Super Homemade Herbal Insect Spray

If you've got lots of bugs and want a super bug killing solution without resorting to dangerous chemicals, let a few herbs help. I put this herbal bug spray together last year and certainly helped with whitefly, mosquitoes and aphids.

Bugs hate it. It uses five super bug-busting herbs that are easy to grow in the garden. Another bonus is that just having these plants growing in your yard can

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Seeing Red…again!

AS IN ‘RED GERANIUMS’

I had a free day yesterday and so I finally had a chance to bring up all my flowers and get them out – not that I have an array of different ones, you all know by now I’m a softy when it comes to Geraniums … it’s one of my favorite flowers to decorate with next to Lavender – which I totally forgot to bring up.

Yesterday it reached 89 degrees and no air con. and the humidity was 55% – not bad but if you knew me I can’t stand heat or
temps over 70/72 and no humidity … but that said, I put on as little as I could get away with for clothes and went about
putting out the flowers.

Don’t have much as far as information to add today so hope you enjoy the pictures.

Here’s the stash before I put them around!
I had 11 pots and 6 clusters to work with
Wishing I had more white after using the two I had

 

 

Now here’s where they all ended up

I think this turned out great….it’s my Americana display – I bought an old box last Winter and love the printing on it … and it’s Blue so it worked great for this in our screen room
 
close up of box

In the kitchen by the side window

In a Salt Glaze bowl in the den
 

In a crock under a table in the family room

On the fireplace

One I do every year….in my large trencher in the dining room

And outside on the courtyard

And last - in a basket above our bed

Now just a couple pictures of some flowers I set outside
These are by the garage
 

Back door area
I use the large Redwing crock for my displays all year long.
I keep the birch twigs in there for fullness and just add my flowers
for the seasons and at Christmas we put a lit tree in it

Courtyard area – finally got my flowers planted and it stormed that night and knocked off most of the little pinks!

 

On the front porch
This actually looks better than it is showing – picture doesn’t
show how very nice it really looks for some reason
I bought this tall bucket at a shop up north, it’s about 36 inches tall
 

I’ve been trying to visit all of you as I can this week – have to be gone all of tomorrow to my aunts to help there so won’t
have access to a computer but will be back for the weekend and will check in on more blogs – I’ve got a lot of catching up to do!

I think my girls liked their winnings from my giveaway! Hope so!

Karen

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Where have I been!!!!

Well let me tell ya!

The past couple weeks have been very busy
and hectic and I haven’t been around much…..let alone on the computer catching up on everything
you all are doing and I miss you guys – sorry
I haven’t posted or commented.

My last surviving aunt is ill and I’ve been helping my brother and sister in-law with her….I won’t go into detail but I haven’t been home.

My last day there this week was Sunday and it was soooo hot – and when I had left to go down there (it’s an hour away) I had all the windows open and didn’t get home till around 7 pm and it was like an oven in here – so I closed up the house, turned on the air and it ran and ran but not much change…it was 87 in here when I got home and after it ran all that night it still was only 78 by morning.
Needless to say the Freon is gone and needs a charge…pray I don’t need a new air conditioner. We’ve been babying this one for so long now
I think our luck has run out….but still hoping
that’s all it needs.

So yesterday I ran the air but no change in the inside temp…registered 77 all day then I realized the air con wasn’t running, just the fan…yikes! What now. So I turned it off and let it rest and then before I went to bed I turned it back on….sounded like it was running but this morning it was still 77-78!
So now it’s off and just the fan is running…I’ll just wear less clothes….ya right!

Here’s the temp yesterday at noon….still reading 77 indoors! It’s not unbearable by any means, but with the house closed up and the fans on to keep the air moving and the humidity out…it’s darned stuffy.

So today I’m sitting in the screen room with
the fans on and it’s kind of okay…but the temp
right now outside is 84 so I guess it’s going to
be one hot day here.
AND I KNOW YOU ALL WANTED TO HEAR ALL THAT DIDN’T YOU….lol

I just took these pictures of what I’m seeing while sitting here doing nothing for a change!

They’re through the screens so won’t be clear

Not a breeze at all….my new flag is sadly hanging
I love hearing a flag flap in the breeze don’t you?


My Pineapple water fountain in the side garden…one of my favorite spots to look at.

The view whenever I’m in the screen room.
Still no flowers on my plants but soon I hope!

And look who’s totally enjoying all this heat! 
Lola sleeps here from the time we let her
out there till bedtime

Guess I don’t have a lot to say today but wanted
you all to know why I haven’t been around.
I’m going to be checking in on your blogs today
and tomorrow when I get the chance…..so be watching for me to pop in on ya!

Oh, Darren sent me a picture he took with his phone yesterday of Aidan….the green pool is giving a green reflection so it doesn’t look too clear
He has wet head from dunking!

…..ON SALE RIGHT NOW…..

I’m having a sale on my Americana items
from now through June 15
Just for my Blog Friends!
This is the only place I will advertise it.

Old Glory Flag
Was $18.00
NOW $12.00

Red Ticking Towel
Was $12.00
NOW $9.00

Hanging Tab Towel 
Was $12.00
NOW $7.00

If anyone wants one….just e-mail me
kmprimitives@yahoo.com

See you later everyone – stay cool!

Karen

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Marigold Bug Spray

Marigold bug spray, and organic bug spray made with French marigold flowers(Tagetes patula) discourages asparagus beetles, whitefly, tomato hornworms, mosquitoes, and lots of other crawling and flying bugs.

It's a nice alternative to stinkier sprays like garlic or catnip; both are effective but can put a damper on a patio party if you happen to be down wind.

Marigold can attract spider mites,

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Down a country lane.......

A long time dream client, Robin, lives almost two hours away. Out in the countryside.

LOVE those back roads!

