Got Spring Fever? No? Then You Must Have Hay Fever...

If you're anything like me, then Spring for you is a mixed bag. You get to bask in the beautiful weather, attend outdoor events and activities, and stand in line at Rita's water ice (seriously, why aren't these open in the winter?) However nothing comes for free and with the beautiful weather comes an increased pollen count. For some, these three words don't mean much, but for others they are three words to be feared. Allergy seasons can be just as bad, if not worse in some cases, than flu season. Though there is no way to truly combat allergies there are some things we can do to help ease us through the coming months.

You don't need to rid your home of houseplants
Yes, plants, along with trees, grass, mold, etc... are the biggest offenders of high pollen counts. It may seem fruitful to keep your allergies in check at the expense of your houseplants, but fret not as there are several plants you can have throughout your home with low pollen counts including, begonias, nasturtiums, crotons, peace lilies, miniature roses, and passionflowers. However even with these, plants are a large collector of dust, so be sure to dust them (along with the rest of your house) weekly. Also be sure not to over-water your plants as this can eventually lead to moldy soil.

Natural anti-histamines
In addition to your surroundings there are also several natural, ingestible antihistamines like the herbs parsley, thyme and bay or vegetables like broccoli, kale, onions and garlic that can help.  Okay, yes, garlic is not a vegetable, it's neither an herb or a spice, so what is it? you tell me. You can even grow these yourself in your home garden, just be sure to plan ahead and find out the optimum times for growing and harvesting.  Vitamins D and C also help fight histamines, you can either take vitamin supplements for D and C or eat citrus fruits high in vitamin C.

Other tips and tricks to fight pollen

• Oddly enough, I've read washing your hair after a day out is a good way to fight pollen as your hair is a big catcher of it.
• Washing your sheets, comforters, etc... weekly.
• Dusting and vacuuming your home.
• The use of a Neti Pot (several people in the office swear by these)

Or really, when all is said and done, just pop a Benadryl. Happy Spring!

You have any tips for fighting seasonal allergies and Hay fever? Let us know in the comments!

~ James
Garden Media Group

GMG's Friday Find: Plantable Food Packages

There may be a day when your deli sandwich comes in a package that keeps on giving.

A clever and eco-friendly food packaging project is on its way into the market. Michal Marka, a designer from Ruzemborok, Slovakia, has designed this biodegradable food bowl in hopes of educating the users of biodegradable material and saving the planet bit by bit.

This eco-friendly package has seeds under the etiquette which you can plant right in the bowl.  First, of course, you eat the food in the container. Then peel back the top cover to find the seeds.  Add soil to the bowl, drop in the seeds, cover seeds with more soil, water it and plant it in the ground. The packaging will degrade and the herbs will grow within a week.

 Talk about sustainable!  I imagine this packaging could be planted  in containers as well.

 The question is would you take the time to plant your take-home food package?  We'd love to hear your thoughts on this new idea for eco-friendly food packaging.

Source: behance.net 

~Peggy
Garden Media

GMG's Friday Find: Let Your Herbs Hang Down for Easy Pickins!

Who doesn't love cooking with fresh herbs, and who has the space in their kitchen for pots that take up much needed space.  Problem solved with the Boskke Sky Planter. A terrific invention that allows plants, including much loved herbs, to freely fall from an upside down container that hangs from the ceiling. How convenient to just reach up and grab a sprig of parsley or a snip of fennel.

Here's how the container works. You  remove the ready grown plant from its container and insert it into the Sky Planter. A locking disc and mesh holds the plant and soil in place which allows for hanging upside down.  The unique internal reservoir system releases water and nutrients as needed to the roots. And voila!  You now have lush, beautiful fresh herbs at your fingertips.

I love this idea!  And if you are wondering where you can get your herbs, check out The Growers Exchange.  They specialize in herbs including culinary, medical and aromatic.

The Sky Planter is not only functional and looks cool, you can now have all the benefits indoor plants provide right over your head. Check out this short how-to video and see if this wouldn't be a great gift idea for the chef in your house. It's definitely on my list! 



Boskke from Jean-Michel Dentand on Vimeo.

~Peggy
Garden Media Group

Experts Share Eco-friendly Tips to Protect Homes from Pesky Fall Bugs

Fall’s cool, crisp weather is an ideal time to plant and prepare the home and landscape for next spring. While tending chores outdoors, pesky insects are heading indoors ahead of Old Man Winter, seeking food sources and warm, safe places to hibernate.
 
Home Invaders. Unwelcome invasive pests like silverfish, spiders, earwigs, flies and ants are typical party crashers once temperatures fall.

To protect a home from unwanted fall pests, industry experts share these simple eco-friendly tips to keep pesky insects at bay:.

1. Clean up brush and keep mulch and firewood piles and move them away from the house to avoid creating habitats for critters and insects

2. Seal up cracks, crevices and holes with caulk or weather stripping around potential entry points and seal around pipes and utilities. Repair loose roof tiles and screens. Inspect windows and basement foundations and repair loose and crumbling mortar.

3. Clean cupboard shelves from loose grain, starch-based and sugary food and place food in sealed containers or plastic bags.

