Sterilize Garden Soil

If you have a bad patch of soil, one that's been giving you problems that chemical solutions just don't completely fix, try a more natural solution. Cook your soil clean. I've created a post on my gardening blog that explains the steps. Take a look: Sterilize Your Garden Soil

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Periwinkle, A Shade Loving Herb

One of the lovelier flowering herbs, periwinkle (Vinca major) is a popular shade plant that isn't picky about soil as long as it drains well.Propagating Periwinkle In spring, it can be divided or propagated from cuttings. Take five-inch lengths of stem and place them in a porous potting mix. Provide plenty of water and dappled light until they root. Periwinkle also roots readily as it creeps

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Herbal Flea Control and Your Dog

Don't let fleas get out of hand this summer. Natural herbal flea control can help you get a handle on fleas. Eucalyptus is a natural enemy of fleas, and eucalyptus oil is used in many flea control preparations.

To foil the nasty little pests in your home, place eucalyptus in dog bedding, under carpeting, and in furniture. Sachets of eucalyptus can also be placed in linen closets, and in

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The Spider in my Garden

Spring is here, and boy am I ready. One of my favorite memories of last season was a friendship I developed with a spider that lived in my garden. She'd built her web along the deck railing and could be seen in her spot at its center each morning. I started watching because she'd decided to set up shop right next to the chair where I sat to drink my morning coffee. Being a decent housekeeper, I

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Start Your Seeds Between the Sheets

If you save your garden seeds from year to year and wait expectantly to see if they'll germinate in their peat pots, there's a way to make the process easier, faster, and less expensive.Start Seeds Between Sheets of Paper TowelsFor the last two years, I've started my seeds between sheets of paper towels, and then transferred them to starter pots once I was sure they were viable. This has helped

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Herbal Astringent Skin Treatment With Sage

Sage is a natural antibacterial and makes a good oily skin astringent that helps deep clean and tone.Sage Astringent1 Heaping tablespoon fresh sage chopped fine¼ Cup white vinegar¼ Cup boiling waterSteep fresh sage in boiling water until the liquid cools to room temperature. Strain carefully and add vinegar.Apply to clean skin with a cotton ball twice a day. Pay particular attention to the T-zone

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May Wine, May Punch

In order to make traditional May wine, you need to infuse dry white wine, often Rhine wine, with dried woodruff.Recipe for May Wine with WoodruffAdd a half cup of dried woodruff to a bottle of dry white wine, seal, and store in a dark place (like a cupboard), shaking occasionally, for two weeks to a month.A few hours before serving, strain, add six tablespoons of sugar, shake, and chill.When

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