Everyone collects for our annual Spring visit to her "Gentleman's Farm".

Suddenly we are all transformed...........WE WANT TO LIVE ON A FARM!

We want to be farmers, have horses, chickens with fresh eggs, Jersey Cows, bee hives.............you know, the works! ( love that big lower lip)

We suddenly need long scenic views, total silence, privacy, and.....and.......the dreams are rolling in, all romantic and totally unrealistic

Envisioning total peace, calm and simple days of serenity with everything managed by a full staff
.

Guess what the girls are thinking on lunch break?  "Why don't we live on a farm?!"

 But since this is closer to my reality..............back to work it is

Ok, where was I........yes, wanting to share some of our projects here over the years.
This is the cutting garden. Someday there may be a fence but for now this vintage arbor/gate draws the eye and makes a statement.

Inside the cutting garden looking back towards the outhouse via the 'crazy quilt' path.

Outhouse turned potting shed. We added the 'L' shaped old street bricks to frame it's garden. Each corner is punctuated by my favorite crab apple trees, Malus 'Cinderella',  perfectly formed diminutive topiaries.

With the vast acreage we have created English "rooms", intimate settings that lead from area to area which allows for an element of surprise. By adding the concrete newell posts and bench it is creating a focal point that carries the eye deep into the garden.

Come up the antique street brick walkway, go behind a hedge and surprise! A checkerboard bed.

Playing with texture is critical. Above was set a burgundy leafed Colocasia into the silver Artemesia. If ever you have a bed that feels messy add a large leaved specimen.........instant order!

A developing parterre of Boxwoods in varying shapes and sizes

Hope you enjoyed a small peek into Robin's many gardens. But the best part is we get to come back and soon............next up, the interiors!

 Thanks for coming along...............

Debra

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Make Herbal Mosquito Repellent

You can make yourself, and your yard, less sweet-smelling to mosquitoes by employing four traditional herbs:

Parsley
Garlic
Catnip
Marigold

You can use them as a spray with either a vinegar or water base. A garlic and pepper spray follows, but in a pinch you can just rub the leaves of any of the herbs above on your skin (marigold could stain if you're not careful, though).

Garlic Pepper

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Companion Planting Herbs

If you've been playing around with the idea of companion planting herbs, I have a few ideas for you.

Herbs Make Amazing Companion Plants

Here's why:

They're easy to grow, and most varieties will adapt to the soil that's available.

Many herbs are fragrant in a way that bugs absolutely hate, too. One herb variety can also protect against a number of different insect invaders, so if you don't

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ONE MORE IDEA FOR......... FIREBACKS

 I have never sent a post twice but when a new reader forwarded this photo, i said to myself.....YES!!!
What a gorgeous detail..........the fireback built in...........don't you love that?
The reader. designer and blogger, Mona,  is one of the talented sisters of Providence Design 
Welcome these new bloggers. Thank you Mona for the photo

New Ideas for a Fireback? Are you asking yourself................"I never had an old idea for a Fireback!"

                    OR  "What is a Fireback?"

In brief.............Dating back to the mid 15th century, these thick iron plates were used to protect the firebox (fireplace) from catching on fire and spreading to the rest of the building.

Initially only royalty or the aristocrats could afford such a luxury. The above example is dated 1728 and has the initials A.H.

Today's fireplace use is not only decorative but serves to keep the heat radiating back into the room increasing efficiency by 50%.

Are you now wondering if I have lost my mind?  That this might be a timely post in winter? Well........yes, I have lost my mind but that is another topic............I love to see the use of firebacks in interior decor and in the garden.

Think of this as an interesting design element behind your stove, something out of the ordinary.

Up a stairwell?

But my favorite use is in the garden as an accessory. Have a blank wall that could use a weather-proof architectural element?

This is the best use I have ever seen. Two years ago I was on a private tour for landscape professionals sponsored by the organization APLD. The home above was in Connecticut and was the weekend enclave of the Broadway producer of the musical 'CHICAGO'.

Access from the front to back was via this portico. Both sides were lined with firebacks of varying size and designs. Very effective.

Just be certain the wall is adequate, these pups are HEAVY!
                                                    
                                   LOCAL  NEWS!   

My shop in Geneva, IL is participating in a citywide event called 'Gardenology' Saturday May 15th from 10am to 4pm. Interesting topics for the novice and experienced gardener will be on the courthouse lawn and sprinkled through town.

We will feature the following at the shop;

Book launch from the Geneva Garden Club, 'From Garden to Table'. The ladies will offer recipe samplings from the book, display several tablescapes and of course, the book is for sale.

Heritage Prairie Farm, of LaFox, IL. will bring their renown honey from the farm; cinnamon, chocolate, lavender, rosemary or mint plus beeswax candles and bee skeps.

Through out the day I will be doing container planting demonstrations.

The weather looks ideal and this is a fun kick-off to gardening 2010!

               An evening event (7pm to be exact) with Eddie Ross, what could be more magical?
Well........an evening with Eddie Ross in town with Jaithan Kochar and learning the elements of hosting the
     WOW party...........(Without the Work)

Learn to throw dazzling parties, without spending a lot of dough and with only an ounce of effort! And after wards, we all dig in and dine together.
RSVP; 
-via Eddie Ross
-via Scentimental Gardens

ARE YOU A FELLOW BLOGGER?  Contact Eddie Ross for the reduced rate.

Coming in from out of town? The Dunham Woods Riding Club has a limited number of guest rooms. Contact Scentimental Gardens to arrange your stay.

 

  

So.........while in party mode, the next evening will be the grand opening of my new shop in Chicago 

'SG GRAND'

June 18th, 5:30pm

1822 W. Grand Avenue, Chicago 

stay tuned for details.............but save the date!

Hope you can join us

Debra

  

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