Plants that Repel Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can ruin a summer outdoor activity faster than a weed in fertilizer. Everything from a child’s birthday party, to a backyard BBQ, to a garden wedding can be ruined by a infestation of hungry, biting mosquitoes. They’re looking for a meal, and your exposed arm, leg, or anywhere in between is fair game. Mosquitoes can keep us from wanting to spend time in our own yards, especially in the early evening, when they’re most active. Thankfully, toxic chemical sprays aren’t the only effective means of repelling mosquitoes. There are certain plants that repel mosquitoes, and that’s a win for our garden and our bodies!

Knowing which plants repel mosquitoes is important. Not only are mosquito bites painful, but they can pose a serious health risk to those who are bitten.

Keep yourself, family and guests safe from mosquito bites this summer by including these plants in your landscape. If you don’t have flower beds near your patio or porch area no problem! Plant some of these helpful plants in small containers so they can be moved around on the deck, porch or backyard as needed.

Plants that Help Repel Mosquitoes

Basil

Basil is a lovely, compact herb plant that emits a scent that repels mosquitoes. The plant is also toxic to mosquito larvae, so plant basil near standing water to deter mosquitoes from laying eggs. Not only can this annual herb help deter mosquitoes, but it’s perfect for use in recipes and preserving for use later in the winter. (Try my post on pruning basil for larger, fuller plants and for drying basil to use later.)

Bee Balm

This is a tall, fragrant plant that produces a red or purple flower and is the perfect addition to any backyard space. Bees, butterflies, and birds are attracted to the flower, which is wonderful for pollination and pest control. And the scent of bee balm helps repel mosquitoes, so it’s working double-duty in your yard to attract pollinators and deter mosquitoes!

Bee balm is often used to make tea and jelly. Be sure to plant in full sun and adequately water if planted in containers. (Seed Needs has a wonderful variety of Bee Balm, so consider adding this favorite to your garden area!)

Catnip

It’s not just for felines! This is the number one plant choice for repelling mosquitoes. Catnip is in the mint family (sometimes called cat mint) and contains the chemical nepetalactone, which is a strong mosquito repellent. Nepetalactone and other chemicals naturally found in catnip make it more effective than DEET, a chemical found in most insect repellants.

Cats are extremely fond of this plant, so use it only in cat-friendly locations.

Citronella

Most people are familiar with this scent as it is often the repellant used in candles and burning oil for outdoor torches. But citronella actually refers to a plant, not the candles you can buy at your local hardware store. The strong scent put off by the plant does a great job of repelling mosquitoes.

The citronella plant will reach a mature size of 6 feet tall and equally as wide, so consider this when planting. Citronella also grows well in partial shade unlike many of the other plants that repel mosquitoes.

Garlic

Grow a few cloves of garlic in your garden to help keep mosquitoes away. They dislike the scent of raw garlic and are less likely to bite a person who has recently eaten garlic, so load up! Garlic is usually planted in the fall and harvested in summer, so planting a few cloves will not only give you fresh garlic, but it can repel mosquitoes all fall and spring long. Garlic also doesn’t take up much space, so you can interplant it with other mosquito repelling plants to increase your mosquito-free area. (I like to purchase my garlic from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. Don’t plant garlic from the grocery store, which has been treated to prevent sprouting.)

Lavender

Lavender produces a calming fragrance and spike of lovely purple flowers, but mosquitoes hate it. Grow plenty of lavender in your landscape for beauty, fragrance and a mosquito-free environment. You’ll have the added bonus of being able to harvest the lavender to use indoors.

Plants will reach a mature height of 3 feet and is easy to grow in containers. Lavender also makes a wonderful low hedge if you’re in need of structure in your garden area.

Lemon Balm

Fragrant and edible, lemon balm is an herb with a mild lemon flavor and is often used in soups, marinades, teas and jams. Lemon balm is also known for its calming effect and helping ease anxiety. As a bonus, it will also repel mosquitoes.

A member of the mint family, lemon balm also help settles an upset stomach and it’s an ideal plant for growing in small pots. Though not as aggressive as mint, lemon balm does have the tendency to spread when planted in the ground, so just be aware. If you have a friend who is growing lemon balm, chances are you can ask for a volunteer to add to your own yard. (Here’s a great recipe for Lemon Balm Simple Syrup that is a wonderful addition to tea!)

Marigolds

Marigolds are the workhorse flower in the garden, and I’ve featured them before in my post about Flowers to Grow in a Vegetable Garden. These scented beauties keep away a lot of garden pests, including mosquitoes.

Plants marigolds around the garden and in small containers in your outdoor space to keep pests at bay. Some varieties of marigolds are also edible, so consider this when planting them.

Other Ways to Repel Mosquitoes

Besides using plants to repel mosquitoes, deter mosquitoes in your yard by eliminating areas where they tend to thrive. Areas of standing water are perfect mosquito breeding grounds, so pour out water that is unnecessary. Our garden wagon tends to hold water after a rain, so we’re careful about pouring out the standing water. Also, gutters and the lower ends of down spouts can also be attractive to mosquitoes.

If you have bird baths, ponds, or other areas where water is necessary, then consider using Mosquito Dunks or Bits. These contain BTi (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies Israelensis) to make the mosquito larvae non-viable. So you can attract the mosquitoes to your water source and then eliminate any chance of new mosquitoes hatching. BT is safe for humans and animals and is the same product I use for cabbage worms in the garden.

