natural repellent

I found this recipe for a natural bug repellent. Crush 1 1/2 cups rosemary leaves aand 1 1/2 cups pennyroyal leaves. Place in a jar and cover with 2 cups pure vegetable oil. Seal container and keep in dark place for 2 weeks, shaking it a bit every day. After 2 weeks, strain the liquid and store in sealed dark colored bottle for up to six months. Spray or rub directly exposed skin.

I just got in a big order of new statuary. Stop by and check it out!

Growing Native

If you would like to try some native plants here are a few that you might like: amsonia, asclepias, boltonia, baptisia, cimicifuga, eupatorium, lobelia, monarda,tiarella and rudbeckia. All are easy to grow and very hardy.

Insect repellent herbs

Here are some herbs to make your summer a little more enjoyable. These herbs help repel those annoying little bugs: feverfew, lavender, pennyroyal, rue, santolina, southernwood, tansy, and wormwood.

Attracting butterflies/hummingbirds

Here are some flowers to plant to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden: Anaphalis, asclepias, echinacae, nasturtiums, valerian, borage, delphinium, monarda, calendula, verbena, joe pye weed, lemon balm, buddleia, garlic chives, yarrow, parsley, baptisia, globe thistle, lavender. Also hummingbirds especially like any flower that has a bell shape, like the campanulas and penstemons.

Early blossoms

Are you looking for something that blossoms early in the spring? Try some of these: Arabis, English daisy, bergenia, caltha palustris, bleeding heart, helleborus, candytuft, lamium, forget-me-not, poppies, creeping phlox, polemonium, primrose, lungwort, tiarella, vinca, and violas are just a few.
We have them at Hearthstone!!

Bit of Wisdom

Here is a quote I came across today. To own a bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds, and watch their renewal of life--this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do.... The man who has planted a garden feels that he has done something for the good of the world. Charles Dudley Warner
If you believe global warming is happening, than indeed you are doing your part. Plant a few natives and you will also be helping to balance your little eco-system.

Plants favorite colors

Did you know some plants have favorite colors? For an increase in tomato production plant small plants in red plastic mulch. Potatoes and bell peppers prefer a white mulch.