Why does gardening bring out the inner Rambo in me?  I am constantly fighting with the squirrels, the slugs, and the rabbits.  They eat my young plants.  I swear one day there is a sunflower seedling.   *Poof,* it is gone.  (And we aren’t talking Fairy Godmother stuff here.)  Well, the infuriated got resourceful.  And guess what?  Trash became my new best critter defense.

Anna, seriously?  Trash?

Using Ordinary Trash to Stop the Critters:

Last week I wrote about using panty hose to stop squirrels and chipmunks from hollowing out my squashes.  However, you can’t use panty hose to cover young broccoli plants (which slugs love) or sunflower seedlings (which every animal loves. *Sign*)

My advice?  Use  the following:

1.  Milk and Juice carton containers:  Cut out the bottom and cut the container in half.  Discard the top.   Use the sections for plants like sunflower, melon, or zucchini plants.

2.  Ice cream tubs:  Cut out the bottom and use them for plants that are a little larger such as cauliflower, broccoli, or cabbage.  They spread their leaves above the tubs sides.

3.  Large Drinking Cups:  Cut out the bottom and use for plants that will stand up such as collard greens, kale,  and radishes.

The beauty of using these paper products are you can tear the sides when the plant gets bigger.  Watch the video above to see my trash bed.  It is a work of art!

Read tomorrow’s post on how to use other trash in the garden.   Be sure to add your comments below of  how you keep critters from eating your young plants’ leaves.

P.S.  I lost a pepper yesterday.  Someone ate its leaves.  I have a nine foot fence around the garden but it doesn’t stop the critters who can climb. Or slither.

Join the Conversation:

• What trash do you use in the garden?

Similar Posts:

• Stop Squirrels and Critters From Eating Garden Veggies with Panty Hose.
• Harvesting Sunflower Seeds Before the Critters Get ‘Em
• How to Recycle Your Old Panty Hose Article Link
• Experimenting with Eating Sunflower Leaves
• Panty Hose Re-Use Ideas: Re-purpose Rather Than Chuck

This Memorial Day weekend I attended a wedding. As I have told you before, my feet swell so I have to wear (uggh) panty hose.  They aren’t meant to last forever.  Or at least mine aren’t.  Out of the three I brought 3 snagged or had a run in them.  So instead of throwing them in the hotel trash can, I knew exactly how I would re-use them.

Those darn panty hose came in really handy last year.   Previously, I wrote about several ways to re-use your torn panty hose.  My favorite was using the feet which contained hair to deter the deer.  New Jersey is full of deer.  In fact, I think there are more deer than humans here.

Yet, Another Solution

If nine ideas were not enough for re-using your panty hose, I came up with another way to use them last year out of desperation.

*Protect my squash, grapes, and apples from the critters*

I don’t know about your garden, but the squirrels had a party in my yard last year.  They hollowed out pumpkins, ate my corn, nibbled on the tomatoes, and even ate the stems of my sweet potatoes.  (What is up with that?)

But I stopped them from eating my squash, pumpkins, and apples.

 The Old Nylon Trick

The trick is to put the nylon over the small plant, such as a squash, before it gets too big.  See picture above.  The nylon stretches with the plant as it grows.  The only animal who figured out how to get the vegetable out of the nylon was the raccoon.  He untied my little baggies over the grapes.  He got frustrated with some of the baggies and just knocked the grapes and bag to the ground.

(Worse yet, he ate all of my soybeans and left me all the pods.)

Join the Conversation:

• What do you do with your old panty hose?
• Have you used them in the garden?

Similar Posts:

• Panty Hose Re-Use Ideas: Re-purpose Rather Than Chuck
• Young Plants Animal Protection: Use Trash
• How to Recycle Your Old Panty Hose Article Link
• Harvesting Sunflower Seeds Before the Critters Get ‘Em
• Cooking Pumpkin and Squash for Easy Winter Storage

Over the years, I have been known to buy plants for no apparent reason.  Five years ago, I planted sorrel because I like the name.  Period. No other reason.  For the last five years, I would simply eat the fresh leaves and never thought of cooking with it.  Until this year.  So, I went scrounging the internet looking for recipes.  As I looked through the recipes, I wanted to  kick myself in the butt for waiting so long to cook with it.

