Tips for a garden

PRESERVING BRITTLE FLOWERS
Use high quality fabric softener full strength or dilute using 1 part glycerin to 3 parts softener , remove leaves from the bottom stems and place in solution until they feel supple.

HARVESTING HERBS
To ensure good flavor and scent pick fresh herbs right before the plant begins to flower, on a warm dry day.

HERBAL INSECT REPELLANT
Grind 1 ½ cup of dried herbs or 3 cups fresh and place in 1 quart of water, let it sit for 24 hours, strain, add 1/4 t. of dish soap. A variety of herbs are known to repel a variety of insects. Experiment to see what works best in your situation. Here are some that may work: catmint, feverfew, marigolds, sage, thyme, pennyroyal,
wormwood, chives, painted daisies, southernwood, lemon bam, tansy, lavender, bay and garlic.

COMFREY TONIC
Comfrey significantly is high in potash and other essential for plant nutrition, which makes it ideal for feeding your plants. Put comfrey leaves and water into a water tight container with a brick on top to weigh the leaves down and allow the mixture to stand for 4 weeks. The result is a ready to use evil smelling brew that can be diluted and watered onto plants. I add 1/8 to 1/4 of the comfrey tonic to a
watering can and fill the rest with water to use the comfrey spray, dilute 1 tablespoon with 2 pints of water. Add a drop of dish soap as a spreader sticker.

MOLES
Bury a glass bottle upright in the soil near their run. Leave about an inch of the neck above ground, the weird whistling vibration disturbs the moles. You can also stick inexpensive pinwheels into the soil near tunnels and mounds. Moles with their delicate skulls are extremely sensitive to vibrations.

HERB TONIC FOR HEALTHY PLANTS
1 1/2 teaspoon dried plantain herb
1/2 teaspoon dried horsetail herb
1/2 teaspoon dried nettle
1/2 teaspoon dried yarrow
1 clove garlic
1 kelp tablet (about 150 micrograms) crushed
6 cups boiling water
Combine all ingredients, pour on the water, and let steep, covered, for 5 minutes. Strain and use to water herbs. Or make a sun tea, letting the herbs steep all day. This tonic provides nutrients that herbs needs, and helps keeps pests away.

Apply a surface application of an all around garden fertilizer in late fall to help plants survive the winter. Add another in early spring while plants are dormant and once more about six weeks into the growing season.

Controlling pests that enjoy devouring the hard-earned fruits of our labor is as important to a healthy garden as water, fertilizer, and weed control. Always remember that any chemical pesticide is by definition toxic to something, and may have direct or even an indirect effect on other living things, not just on what you are
wanting to treat. You can easily mix your own simple and effective sprays. Following are probably the most popular among those who like to keep chemicals out of the garden.

Garlic Spray Insecticide
One whole garlic bulb
Two cups water
Combine in blender the entire garlic bulb and two cups water, and blend on high speed until garlic is finely pureed. Put in storage container and set aside for a day. Strain out pulp, and then mix liquid with one gallon water in sprayer. Spray tops and bottoms of leaves thoroughly. Apply about once a week, and after a rain.

Fungicide Spray Treats Powdery Mildew & other fungus
One gallon water
Three tablespoons baking soda
One teaspoon dishwashing liquid
One tablespoon bleach
Warning! NO more than this amount Mix all ingredients in sprayer and spray all areas on the plant that look affected. It's best to remove all leaves and other parts of the plant that are the worst affected. Apply sparingly to unaffected areas, and keep in mind that too much bleach can harm the plant. Try to avoid getting it on healthy leaves.

Hot Pepper Spray
Helps repel rabbits, deer, and other nibblers
6 - 10 Hot Peppers
2 cups water
1 quart water
Combine peppers and two cups water in blender and blend on high speed for 1 - 2 minutes. Pour in storage container with lid and put aside for a day. Strain through cheesecloth, and add this liquid to one quart of water in sprayer. Spray plants liberally every week and after a rain.