Tuesday, May 27, 2008

The Great Horned Owl


We have seen this great horned owl on our property several times. Owls hold a special place in many cultures so I find its visits interesting although it is scary to look into the eyes of a great raptor. In some cultures there are associated with energy, wisdom, and bravery, but also foretellers of bad fortune. I am hoping that on our farm it is a good sign and will bring good energy for all of our endeavors; herbal and other.
Cindy
Sagescript Institute

Saturday, May 10, 2008

A Mother's Day Tussie Mussie


A Mother's Day Tussie Mussie can show your Mom how you feel in the Victorian Language of Flowers. I Remember making one for my Mom several years ago. Although she is no longer alive I will walk my garden (and look in my dried collection) to see what plants I have to pay tribute to her on this Mothers Day.

Basil for the unconditional love she gave me and my siblings.
Rosemary for remembering her and the lessons she taught me.
Sage for her endless wisdom and to represent my grief.
Scented geranium for our happy times together.
Lavender for her devotion to her family.
Thyme for her strength and courage in raising 8 children.
Happy Mother's Day to all Moms.
Cindy Jones

Monday, May 5, 2008

Herbal Pest Control


Several years ago I bought 2 Don Juan climbing roses. I had avoided roses for years due to their need for much more attention than I was willing to give them. A regimen of spraying, fertilizing, pruning etc. The Don Juan roses were not as finicky, so I tried them out. The first year wasn't so bad, producing big, dark red roses which I trained on a post fence. The next year, by the end of April, beginning of May, the plants started dropping their leaves, leaving only the branches, which still produced a fair amount of flowers but looked terrible. I vowed to do better the next year, and sprayed in early march, fertilized but soon forgot about my promise to the roses. Same thing happened so that fall I cut them to the ground, and continued to do so the next year, not allowing them to grow very high throughout the summer. This year, I wanted to be able to use the roses in my bath and body products, so I didn't want to spray them. I looked at them a couple of weeks ago, and they were already covered with aphids, so I started looking for a "green" way to control the aphids.


According to an article in this months Organic Gardening Magazine attracting Lacewings to your garden will provide pest patrol for aphids. Each lacewing devours hundreds of the little pests causing damage to your plants. How to get those aphids to your garden? Plant catnip in your beds around plants where aphids lurk. Studies have shown, that the chemical in catnip mimics a pheromone emitted from the male lacewing to attract female lacewings. Other studies have also show that carrot family herbs suck as angelica, dill, and cilantro also attract lacewings. So be sure and add these herbs to your garden this year.


Karen