Computer fairies got into my website and broke something in the stylesheet, so for now I am using this commonly available free template until I get a chance/feel like it to work on the site. I was thinking of changing the look anyway…
Since I have a large uncontrolled catnip plant and plenty of mosquitos, I am going to have to give this a try!
Grow Your Own Mosquito Repellent
CATNIP MOSQUITO SPRITZ
MAKES ABOUT 3 CUPS
* 2 cups catnip, stemmed
* 3-4 cups mild rice vinegar
Rinse herbs, roll lightly with a rolling pin, then place them in a clean quart jar and cover with vinegar. Seal jar and store in a dark cupboard for two weeks.
Shake jar lightly every day or so for two weeks. Strain into a clean jar, seal and refrigerate for up to 6 months unused.
To use, spritz on exposed skin and around outdoor dining area.
CATNIP AND ROSEMARY MOSQUITO CHASING OIL
MAKES ABOUT 2 CUPS.
* 2 cups catnip, stemmed
* 1 cup rosemary, cut in 6-inch sprigs
* 2 cups grapeseed oil or any light body-care oil
Roll herbs lightly with a rolling pin and pack into a clean jar. Cover with oil, seal jar and place in a cool, dark cupboard for two weeks.
Shake jar lightly every day or so for two weeks. Strain into a clean jar, seal and refrigerate for up to 8 months unused.
To use, rub on exposed skin.
Gonna try this soon!
Solar Box Cooker
I had been wondering if I should/could stake my baby watermelons, rather than have the vines laying all over the garden, and I found this solution.
I specifically bought the kind of cucumber that said bush so I wouldn’t have to worry about staking. But my cucumber bushes are sending out tendrils. So I thought I better give them something to cling too and I have put up some short privet hedge trimmings. Nothing very tall. I hope they don’t need much.
Q: What’s the difference between isolated and scattered thunderstorms?
A: The National Weather Service expresses the probability of measurable precipitation (0.01 inch) for a given location using percentages and terms such as isolated and scattered. Isolated means a chance of precipitation of less than 30% and scattered is used for a 30% to 50% chance. Likely describes a probability of 60 percent or greater.
For more, see our FAQ page about understanding weather forecasts.
(Answered by Chris Vaccaro, public affairs specialist at the National Weather Service in Silver Spring, Md., May 31, 2005)
Ok, now I can do this! I already have a garbage can filled and now I can’t move it, but this shows me how:
OMG, we aren’t supposed to get rain all week!! My rain barrel is only half full. We had some rain yesterday, but that son of mine has still not dragged out my 2nd barrel from the basement so I can get it set up. Well, this being Michigan, the weather forecast is likely to change and we get some rain after all, I hope!
I have been busy the last few days trimming privet hedges and keeping some of the branches to make my very own fencing and bean poles!
I know, its not a pretty site, but its free! I also trimmed some rose branches and used them along the bottom of the fencing, I read somewhere that the thorns will keep animals out. I don’t have enough to go all the way around though.
I found this blog yesterday and I love it! The writer is so funny…
Oh, one more thing – I noticed some green bean vines starting to twine around my corn today!
I put this here because I want to remember to watch it!
Here is a picture of my rain barrel! I still need to make a more permanent lid, but for now this old window shade is keeping out bugs and stuff. I just have to remember to go open it up when it rains. There is an overflow hole on the other side so I stuffed a hose into the barrel so I can water my garden without filling up watering cans and lugging them around. Unfortunately, the hose is not long enough to reach all the beds in my yard!