Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Tomato Compost cage feeder....

My father-in law always had the best tomatoes and he had a trick..... I would like to share....He grew his tomatoes in a circle and put compost in the middle. I have seen this done by putting a cage in the middle then plant the tomatoes around this cage. You start with a little compost in the middle of the cage...as your tomatoes need more good food... add more compost and make sure when you water you water that compost pile in the middle. Your plants will love this!!

Happy Gardening...

Lynn

Milk Jug Protector for tomatoes and peppers

I try to re-use many things around the house for our garden. I have found that milk jugs are good for milk but also good for my tomato plants and pepper plants.

Here is how I use that old milk jug:

I cut about 2 inches off the bottom of a milk jug. I then place the jug over my new little tomato plant or pepper plant... *when I hear the weather is going to get cold* I keep the lid off the jug for ventilation. ***This should keep my plants safe from a frost***

I also use milk jugs to keep my plants warm in our cold frame...just fill up milk jugs with warm water and set near plants in cold frame the heat should keep your plants warm over night. ( I spray paint my milk jugs black this keeps the jugs water warmer.) (solar heat)

Happy Gardening..

Lynn

Drying Herbs

Drying Herbs so that you can use for later is easy and here are a few easy ways....

1. Hang Herbs in brown paper bags. I cut herbs left on their stalks place them in a brown bag I staple close the bag and use laundry pins to attach to a wire hanger let dry for about two weeks.

2. You can place herbs in your oven with door open. I put herbs on a cookie sheet and always use the lowest setting of your oven. This only takes a short time with some herbs...check often.

3. Spread herbs on a old window screen place in a cool dry place. This might take about a week.

My favorite Herbs to dry: Mint, Lavender, Sage, Rosemary, Spearmint, Lemon Balm, Lemon grass.


Happy Gardening...

Lynn

Herb Vinegars

One of my favorite ways to use herbs is to make a good herb vinegar. You can use all kinds of herbs and here is how you make it...

Herb Vinegar

Heat Vinegar until hot but not boiling (I use cider)

Pour over your favorite herbs. ( such as basil, rosemary, thyme, chives, dill, sage etc..) mix and match to find the herbs you like best together.

Pour this into a glass jar and let it set for about 2 weeks. strain herbs before you use.

Happy Gardening..
,
Lynn

Companion Planting Part 1

Companion planting is very important you can use other plants to keep bugs away...Here are a few of my favorites.

Mint: is a companion to cabbage and tomatoes and keeps white cabbage moths away.

Rue: companion to roses and raspberries keeps Japanese beetles away. It doesn't like to be near sweet basil

Wormwood: You can plant this as a border to keep small animals aways. Rabbits, mice etc..

Sage: Plant with rosemary, cabbage, and carrots. This does not like to be planted near cucumbers. It will keep carrot fly and the cabbage moth away.

Petunia: Companion to all beans.

Marigolds: Companion to tomatoes.. keeps tomato worm , and asparagus beetles away.

Happy Gardening...

Lynn