Don’t be me.  Don’t wait!

Tweet This.  {Click the link} ===> Treat yourself to Sorrel with these wonderful recipes. <====  

What is Sorrel?

Sorrel is a perennial  herb for zones 4 through 9.  It reminds me of a green Swiss chard with a tart lemony flavor.

Best yet, sorrel is rich in potassium and vitamins A, B1 and C, and has been part of healthful diets and botanical medicine for thousands of years.

Spring is the best time to use this herb.  It can be eaten fresh or cooked.   However, when  it starts to flower, which is around the same time lettuce bolts, it can be really bitter.

On the other hand,  Profusion sorrel doesn’t bolt.   (Ritchers has patented this sorrel.  Just click the logo on top of the post.*)

If you can find it in the store or farmer’s market, don’t cook it in aluminium or iron cookware because it will interact with the metals.

How Can I Use it?

Sorrel can be used in a variety of dishes.  Many recipes pair the greens with cream, sour cream, or coconut milk.   Listed below are a variety of sorrel recipes for your use:

• Rhubarb, celery and sorrel salad
• Sorrel Salad with Creamy Chive Dressing
• Cold Sorrel and Coconut Milk Soup.
  
• Forget the lemon rind.  Use sorrel instead when making strawberry sorrel sorbet 
• Use the fresh leaves in salads and on sandwiches.
• Sorrel and Goat Cheese Quiche
• Ditch the lemon and use sorrel instead to make this Sorrel Lime Cooler.
• A very simple fresh sorrel soup.  Just add broth and enjoy.
• Creamy tangy vegan sorrel soup.  (Secret ingredients is the northern beans)
• Traditional eastern European sorrel soup.
• Strawberry Sorrel Smoothie.

Where Can I Buy the Plant?

I bought my plant at a garden store.   However, my plant bolts as soon as the weather starts to get hot. Profusion Sorrel doesn’t bolt like the other sorrels. It is a great ornamental plant since it only grows 8 to 10 inches tall.  (My plant can grow to three feet with flowering stocks.)  In addition, the plant can be divided.

You can purchase it at Richters.  (See the logo above.*)

Note, this plant is really indestructible.  I moved my plant from one bed to another one  in the garden.  I might have even stepped on it a few times too.  The plant is still thriving.

Join the Conversation:

• Have you cooked with sorrel before?  If so, what is your recipe. (Be sure to link in the comments.)
• Do you grow sorrel?
• Have you eaten the wild sorrel?

*Affiliate link. I make pennies from the sale.  Feed my garden addiction!

 Similar Posts:

• Roasted Cauliflower or Broccoli Leaves. Nutritious and Delicious
• Celery Leaves: Cook or Discard them?
• Bolted Lettuce Salvage Ideas. Love it. Don’t Trash it.
• Vegan Chicken Soup. Good for the Soul. Good for the Planet
• My Swiss Chard is Secretly Taking Steroids

I am deep in gardening mode right now since my frost date has come and gone.  As I look back on my six year gardening experience, I have screwed up a lot.  Um, more than I want to admit.  So, recently,  I was interviewed by Karen Lee of Green Sisterhood about my essentials musts for not ruining your garden.  Be sure to watch the below video as we talk about lots of gardening tips.  So, IF I had to narrow down my top five gardening rules, they would be as follows:

#1 Make Sure You Have Enough Sun

Yes, my first garden was in the shade over a decade ago.  I couldn’t figure out why my tomatoes wouldn’t grow.  Duh?  Someone should have given me a V-8. (*Slap forehead*)

Most plants need at least 6 to 8  hours of sun.  Leafy vegetables like Swiss chard, Brussels sprouts, and lettuce will tolerate the most shade.   To be honest, I find that they grow so much slower without sun.

#2 Know Your Frost Dates

I know so many gardeners who get anxious and plant tender annuals such as tomatoes, peppers, etc before frost date.  And guess what?   One late spring frost can severely damage your crops.  This year, we had a frost on Mother’s Day.  (Yes, Mother’s Day.)  I couldn’t believe it since it is generally nearing frost date in my area.

I put in my tomatoes, peppers,  and basil (which is not like me) thinking I was okay.  Well, wouldn’t you know it.  We had a very cold snap and despite my heavy duty row covers, everyone suffered, especially the basil.

