by Briscoe White | Feb 14, 2011 | Flowers, Gardening, Growing, Inspiration, Life on the Farm, Miscellaneous |
Daffodils are a sure sign of spring!
Every year that we have been blogging, I get to a time in early February when I begin searching for signs of spring. Most of this searching goes on close to the ground because the blustery winter wind does not feel like spring. But even with the frigid temperatures, I know some plants have begun to get ready for a break in the weather.
Spring has sprung on the farm!
The most reliable harbingers are the bulbs. Crocus and snowdrops are usually the first spring growth sighted, followed by the early varieties of daffodils. But this year was a little different, and it was a clump of honeysuckle that showed me the first plant growth of spring. After a more thorough investigation, I went looking around the farm and sure enough; bulbs had emerged from the ground! I am not refuting anything the groundhog said, because we do have weeks of cold weather ahead (in spite of the sixty degree weather we’re having this week in central Virginia). But the difference now is that we know spring has begun and it is only a matter of time before the ground thaws and that first warm breeze sweeps through your garden!
by Herb Exchange | Feb 11, 2011 | Gardening, Growing, Herbs, Indoor Gardening, Inspiration, Miscellaneous, Urban Gardening |
Since we recently posted on our Social Media and Marketing Director, Caroline’s Nasturtiums that went to seed, there has been an exciting development! Read her update below for the news…
My severed Nasturtium actually started sprouting little, white roots!
Well, when repotting my ‘Alaska Mix’ and ‘Empress of India’ Nasturtiums recently, I accidentally broke off a beautiful, healthy stem that had a ton of marbled foliage trailing from it. Worried that I had just ruined one of the prettiest branches of the plant, I immediately started to look around for a solution. With the speed of an ER nurse, I placed the severed “appendage” in the first thing I could find and fill with water–an empty Gatorade bottle. After filling the bottle with cold water and jamming the wounded end of my favorite plant down into the neck of the bottle so that it was just under the water level, I left my crippled Nasturtium to recuperate in a sunny spot. I had honestly forgotten that it was even there, and figured that maybe it was only staying green because it was freshly cut, and, much like a bouquet of cut flowers, it would wilt and become compost in a week or so. Much to my surprise when I happened to take a look at it last night, the lonely, broken stem had started to put out lots of little, white volunteer roots, each stretching down into the water. Amazed that my accidental pruning had resulted in another Nasturtium plant, I just had to share! The moral of my story is that even trial and error in gardening can grow to be a great experience!
by Briscoe White | Feb 11, 2011 | Containers, Gardening, Growing, Herbs, Indoor Gardening, Life on the Farm, Miscellaneous, Urban Gardening |
Tons of cat toys are packed with Catnip to perk your cat's interest!
Looking for a great all natural way to treat your favorite feline? Try Catnip! Often found packed into the plush insides of a cute little toy or sold in dried form at local pet stores, catnip makes most cats pretty crazy. Over eighty percent of cats are affected by the chemical component Nepetalactone, which is found in the essential oils of this perennial herb. A combination of genetics and age determine whether your felines will fiend for Catnip, as studies show that kittens don’t seem to respond until around the age of three months. Though not explored extensively, there are many cases of dogs and even some bears who find the scent of “nip” irresistible. Reactions range from sleeping and drooling, to frantically pouncing and running around, and cats seem to also experience heightened tactile sensations which may include being rubbed on their face, petted or brushed to excess.
Our Media Director's cat, Sophie, eating dried Catnip. She likes the fresh stuff better!
Also known as an excellent natural insect repellent, the essential oils are often found in many DEET-free bug sprays. If making your own concoction to deter pests, try using Lemon Catnip for a fragrant citrus aroma. Catnip also has a history as a medicinal herb for its sedative properties and makes a soothing tea to help you relax, much like Valerian, an herb known to mellow you out and known commonly as “the poor man’s Valium”. Slightly numbing, Catnip is also reputed to strengthen immunities to fend off colds, fevers and the flu, and also calms an upset stomach. Growing fresh Catnip for your kitties isn’t just fun and games. The vitamins and nutrients they get from eating the raw plant is great for their bodies, and the plant itself can help cause any indigestion which may result from some store-bought foods.
