Loving Nature's Garden » Reviews

Easy, delicious, quick meals from garden veggies

Alison Kerr — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:49:35 +0000

Balsamic onions by Jules Clancy

I dug my fork into my raised bed garden dirt and pulled out one small onion after another. I dumped them into my green garden bucket.

Some of my onions were barely bigger than the onion sets I planted months ago, yet these onions were the fruits of my labor and they deserved to be turned into something delicious.

The truth about homegrown, garden veggies

As a new gardener I was often frustrated by the veggies I’d spent my time growing. Small, sometimes mis-shapen, they were not much to look at.

While easy access to supermarket produce had conditioned me to expect vegetables which look perfect, it’s the taste that counts; homegrown veggies taste good.

Easy, delicious recipes for your veggies

I don’t have much patience for complicated recipes with long lists of mostly non-seasonal ingredients. If you are the same you will enjoy minimalist cook Jules Clancy. Her recipes are simple (most have 5 ingredients or less), delicious, quick (many take only 10 minutes to prepare), and just perfect for seasonal cooking with garden veggies.

Jules free e-cookbook Minimalist Home Cooking contains a wealth of simple recipes. Every single one of Jules’ recipes I’ve tried tastes good. While you think about how to cook with garden veggies, here is a list of Jules’ recipes you may want to try. Recipe names without links are from Jules free e-cookbook.

Onions – onion and wine vinegar dressing, butter bean and tuna salad, rice and lentils (fab with your own sprouted lentils). From Jules’ StoneSoup website – little onion tarts, onion pandade, onion gravy, balsamic onions.
Carrots – super simple carrot soup, supermoist carrot cake (video instruction, as well as written), carrot ribbon salad with pesto and cashews.
Beets – roast beets, raw beet salad, beetroot pesto, roast beet soup with dukkah and yogurt.
Cabbage – shaved cabbage salad with parmesan and balsamic, cabbage and crispy noodle salad, shaved cabbage and yogurt salad.
Kale – wilted greens with parmesan.
Tomato – couscous with tuna and cherry tomato sauce, lentils with sausage and tomato, snapper parcels with green beans and tomato, chorizo with chickpea and tomato, tomato almond pesto salad, bread and tomato salad.
Lettuce or arugula – frozen pea salad with bacon, radicchio and rocket salad, ultimate steak sanga, rocket and radish salad.

You may want to download yourself a copy of Jules free e-cookbook Minimalist Home Cooking and follow some of the recipe links above to get a taste of what Jules does. If you like what you see, Jules has several other cookbooks available in her StoneSoup Shop, and she teaches courses through her StoneSoup Virtual Cookery School.

Enjoy your seasonal, garden harvest

The truth, when it comes to garden veggies, is that looks aren’t everything. Small is fine. Blemished is OK. Mis-shapen can become an asset. Homegrown garden veggies have character. Even when they look bad they taste good. The trick to enjoying your veggies lies in knowing how to turn even small, ugly vegetables into something delicious.

Which veggies do you have ready for harvest? Did I miss your favorite veggie from the recipe list?

Kid tip: young kids love to help with harvesting veggies. Also let them swirl veggies in water to rinse, and rip lettuce into pieces for salad.

Download your copy of Simple Sprouts ebook here (it's Free).

The little guide to garden un-procrastination

Alison Kerr — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 18:04:22 +0000

View through garden shed by Steenbergs

“The time to begin most things is ten years ago.” McLaughlin, M.

A garden takes years to get it to where you want it to be, maybe ten years. It takes even longer if you procrastinate.

Do you procrastinate?

Do you spend more time dreaming of your garden than working on it? Have you built up a selection of tools and supplies only to have them sit idle?

Have you ever delayed getting started on your garden? Are you a garden procrastinator?

I’m a garden procrastinator

I’m practically an expert on garden procrastination. I’m sure I could write a book about it, if only I could get started! Take these examples:

1. Getting started – I’ve planted nothing in the berms around my rain garden. My reason for procrastinating? I can’t seem to take the first step.

2. Fear – I’ve waited ten years to grow strawberries. I don’t even understand why. Maybe I’m afraid I’ll disappoint my kids if they don’t work out.

3. Saying no – a friend suggested I start a garden club. I’ve not said no, even though I know I don’t have enough time.

4. Overwhelm – I have non-native shrubs where I’d love to have natives. What’s stopping me? I just don’t want to admit that it’s overwhelming, and almost impossible, to do all the things I want to do with my garden. I pretend to myself that I’m just procrastinating.