So don’t let mosquitoes ruin your outside time, and avoid having your entire yard sprayed with toxic chemicals. We had our yard sprayed for two seasons, and I knew that the spray was killing more than just mosquitoes. So protect your yard from overkill by using gentler methods of mosquito control.

And I’d love to know if you have other plant suggestions for preventing mosquitoes. Leave a comment below and share! Happy Gardening!

DIY Brick Garden Edging

As a gardener, and someone who likes things to look pretty, I love the thought of edging. Garden edging, whether used to separate a flower bed from the lawn or the garden area from the lawn, is incredibly helpful. Not only does it serve a functional purpose, but garden edging can be beautiful.

Creating your own brick garden edging isn’t incredibly difficult, but it certainly will be a weekend project. Our project began last spring when we took up our old brick patio. The old patio was over 50 years old, and was making “waves.” So the brick came up, and we had a new concrete patio poured. In the process, we made our patio area larger and created a curve. I knew I wanted a flower bed along the curve for some gardenias, as well as perennial herbs. My problem arose though when the grass began creeping into my new flower bed, and the lack of definition on one side of the bed. You can see what I mean here:

Apparently, I like structure, and this bed seemed to be spilling out onto the lawn. Lucky for me, the old patio bricks had been stacked onto a pallet and were waiting to be used. Lucky me. The project of creating the brick garden edging took a weekend, but I wasn’t working full days. Here’s what you’ll need to complete the project.

DIY Brick Garden Edging Supplies

Bricks (how many depends on how long of an edge you’re creating)

Flat Head Shovel or a Square Garden Spade with a long handle

Sand

Level

Landscape fabric or newspaper (optional)

Garden Kneeler (for the the sake of your knees, ha!)

How to Install a Brick Garden Edge

First, determine where you want your edging to go, and using the corner of your shovel, create a line along the outermost edge of where the bricks will be placed. We initially marked our line with the shovel, and then went back over the line with the weed eater to make it even more prominent. This will allow you to get a good idea of the shape of your edging before you start digging and laying down the brick.
Once your line is completed, use your flat shovel or garden spade and begin digging a trench from the line you created and in toward your bed or garden. I knew I’d be using a brick lengthwise and then another brick widthwise for our brick garden border, so I measured the brick length and width and used this measurement to know how far in to dig. Only dig a few feet of edge at a time. This will give you a chance to work with and place the bricks and determine if you like how the edging is laying.
Once you have dug the trench and it is the appropriate depth and width for the bricks, place a thin layer of sand in the bottom of the trench. (You could also add newspaper or landscape fabric beneath the sand to prevent weeds and grass from popping up.)Then begin laying your bricks. We chose to have an inner edge of bricks on their side with bricks running lengthwise coming off of those. You could choose to have a single row of bricks to make things more simple. Have a small garden spade handy to ensure small pockets of soil aren’t causing your bricks to be uneven. A level is also a great way to ensure your bricks are even. With yards and soil, unevenness is to be expected to a degree, but it helps to get as close as you can.
Once your entire edge has been laid, go back and tweak any bricks that aren’t in line with the others. Then you’ll take the leftover sand, and begin filling in the cracks between the bricks. This will help to smother out any weeds/grass that will try to creep up between them. A paver sand or regular sand can be used. Once the cracks are filled with sand, use a broom to sweep away the excess.
Then stand back and enjoy your new brick garden edging! We went on to create a brick path from the patio to our garden area as well. There are so many uses for leftover brick! We have had the edging in place for over a year, and it has held up well. No bricks have fallen out of place, and this includes even when our kids walk along them.

Mortar or Not?

The option is always there to mortar the bricks in this particular brick garden edging, but we opted against this. First, I wasn’t sure how long I wanted to edging in place. Mortaring these bricks together would have made it much more permanent. Our neighbors have a similar brick edging in their front yard, and it is mortared together. It looks lovely, but it was much more work. Secondly, the brick patio (50 years old at least), hadn’t been mortared together and had managed to stay in place all those years. We went with the less labor intensive option, and we are very pleased with the results.

I’d love to know what you use to edge your garden and flower beds. Do you have any other ideas for using up extra brick? Comment below and let me know!

Have a great week and happy gardening!

How to Stop Aphids in the Garden

If you’ve ever grown anything in the warm months of spring and summer then chances are you have encountered aphids. Aphids, a soft-bodied pest, don’t limit themselves to the summer vegetable garden but can be a pest on any type of plant even trees. In fact our neighbor recently had to cut down a 30 year old tulip poplar that had become infested with aphids. Nobody wants aphids to get to this point, so what’s a gardener to do to help keep aphid populations under control? And can you get rid of aphids in the garden without using harsh chemicals and pesticides?

Detering Aphids in the Garden

The first step for a gardener who wants to use natural pest control would be to try to deter aphids from coming to the yard at all. This includes making your garden and yard a place where aphid hunters thrive. Aphids are a favorite snack of ladybugs and lacewings, just to name a few. And having healthy soil and plants, as well as hedges for these beneficial insects to live makes it more likely to have them hanging out in your yard and garden.

