Make Your Very Own Pesticides!

You read that right! Next time you're fighting off insect damage on your veggies and thinking of taking the easy way out by using conventional pesticides, CONSIDER THIS!

http://www.herbcompanion.com/gardening/defend-your-garden-with-herbs.aspx?newsletter=1&utm_content=6.5.12+HBC+eNews&utm_campaign=2012+ENEWS&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email

Remember! Whenever you try a new spray, be sure to test it on a small area and wait a day or two before you spray the entire plant.

End of the Term

Unfortunately spring term has gone by so quickly and our Organic Gardening class is coming to an end. But the great thing about this class is that the knowledge we learned about producing our own food is most likely to stick with forever! Those who will not be here in the summer wont be able to watch their plants grow and produce, but the plants will be cared for and eaten by other students who are here in the summer. Here is some final photos to look at how our garden crops are doing! We added a bunch of leaves to our walkways in order to suppress weeds as much as possible.

Brian's Plot is starting to take shape! As you can see, on the bottom right of this photo Carrots are sprouting and it only took one sow! Pepper plants are still growing and will take about 55 days to mature! Under the netting in the upper right corner cucumbers are growing!

After some bad luck with sowing these seeds directly in, organic cucumber starts were placed. A overhead trellis structure will be going in after these start growing!

Hannah's Plot is also filling out nicely! As you can see her lettuce is growing nicely and her Mint is thriving!

Her tomatoes are already starting to bloom with her basil growing in between!

Joe's Plot is also doing great! Some spinach is already to be harvested. His parsley is also maturing fast right next to his sunflowers.

Cheryl's plot is looking great! All her medicinal herbs around the border of her plot are thriving. The strawberries in the tower are loving their home and a sunflower carefully placed in the middle of the tower will add a nice touch.

A word about Medicinal Herbs!

By Cheryl Bryson:

Can you name this herb plant?

MEDICINAL PLANTS:

IMPORTANT!  Many herbs have “cautions” when taking as medicine. Always contact your Naturopathic Physician or Herbalist.

Borage –  Infusion taken for early stages of lung disorders or feverish colds.  Pulp juice good for depression, grief or anxiety. Stimulates adrenal glands the “fight or flight” hormone. Great herb for STRESS

Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) – Native Americans treated snakebite, fevers and old stubborn wounds.  Generally used in tinctures or powders for kidney infections, mucus and colds. Antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. Has been used in Aids therapy.

Sage – Memory enhancing herb. Helps in restoring failing memory in the elderly.  Makes a good gargle or mouth wash. Useful for menopausal problems. Fresh leaves make a bitter digestive stimulat. In China the root is taken for “moving blood” for stagnation for menstrual pain and heart conditions.

Thyme – An antiseptic expectorant, serial parts ideal for deep-seated chest infections.  Warming for stomach chills and diarrhea. 

Yarrow – Flowers are rich in chemicals that are converted by steam into anti-allergenic compounds used for various allergic mucus problems, including Hay Fever. Leaves encourage clotting of blood.  Root tonics stimulate circulation and can be used for high blood pressure.

Marigolds – Petals can be applied externally for skin problems and inflammation. As an essential oil it is an effective anti fungal.

Chamomile -  Infusion teas can help irritable bowel syndrome, poor appetite and indigestion. Often used when a patient has insomnia, anxiety or stress.  Ointments are used to treat insect bites, wounds, itching eczema. Dissolve 5-10 drops of tincture in warm water and use for conjunctivitis or strained eyes.

Fennel – An infused tea is useful for digestion problems.  Used in Chinese Medicine for abdominal pain, colic and stomach chills. Prescribed for urinary problems, such as kidney stones.

Strawberries – Appetite stimulate.  Liver tonic, especially good during convalescence after hepatitis. Crushed berries can be used as a poultice for sunburn and skin inflammations. Tonic “steep berries in wine to make a traditional remedy for “reviving the spirits and making the heart merrie.”

Lavender – Can be taken for nervous exhaustion, tension headaches.  Good for asthmatic and bronchitic spasms. 

Mint – As an infusion for nausea, travel sickness, indigestion and migraines. Compress to cool inflamed joints or rheumatism. 

Basil – Rub fresh leaves on insect bites to reduce itching. Combine the juice with equal parts of honey for coughs.