5. Inconvenient truth – the path I put in last year didn’t work out and needs redone, but I don’t plan to do it anytime soon. Why not? It’s disappointing and discouraging when hard work doesn’t pay off. I don’t want to leave it and I don’t want to work on it. Neither seems a good choice.

6. Equal options – I could work more on the east side of my back yard or the west side next. Both are equally good. Trying to choose makes me procrastinate.

7. Focus – I have many, many ideas for garden posts to write. I could have several weeks posts done ahead of time, but it’s somehow hard to focus when there’s no deadline. I always write Tuesday’s post on Monday.

There, I feel better for confessing my gardening procrastinations. But this blog is for you, not about me. How can you get unstuck and busy in your garden?

What about un-procrastinating

I promised you The Little Guide to Garden Un-procrastination. This is a book I will never write. Fortunately for you and I, Leo Babauta feels differently. If you are stuck procrastinating over your garden I recommend you check out his book The Little Guide to Un-procrastination. Leo is not a gardener, but he sure knows a few tricks about changing habits.

Who cares if we manage to do all of the things we think of doing? There are some things we need to do and some things we are driven to do. Those are the tasks that matter. The challenge is to avoid dissipating energy on everything else.

What is holding you back from you best garden?

There are many reasons we procrastinate. Fear, overwhelm, lack of focus, indecision, and simply not knowing where to start can be responsible. Sometimes getting to the root of the procrastination helps. Taking the first step is often key. Find what is blocking you. Address it. Then give yourself permission to begin.

How about you take the first step to your dream garden by figuring out what you want from your garden?

What are your gardening fears? Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed and unable to start? How can I help?

Kid tip: it’s easy to get overwhelmed by even routine garden maintenance when you have kids. Focus in on small projects to make yourself successful.

Download your copy of Simple Sprouts ebook here (it's Free).

The best stocking stuffer list

Alison Kerr — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 15:00:13 +0000

Savana's Christmas stocking by G & A Sattler

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” – Hamilton Wright Mabi.

Which writer has the best stocking stuffer for gardeners list? Let’s take a look. You decide. Share your thoughts below.

1. Kathy Purdy

Kathy Purdy writes at Cold Climate Gardening.

Kathy’s list is short and to the point and dates back to 2008. In her list you’ll find her personal suggestions for suncream, gardener-friendly hand cream, and some cute little garden-themed keychains.

Visit Kathy’s stocking stuffers for gardeners for more details.

2. Kathryn Hall

Kathryn Hall writes at Plant Whatever Brings you Joy. If you love to pamper yourself right after gardening Kathryn’s 2007 list is the one for you. Nail care, lotions, bath salts, and hand creams all make it onto Kathryn’s list. Also, check our her idea for what Santa should bring you.

Read Kathryn’s best stocking stuffers for gardeners list at her blog.

3. Marie Iannotti’s list

Marie Iannotti is the gardening guide at About.com.

Marie’s stocking stuffer for gardeners guide is gadget packed and includes the following suggestions: dandelion earrings; compost tea bags; 4-in-1 tool sharpener; garden bon bons (look like chocolates but are made of seeds and compost); sticky bug traps for houseplants; and 5 more innovative and useful gifts.

Visit Marie’s stocking stuffer guide and read all ten suggestions.

4. Jamie McIntosh

Jamie McIntosh is a resident of Kansas (like me) and a featured writer at Suite101.

Jamie’s stocking stuffers list for organic gardeners is all about practical. She recommends a combination of seeds, gloves, and basic, but necessary, gardening tools.

Visit Jamie’s stocking stuffer for gardeners list to see her five suggestions.

Who’s list has caught your interest? Have you written a list or seen a list at another gardening blog which I missed? Let me know and I’ll add a link.

Kid tip: The Secret Garden is a classic story of childhood, nature, and gardening and would make a great addition to a child’s Christmas stocking in book, audio book, or DVD format.

My favorite version of The Secret Garden on DVD at Amazon.com. Christmas quote from Worldofchristmas.net.

Download your copy of Simple Sprouts ebook here (it's Free).

How to get more from your garden

Alison Kerr — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:50:57 +0000

Autumn rake by David Morris

“The more I accomplish, the more rushed and less satisfied I feel.” – Alison Kerr, 2010

It’s hard to believe that November is here already. Every year, I swear, time goes faster!

Remember my plan for a back yard makeover? I’ve not done half the things I planned for my garden this year, yet I’m getting more from my garden.

Is your garden giving?

What about you? Are you getting something good from your garden?

Assuming you have a garden, it’s going to require a certain amount of time from you whether it contains something you enjoy or blah landscaping you inherited.

Ideally, you’re getting something back.