A note on buying beneficial insects: This is not something I would ever recommend. The fact is especially in the case of ladybugs or ladybirds, when they are released from the captivity they were shipped in, they tend to travel great distances. So you’re really just providing ladybugs for your neighbors. Instead of trying to get rid of aphids in the garden by buying bugs, instead work on drawing beneficial insects naturally to your yard.

How to Identify Aphids

As I mentioned before, aphids are soft bodied insects, and they attack plants by sucking on the leaves. You should NOT notice gaping holes in leaves from aphids, but you will notice white spots on the leaves from where they are sucking out the juices. Once you’ve seen the white patches, check underneath the leaf for evidence of actual aphids.

You may also notice an increase in ants around your plants. Ants love to milk aphids for the honeydew they secrete. That’s actually how I found my most recent gathering of aphids. A steady line of ants was going up my okra plants, and there, hidden beneath the leaf, was a crowd of aphids.

Getting Rid of Aphids

Once you’ve identified you are in fact dealing with aphids, and you know where they are, there are a few different approaches you can use to get rid of them. Since they are soft-bodied, natural approaches would work really well for aphid control. The first I recommend is simply spraying jets of water from a good hose nozzle. The water will wash the aphids off of the leaves and you’ll be left with a nice clean leaf.

If spraying with water is not effective, you can also wipe them away with a cloth and rinse it out afterwards.

If you would like even less physical contact with the aphids, a natural neem oil is a good choice. I mix neem oil with water and place in a spray bottle. This gives you a handy natural pest repellent on hand at all times. You want the neem oil to come in direct contact with the aphids. This means turning the leaf over and spraying the neem oil directly on the aphids you see. Neem oil is only effective when it comes into contact with the aphids though, so you may need to reapply if you see more aphids or if it rains shortly after you apply the neem oil.

How to get rid of Aphids in the garden Naturally

Aphids in large numbers can severely damage plants. So you want to make sure you’re keeping your eyes open for anything that can be sucking on your plant’s leaves and thereby damaging it. I’d love to know if you have any other suggestions for taking care of aphids in a natural way.

Also don’t miss out on my new book Natural Pest Control for the Home Garden as I delve into natural ways to take care of a multitude of pests in the garden. The book also includes lots of images of different types of pests so you can identify them properly before just spraying. Knowledge is power, and prevention is certainly the best cure in cases of garden pests. Happy Gardening!

by Courtney Leave a Comment

How to Grill Asparagus

Fresh asparagus is one of the tastiest parts of the early spring garden. With tender stalks shooting forth from the ground, it’s no wonder that they’ve become one of my family’s favorite vegetables. And grilling asparagus is hands down one of the easiest ways to prepare it. And learning how to grill asparagus is quick and easy!

One of the reasons that I love grilling fresh asparagus (or anything really) is there are fewer dishes to wash at the end of the night. When spring arrives with warmer weather, we are grilling everything we can in order to avoid using the kitchen. Fresh salads, like our Strawberry Spinach Salad with Spiced Pecans, are another spring no-hot-kitchen favorite. Later in the summer, easy grilled okra is on the menu as the okra pods start rolling in.

Asparagus is an incredibly tender spring vegetable and over the years I’ve heard different things about the size of asparagus to use for recipes. Those thin, skinny asparagus are not what you want for grilling. In fact, those small asparagus spears are best eaten raw. Asparagus will cook very quickly, whether you blanch, oven roast, or grill. So, the smaller the asparagus spear, the faster they cook. For grilling asparagus (or oven roasting if that’s your preference), choose thicker asparagus that are about the size of your pointer finger or larger. I never imagined I would be taking a picture of my finger along with an asparagus stalk, but I really want you to know the best way to grill asparagus, and that begins with good-sized asparagus stalks.

Ingredients for Grilled Asparagus

1 bunch fresh asparagus

Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Avocado Oil

Mineral Salt or Kosher Salt

Pepper

Garlic Powder

1 Lemon

How to Make Grilled Asparagus

Begin by preheating the gas grill to medium high heat. (You’re aiming for around 450 degrees on your grill’s thermometer.) Then wash the fresh asparagus and cut off the woody stems at the bottom of each stalk. Do this with a good sharp knife on a cutting board. Place cut asparagus on a clean plate.
Season asparagus with a good drizzle of oil all over. This will probably be several tablespoons. Then season asparagus with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Once grill is hot, take asparagus and place it directly on the grill rack in a single layer. Asparagus will cook quickly, so grill from 3-4 minutes on one side, then roll over for another 3 minutes. Sometimes the oil can cause the flames to kick up and lick the asparagus. I actually don’t mind this and find the bit of charring a bonus.
Finally, bring your grilled asparagus inside on a plate and squeeze lemon juice to taste on your freshly grilled vegetables. Serve immediately.

Other Seasoning to Use on Asparagus for the Grill

Cumin and chili powder for a smoky, southwestern flavor (omit lemon)
Fresh, chopped thyme on top of asparagus
Onion slices grilled alongside the asparagus and served together.

How to Grill Asparagus

This recipe is quick and easy. This spring vegetable is the perfect side dish for any of your spring and summer meals, and there’s less clean up!

Other Recipes You May Enjoy:

I’d love to know if you tried this asparagus recipe at home and any variations that worked for you. It’s definitely an easy vegetable to get cooking on the grill, just take care to not overcook them. Nobody like squishy asparagus. Have a great week!

