Gardening Note 1

It is the ideal time to add some Oriental vegetables to the veggie and herb garden. A rich source of vitamins, minerals and natural fiber that will help to give you a natural feeling of vitality and energy.

Fresh, unprocessed vegetables are low in sodium and can help to reduce weight gain due to water retention. The average person may hold up to 2 kilogram of additional water due to a high sodium intake.

Gardening Note 2

The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. It is a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity for our lives. The world is invited to take action in 2010 to safeguard the variety of life on earth: biodiversity.

You can play your part by adding herbs that will attract more wildlife and act as a food source:

• Lavander: One of the best plants to grow for attracting bees and butterflies.
• Sage: The flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and butterflies.
• Borage: Its delicate blue flowers are a magnet for pollinators, such as bees, butterflies and hoverflies. 
• Thyme: Tiny mauve-coloured flowers attract bees and butterflies.

Gardening Note 3 

The period from New moon to Full Moon is known as the waxing phase and is beneficial for sowing and planting of new crops. To optimize this potential, select a day according to the part of the plant that is going to be used:

• Fire days: seed & fruit crops – beans, peas, chillies, tomatoes, brinjals.
• Earth days: root vegetables – carrots, radish, beetroot, onions, potatoes.
• Air days: flower crops – Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, artichokes, broccoli.
• Water days: leaf crops – lettuce, spinach, oriental vegetables, cabbage.

Visit the AORTA site for a monthly schedule.

Gardening Note 4

Herbal wash for dogs. Make a herbal extraction from any of the following insecticidal herbs, which all grow easily in your garden - rosemary, lavender, southernwood, lemon verbena, catnip, basil, lemon grass, citronella pelargonium.

• Half fill a clean plastic bucket with any of these herbs (either singly or in combination) cut up roughly, and fill the bucket with very hot water.
• Cover with a lid and allow to draw for 1-2 hours, or overnight. Strain the herbal water and use it when washing or rinsing the dog.
• Dogs enjoy the natural smells of herbs, and soon realise that this special water soothes their skin. It is strangely pleasant to have a herbal-smelling dog at your side!

Gardening Note 5

Vacuum Bag Sachets

You will need small cotton bags (the kind with drawstrings work best), an essential oil and some herbs and spices. The nice thing about this recipe is that you can change it according to what you like best or what you have on hand.

In a small bowl, combine:

• 1 cup cedar shavings (i.e. hamster bedding from the pet store)
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 tablespoon whole allspice, slightly crushed
• 15 drops of your favourite essential oil (mint or lavender work well)
• 1 cup of your favourite fragrant herb, dried (i.e. mint, lavender, lemon verbena or rosemary)

1. Mix well and then fill each of your cotton bags with a few tablespoons of the mixture. Store the filled bags in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid.
2. Add one sachet bag to each vacuum bag when you are changing out the bag.
3. If you ever find that a bag has lost its scent before you get a chance to use it, squeeze it to crush the herbs or add a drop of essential oil to the outside of the bag before you use it.

Visit The Herb Companion for more info.