Your garden has a lot to give

Your garden has a lot to give, but not without a certain amount of love from you. Garden love comes in the form of visiting, observing, tweaking, nurturing, planting, pruning, digging, and dreaming. All of these use up that precious commodity none of us seem to have enough of – time.

I’m no expert when it comes to prioritizing and finding the happiness I desire, which is why I go to others for help. If motivation or prioritization is a challenge for you, whether that be for gardening or for something else, you may find these free resources helpful. I know I have.

Sometimes life throws bad stuff at us and we can get stuck. When you’re feeling sad, or out of control, it’s hard to find satisfaction in your garden, or in fact anywhere. Yet we all have a positive attitude and fun somewhere inside us. Mary Jaksch is one of the people I go to for encouragement. Mary is really passionate about helping people. You can read Mary’s blog Goodlife Zen for free and download her free ebook Overcome Anything. Also, keep an ear open for Mary’s virtual Zen retreats.
Focusing in on what’s important. I often find myself pulled in too many directions at the same time. We live in an age of distraction. Should I do more housework, more weeding, more college research for my daughter, check my email again, learn a marketable skill, research a blog post, call a family member, or simply spend some time enjoying my garden? When it comes to simplifying there’s no-one better to go to than Leo Babauta. Leo’s blog Zen Habits is all about slowing down enough to enjoy what we have. Leo also has a new, free ebook out focus: finding simplicity in this age of distractions.
Where does the time go? Do you ever wonder at the end of the day where the time went? Maybe you have a new garden project you want to find time for but you just can’t get yourself started. Or you know you want to try something new, and you’re just not sure how to get up the impetus. I’ve been working through Katie Tallo’s 7 Week Life Cleanse course. It’s confession time – I’m a snail who could really use some momentum (I’m still on week one several weeks after starting), but snails do get there in the end. Ask that plant they ate! You can read Katie’s blog Momentum Gathering and download week one of Katie’s life cleanse training for free.

Gardening isn’t so much about how many flowers you have, how much food you harvested, or even how many different birds and butterflies you can attract. Gardening is about connecting with nature, getting fresh air, and enjoying what you have. That space beside your home, called a garden, is a place for you to love. I hope some of these resources will help you get more from your garden.

What did you get from your garden this year? Do you have any favorite related resources you’d like to share? Please leave a link if you’ve written or published a related article or book.

Kid tip: children take their cue for how we feel about the natural world from how we act rather than from what we say. You can pass on a love of wild things and a respect for life in your nature garden.

Download your copy of Simple Sprouts ebook here (it's Free).

One Way To Do It Yourself Garden Design

Alison Kerr — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 13:37:55 +0000

Spanish Courtyard Garden, Rachel Mathews, 2010

I don’t know what others use for do-it-yourself garden design, but I recommend working with Rachel Mathews, because that is what worked for me.

Lesson Learned

After my failure with hiring a home landscape designer I was more than happy to find a way to get the help I needed to design my garden for myself.

I’d learned my lesson. This time I wanted to be sure I was working with someone I could trust to get me the garden design of my dreams. I had some firm ideas on what I was looking for.

How I Chose A Garden Designer

I wanted a garden designer with lots of experience; a designer who had a proven track record with a wide variety of designs; and someone who would be there to answer my questions and help me over the difficult parts where I might get stuck. After all, this was my first design; there were bound to be challenges.

I started reading Rachel’s blog Successful Garden Design. Some of the principles Rachel works from were right there for me to read. I liked what she had to say and I liked her style. I subscribed to her blog, accepted her free downloads, and watched her promotional videos.

Take A Look At Rachel Mathews

If you want to evaluate Rachel Mathews, here are some free materials you can take a look at to learn what she is about.

Video tutorials from Rachel – there is no substitute for seeing someone in action to help you figure out who they are. Videos cover How To Survey Your Garden, How To Draw Your Garden Survey To Scale, How To Design A Courtyard Garden, and Garden Construction Process. FYI that last video has a topless construction worker. The same courtyard garden, the one pictured here, is used in all of the videos – you see the whole process.
To see more of Rachel’s garden designs go to her Origin Garden Designs site: Origin Garden Designs Gallery. You’ll see professional designs she has done for clients, which they paid in the region of $1,800 for (that’s just the design part).
To get an idea of the quality of Rachel’s written explanations on garden design download her free home landscape design ebooks: How to Avoid Big Garden Mistakes and The 7 Steps To A Great Garden.

A Home Study Course in Garden Design

If you are interested in do-it-yourself landscaping take a look at the newly released home study course, The Great Garden Formula, from Rachel’s Successful Garden Design site. The current introductory price is very affordable (a lot less than I wasted by hiring the wrong designer). Rachel let me work through the whole course so that I could share with you what I think.

