Moving Flowers From the Garden to your Plate

Many flowers are not only beautiful but also edible. Before eating any flower make sure you know where it came from and if it is chemical free. Never eat flowers from the florist, nurseries, garden centers or from the roadside, as they may have been treated with pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals. I recommend only eating flowers you grow yourself to be assured of their safety.

Many herb blossoms can be used just like the herb itself. The blossoms of chives, garlic chives, basils, arugula, burnet, chervil, cilantro, dill, fennel, sorrel, marjoram, mints, oregano, sage, rosemary and thyme may be sprinkled on a salad or used in cooking like the herb itself. The flowers give a salad vibrant color that dominate eye appeal. The petals of roses, gladiolus, day lilies, hibiscus, hollyhock, nasturtiums, pansies and sunflowers can turn a plain green salad into a burst of color.

The beautiful blue star shaped blossoms of the borage plant, have a cool cucumber flavor which goes well with dips, cold soups and sorbets. It makes a beautiful garnish for gin and tonics, lemonade and punches. The blossoms can be frozen in ice cubes for a decorative touch in the glass or punch bowl.

Everyone is familiar with peas, okra, radishes, squash and pumpkins. Many people are not aware that the blossoms of these poplar garden vegetables are also edible.

The flavor of flowers can run the full spectrum from bland to tart and spicy, so do a little research and expand the flavors and the colors on your plate. No matter if you are hosting a party or serving for only a few, adding edible flowers to your food will make each meal a little more special for you and your guests.

Why Planting Perennials in the Fall is a Good Idea

In the spring everyone gets into the spirit of planting but what many do not realize is that the fall is a perfect time to plant perennials. One must only make sure to allow the plants have enough time before freezing weather to establish their roots. In the north that would mean August to September and on into October for the southern states.

Planting in the fall is beneficial in a number of ways. The cooling weather does not stress the plants as much as hot weather does. There is usually more rain in the fall so it cuts down on having to water the plants as much. Perennials planted in the fall will have a head start in the spring due to an established root system. Spring planted plants have to establish roots and then try to catch up to the more vigorous fall planted ones.

So now is the time to check out perennial flowers and herbs to see what you may want to add to your garden this fall. Then in the spring you will only need add your annual flowers and herbs, filling in between the established fall perennials.

Home Remedies for Ants

I believe if you asked 200 people about their home remedy for ants you would get 200 answers and everyone swears that theirs works. Here are some that I have come across over the years.

There are many items said to repel ants if put in their path. Black pepper, bay leaves, cayenne pepper, catnip, chili powder, cinnamon, cloves, cream of tarter, mint, powdered chalk, salt and talcum powder are just a few said to disperse or repel ants. The ants do not like to cross these things. Cucumber peels are supposed to send them away for a while. Comet or Ajax cleanser is also said to work, but I would be very careful of these around pets or children. Borax powder is also a natural insecticide but should be kept away from pets and children.

Borax powder can be mixed with items such as jelly, honey, sugar or peanut butter to make a bait that the ants will take to the nest. Normally these are mixed in a 50% to 50% ratio.

Care needs to be taken to keep any bait out of reach of pets and children.

There are a number of liquid sprays that can be made to spray on ants. A teaspoon of liquid dish soap mixed with a pint of water is said to make an effective spray. Fill a spray bottle with cheap white vinegar and spray the ants. Another recipe calls for 1 clove of garlic, 1 small onion and 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper to steep in a quart of hot water for about an hour. Then strain and put in a spray bottle for use.

Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. This white powder will cut through the skins of many insects and cause them to dehydrate.

Catnip, tansy, pennyroyal and many mints are said to repel ants. Planting these plants around the house and yard will be beneficial.

As when using pesticides, insects sometimes acquire an immunity to some things, after a while, so change you strategy occasionally to keep the ants at bay.