Yield: 4-6 Servings

How to Grill Asparagus

Name: How to Grill Asparagus
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 18 min
Yield: 4-6 Servings
Ingredients: 1 bunch fresh Asparagus; 2-3 Tbsp Olive or Avocado Oil; 1 tsp Mineral or Kosher Salt; 1/2 tsp Black Pepper; 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder; 1/2 lemon

Tender and fresh asparagus are grilled to perfection to make a delicious side dish to any meal!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes

Total Time 18 minutes

Ingredients

1 bunch fresh Asparagus
2-3 Tbsp Olive or Avocado Oil
1 tsp Mineral or Kosher Salt
1/2 tsp Black Pepper
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 lemon

Instructions

Begin by preheating your grill to a medium-high temperature (around 450 degrees). Cut the tough ends off of asparagus spears using a sharp knife on a cutting board. Place asparagus on a clean plate.
Drizzle oil on asparagus and roll around to coat. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder on asparagus.
Place asparagus on hot grill in a single layer. Grill for 3-4 minutes per side.
Remove asparagus from grill and place on a plate. Squeeze lemon juice on top and serve immediately.

Notes

If the oil causes the grill to flame up, the asparagus should be okay. It simply gives a nice char!

How to Easily Ferment Radishes

How to Ferment Radishes

Fermented foods can get a bad rap as smelly and a big pain to make at home, but I’m here to tell you that doesn’t have to be the case. Fermented foods are amazing for your gut health, which is an important part of overall health. The good bacteria they contain that adds to the flora in your gut can help boost your immune system, and that’s something we can all use. Check out this article from BBC about some of the health benefits of fermented foods. And to get started on the road of home fermenting, there’s no easier place to start than with radishes! Learning how to ferment radishes is super easy, and you’ll feel like you know what you’re doing, even if you’re just a fermenting beginner.

What is fermentation?

I’ve always enjoyed fermented foods, and this might be because of living in Germany where sauerkraut was basically a national food. Not many ten-year-olds were asking for kraut on their hot dogs down here in the south, but this girl was. The tang that comes from fermented foods is so satisfying to the palette that I find myself craving it at times. Even when I wasn’t pregnant. I digress.

Fermentation, though it may seem trendy right now, has been around for ages, and it’s when the carbohydrates in a food are broken down into acids, alcohol, or vinegar. This is done by microbes, and it can make digestion of certain foods much easier on the gut, as well as have a myriad of health benefits for the consumer. The particular type of fermentation that will be taking place with our radishes is called lactic acid fermentation. This is the type of fermentation present when pickles (see my quick pickle recipe), kimchi, or sourdough are made. So you’ve probably been eating fermented foods all along. For a more in-depth look at fermentation, check out Eat Cultured’s article on the Basics of Fermentation.

Home Fermentation Kit

So how did I finally bite the bullet and dive into fermenting? It just so happened that True Leaf Market had reached out to me about trying out one of their products. I’d used their company before to purchase seeds for a micro greens class I was giving, so I knew I liked their products and customer service. I chose a simple fermentation kit because I’d been wanting to try fermenting at home. So it was a win-win for both of us! (I shared the unboxing and results of my fermentation on Instagram, so be sure to check it out on my IGTV!) The $35 kit includes:

3 wide-mouth fermentation lids (for mason jars)
silicone rings for “sealing”
3 stainless coils (for keeping your veggies beneath the brine)
Access to an online fermentation recipe book

Stainless Steel Fermentation Jar Lids & Si…

It does not come with wide-mouth Mason Jars, but we have a few to spare here. So be sure you have some on hand if you’re going to give this kit a try.

Fermented Radishes Supplies

Fermented veggies, though they taste as though they have vinegar in them, develop that taste through the fermentation process. Vinegar itself is a product of the fermentation process as well, so consider that next time you grab that apple cider vinegar. (It’s so good for you!) That being said this is all that’s needed for fermenting your radishes:

1 bunch fresh radishes (from the garden is great but store bought are totally fine. Save the greens for a salad!)
2 cups water
1 1/4 Tablespoon mineral salt (sea or kosher should be fine too)
Clean Mason Jars

Fermented Radishes Recipe

1. Begin by bringing your water to a boil. You can do this on the stove top, or use an electric kettle. Once water is boiling, add salt to the water if using the stove top and stir until dissolved. If using a kettle, place salt inside large glass measuring cup and add 2 cups of the boiling water. Stir until all salt has dissolved. Set aside to cool.

2. While water is cooling, slice your radishes to desired thickness. I wanted a bit of thickness to my radishes, since they were a longer, more narrow variety. I chose to cut mine about 1/4-1/2 inch thick. Use your preferences to determine how thinly to slice your radishes.

3. Place sliced radishes inside clean mason jar. Pour cooled brine on top of your radishes. If using the True Leaf Market kit, place the stainless coil inside the jar. This keep the radishes below the brine for a more consistent ferment. If you’re not using the kit, be sure there is enough brine to cover the radishes and then use a plastic lid (think sour cream container) that can fit below the neck of your jar and keep your radishes pushed down. (Since my radishes were a bit smaller, they “escaped” the coil and floated to the top, but since they were still under the brine, it was fine.)

