Planting a Salad Garden

Salad Garden for the Winter

Although I've put the main garden area to rest for the winter, I'm putting the finishing touches on a container salad garden. There's nothing like cutting or pulling fresh produce, straight from the garden, to reinforce the salad habit that we all need during the winter months. The vibrant freshness just can't be beat.

Here are my recommendations for what to include in the salad garden:

* Butter lettuce

* Romaine lettuce

 * Green leaf lettuce

 * Red leaf lettuce

 * Mâche 

 * Arugula

 * Carrots

 * Radishes

 * Snap Peas

* Curly parsley

Other cool-weather crops that you might enjoy in your salads include broccoli, cauliflower (fussier to grow, though), kale, and beets. Bon appetit!

By Mrmatiko (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons  Salad Garden of My Dreams

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Cleaning up the Garden

Cleaning up and Putting the Main Garden to Bed

While my container garden has winter-hardy plants growing, I'm letting the main garden hibernate. This is good practice for a few reasons:

* It's good to let the soil rest and recuperate after a hearty growing season

* You can test the soil and add natural soil amendments such as blood meal, bone meal, kelp, greensand, compost, and the like: these soil amendments will break down gradually over the winter

* If you've been plagued with pests such as Mexican bean beetles, leaving them exposed in the cold, naked garden will reduce their population

*If you've not been bothered by pests, mulching the garden will keep weeds to a minimum and will furnish their  own nutrients to the soil

You do want to weed before doing all of the above, one last time before cold weather hits. Otherwise, it's time to tell the garden "Good night: sleep tight."

By RainBoxRed (Own work) [FAL], via Wikimedia Commons  Garden Clean-Up

Time is running out! Check out the Autumn Abundance Sale going on at Sol Luna Enterprises: enjoy 25% off on orders of $25 and over. The coupon code is FALLSAVINGS. This sale lasts through October 31, 2015, so don’t miss out!

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It's Pumpkin Time

Pumpkin Time of Year

It's that time of year: Pumpkin Time! Whether you grew them in the garden or bought them at a store or farmers' market, the pumpkins have been harvested and are ready to be carved into jack o'lanterns or painted: a fairly new trend involves painting a pumpkin teal blue to indicate that trick-or-treating children who have food allergies can get a non-food treat--a toy or something similar--and not feel left out of the festivities.

Pumpkins can also be made into many delectable dishes--pumpkin soup, roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pies, and other goodies. And, of course, you see pumpkin spice everything around this time of year.

Pumpkin time is the heart of autumn, when the weather is becoming cooler, there's a nip in the air, and the hearth beckons the family ever closer. It is a time for turning inward and nurturing the self and loved ones. It's a precious time, not to be wasted.

"Pumpkins Hancock Shaker village 2418". Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pumpkins_Hancock_Shaker_village_2418.jpg#/media/File:Pumpkins_Hancock_Shaker_village_2418.jpg

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Sage: Herb of the Month

Sage Advice for the Garden

This month's herb of honor is sage, or salvia officinalis. As with many herbs, sage is easy to grow: just give it a spot in the garden with at least partial sun, and water sparingly in order to concentrate the herb's essential oils. For best flavor and continued production, pinch off any flowers that develop.

To me, sage suggests fall flavor: roasted herbal chicken and turkey, pork loin, dressing, and hearty soups, such as this recipe for Butternut Squash Soup.  Sage suggests Halloween and Thanksgiving, with its special dishes. Sage suggests family gatherings and time well spent with loved ones. Bon appetit!

Forest & Kim Starr [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Check out the Autumn Abundance Sale going on at Sol Luna Enterprises: enjoy 25% off on orders of $25 and over. The coupon code is FALLSAVINGS. This sale lasts through October 31, 2015, so don’t miss out!

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Pleasures of Fall Gardening

Fall Gardening: Feeling the Love

Ahhh: fall is here. The air is cooler, the weather crisper. In many areas, fall is an ideal time for a second-chance garden, especially if the summer garden has sputtered out. The energy-sapping heat is gone. Now is the time for an invigorating gardening season.

Now is the time to create a salad garden: many types of lettuces and cabbages. What is more perfect than cutting salad greens mere minutes before washing them and putting them in the salad bowl? Root vegetables are also a great choice this season: carrots, beets, radishes, even parsnips. Onions and leeks, as well as broccoli, are also fine choices for the fall garden.

Fall gardening also is a good excuse to get outdoors for some fresh air and exercise. Fresh vegetables, fresh air, and invigorating exercise: what more could you want? Dream big!

By Srl (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons  Fall Gardening of my Dreams

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• Tips to get your house de-cluttered + your inner world in order
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Chives: Herb of the Month

Chives: Mild and Versatile

Chives, or Allium schoenoprasum, are September's herb of the month. Chives are a perennial herb that is completely edible--even the blossoms.