So when should you plant?  Most seed packages provide instructions on when to plant, whether it is before frost date or after.  Often time, the companies will recommend you should wait two weeks after your frost date to plant certain plants like melon which need the warm soil to germinate.  In the past, I waited to plant everything including my tomatoes two weeks after frost date.  Believe, me, the plants catch up especially when it is warm.  See  here for a good planting schedule.

#3  What Kind of Soil Do You Have?

Figure out what kind of soil that you have; otherwise, you will kill your plants.  Why? According to Colleen Vanderlinden,

“One of the most basic characteristics of soil is its composition. In general, soils are classified as clay soils, sandy soils, or loamy soils.Clay is nutrient rich, but slow draining. Sand is quick draining, but has trouble retaining nutrients and moisture. Loam is generally considered to be ideal soil because it retains moisture and nutrients but doesn’t stay soggy.”

My soil is mostly clay and, it drains horribly.  Most plant roots don’t like to be kept wet.  I built easy peezy  raised beds to avoid killing my plants.  Colleen explains how to easily figure out what type of soil you have.

#4 What’s Your Soil Missing?

It is very important that you know what elements are missing in your soil.  Take several soil samples throughout your garden, and have them tested.  The report will tell you the Ph of the soil as well as  what kind of fertilizer you will need for your plants to prosper.  Local US county extensions offer soil testing kits.   See here for Canadian sources.

#5  Don’t Plant Your Plants too Close

I can’t tell you how many people plant tomato plants side by side and wonder why their plants die.  Plants need room to grow; otherwise they will become weak and pests will attack.  Read here on how to space your vegetables .  In addition, most seed packages will specify the spacing.

If you want to be industrious, you can also, use the square foot gardening method which spaces the plants closer.  (I am trying this method this year.  *Fingers crossed*)

Join the Conversation:

• What are your top  gardening tips?
• What has been your biggest screw up?

 Similar Posts:

• My First Vegetable Garden: Lessons Learned
• Alfalfa: Growing and Harvesting for your Backyard.
• Oats and Rye Crop Cover. Reduces Erosion and Helps the Soil
• Heirloom Seeds Companies I Love
• Growing Buckwheat from a Backyard Gardener

You can also leave comments on Green Sisterhood’s website during the interview.

Just in case you can’t make it, I will put the video up on the site.

Hope to see you there!Similar Posts:

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The setting:  Las Vegas.  The event:  the  featherweight bottle boxing championship of the world.   The reigning champ, the ever popular, convenient Plastic Water Bottle, versus the durable stainless steel Klean Kanteen Reusable Water Bottle.  (Think Rocky Balboa vs Apollo Creed)  During the training sessions, the Reusable Water Bottle is nimble and strong as a bull showing his financial, environmental, and health strengths.  With arms of steel and durability, it can go the distance.

The Plastic Water Bottle, on the other hand, is heavily petroleum based, chemically bloated, and solely relying on its convenience as its attractiveness factor.

As the bell rings, the two bottles run out out of their corners.  The excited crowd starts screaming “plastic, plastic, plastic” as they pump their plastic bottles in the air.

 The Uppercut:  The Wallet Comparison

Round #1 begins.  The Plastic Water Bottle tries to take his best shot at the Reusable Water Bottle with the “green costs too much” argument.  The Reusable Water Bottle weaves and blocks the punch.  He counters with a shot to the Plastic Water Bottle’s side  debunking the following argument:

#1: Bottled water in bulk must be cheaper than a reusable water bottle.

The Reusable Water Bottle whips out his calculator in the middle of the round and breaks down the numbers as follows:

1.  A 24 count of 1/2 liter bottles costs $3.00 without tax.   The Reusable Water Bottle is quite thrifty and found the best price at a local store.  (This price may vary from state to state.)  So, each bottle costs .13 cents (before sales tax.)

2.   A 1/2 liter bottle is equal to 16.907 fluid ounces.

2.  A typical  Klean Kanteen 18 ounce stainless steel (18/8) reusable bottle of costs  $18.95  (without sales tax and/or shipping charges). It carries a lifetime warranty for material defects.  So, you won’t be replacing this man of steel too soon.