I promised you a walk-through of The Great Garden Formula and an update on my own extreme backyard makeover from the design Rachel helped me to create. Unfortunately there’s more to say about Rachel and her course than will fit in this one article. And my own garden will soon be enough to write a book about! I’m going to have to give you a rain-check on the full details.

A Brief Guide To The Great Garden Formula

The Great Garden Formula is a home study garden design course which consists of the following:

Four main modules and three bonuses which come in the form of down-loadable pdf e-books. You get all the modules right away as soon as you sign up.
Each e-book module focuses on one aspect of design and includes plenty of illustrations as well as action steps to get you designing on paper.
A series of helpful accompanying emails from Rachel which include additional tips and links to helpful videos. These are designed to keep you on track and to explain some of the more visual aspects of designing.

The strengths of the Great Garden Formula are that it teaches you the principles of garden design which work for the large variety of garden shapes, sizes, and styles which gardens come in. This is not a set of garden design blueprints where you choose one and try to fit it to your garden, like you’d get in a book of garden designs. You will need to roll up your sleeves, get out a measuring tape, and put pencil to paper to come up with your plan.

What Next?

If you are at all interested in do-it-yourself garden design, I recommend that you go on over and look at Rachel’s Great Garden Formula page where she walks you through all the various modules and what they contain. There is a ton of information on that page. And you’ll see that she is giving a 60 day money back guarantee. So, if you’re not sure this is the course for you, give it a try risk-free. Then I’d recommend that you visit The Great Garden Challenge where you can join Rachel’s garden design forum, share your challenges and successes, and get help with any questions you have.

Please note that links to the Great Garden Formula are affiliate links which support my work at Loving Nature’s Garden. Rachel generously invited me to join her affiliate program and provided me with access to her new home study course in exchange for sharing my thoughts and experiences on working with her.

Download your copy of Simple Sprouts ebook here (it's Free).

Top Eleven Reasons To Buy A Cordless Electric Lawn Mower Like Mine

Alison Kerr — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:12:44 +0000

Today’s post is by guest Lisa who writes at Privilege.

Lawn mowers might be one of the most passionately discussed topics in the United States. First and second place may go to politics and religion, but try bringing up the subject of mowers at your next gathering. You may have to step back and let the sparks fly.

Some people love ride-on gas models. Sort of like the vintage car aficionados appreciation for the power of a ‘56 Thunderbird. Others argue for the minimalist push mower. But I tell you, in the pantheon of good design, there’s nothing, nothing, like a cordless electric lawn mower with a removable battery.

Pictured above is my battery powered lawn mower, poetically named the Black and Decker CM1936. I love it. I bought my cordless lawn mower from Amazon.com, where folks give it great reviews. Impassioned, almost. The only other home goods I love as much as this mower are beautiful and impractical. I’m thinking granite counter-tops, slate tile, and antique Federalist hall mirrors.

Let me show you what it does. This is my lawn before mowing.

This is my lawn after cutting with my cordless lawn mower.

One might almost think that the sun came out and flowers bloomed as a result of my lawn grooming. I admit, that’s just an accident of Northern California morning fog.

So, should you be a sensible person who is only convinced by real data, herewith the Top Eleven Reasons To Buy A Cordless Electric Lawn Mower Like Mine.

There’s a recession on. Few of us have extra money to hire gardeners.
Gas mowers? There’s a limit to what the earth can sustain. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, emissions produced by gasoline powered motors are responsible for about 5 percent of the nation’s air pollution yearly.* The Department of the Interior’s Green Seal Program estimates that electric mowers emit 3,300 times fewer hydrocarbons, 5,000 times less carbon monoxide, one-fifth as much nitrogen oxide, and less than half the carbon dioxide as gas engines.**
Push mowers? There’s a limit to what aging bodies can do. I used to have a push mower. But I can’t push the darn thing up the little slope of my lawn any more.
This Black and Decker mower is on sale on Amazon for $398.54 down from $399. OK, so that’s not really a good reason. But compared to using a gardener, you can pay this purchase off in a matter of months. Compared to a gas mower, it might take a year.*** But it’ll be a nice year.
Electric mowers with cords may be even more environmentally sound, but you will find the cord to be So. Annoying. that you will never use yours. That’s truly environmentally unsound.
You can store the battery for this baby in the garage, plugged in, and then just carry it over to your mower when you’re ready to mow. Not too heavy, even for us midlife types.
The mower handle adjusts easily for comfort.
Stanley Black & Decker is a well-run American company with years of tradition on its side. I can’t guarantee that buying this lawn mower will help the US remain competitive, but you never know.
The wheel height adjusts easily so you can have exactly the lawn height you want. If that matters to you.
Electric mowers are quiet. Electric mowers do not smell bad. That’s two reasons for the price of one.
Because of reasons 5, 6, 8 & 9 you will mow your lawn more frequently, thereby ceasing to annoy your neighbors with unruly herbiage. Once I got a ticket for having weeds of a “downy and noxious habit” in my front lawn. No, I am not kidding.