4. Place your fermentation kit lid firmly on the jar and seal. If you aren’t using the kit, use the jar lid that you have, but be sure to check your lid every day or so and release gases as needed. The fermentation kit lids have vents that help those gases escape on their own.

jar of fermented radishes sitting on counter

5. Leave radishes at room temperature for 5-7 days (I went for 7) until they are just the right tang for you! Then remove the stainless coil or plastic lid, place a regular lid on your jar, and store in the fridge until ready to eat.

Fermenting Results

And that’s it! The hardest part of fermenting is finding out how to do it and actually starting. So whether you want to use the Fermentation Kit or just what you have on hand, give fermenting radishes a try. It’s a simple vegetable to being fermenting with, and they taste amazing. See my video below for my taste test of my finished fermented radishes!

I’d love to know if you’ve tried out fermenting and how you liked it! Have a great week and happy gardening!

by Courtney 2 Comments

How to Get Rid of Japanese Beetles

There’s no more disappointing feeling as a gardener to come outside to check on your plants, only to find them riddled with holes and suffering. And while there are many different types of garden pests out there, one of the most aggressive can be the Japanese beetle. These plant-loving bugs can devour a plant if given the opportunity. So what’s a gardener to do to learn how to get rid of Japanese beetles?

How to Get Rid of Japanese Beetles

If you have ornamentals or vegetables in your yard or garden then chances are you have experienced the wrath of the Japanese beetle. I distinctly remember growing up and going to a friends house to play. Hanging in her backyard was this hourglass-shaped bag hanging on a stick that would occasionally move. We would scream because of course that’s what girls do. I knew there were bugs in that bag, but that’s as far as my nerve would let me get.

Now as a gardener, I easily recognize a Japanese beetle trap. Japanese beetles originated in Japan, and like other things, made their way to New Jersey in 1916. Now, they’re pervasive all across the United States. They can be a highly invasive species that loves ornamental plants and certain types of vegetables.

The Life Cycle of Japanese Beetles

To learn how to get rid of Japanese beetles, you have to first understand how they live. Once you begin to see them on your precious roses the truth is they have already been around for a while. In fact, Japanese beetle larva over winters in the ground. (They look a lot like grubs.) In the summer, as the weather begins to warm, they slowly make their way up to the surface and emerge early to mid summer. And your plants and flowers are ripe for the eating. (photo credit: David Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org)

Japanese beetles can inflict double-damage. The larvae can feed on the roots of plants beneath the ground, and once the beetles emerge, they can devour leaves and fruit in no time. In fact, Japanese beetles can simply leave skeletons of leaves after they’re finished snacking. So now that you know that Japanese beetles can be year-long pests, what can you do to take care of this problem without covering your yard with harsh chemicals and pesticides?

Natural Pest Control for Japanese Beetles

As with all natural pest control methods, keeping your Japanese beetle population in check is a multi-step process. In my Master Gardener class, we learned that all pest control is referred to as Integration Pest Management. It’s virtually impossible to rid your yard of certain pests entirely, but you can manage them. Since adult female Japanese beetles do lay eggs in your yard or flower bed for next year’s generation, you want to prevent them from making it that far. If you can help eliminate them before they have a chance to repeat the cycle then your next season will be that much easier. So what are some ways you can do this?

When you begin to see the Japanese beetles on your plants and flowers, apply Neem oil spray. Neem oil is a natural product from the neem tree, and if you can spray the bugs early enough, you can prevent them from being able to complete their life cycle and go into the ground. The bugs must come in contact with the neem oil. (Wondering about other uses for Neem oil in the garden? Check out my post here:)

Another technique that you can use to try to get rid of Japanese beetles is to use companion plants to repel them. Never underestimate the power of companion planting. Several plants that seem to repel Japanese beetles are catnip, garlic, garlic chives, and chives. In our front flower bed where we have several rosebushes, I actually planted onions and garlic this fall. It was more of an edible landscape plan than a pest control plan, but it has worked double duty. We haven’t had any issues with Japanese beetles so far, and the garlic growing in the front flower bed actually looks attractive. Chives are a beautiful herb to grow, and it’s a bonus that they repel multiple varieties of pests. They blossom with a beautiful purple blooms that would complement any shade of rose. So consider these companion plants as a method of preventing Japanese beetles.

Another method you could implement is hand picking the beetles. This is time-consuming, but virtually guarantees the beetles are unable to lay eggs in the ground. Keep a bucket of soapy water nearby, put on your garden gloves, and simply pick up the beetles and drop them in the soapy water. This definitely prevents them from being able to reproduce and go back into the ground.

What about those hanging beetle bags?

And what about those beetle bags that I remember from my childhood? Are they a good technique for getting rid of japanese beetles? Well, it seems that trapping those beetles in a bag does stop their life cycle, but unfortunately, it also can draw more Japanese beetles to your yard. This is surely not what you want. So I suggest leaving the bag at the store and instead of grabbing that bottle of Neem oil and a good pair of garden gloves.

But if time is limited and you’re overrun with Japanese beetles, there’s no shame in using a bag to help get a head start on next year. You can snag one from your local hardware store or from Amazon and call it done. There are several varieties out there, so choose what’s best for you.

Natural Pest Control for the Home Garden

Be on the lookout for my book natural pest control for the home garden which is coming out at the end of May. Go ahead and get on my mailing list to stay in the loop for its release, there will even be a sweet discount and some extra bonuses for subscribers! I love the fact that there are so many options available to gardeners to help us control pests and can do so in a way that doesn’t hurt pollinators, our soil, and other animals that are a benefit in the garden.