3.   In 2012, the average American drank 30.8 gallons of water a year.  A gallon equals 3. 785 liters.  (That’s roughly 233 1/2 liter bottles per year.)

4.  Instead of calculating to the ounce, the Reusable Water Bottle compares the two bottles as the same amount.  233 bottles times .13 cents = $30.29  (The Reusable Water Bottle actually beat him at 146 bottles with throwing in the 1 extra ounce per bottle.)

5.  The average American recoups his cost of purchasing a reusable water bottle in this scenario in about 8 months. (233 divided by 12 months=19.42 bottles per month.  19.42 times 7.52 months=146 water bottles. )

So, who is your daddy, says the Reusable Usable Water Bottle.

 Bam.  The plastic bottle wobbles.

#2  The convenient on the run  single water bottle purchase argument:

The Reusable Water Bottle has stuns the crowd. Why would anyone spend that type of money?  But they still shake their plastic water bottles in defiance since they love the convenience.

Plastic Water Bottle takes its best shot. Blocked again.  The Reusable Water Bottle lands an upper cut  to the Plastic Water Bottle’s cap with the following argument:

1.   The average cost of  a single 1/2 liter water bottle was $1.21. (2011)

2.    Simply buying 16 single plastic water bottles from the store would cost more than a reusable water bottle.

Plastic Water Bottle goes down for the count since buying a reusable water bottle is the cheapest option.  The crowd goes crazy!  Can the Plastic Water Bottle get up again, as the ref starts the count?

“Plastic, Plastic, Plastic,”  the crowd yells.

Environmental Cost:  The Jab to the Ribs

Well, maybe the wallet argument didn’t persuade the entire crowd.  So the Plastic Water Bottle unbelievably beats the ref’s 30 second count.

The bell rings and the two bottles come out of their corners.  The Reusable Water Bottle provides a swift blow to the Plastic Water Bottle’s weak petroleum based-body made from dwindling oil reserves.

As they continue to fight the following is revealed:

1.  In 2012, the  U.S. overall bottled water consumption totaled 9.67 billion gallons.  Roughly 50 million barrels of oil or 13% of the US oil imports from Saudi Arabia were used in order to manufacture the bottles along with the energy used to refrigerate and transport the water.

2.  A  2007 Canadian report indicated that the manufacturing of each 20.3 gram plastic water bottle emit 96g of greenhouse gases, which is almost four times the weight of the bottle.  This number didn’t include greenhouse gas emission from transporting, water treatment, or bottling the water.

3.  A 2009 study revealed that the energy associated with bottled water is 2000 times greater than the energy cost to produce tap water.

4.  In 2010, 29.1% of PET (including the caps, labels glue resin, and other contaminants) were recycled with the balance headed for the landfills.

POW!   A jab to the ribs and the Plastic Water Bottle looks dazed.  Most of the crowd changes it tune when they realize the staggering environmental costs.  They start chanting for the Klean Kanteen durable underdog.

“Steel man,” they scream. 

Health Costs:  The Final Blow

The Reusable Water Bottle is neither winded nor hurt.  How could it be?  It is made of durable, long lasting 18/10 food grade stainless steel inside and out.  It is one tough cookie.  So tough that it can even handle ice down his belly through its wide mouth without flinching.

Impressive, the crowd roars.

Let’s end this fight, says the Reusable Water Bottle.  With a quick resolve, it pulls out the big guns.  Yes, “plastic leaches chemicals” gun.   He is toxic free, unlike his plastic counterpart.

The crowd gasps in horror.

He turns to the crowd and yells.  ”Tweet This. Good health is priceless. Ditch the Plastic Water Bottle.” ===> Click here.  (You heard the man. Do it.)

He  then lands a stinging fatal combination on the Plastic Water Bottle with the following arguments:

1.  Studies have shown that phthalates, an endocrine hormone disruptor, can leach from the plastic over time. Disruption of the endocrine systems can lead to birth defects, cancer or developmental problems in children and babies.  Remember, the Reusable Water Bottle is toxic free.

2.  An  2007 Arizona State University study revealed that antimony leached  from the plastic bottle.  The levels exceeded the EPA’s limits while being stored or used  at higher temperatures like in  a garage in the summer or in the microwave.