Our Catnip is all natural and because we don't use harsh chemicals, it's purrrrrfectly healthy for your cat!
If you plan to grow Catnip for your cats indoors, you may want to plant two pots, one to keep out of their reach outdoors, and one for them to enjoy inside, but make sure to swap them occasionally so they don’t completely attack the indoor pot! If you’re growing it outdoors, be aware that neighborhood cats may be flocking to your garden. To prevent their frantic frolicking from interfering with other, more tender plants that may be growing nearby, either plant your catnip in a well-drained, separate area of its own, or build a fence around your garden. (If you have problems with container-planted Catnip, try placing it in a large, metal bird cage or dog kennel, where the kitties can’t plow through it all and destroy your plant.) If you want to really encourage your cats to love you more, try planting Catmint, Lemon Catnip and Valerian in your garden. All three of these great herbs are kitty-friendly, human-friendly and make a really calming tea. Treat your cats the natural way and grow them a garden full of treats!
Catmint is another great herb to get your felines frisky!
by Briscoe White | Feb 7, 2011 | Basics, Gardening, Growing, Herbs, Pests and Problems |
Healthy Lavender
Keeping potted lavender inside for winter can be tricky. They are so touchy about wet feet, they can turn from beautiful to pitiful in a few days. Overcast days with little sun are the perfect breeding ground for all the fungus that prey on lavender plants. Like potting succulents, sand should be added to the potting soil to insure quick drainage.
One sign of trouble is algae growing on the soil surface. This is an indication the soil is too wet for too long. When weather conditions are favorable, fungus will quickly colonize a water logged lavender. To save plants already infected, trim all dead leaves and stems. Clean all debris from the soil surface. Dry the soil quickly, even if you must remove the plant from the pot.
Fungally infected Lavender
There are many fungicides available, some are biological, others chemical. This natural fungicide is safe for kids and pets so if you’re conscious about little fingers or paws playing in the garden, a natural fungicide is often a better choice than a chemical one. In our greenhouse, we treat lavender every week by first spraying a Hydrogen Peroxide disinfectant, then a biological fungicide. Applying chemical fungicides takes less time because it has a residual effect for a week or more, but because we grow mostly herb plants that will be cut and used for culinary purposes, they must be clean and healthy to eat. Though the biological type does not last as long and must be applied more regularly, it’s worth the extra time and effort to ensure that our plants are healthy and treated in an all-natural way.
Lavender killed by fungal infection
We prefer to use PlantShield HC Biological Fungicide, which uses an active natural microbe to prevent disease from growing on the root structures and foliage of our plants. We drench the actual soil, rather than the leaves themselves, which allows this natural microbe to saturate the soil and protect the plants from mildew, fungi and other root pathogens. This is just one key step in our promise to ensure healthy, all natural herbs and flowers for our customers. Because of all of the careful nurturing that we employ at The Growers Exchange, we know our plants like the backs of our hands. Staying constantly familiar with our plants allows us to keep a close eye on quality control, and our attention to detail is something we pride ourselves on. Because of this process, we don’t let anything leave our greenhouse that we wouldn’t want to plant in our own garden, so you can be sure that when you order from us, you’re getting only the very best!
by Briscoe White | Feb 3, 2011 | Basics, Containers, Gardening, Growing, Herbs, Indoor Gardening, Seeds, Urban Gardening |
Nasturtiums are typically started from seed– but why do the sowing yourself, when we are happy to sow them for you? While most of the country is experiencing another record-setting snowy winter, your nasturtiums are in good hands here on the farm, safe in our warm and well-tended greenhouse. While most people are ordering seeds that ship immediately, we’re nurturing and hand tending our plants with care until it is warm enough to ship them via mail couriers like Fedex, this spring. This way, you get healthy, happy plants that arrive on your doorstep and are ready to plant or pot, instead of seeds that have battled the rigors of the icy weather AND the postal system. Our nasturtiums are a great example. Below, see us starting these little guys on their life journey.