I’d love to know if you’ve used a different method to deal with Japanese beetles in the garden. Have a great weekend and happy gardening!

Need More Gardening Info:

How to Start a Raised Bed Garden

How to Make a Sun Map

5 Tips for Growing Tomatoes

by Courtney Leave a Comment

10 Fun Gardening Activities for Kids

Getting kids outdoors and in the garden without complaining about the heat or bugs is a cinch with these fun gardening activities for kids! Once plants are in the ground (the fun part), how can you keep kids engaged and encouraged? I reached out to some other home and garden bloggers for some of their best activities for kids in the garden, and they delivered! Check out all the fun your kids can have in the garden this spring and summer!

Fun Garden Activities for Kids

Garden Seed Bombs by Conservamom. Grab some flower seeds and construction paper to make these bright and fun seed bombs! Easy to make and fun to grow, your kids or grandkids will be amazed at how they can grow these or gift them to friends.
Gardening Memory Game by Teach Me Mommy. This garden game is perfect for preschoolers and lower elementary! The printable game cards have pictures of common gardening tools and helps, which builds garden vocabulary. This game is perfect for a rainy day indoors or taken outside to play in the grass, and it can be enjoyed over and over!
Egg Carton Seed Starter– One of our most popular posts to get kids in the garden is this fun seed starter cups made from an egg carton. Skip the plastic trays at the hardware store and instead use what you’ve got to get those seeds started!
Garden Tic-Tac-Toe by ChickenScratchNY- Get the step-by-step instructions for creating this adorable outdoor tic-tac-toe set that can be used all year long. Get the kids or grandkids on board to help paint the rocks, and you’ll have a game set that can be treasured for years.
Seed Paper Cards by Craft Invaders- These handmade seed paper cards are the perfect gift for teachers, friends, or even wedding guests. And the process for making the seed paper simply includes paper towels, seeds, and glue! This amazingly simple idea is beautiful and functional.
How to Build a Fairy Garden with Kids by Finding Zest- Fairy Gardens are an incredibly fun to way to get kids using their imaginations and growing plants at the same time. These tiny gardens are the perfect size for tiny hands. And finding tiny items to go inside a fairy garden is like a treasure hunt. These great tutorial from Finding Zest will show you what you need to get your kids started on a fairy garden.
Yogurt Cup Planters by So Easy Being Green- Ever wish you had a purpose for those empty yogurt cups from your kids or grandkids? Well Lindsay at So Easy Being Green has a great way to reuse them… planters! Use those small plastic cups, just perfect for tiny hands, as a place to start seeds and watch them grow!
Upcycled Mason Bee House by Turning Back the Clock- I love any opportunity for my kids to understand the importance of insects in our environment, and this upcycled mason bee house does just that. Mason bees need a home and I’d rather that not be on the wood of their swing set. So we can happily provide them an abode with this fun project. Bamboo, string, and a recycled can will help you kiddos make their own Bee House!
Tin Can Lid Garden Markers by Creative Green Living- Garden markers are always a fun activity to get kids involved with, and Carissa uses upcycled tin can lids to create these fun hanging garden markers. Your kids and grandkids will be able to personalize the lids to their taste. They can use them to mark whatever they’re growing in the garden!
DIY Chalkboard Garden Markers– Another way to get kids involved in marking what they’re growing is this fun activity that uses old cutlery as garden markers. Use chalkboard paint to create the board surface, and then let the kids mark away!

Get Kids Growing in the Garden

I hope this list gives you some inspiration for getting your kids or grandkids outside and growing this season. There’s so much to learn about where are food comes from and all of the elements that go into making that happen: soil, seeds, sun, pollinators, harvest!

I’d love to know if there are any fun gardening activities that you’ve used in the past. Comment below and let us know!

by Courtney Leave a Comment

Garden Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day

Not sure what to get your garden-loving mama for mother’s day? This could be a gift for your own mom, your wife (from the kids, of course!), or simply a friend who loves to have her hands in the soil. There are some fantastic gifts out there for those who love to garden, so there’s no need for you to feel stumped when it comes to buying a garden gift for someone you love.

Mother’s Day Garden Gifts

Go beyond flowers this Mother’s Day. Don’t get me wrong, flowers are an amazing garden gift idea. And since Mother’s Day falls in the middle of spring, the selection of blooms available is beyond compare! Beautiful begonias, fluffy hydrangeas, pungent lilies… just to name a few! If you do want to go with a floral option for your mom’s mother’s day gift, then consider whether she prefers potted plants or whether she would rather something that can be planted in the yard. For Mother’s Day two years ago, I received a fig tree from my kids, which I loved, and the best part was that “planting” came with the gift. So be sure to offer to plant your gift if mom requests it. Here are some popular choices for both potted plants and those that go in the ground:

Potted Plant Gifts

Bucket of Begonias (pictured above)- for a shady spot on mom’s porch or patio, begonias are a sure winner. Use a galvanized bucket or planter to give a rustic but chic feel to her space as well!
Hanging Basket of Wave Petunias- One of my favorite basket blooms is wave petunias. They’re easy to grow and overflow the basket to trail down. What a stunner!
Geraniums… in any container! Geraniums are a summer favorite with their variety of shades and their tolerance of summer’s heat. And they are easy to care for and keep blooming all summer long.