3.  A 2009 study revealed that plastic mineral water bottles contaminate drinking water with estrogenic chemicals.

Boom. TKO! The fight is over.  Plastic fails to get up.  Its single use just didn’t hold up to all the health concerns.

The crowd goes wild and chants “steel man, steel man, steel man” realizing it is a no brainer why they should ditch the weak plastic bottle.  The financial, environmental and health costs are too must to bear to continue their plastic ways.

As for the Plastic Water Bottle, he landed in the nearest recycling container.  And, yes, the Klean Kanteen Reusable Water Bottle got the girl.  “It is a keeper,” says the girl.

 Be a winner.  You know what to do.  

This post was sponsored by Klean Kanteen and Green Sisterhood. Similar Posts:

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• ElKay’s EZH2O Water Refill Station. The End of Plastic Water Bottles

Years ago, my wise friend, Miss H warned me about drinking from a garden hose.  I responded with a “huh?”  Didn’t we all drink from a garden hose on a summer’s day?  She replied that there is lead in some hoses.

From that point on no one in my house drank from a hose.  But I continued to use those same hoses to water my garden.  Listed below are some preventable measures you can use to protect your garden and yourself from harmful toxic chemicals.

Garden Products Tested

Recently, HealthyStuff. org  tested 179 common garden products, which included 90 garden hoses, 53 gloves, 13 kneeling pads and 23 garden tools.  Many of these items were purchased from our neighbor big box stores such as Home Depot, Lowes,  K-Mart Target and Wal-mart.  (Remember, some of the same stores that are being asked  by the “Mind the Store”  campaign not to sell products containing the 100+ hazardous chemical?)

In regards to testing garden hoses, the team left sections of the hoses full of water in the sun for multiple days. 

The Results?

The Organization found the following:

• “Two-thirds (70.4% – 126 of 179) of products tested contained enough chemicals of concern to be ranked “high concern” in our ranking system, which means we detected high levels of one or more chemical hazards.
  • 7.3% (13 products) were medium concern
  • 22.3% (40 products) were low concern
• Overall, 30% of all products contained over 100 ppm lead in one or more component. 100 ppm is the Consumer Product Safety Commission Standard (CPSC) for lead in children’s products.
• Lead and phthalates were found in water hoses and gloves at levels exceeding Consumer Product Safety Commission standards for other products.
• Lead was found in brass fitting for garden hoses at levels exceeding standards for brass in residential water fixtures. Garden hose ARE NOT regulated by the SDWA.
• Water samples from a representative hose contained numerous chemical hazards, including lead, phthalates and BPA.”

Okay, What Does This all Mean?

The above chemicals according to HealthyStuff.org are linked to birth defects, liver toxicity, impaired learning, premature births and early puberty in laboratory animals, as well as other serious health problems.

What Can You Do?

Here are some preventable measures you can use:

1.   Let it Run.   Let the the hose run for a few seconds to flush water left in the hose.  (*Guilty*)

2.  Put on the shades.  Store your hoses in the shade. (*Guilty* again. I hate dragging my hoses all around the garden. Looks like I am going to get an arm work-out dragging that hose back and forth.)

3. Don’t drink from the hose!  Make sure the hose is labeled  safe for drinking.  And STILL flush it out before drinking

4.  Carry then Wash. Wash you hands after handling your hose.  Lead can still be transferred from hands to mouth.   A recent study indicates children with low levels of lead in their blood scored lower on reading readiness tests when they began kindergarten.

5.  Buy a lead-free hose.  HealthyStuff.org states,

“[t]he hoses are often white with a thin blue stripe, and are commonly sold in marine and recreational vehicle (RV) stores. An RV lead-free garden hose can also come in a beige color with blue stripe, to match the beige paint of many RVs. Although sold for RV and marine use, these hoses serve as great lead-free garden hoses.”

In addition, you can buy a rubber hose or a a top-quality, food grade polyurethane hose that meets Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards.  See HealthyStuff.org’s  list of non-PVC hoses here.

6.  Test your soil for lead.  Note, it is a good idea anyways especially if lead paint was used in your house.  For more information about lead, see here.