I wish you all happy, quiet, environmentally-sound, economical-over-the-long-haul mowing. And the joy of owning something useful, aesthetically pleasing, and green.

*Via Garden Guides.
**Via Sea Coast Online.
***”Financially speaking, an electric mower makes common sense. They generally cost about half the price of a gas mower. Cordless models can run a bit more, but have an added advantage of no cord to watch over. The savings continue. An electric mower costs around $3 to $5 dollars to power for a year of use. Filling the gas tank just once on a traditional mower can easily cost that much. Over the expected lifetime of the mower, the savings become significant.” Via Helium.

Lisa writes the blog, Privilege, about style, some anxiety, the raptures of living and, sometimes, gardening. Visit Lisa’s most recent gardening post on cottage gardens.

Download your copy of Simple Sprouts ebook here (it's Free).

The Secret to Keeping Your Cool in the Summer Garden

Alison Kerr — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:32:13 +0000

Drinking Water by Darwin Bell

What’s the best kept secret to keeping cool in your summer garden? I’ll give you a clue – it’s nothing to do with either cucumbers, or drinks.

Take Care, Heat Advisory

Outdoor temperatures are soaring, the local weather service has issued a heat advisory, and working in the garden could be the last thing on your mind. Right? But the garden is growing and you still need fresh air.

How About a Cool Vest?

Cool vests are perhaps best known for cooling industrial and construction workers who work in high temperatures and often need to wear protective gear. However, for the gardener who wants to go on enjoying the outdoors in the summer heat, while taking care of chores, they’re the ideal solution.

I’m recommending cool vests because it’s what I use myself. I purchased an RPCM® Cool Vest from CoolVest.com a couple of years back and as soon as the temperature rises above about 85°F I pull it out to wear. It’s certainly not the most fashionable of attire, but it can allow you to enjoy the outdoors even on 100°F plus days. If you struggle when summer hits, I’d suggest you take a look at what a cool vest has to offer.

How a Cool Vest Works

A cool vest is a vest with pockets for holding cool packs. However, wearing a cool vest is not like wearing ice packs. It does not feel cold, just cool. There are various types of cool packs for vests – they work by using the heat from your body to change the pack contents from solid to liquid at around 60°F. The specific advantage of the RPCM® packs sold at Coolvest.com is that their contents are non-toxic and food grade.

How to Use a Cool Vest

Your cool vest should be a snug fit and can be worn either under, or over, clothing. It’s quite easy to adjust the vests I’ve used as they come with either elastic and velcro, or straps and buckles. Depending on the temperature outside, you need to recharge your cool vest about every 1.5 to 2 hours. You can put it in the freezer, or, for a quicker recharge, place it in water and ice. Recharging in ice water takes about 20 minutes (using a freezer is slower).

Choosing a Cool Vest – Where to Buy

All of my family members have cool vests and we’ve tried two different manufacturers – CoolVest.com and TexasCoolVest.com. I really like the fit on the Texas Cool Vests and they are very robust, but they don’t come with non-toxic packs.

Order vests online and expect to pay $129 – $179. The vest price typically includes packs. Packs from other manufacturers work similarly to the RPCM® ones. Standard packs from the two above sources are interchangeable, from a size point of view.

My husband’s camo vest from CoolVest.com has seen more wear and washing than our others and had to be replaced when it frayed, though the manufacturer took care of this for us. I have the Tan Khaki vest which is going strong. I like that the RPCM® cool vests are 100% American made, green focused, and the company is veteran owned.

Is a Cool Vest for You?

Whether you’re a gardener or not, if you struggle in the heat of summer a cool vest could be a great investment. They reduce your risk of overheating and last for years. There are children’s sizes available as well as adults. One manufacturer reports them being especially helpful for folks with health challenges such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis.

By the way, I have no connection with the above manufacturers, other than being a happy customer.

Download your copy of Simple Sprouts ebook here (it's Free).

How to Stop Rabbits Eating Plants

Alison Kerr — Fri, 28 May 2010 17:28:16 +0000

Young Wild Rabbit by Gidzy

Rabbits are cute and furry and so fun to watch. What are you going to do though if they’re being a nuisance?