Fun Garden Gifts

Whether your moms likes to hear the tinkling of wind chimes while relaxing in her yard or garden or if she’s interested in trying her hand at growing herbs indoors, there are plenty of gift ideas out there.

Here are a few garden gifts that are sure to get your mom excited this Mother’s Day:

Corinthian Bells Wind Chimes– I received these myself four years ago for Mother’s Day, and they remind me of Granny’s house every time I hear them. They’re not tinny and aggravating, but instead are perfectly tuned to make a beautiful and rich sound every time the wind blows. They hold up remarkably well, no peeling paint or broken pieces on my chimes, and the sound is glorious! Here’s a short clip of the bells in action:

Elevated Cedar Planter– If your mom enjoys gardening on a small scale or would just like a higher planter to make life easier, then a raised cedar planter would be an excellent choice! The CedarCraft raised bed requires no tools for assembly and has a plenty of space for growing flowers, vegetables, and herbs. The western red cedar is a sturdy and weather resistant building material, and since it’s elevated, voles and gophers are a problem no longer!

Gorilla Cart– Now, I know Mom may seem dainty and ladylike, but she’s also super functional. A Gorilla Cart makes life so. much. easier. It’s large capacity for mom’s plants, weeds, and mulch also has an easy dump bed. I’ve been picking up the end of our wheelbarrow to dump it for years, and these shoulders aren’t getting any younger, so this is going on my Mother’s Day wish list! And as a bonus, it can also be connected to the back of a riding mower for truly heavy hauling (it has a 1,200 lb capacity!).

AeroGarden Harvest– For moms who like to bring the garden indoors, Aerogarden is the number one seller for indoor gardens. Their easy-to-use instructions and range of sizes make them an easy pick for someone who like fresh herbs, greens, or veggies growing on the countertop. The Harvest is the smallest of the Aerogarden line, and it’s a great way to test out if indoor gardening is something mom would like. And chances are, if she likes fresh herbs, she’ll be incredibly happy with this compact counter model. It also comes in a variety of colors to match her kitchen!

Countertop Microgreens Kit– Micro greens are easy to grow, packed with nutrients, and super tasty! Give mom everything she needs to grow micros right on the kitchen counter. And maybe you’ll reap the rewards of her new micro green hobby!

Hydroponic Growing Microgreens Starter Kit…

Price: $56.59

Buy Now

Kitchen Gifts for Gardening Mamas

Most moms who like to garden, also like bringing those goodies into the kitchen. Whether she preserves her food by canning and freezing, or simply likes to have fresh veggies on hand straight from the garden, there are great kitchen helps for gardening moms.

Fermentation Kit– The process of fermentation is coming back in a big way! And it’s more than just pickles and sauerkraut. Fermentation helps to preserve harvests and is wonderful for gut health! This kit from True Leaf Market has rings, coils, and lids that fit on mason jars. This kit makes fermenting veggies a snap!

Stainless Steel Fermentation Jar Lids & Si…

Price: $35.08

Buy Now

Cold Brew Kit– This may be more of a survival kit for younger gardening moms, but in the heat of summer, a refreshing glass of cold brew coffee with a splash of cream hits the spot. Encourage mom to take a break from the heat in the garden with homemade cold brew. You’ll be saving her tons of money that would normally be spent at the local coffee shop, too! The kit includes a 64 oz jar, stainless steel filter, lid, and cold brew coffee already ground and ready to go!

Cold Brew Coffee Maker Kit with 64 Oz Maso…

Price: $36.12

Buy Now

If a DIY gift is more your speed for mom, I’ve got you covered with a few garden gift ideas:

DIY Hanging Succulent Planter

Self-Watering Planter from a Galvanized Bucket

DIY Chalkboard Garden Markers

DIY Mason Jar Herb Garden

I’d also love to know if you’ve received or given other garden gifts in the past that you’ve loved. Comment below and keep the ideas coming! Have a great day and happy gardening!

by Courtney Leave a Comment

Companion Planting for Vegetables and Herbs

In a recent survey I sent out to all of you Kitchen Garten readers, I asked about some of your biggest gardening questions. Not surprisingly, many of you answered that you want to know more about companion planting. So, ask and you shall receive! Let’s dive into this companion planting guide for vegetables and herbs!

If you’re not sure what companion planting as, it’s essentially plants that are good companions for one another. It could be that one plant is susceptible to a certain type of bug or disease and that plant’s companion would repel the particular bug. It could also mean that one plant may actually enhance the flavor of the fruit of the other plant. So no surprise that those who are interested in gardening would want to know how to keep their gardens a little less buggy, and also want to know what plants thrive when they are planted together. So let’s get started.

Companion Planting

The main focus of the companion plants I’m going to list here are herbs. Herbs are wonderful because they flavor our meals in the kitchen without the use of seasonings that have been sitting on a grocery store shelf for a year or more. Not to mention after I buy bottled herbs it usually takes me several years to use them if it’s not something I like to use weekly. So let’s check out all the fresh flavors you can grow in your garden that will also help your fruit and vegetable bearing plants.

I’ll also have some flower companions, perfect for the vegetable garden, listed below the herbs. So don’t forget to check those out and to snag the infographic/printable at the bottom as well!

