In the Garden with: Herbs

Kenan and Briscoe White

Briscoe White, co-owner at The Growers Exchange, joined Mike Darcy for his informative and fun radio show, In the Garden.  

Mike and Briscoe talked herbs, Jamestown and the first American settlers.  And according to Mike, herbs are one of his favorite topics! (He likes Jamestown, too!) Good thing Briscoe knows his stuff!

Briscoe stumped Mike with his suggestion of citronella scented geraniums to repel mosquitoes. It really works!  Listen to the podcast here.  And get your geraniums here!

And for another herbal mosquito repellant, check out this DIY salve recipe from Unplugged Sunday:

The main ingredients (clockwise):
dried catnip, calendula, coconut oil, beeswax,
lavender and lemon oils, and rosemary.

all photos by Alexa @Gardenista

Materials:

• 1 cup Dried Calendula Flowers
• 1 cup Fresh Rosemary
• 1 cup Dried Catnip
• A mix of Olive and Coconut Oil (about 2 cups total)
• 1/4 cup Beeswax
• Lavender and Lemon Essential Oils (about 10 drops each)
• Double Boiler/ Sauce Pan and Bowl
• Cheesecloth
• Liquid Measuring Cup and Glass Jar
• 4-5 Lidded Jars

Directions:

• Set up your double boiler and bring water to a boil.
• Add the rosemary, calendula, and catnip to the top bowl 
• Cover with enough olive and coconut oil to completely submerge the herbs.
• Allow the mixture to simmer for about 30 minutes to slowly heat up the oil.
• Strain the oil into a glass jar through the cheesecloth.
• Reheat the filtered oil over low heat, adding the 1/4 cup of beeswax until it's completely melted.
• At that point, add in your drops of essential oil and stir.
• Prepare your glass jars, fill with the mixture, and allow to cool completely. 

Voila! The finished product!

A Mild Winter Means Peskier Summer Insects

In case you missed #Gardenchat last night- here are some of the tips suggested by The Growers Exchange to help ward off pesky insects like ticks, mosquitoes, ants and termites... naturally!

Catnip 

Usually grown by cat lovers, catnip is proven to be ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes and biting insects than the harsh commercial chemical DEET.

According to the American Chemical Society, the active chemical in catnip, nepetalactone, that drives cats crazy also repels mosquitoes. Plant regular catnip or lemon-scented catnip in full sun and keep it well pruned. Rub the leaves on clothing and skin as a protectant from biting insects. Basil Basil also keeps mosquitoes away, as well as repelling house flies, especially when planted near doorways. Whether in containers or mixed into flower beds, basil adds texture, beauty, fragrance, and most importantly a "no fly zone" to homes. Mint Both peppermint and spearmint are excellent deterrents to ants, flies and moths, but they can also keep lice and mice at bay as well. Planting either variety of mint around the foundation of a house makes a natural boundary that many pests won't go near. Use it near windowsills or beneath sinks, to keep sneaky insects from coming in to visit.
About The Growers Exchange	Planting natural herbal defenses against pests eliminates the use of harmful toxins, improves the local ecology in gardens, and provides benefits of many plants that double as culinary, medicinal or aromatic herbs. Make sure to choose the safe, sustainable insect repellents this summer and think of the garden before reaching for the toxic spray!

-Katie
Garden Media Group

The Growers Exchange Offers Ways to Spice Up Valentine’s Day with these Romantic Herbs

Briscoe White of The Growers Exchange suggests 3 herbs that will be certain to spice up your Valentine’s Day. Find out which herbs here!

Gift Idea for your favorite gardener UNDER $25!

"Twas the night before Christmas,
and boy was I miffed,
I still hadn't found
that one perfect gift!"

Don't let this happen to you! The Growers Exchange has great gardening gifts under $25, tasty herbs, beautiful bulbs, unique handmade artwork and more! 

And even better, they will gift wrap your hard goods for free! 

Visit The Growers Exchange for all your gardening needs!  Fox gloves, pots and delicious herbs!