Some kind of rabbit repellent could come in handy. But do these kinds of products work? What should you do to stop rabbits eating your plants?

I’ve got some answers for you.

Go Eat Dandelions

This cute bunny is eating dandelions. Great! Who would complain? Wild rabbits also eat grass, though they’re not very effective lawnmowers, sadly.

For most of us I think our goal is rabbit redirection. While I draw the line at bunnies who want to destroy plants I’ve paid for, or vegetables I’m planning to eat, I don’t want war on rabbits, I just want to move them along.

Rabbit Baits and Poisons

According to Kansas State University, “There are no poisons or fumigants for rabbits registered for use in Kansas.” Furthermore, even if poisons are legal in your area and you choose to use them there is an extreme risk of you inadvertently poisoning another animal which finds and eats a poisoned rabbit (dogs included). Please check with your local state extension office or wildlife control specialist if you feel that poisons or fumigants are necessary.

Baits can be used to get rabbits into traps. I am not going to cover the use of traps here. If you want more information on traps and how to build humane traps, a useful publication, written by Charles Lee, Wildlife Specialist, is available from Kansas State University called Cottontail Rabbits: Urban Wildlife Damage Control. Clicking that link will download the pdf file to your computer.

Rabbit Repellents

There are two types of rabbit repellents: area repellents (applied to the soil or plant containers) and contact repellents (applied to the plants). Substances which repel rabbits include the following:

soaps – applied to the soil
ammonia mixtures – applied to the soil
garlic – planted around vegetable beds or applied as a mixture
bloodmeal – applied to the soil
pepper – applied to the plants or soil, usually along with garlic
predator urine – applied to the soil

Some of the repellents smell bad after application. Many repellents need to be reapplied after rain or after a period of time – check the label.

Repellents applied to foliage need to be reapplied as the plant produces new growth. Personally, as a homeowner and small-scale grower, I would prefer to treat the area around any food plants rather than treating food plants directly. However, flowering plants, trees, and shrubs can be treated directly, on the leaves, bark, and stems with an appropriate product.

Look for approval by organic organizations such as the Organic Materials Review Institute. Products to consider include: Deer Away, Rabbit Stopper, and DeFence. I have successfully used Sweeney’s All Out Deer and Rabbit Repellent – not organically approved, but the main ingredients are pepper and garlic.

You can find a variety of rabbit prevention sprays and granules at Amazon.com.

Make Your Own Rabbit Repellent

There is plenty of anecdotal evidence that home-made repellents work against rabbits. Here are a couple of sites which have ideas on how to use soap, pepper, garlic etc and each includes a recipe:

Suite 101 – 10 Ways to Deter Rabbits
Blog article – How to Stop Rabbits Eating Your Garden

Keeping Rabbits Out

Another option for keeping rabbits off your plants, and a good one if rabbits are an extensive problem, is to physically exclude the rabbits using fencing, or other barriers.

Keeping rabbits out could be a good plan if you want to prevent damage before it starts, if you want to protect individual vulnerable plants, trees, or shrubs, or if you don’t want to have to keep treating with repellents.

You can find good advice on these physical methods in the publication I already mentioned Cottontail Rabbits: Urban Wildlife Damage Control. Clicking that link will download the pdf file to your computer.

Scaring Rabbits Away

You may have heard of products and methods which can scare off rabbits and other animals – I’ve read about things like automatically activated water sprays, twigs placed around plants, shiny objects which move, etc. I can’t speak to the effectiveness of any of these. Please do leave a comment if you’ve found something which works.

According to Charles Lee, Wildlife Specialist, “Frightening devices, including electromagnetic and ultrasonic units, have not been proven effective in controlling cottontail rabbit damage.”

Plants Which Rabbits Dislike

Another option for discouraging rabbits is to focus on growing plants which rabbits dislike. This is a pretty extensive topic which I won’t go into here. I also think this approach is limited for the wildlife gardener who wants to have nature in their garden and probably wants to include native plants which rabbits will enjoy.

Here are a couple of articles on picking plants rabbits don’t like:

Better Homes and Gardens – Top Rabbit-Resistant Plants
Penn State – Rabbit Resistant Plants List – click to download the pdf.
University of Arizona – Deer and Rabbit Resistant Plants – click to download the pdf.

If you need a list specific to your area just try a Google search on the words Rabbit Resistant Plants and add the name of your state. Bear in mind that lists may focus on non-native plants.