7.  Avoid PVC hoses.   Period.  End of story.   Other toxic chemicals were found in several products such as BPA.

8.  Brass isn’t always better. Lastly, watch out for the brass fittings.

” The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) limits lead in brass in residential water fixtures to no more than 2,500 ppm. Garden hose ARE NOT regulated by the SDWA, and our test show 29% of brass connectors contained greater than 2,500 ppm lead. Opt for a hose that is drinking water safe and lead free. Non-brass fittings (nickel, aluminum or stainless) are more likely to be lead-free.” (Emphasis added.)

Guess what I have?  Brass fittings. (*Doom*)

Hose Have Been in Hot Water Before.

HealthyStuff.org mentioned two other investigations:

• In 2003, Consumer Reports tested 16 hoses and found worrisome amounts of chemicals leached from some of the hoses.  They repeated the story in 2010.
• In 2007 , ABC’s Phoenix affiliate KNXV-TV released a study that 5 out of 10 hoses purchased leached high levels of lead.

So, who is minding the store?  Seriously?

Join the Conversation:

• Can you recycle these hoses?
• Have you purchased lead free hoses?
• How will you change your hose patterns?

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Generally May 15 is New Jersey’s frost date.  (See here for your frost dates.)  As I started to sift through my seed drawer, I noticed that I didn’t have enough beans to plant.  Thank goodness weather is on my side since it is way too cold to plant right now. (Um, low of 37 degrees last night in New Jersey.)  So you might be wondering where does the great and powerful Oz green gardening girl buy her seeds?

What kind of Seeds Do I buy and Why?

1.  Heirloom seeds.    Why heirloom?  You can save them and be guaranteed that you will grow the same plant next year.  Plus, I love tradition.  Many of these seeds have been around for 50 years or more.  I honestly have never had any trouble with growing my heirloom seeds.  My issue are more pest and animal related.

2.  NON-GMO.   If the seeds are certified organic, then they can’t be genetically modified.   So, always look to see that the company signed the Safe Seed Initiative.  For a list of companies, see here. (Note, the hyperlinks for the companies directs you to the Green People directory rather than the actual companies.  You may just need to copy the name and search for it on the internet.)

By the way, heirloom seeds can not be genetically modified.

3.  Organic:  Most times, I buy organic, heirloom seeds but sometimes, I just can’t find  organic and heirloom seeds for a certain vegetable I want to grow. If you can, opt for organic seeds. Then try and save the best seeds for next year.  Last year, my black eye pea crop was terrible because someone was eating the beans.  So, I have to buy seeds this year.

Where Do I Buy My Seeds?

1.  Heirloom seeds:  My first seeds were bought at Heirloom Seeds in Pennsylvania.  I love their seeds; however, you have to order early or later in the season since they are a small company.  Not all of their seeds are organic but all are heirloom seeds.

2.  Bountiful Gardens.  Whole Foods carries their seeds.  I order a variety of herbs, vegetable, and flower seeds from them.   In addition to growing vegetables, I grow my own flowers such as nasturtiums, zinnias, and cosmos.  These flowers help to attract beneficial bugs and bees to the garden.

3.  Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.  In my opinion, the best seed catalog ever!  I receive their catalog in the winter.  Honestly, I am a kid in a candy store leafing through the pages of beautifully photographed vegetables.  Seriously.  The company offers 1450 different seeds from 70 different companies.  (Yep,  you will be a kid in the candy store too.)

4.  Seeds of Change:  Note, they are owned by Mars Company but they have signed the non-GMO pledge.  All of their seeds are organic.  They offer hybrid and heirloom seeds.

5.  Territorial Seeds:  They have a section on their site for heirloom seeds.

6.  High Mow Gardens:  I buy my crop cover, oats,  from them. All of their seeds are organic.  They offer heirloom seeds as well.

7.  Victory Seeds:  They offer heirloom seeds in both bulk and seed packages. I buy my 1 pound of buckwheat seed here since I need more than just a small package.  High Mow Garden offers 5 pounds and up of buckwheat seed.

8.  Sands Hill Preservation:  I use to order my  organic sweet potato slips from them until I figured out how to grow my own.  They also sell some organic seeds and non-organic heirloom seeds.

Like always, let me hear your thoughts in the comments below.  Be sure to share on your social media channels to keep the conversation going.

Join the Conversation:

• Where do you buy your seeds? 
• What kind of seeds do you buy?
• Do you save your seeds?

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