Chives, as with many of the herbs I discuss and use myself, are easy to grow; however, they do need for the weather to cool off a bit (where the highs are not in the 90s). Chives can be grown from seed, but you may find it worthwhile to transplant already established chive plants instead: I know I do.

This herb revels in full sunlight. Water sparingly in order to concentrate the flavors. Divide the clumps every two to three years or so.

In the kitchen, chives are delightfully versatile. Try fresh chives snipped over a hearty potato soup, mixed with cream cheese to top a bagel, added to many vegetables--not just potatoes, and many more uses. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Bon appetit!

By Jerzy Opioła (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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The Shining Biz & Life Academy is a divinely-guided, wildly-affordable and deeply-powerful success library that’s just a fraction of the cost you see elsewhere.
It is chock-full of programs & resources to help you shine in every area of your biz + life, it’s one of the most generously-priced, powerfully inspired transformational training systems you’ll find, ANYWHERE in the world. Upon joining, you will receive the following:

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• E-courses to supercharge your creativity, wrangle your fears + become a marketing maven
• Illustrated workbooks to create clarity + intention across your life & biz
• Audio meditations to soothe your soul
• Tips to get your house de-cluttered + your inner world in order
• Cleanses to bring your body into health + radiance
• Videos trainings, audio inspirations and workbooks to unlock your abundance, free your creativity and allow your heart and soul to shine

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Fall Gardening: A Second Chance Harvest

Countdown to Fall Gardening

In many areas, it's beginning to cool down as we leave summer behind. It's time to plan and plant a fall garden, or, if you will, a second-chance garden. If the summer's heat wave dashed your gardening hopes earlier this year, all is not lost: it is possible to start again for an even more bountiful harvest.

In the more northern regions, this will mean using cold frames and possibly floating row covers to coax along the plants, depending on what has been sowed or transplanted. For these northern regions, it's hard to go wrong with peas (English, snap, and snow), your root vegetables (carrots, radishes, parsnips), cabbages and other cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kohlrabi), and lettuces.

In the more southern regions, what's listed above can be planted or transplanted in, say, November. But now's also an ideal time to plant tomatoes, peppers, beans, and summer squash, as well as Swiss chard.

Even with these general guidelines, don't forget to add your favorites; after all, this is your garden and should represent your tastes. Happy gardening!

By WayneRay (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons  A rather ambitious cold frame

The Big Shining September Sale!

For 30 days only we're offering a super affordable extended payment plan for the Shining Biz +Life Academy!! From now until September 30, join the Academy with 12 Payments of $49.95 

About the Academy:

The Shining Biz & Life Academy is a divinely-guided, wildly-affordable and deeply-powerful success library that’s just a fraction of the cost you see elsewhere.

It is chock-full of programs & resources to help you shine in every area of your biz + life, it’s one of the most generously-priced, powerfully inspired transformational training systems you’ll find, ANYWHERE in the world. Upon joining, you will receive the following:

·       *  Powerful business + marketing training to help you start + grow your dream biz rapidly + happily

·        * E-courses to supercharge your creativity, wrangle your fears + become a marketing maven

·        Illustrated workbooks to create clarity + intention across your life & biz

·        * Audio meditations to soothe your soul

·        * Tips to get your house de-cluttered + your inner world in order

·        * Cleanses to bring your body into health + radiance

·        * Videos trainings, audio inspirations and workbooks to unlock your abundance, free your creativity and allow your heart and soul to shine.

This offer is for a limited time, so don't wait: take advantage of it today!


Check out the Autumn Abundance Sale going on at Sol Luna Enterprises: enjoy 25% off on orders of $25 and over. The coupon code is FALLSAVINGS. This sale lasts through October 31, 2015, so don’t miss out!


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Planting a Medicinal Garden

Grow Your Own Medicine Cabinet

As I write this, I am getting over the throes of a nasty head cold. What better time than now to plan a simple medicinal garden?

The following plants would be great additions for an all-purpose medicinal garden. All are fairly easy to grow in either a traditional garden or in a container garden:

Aloe vera: Buy established plants and transplant. Good for treating minor burns and scrapes: just break a leaf and apply the serum to the affected area. 

Calendula: Buy established plants and transplant, or sow from seed. Made into an infusion, calendula is a good all-purpose antiseptic wash; you can also make a balm.

Cayenne: Buy established plants and transplant, or sow from seed. Good ingested as a cold remedy and can also be made into a cream to relieve muscle aches. Caution: when handling any hot peppers, wear gloves. Trust me on this one.

Chamomile: Sow from seed. Made into a tea, chamomile is good for treating stomach upset and for inducing sleep. 

Ginger root: Buy the root and cut it up; plant each piece. Ginger root is the number one treatment for nausea and is good for stomach upset. 