The Lazy Method of Rabbit Control

Assuming you are happy to live with rabbits as part of the nature in your garden, and with some degree of damage, you can use what I’ll call the lazy method – don’t deal with a problem until it happens and don’t expect perfection. Then use whatever method of control is easiest and only protect plants you paid for recently which are small and vulnerable.

Alternatively you could get yourself a dog!

Are rabbits a problem in your garden? How have you dealt with them?

You can find a variety of rabbit repelling sprays and granules at Amazon.com.

Download your copy of Simple Sprouts ebook here (it's Free).

Gardening Magazines

Alison Kerr — Sat, 15 May 2010 14:08:58 +0000

There are a wealth of gardening magazines available to inspire you – a recent count at my local supermarket turned up 17 titles. Amazing! Nice to look at, most are short on organic and native plant information. Some are worth delving into though.

Magazines From Better Homes and Gardens (BHG)

Better Homes and Gardens

Who could resist the cover of Better Homes and Gardens? We all want to do things better, don’t we? If you’re interested in crafts, remodeling, and entertaining as well as gardening this might be worth a look.

Part of the focus of Better Homes and Gardens magazine is current trends and developments. It’s easy to subscribe to BHG through Amazon.com.

BHG has an extensive website with pages of information on nature lover’s gardening. Just be aware that they recommend a mix of natives and non-natives, such as butterfly bush, which I don’t personally agree with.

Nature’s Garden Magazine

No connection with Loving Nature’s Garden, Nature’s Garden magazine is quite possibly my top pick. I’ve seen it on display, yet it’s actually quite difficult to come across online and there doesn’t seem to be a way to subscribe to the print version. They do have a nice Nature’s Garden website though with photos and journals and they have a Facebook page.

Country Gardens Magazine

Country Gardens is described as “what-to-plant, where-to-begin, what-to-do-next gardening magazine that helps you add a personal touch to your garden“. It’s also promoted as being an inspirational magazine.

Articles include stories of people and their gardens and easy ideas to extend your living space into your garden. There’s an emphasis on sights and smells in the garden and celebration of flowers as part of your life.

Read more on Country Gardens at Amazon.com or Country Gardens at the publisher site (the price there is currently lower and the publisher has a money back guarantee if you’re not pleased with the magazine).

Gardening Magazines from a Variety of Publishers

Organic Gardening

Organic Gardening magazine is all about growing fresh food, with evaluations of heirloom varieties and tips on growing them, gleaned from a nationwide network of test gardens. It is published by Rodale Inc.

They also include some articles about wildlife gardening, organic flower gardening (non-natives like roses), landscape design, low maintenance gardening, and, of course, composting.

Read more about what you’ll find in Organic Gardening at Amazon.com or visit the Organic Gardening magazine website for further information.

Garden Gate Magazine

Garden Gate is an advertisement free magazine published by the August Home Publishing Company. Garden Gate is a general gardening magazine with an emphasis on garden design. Articles include lots of lovely illustrations – photos and drawings. At the magazine website you can download a pdf issue for free, subscribe, and read extra online content.

Mother Earth News

Mother Earth News from Ogden Publications is all about self-sufficient country living. It covers small scale farming, food growing, cooking, thrift, fishing, environmentally-friendly products, recycling, and home care and repair.

Whether or not you’re interested in subscribing to Mother Earth News, you may want to visit their website where you’ll find everything from polls to blogs, and even their own radio station. You can also subscribe to Mother Earth through Amazon.com.

Birds and Blooms

Birds and Blooms from Reiman Publications combines the pleasures of both gardening and birding into one magazine. Genius!

Disappointingly, at least at their website, they don’t distinguish between native and non-native plants, despite the fact that some non-natives are causing problems for wildlife and wildlife reserves.

They have quite a nice website with photo galleries, contests, and gardening tips. Unfortunately the website has an annoying pop-up asking you to subscribe to the magazine. Take a look though at Birds and Blooms online or check out Birds & Blooms at Amazon.com.

Horticulture Magazine

Horticulture magazine from F & W Publications is “for active, sophisticated gardeners seeking information and inspiration on plants and design.”

It follows trends, reveals gardening secrets, and brings you information from experts. Impressively, it’s been in publication since 1904.

You can read more about Horticulture magazine and learn about gardening books from F & W Publications, or subscribe through Amazon.com.

Garden Design Magazine

Garden Design is an upscale magazine from Bonnier Corporation. It emphasizes landscape design, unusual plants, ornaments, landscaping, water gardens, sunrooms, and outdoor furniture.

Each issue showcases spectacular gardens and provides information on gardening shows and events. Here’s the Garden Design website. You can subscribe to this garden magazine on design through Amazon.com.

