Mosquitoes

For controlling mosquitoes in the landscape (and on you):

Empty any water containers that are unnecessary. For pet water dishes, bird baths, and ponds there is another option. Bacillus thuringiensis v. israelensis is deadly to mosquito larvae and fungus gnats but safe for pets, birds, and fish. Also called B. T. var israelensis, it is available in a liquid but also a dry form as donut shaped “dunks” and small “bits”. There are other types of B.T. - one for controlling caterpillars and one for Colorado Potato Beetle so be sure you are getting the right one.

Planting mosquito repelling plants can also be helpful especially when planted around patios and decks. This is most helpful if the plants will be brushed against as people are walking past so the essential oils of the plants are released. Lemongrass (a relative of Citronella) is a famous one but is not hardy above zone 11 so for most of us will either need to be overwintered indoors as a houseplant or you will have to buy a new one each year. If you want to cook with lemongrass you may want to just bring it indoors. More cold tolerant herbs which are also mosquito repellents are mint and lavender. Mint should be grown in a pot anyway to avoid taking over your yard. Lavender can be planted in the ground in most climates and should overwinter just fine in a pot in many climates as long as the pot is large enough to provide insulation for the roots. A pot of 14” - 16” should work for either lavender or mint. Keep in the mind that plants in pots still need water during the winter.

Lavender

Spearmint

Some other mosquito repelling ideas:

• Throwing some herbs on the grill during or after cooking may also repel mosquitoes and other insects from your outdoor gathering plus flavor your food when used during cooking.
• Essential oils of many herbs will repel insects. If using a quality essential oil lavender can be used directly on the skin. Essential oils can also be used on the cuffs of pants and shirts and brims of hats and added to the melted wax in candles.
• Outdoor sprays containing insect repelling essential oils – as always read the ingredients so you know what you are getting.
• Avoiding sugar and bananas as well as consuming garlic may help mosquitoes avoid you.  Getting enough B vitamins is also said to repel mosquitoes.

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Three Seed Starting Methods

Compressed peat pellets

Compressed peat pellets can be purchased in bulk or with a small “greenhouse”.  You can start with the “greenhouse” and then buy extra peat pellets for future use or use.  A salad/deli container or shoe box would also work.  Place the pellets in desired container, add about 1″ of warm water, check in 30 minutes or so.  If pellets are not thoroughly expanded and damp add more water.  If the pellets are expanded, pour off any extra water.
To see the rest of the methods  
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Preparing For Spring Planting

Some things you can do now to prepare for Spring planting:

Look at catalogs to get an idea of what you would like to grow.  In addition to the seed catalogs, for edible plants I like Richters, Logees, and Raintree.

Locate sources of compost and start making your own for later use.

Notice sun, shade, and wind patterns of your landscape.

Research your climate zone.

Make a list of what you like to eat and what of those you would like to grow.

Check your tool inventory.  If you need to take tools or mower blades in for sharpening this is a slower time of year for the shops so a great time to get it done.

Take some time for learning now.  Gardening classes begin this month!

Edible Landscaping Books

A few edible landscaping books you may want to check out (although the links go to Amazon you should be able to find them at your local bookstore or library).

The Incredible Edible Landscape by Joy Bossi 
Written by a friend and former garden radio show host.

Edible Landscaping by Rosalind Creasy  plus her other edible landscaping books including The Edible Flower Garden
Rosalind was probably the first person to really discuss edible landscaping.

The Edible Front Yard by Ivette Solar

Landscaping With Fruit by Lee Reich 

Perennial Vegetables by Eric Toensmeier

Designing and Maintaining Your Edible Landscape Naturally by Robert Kourik
The first book I read (and bought) about edible landscaping.

Edible Landscaping Class and Square Foot Gardening class - Free

I will be teaching edible landscaping and Square Foot Gardening at the South Davis Preparedness Fair in Davis County, Utah.

The Preparedness Fair is free.
 Saturday, October 13, 2012, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Woods Cross High School, Woods Cross, Utah.

Square Foot Gardening, 11:25 a.m., Edible Landscaping, 1:15 p.m.
Both classes will be taught in the cafeteria.

For other events or to schedule a class check my website calendar or contact me.

Where Not To Plant Edibles

In most cases much of a landscape or indoor scape can be planted in edibles.  There are some exceptions:

• Local laws and regulations including city ordinances and HOA rules.
• If you are renting and you do not have permission of the landlord.
• In parking strips or other areas where car exhaust and other contaminants may be absorbed into plant tissue and then eaten by you.
• Where soil and/or water is polluted with toxins which may be taken up by the plants.

The first exception may be one you could change by petitioning your city or housing development.  The second you may be able to change by explaining what you have planned to your landlord. In either of these cases you may still be able to plant edibles if they fall within the rules.  For example: If the edibles you are growing are edible flowers.  Also, some regulations only cover what is planted in the front yard or within a certain area within a corner if you are on a corner lot.

Win Tickets to the Earthwell Festival

Win a pair of tickets to the Earthwell Festival, – Explore The Worlds of Wellness & Sustainability, August 25 & 26, 2012, Jordanelle State Park, Utah

Get the details here. 

I will be teaching about organic lawn care

Storing Your Harvest For the Short Term

Ideally you would harvest right before use but when that is not possible you need to know how to store your produce. In most cases the way produce is stored in the produce section of your grocery store is how you would store it at home. The wrong type of storage can reduce the time your harvest will last and may affect the flavor.
For short term storage:
 Continued

Fireweed

Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) is a tall, beautiful flowering perennial that is usually pink or magenta but sometimes white. Fireweed is a native wildflower in several states including Utah and Alaska.  This photo was taken in Seward, Alaska. 

The young shoots of Fireweed can be eaten raw or cooked and eaten like asparagus, and the young leaves can be used in salads.  In Alaska, Fireweed jelly and syrup can be purchased. 

Fireweed recipes

Fireweed seeds

Harvesting Fruits

The fruits I have harvested so far this season:

Strawberries
Rhubarb
Cherries - tart Montmorency
Gooseberries
Raspberries
Currants - black, red, white
Wolfberries - still ripening
Bush Cherries
Boysenberries
Blackberries

That is also the approximate order they were ripening.  Peaches will be ready soon.  The time of harvest partly depends on the variety you plant.  Apples and peaches can ripen over a wide time period.  For a longer harvest plant trees that ripen at various times.  Be sure to have a pollinator for the types you want to grow - especially for apples, sweet cherries, bush cherries, and pears. 

Blackberries

Bush Cherries