Echinacea: Buy established plants and transplant,  or directly sow the seed. Use the root as a decoction at the first sign of a cold. 

Feverfew: Buy established plants and transplant. This herb is great for fevers as well as headaches, even relieving migraines for some people. 

Lavender: Buy established plants and transplant. This herb prefers a slightly alkaline soil, so it's best to plant it in its own container or planter box. Made into an oil or infusion, lavender can be used to heal cuts, stings, and burns, as well as insomnia and not a few other woes. 

Lemon balm: Buy established plants and transplant, or sow directly from seed. This member of the mint family is great for cold relief as well as digestive complaints. 

Mint, especially peppermint: Buy established plants and transplant, or sow directly from seed. This herb is great for relieving gas and stomach upset, as well as relieving muscle pain when made into a balm. 

Rosemary: Buy established plants and transplant. Made into an infusion, this herb is wonderful for digestive issues and headaches. 

Sage: Buy established plants and transplant. Sore throat relief and alleviation of hot flashes are but two of sage's gifts. 

By User:Mattes (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Medicinal Container Garden of My Dreams

If you want to consult an herbal handbook, I recommend the following books:

Culpepper's Complete Herbal: A Book of Natural Remedies for Ancient Ills.

Walter Last's The Natural Way to Heal: 65 Ways to Create Superior Health.

The New Age Herbalist: How to Use Herbs for Healing, Nutrition, Body Care, and Relaxation.

500 Formulas for Aromatherapy: Mixing Essential Oils for Everyday Use.

Check out the Autumn Abundance Sale going on at Sol Luna Enterprises: enjoy 25% off on orders of $25 and over. The coupon code is FALLSAVINGS. This sale lasts through October 31, 2015, so don’t miss out!


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Herb of the Month: Mint

Refreshing, Versatile Mint

If you want to grow an herb that thrives well and is difficult to kill, look no further than mint (botanical name Mentha). The many varieties of mint--peppermint, spearmint, apple mint and other fruit mints, even chocolate mint--are easy to grow and, once established, will produce copious amounts of fragrant leaves.

Growing Mint in the Garden

Again, mint is easy to grow--perhaps too easy. This herb can be invasive, so it's a good idea to plant it in a pot so that it doesn't take over the entire garden. Make sure the herb receives direct or partial sun, as well as plenty of water: it is all but impossible to over water mint. Some people I know plant mint right underneath a dripping water faucet, for example.

By Mokkie (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Harvesting and Using Mint

Pick leaves as needed, preferably before 10:00 a.m.--or before the day's heat arrives-- on the day you need them. Mint can be steeped in tea and enjoyed in its own right, or it can be taken for stomach upset and flatulence, among other stomach ailments. Mint can also be bruised and added into a sugar syrup: this sugar syrup can be added to various homemade desserts and candies, as well as the famed Mint Julep. And let's not forget about mint jelly.

Even sniffing the bruised mint leaves can be beneficial. The other day, the air conditioner in my house decided that it was a good day to die. While waiting for the air conditioner to be fixed, I found that sniffing mint leaves made it seem as if I were cooler: this is a handy psychological trick.

If there is a perfect herb, mint would be it. Happy gardening, and bon appetit!

Top Ten Inspiring Books for Gardening and Cooking

Top Five Books That'll Get You in the Spirit of Gardening or Cooking

It is blazing hot outside, so much that the hot temperatures zap the energy levels. I know that during a heat wave, all I want to do is to curl up quietly with a good book. Why fight it, when you can become inspired by gardening or cooking that happens in books, fiction and nonfiction, for adults and for children?

Claude Monet [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons  

Here is my purely subjective Top-Five list, in no particular order:

Wilder, Laura Ingalls. The Little House in the Big Woods. Yes, this is a children's book, but adults can get quite a bit of inspiration of the pioneer days as well. The entire series will give you inspiration for the garden and for the kitchen, and leave your mouth watering at many points, but it's more pronounced in this first book of the series.

Divakaruni, Chitra Banerjee. The Mistress of Spices. This is a novel about an immortal woman who is trained in the powers, healing and otherwise, of spices and who has to choose between keeping her vows of chastity--and her immortality-- and choosing romantic love. The colors, smells, and textures of the spices come alive in this work of fiction.

Burnett, Frances Hodgson. The Secret Garden. This timeless children's book is about the blossoming of Mary Lennox: as she tends the locked-up garden that has suffered as much abandonment as she has. As the garden flourishes, so does Mary.

Spyri, Johanna. Heidi. Another children's book, Heidi features mouthwatering descriptions of melted cheese on bread, as well as breathtaking wildflowers on the mountainside.

Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Here's a classic nonfiction book that talks about how certain plants will help one another grow profusely.

Happy reading!