process according to jar directions for making jelly.  The jelly reaches it’s best flavor if allowed to sit for one month before use.

Since lavender is my favorite herb, I have included it in a number of my products.  Purchase any lavender product, and add I LOVE LAVENDER TOO, in the order words, and you will receive free shipping.  (It will be deducted from your total order).  Offer ends April 1st.

Products include:

Organic Lavender flowers.  Great for making the above recipes.

Lavender Soap, Lavender Face Scrub, Bath Salts and Tub Teas.  Lavender is known for its skin care qualities including its use in dermatitis, eczema, and acne. The calming, sedative effects of lavender will help relax and promote a restful sleep when used before bedtime. 

Until April,
Happy Gardening

Karen