Herb Companion Plants

Basil– Honestly it’s one of the most popular herbs in the world and who can blame people for loving it? The anise taste of a quality sweet basil really goes with so much in the summertime, especially tomatoes. And it just so happens basil plants work well next to your tomatoes, peppers, asparagus, and petunias. Basil will also help to repel mosquitoes and flies. (Want to have an amazing basil harvest? Then learn how to prune your basil!)

Borage– This is a new addition to my garden this year. I first noticed it in the Master Gardener greenhouse and asked around about it because I’ve never used it before. LargerCome to find out it really is great for detering tomato hornworms and cabbage worms, which you know love to pop up on cabbage, kale, and broccoli. Borage also works really well with squash. And because of its great root system, it can break up compacted soils and also provide your soil with potassium, calcium, and other minerals that your vegetables need. It’s beautiful blue/purple blooms (and the leaves, of course) are edible and are also a pollinator favorite.

Chives– they’re not just for baked potatoes y’all. This is a perennial herb, and it works well almost anywhere in the garden. Not only are chives beautiful, adding an aesthetic touch to your garden, but they also contains lots of vitamins, minerals, carotene, and have even been known to fight high blood pressure. So not only is it great for any kind of plant in your garden, but it’s also great for you.

Dill– This is another garden favorite simply because I love having it for fish in the summer as well as my quick dill pickles. It’s perfect to plant near cabbage and lettuce, but you also want to make sure you’re not planting it near carrots. It’s a favorite of pollinators, especially honeybees, and it can also help to repel spider mites, aphids, and possibly even squash bugs (not be confused with vine borers, argh!)

Marjoram– I haven’t actually planted marjoram in my garden, as I prefer the taste of oregano. Marjoram can improve the flavor of any vegetable that it’s planted near, so if you like the less bold the taste of marjoram instead of oregano, then I recommend planting this where you have some free space in the garden.

Mint– Who can resist the fresh scent of mint? This perennial herb favorite is great to be planted near cabbage and tomatoes as it can improve the growth and flavor of both. It also can repel those pesky moths from cabbage worms and may even help with ants. However, mint is notorious for taking over a flower bed or garden, so consider using a container or flexible edging to keep the plant from getting out of hand. (See my Tips for Growing Mint.)

Oregano– If you want more of a flavor punch than marjoram provides, then oregano may be the one for you. It stays pretty low lying and is perennial, so it will come back. It’s great to plant near broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, as it can keep those cabbage worm moths away. It can also keep cucumber beetles at bay if you plant them near your cucumbers.

Sage– We don’t use a lot of sage in the kitchen, but it’s so beautiful that I love to grow it every year. The soft feel of the leaves is just wonderful to touch when you’re out in the garden. I recommend planting sage near tomatoes and also your brassicas (broccoli, kale, cabbage) that tend to be affected by those cabbage worm moths. Sage can also keep away carrot flies near your carrots. A word to the wise, don’t plant near your cucumbers or onions.

Thyme– Oh, if you could save it in a bottle… This is beautiful and hardy perennial herb is such a great addition to any kitchen garden. Whether you’re using it in a marinade for meats or sprinkling some fresh thyme on bread about to go in the oven, it really has so many uses, and it’s a great companion for eggplant, potatoes, and tomatoes. It may also deter cabbage worm moths as well, so consider this herb when you plant those brassicas.

Rosemary– I usually warn my clients about not using rosemary in a garden bed. If you are in the right zone, it can easily become a perennial shrub, so consider your zone when planting rosemary. It is very aromatic and beautiful; it can also be a great companion for beans, carrots, and hot peppers. As with many of the other herbs, cabbage moths don’t like it, as well as bean beetles, and carrot flies. But be warned, Rosemary may not interact well with potatoes and pumpkins.

Lavender– Last but certainly not least is the beautiful and fragrant lavender. If you can get it to grow in your area, it can definitely attract pollinators, which are always useful and it can deter white flies and even some fruit tree pests. So consider this perennial shrub if you have fruit trees or have been plagued with white flies in the past.

Flower Companions

Marigolds– This is a garden classic, and it’s beautiful to boot! Marigolds are well-known for their ability to keep pests away, and they’re wonderful companions for tomatoes (think nematodes) as well as melons, brassicas, and basil.

Nasturtiums– These beautiful and edible blooms have a permanent spot in my spring and summer garden. They’re a great companion for cucumbers, okra, and melons since they deter aphids, and I’m even going to put a few near my squash to see if they repel vine borers.

Sunflowers– These large garden beauties have a practical purpose of drawing in pollinators to the garden, as well providing shade to those plants that don’t love full sun. But do keep them away from potatoes and beans.

Here’s a fun infographic on companion plants. Pin it to save for later!

I’d love to know what you plant together to ensure a better harvest, or what you’ve found that works well together. Comment below and let us know! Have a great week and happy gardening!

by Courtney Leave a Comment

Free Printable Seed Inventory Tracker

Hey All! Here’s the link to download my Free Printable Seed Inventory Tracker. I hope it will be helpful to you in keeping track of what seeds you have, so you don’t overspend when you see those amazing seed displays. I’m super guilty of buying seeds only to find I already had some at home. So thank you again for filling out my survey and enjoy! (Click the image to download.)

seed inventory printable — https://thekitchengarten.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Seed-Inventory-Printable.pdf

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