Sowing Nasturtium seeds
When spring arrives at last and you receive your Nasturtiums, plant them in well-drained soil and full sun. They are easy to grow, and do not require a lot of maintenance. In fact, they do better with a little neglect. They like weekly waterings, or whenever soil is dry to the touch.
Nasturtium leaves have an interesting watercress flavor to them, and are a wonderful addition to salads and cheese sandwiches. Use them to spice up cream cheeses, dips, or egg dishes. Colorful nasturtium flowers are not only beautiful, but are also edible. Many health food stores carry these edible flowers– but at a high price! Take advantage of your nasturtiums by picking their flowers soon after they open up. The flowers can be served whole as a gorgeous decoration to cakes, or petals can be sprinkled on salads.
If you would rather keep your blooms on your plant, be sure to remember to pick off dead blooms. This will allow your nasturtium to bloom continuously. If you don’t dead-head them, they will start to go to seed, as our social director Caroline recently discovered! You can read about her experience in our previous blog. These seeds can also be pickled and used as you would use capers.
by Herb Exchange | Feb 1, 2011 | Containers, Gardening, Growing, Herbs, Indoor Gardening, Urban Gardening |
'Alaska Mix' Nasturtium
*Our Marketing and Social Media Director, Caroline has been attempting to turn her brown thumb green since she began working here, and it looks like she may be getting the hang of it!*
This past fall I salvaged some ‘Alaska Mix’ and ‘Empress of India’ Nasturtiums who were at the end of their season and growing closer to being composted. I decided it would be a great winter project to try to keep these creeping beauties alive in my kitchen for their culinary value (their leaves, blooms and seeds are all edible!) and it would be a great test to see how green my thumb had grown since joining The Growers Exchange team. Though light is a little scarce since neighboring buildings block it for most of the day, and my cats terrorize the curtain-like foliage by using it as cover (and as a snack), I’ve managed to keep the majority of these guys green and somewhat healthy! It’s been interesting to see how at different points of the day the foliage will crane their stems to follow the sunlight as it moves across my kitchen, like these herbs have a mind of their own!
'Alaska Mix' Nasturtium variegated foliage
While watering the other day, I readjusted some of the variegated, viney leaves to allow more of the ‘Alaska Mix’ to get more light and two, hard, green little nodes fell off! At first I thought this was some kind of pest or bug that had invaded my little indoor oasis, but after some research and thorough poking with my finger, I realized that my plant had started to go to seed. These light green seeds are rounded on one side and sort of pinched and puckered looking on the opposite side, and can apparently be prepared with hot vinegar to create “poor man’s capers”. These pretty annuals have been trying to go to seed all season and thus, end their life cycle. Keep yours blooming by continuing to prune dying foliage back and to deadhead them which will prevent the process of going to seed and keep them vibrant for much longer. I’m going to try to plant these alien-looking little seed pods and see if I can sprout some more of these awesome spiller herbs!
'Alaska Mix' Nasturtium seeds
I also recommend growing these indoors to any novice or brown thumb, like myself, or to anyone who has kids. The Nasturtium‘s non-toxic, edible leaves make a beautiful contrast to their bright, continuous blooms, and because they grow quickly and can take a little abuse or neglect. Though I need to repot mine, as they’re getting too big for their britches, I’d recommend a hanging pot or container to hang them in a sunny window. This way, their leaves and tendrils can have room to stretch and grow, and they’ll be out of the way of little furry monster who may try to dine on them. These Nasturtiums, along with a few Calendula (which I haven’t been as successful with) have been a true delight during these dreary, cold months. Just a little green around your home can make a huge difference in picking up your spirits while it’s gross and gray out. Try growing some today– they’re a great first time herb plant!