Magazines from Taunton Press (Fine Gardening)

Fine Gardening

Described as “for gardeners who are passionate about their existing gardens”, Fine Gardening covers the basics of garden design as well as advice from experts. Each issue includes techniques and time-saving tips.

Winner of five Garden Globe Awards from the Garden Writer’s Association of America in 2006. A quality publication which only accepts garden-related ads and provides product reviews. Covers some vegetable gardening, such as how to grow popular food crops like tomatoes and peppers.

You can read more about Fine GardeningFine Gardening at Amazon.com or visit the Fine Gardening website to see the contents of the current issue, get online extras, and to compare the subscription price.

A Basketful of Gardening Magazines

Other magazines from Taunton Press are more like books in magazine form and emphasize one specific aspect or area of gardening. Here is a selection of their titles:

Gardening Green – includes a selection of articles from Fine Gardening with information on building raised beds, composting, low maintenance gardens, replacing lawn, planting natives, and bee friendly plants. Currently just $4 this is worth a look.
Container Gardening
Gardening Basics
Grow Magazine covers fruit and vegetable growing through the seasons. The cost from the publisher is $7.99 per issue and topics include blueberries, tomatoes, onions, and potatoes.
Plant Combinations
Great Plants
Great Gardens
Starting from Seed Magazine
101 Gardening Tips and Techniques

Outdoor Ideas and Solutions

Outdoor Ideas and Solutions, also from Taunton Press, emphasises “Making the most of outdoor areas” with ideas on: entryways; dining areas; side yards; shady spots; slopes; and neighbor-friendly screening. “It helps you create plantings that look attractive year round and outdoor areas that expand your home’s livability and increases its value.”

Outdoor Ideas and Solutions and other magazines described above are available direct from Taunton Press for $4 and up.

What Did I Miss?

I’m sure I’ve missed a few gardening magazines – I didn’t even touch on great English or Canadian ones and I know that I’ve not written about Garden and Gun!

Inspiring Gardening Photos

While gardening magazines are designed for as large a circulation as possible and tend not to cater to the reader interested in planting native they are still good places to learn. They have wonderful photographs. They are increasingly incorporating articles on organic gardening. At the very least, take a look at some of the websites. They could whet your gardening appetite.

Download your copy of Simple Sprouts ebook here (it's Free).

50 Ways to Live the Good Life

Alison Kerr — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 03:01:52 +0000

Isn’t living the good life what we are all looking for? Do we actually stop and consider though what the good life is? Alexandra Stoddard is an interior designer, lifestyle philosopher, and presenter on the topic of personal happiness. You Are Your Choices – 50 Ways to Live the Good Life is Alexandra Stoddard’s 25th published book. If you’re seeking the good life, and need just a little help, I recommend you check out this book.

I have to say that by now I’ve read a good number of books on seeking happiness, self-improvement, and such-like inspirational topics. When I checked You Are Your Choices out of my local public library I wasn’t sure what to expect. Now I find myself reluctant to return this book. It’s a keeper – it’s going on my wishlist. The easiest way to explain why is to quote some sections from the book.

Chapter 15 – Redefine What is Beautiful
“It is in the small acts of our intimate, private, everyday lives that we experience the beautiful. When we create little moments that are pleasing to our senses, especially our eyes, we elevate the ordinary to the extraordinary… The life we can make beautiful is the one right before us…”

Chapter 26 – Be Aware
“How many of us can truthfully say that we are centered in the present, mindful of what is real? How watchful and alert are we? When we are aware we have full consciousness of something; we’re mentally awake and alert… How many people do you know who are truly awakened, who are able to think and do what is right, who regularly work on purifying their minds? Few of us perceive reality.”

This is just a taster of what you’ll find in the book. Each chapter begins with a relevant quote, introduces a topic to think about, inspires with ideas on how to implement the topic in your everday life, and ends with another inspirational and related quote. Authors of the quotes include Deepak Chopra, Robert Browning, Emerson, Robert Louis Stevenson, Shakespeare, Marcus Aurelius, Dr Seuss and Sir Isaac Newton.

I can’t say I agree with all of Alexandra Stoddard’s philosophy on living the good life. We can’t all live in a beautiful seaside cottage. I don’t personally think that frequent trips to France are a supportable element of living the good life. Nonetheless, if you need help to remember to slow down, notice, and celebrate beautiful and wonderful things in your life take a further look at this book and consider it for your wishlist.

You can read further reviews of You Are Your Choices – 50 Ways to Live the Good Life at Amazon.com. Purchases made through this link support Loving Nature’s Garden.

Download your copy of Simple Sprouts ebook here (it's Free).