4. Check where stink bugs hide in warm, dark spaces like baseboards, exhaust fans, ceiling tiles and drapes. Pick stink bugs off by hand with a tissue and flush them down a toilet or drop into a bucket of soapy water. If you vacuum, be warned. When threatened, stink bugs emit a foul odor so dispose the bags immediately.

New traps help battle stink bugs without the need to touch them. Zhang explains, “Once you see the bugs clinging to the side of the house or screens, this is a signal that they are ready to get indoors to hibernate and more may be coming towards the home. The RESCUE!® Stink Bug trap uses non-toxic pheromone attractants that lures stink bugs from a radius of 30 feet, intercepting them before they reach the house.”

The RESCUE!® Stink Bug Trap can also be used indoors with an LED light attachment. It works best when stink bugs start waking up from hibernation – usually January through April.

5. If ants are your problem, try herbs. Briscoe White, herb expert and owner of The Growers Exchange, says bay leaves, cinnamon and cloves repel ants outdoors and indoors. Sprinkle dry crushed herbs around points of entry, cabinets and windowsills to create a natural barrier. Plus, peppermint and spearmint are excellent deterrents against both ants and moths.

 -Katie @KatieGMG

Herbs, glorious herbs!

I was preparing a salad tonight and wanted to add that fresh kick of flavor that only fresh herbs can fill.

Although we've suffered through an unseasonably hot and dry summer, the sweet basil 'Genovese' I planted is growing nicely and complemented the flavors of  thick cheese slices and homegrown tomatoes.

The sprigs were perfect.

Herbs are simply marvelous. From ancient times, herbs have been used for culinary, medicinal and aromatic purposes.

They add splashes of color and texture to any size garden and are easy to grow throughout the landscape, as borders, or potted up in containers on balconies.

Pot up lavender; it's a marvelous container plant with multiple uses. From potpourri and sachets the essential oils are used in candles to perfumes and extracts can be used medicinally. Plus, it's a wonderfully exotic culinary herb.

Or grow chamomile and use the flowers to make yourself a nice cup of soothing tea to de-stress after a long day at work.

Whatever herbs you choose, The Growers Exchange makes it easy to select herbs perfect for your lifestyle. Enjoy!
Lynne
Garden Media Group
photo credits: Basil 'Genovese'; lavender and Common chamomile: The Growers Exchange

Roof Top Gardens flourish from Hong Kong to Philly

Green roofs are springing up from Hong Kong to Philadelphia as more and more cities and communities realize the benefits green roofs provide for people and the environment.

From growing edibles to planting colorful perennials and natives that attract beneficial wildlife, green roofs provide a relaxing escape from the noise and pollution of city life. As an added benefit, roof top gardens reduce rainwater runoff that contributes to flooding and pollution, and help cool buildings by absorbing heat.

With so much to offer, even big corporations like Philadelphia based PECO Energy have jumped on the green roof bandwagon.

They partnered with  PHS (Pennsylvania Horticulture Society), known for the prestigious Philadelphia International Flower Show, to design and maintain PECO's 45,000 square foot green roof  perched eight stories high above the crowded streets.

PHS provides plans, plants and maintenance, and conducts walking tours where visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the city along with areas that feature large planters filled with a variety of native grasses and perennials.

This fits nicely with PHS's green initiatives to educate and grow stronger communities by supporting urban farming and community gardens, restoring vacant land, planting trees and more.

Around the world, rooftop farms are springing up on top of skyscrapers like in Hong Kong, where urban dwellers of the modern asphalt jungle grow fresh fruit, veggies and herbs for better health and wellness and the incomparable fresh taste of homegrown food.

From walking tours to a peaceful escape from a harried day, nothing beats the simple pleasure of enjoying Mother Nature where green meets blue.

Let us know if your city is planning to add rooftop gardens and if not, why not? Cost to build and maintain? Or not enough interest?

Lynne
Garden Media Group
photos credits: NYC Rockefeller Center rooftop gardens by David Shankbone, Wikipedia Commons

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!

GMG's Friday Find: To Label or not to Label?

Today's Friday Find is from a 'find' I discovered in my very own landscape. A very old plant label...probably been there about 25 years revealed itself while my husband was trimming the bushes in our front yard. I was shocked to see that it had held up pretty well and turned out to be very helpful in educating us about the plant he was feverishly cutting back.

Well, it got me thinking about different ways that we can identify our plants not only for our own lack of recall but for anyone who might inquire. So I searched and these are the few I thought were cute and worthy of mentioning...

I though this was brilliant. You can use a 'natural' stone and write the names of your plants on them or stencil it on. The stones can be of any size and I bet you can find some great stones already in your yard or on a good nature walk! Definitely a fun project...great for all you creative people out there! Buy these Stone Plant Labels here...

I thought these were just cute enough without being intrusive in the landscape. Simple but charming. Buy these Herb & Vegetable Hanging Labels here...

And I couldn't resist these spoons. I found them on Etsy and I could sure see myself using these! Buy these Antique Spoon Herb Markers here...

How do you mark your plants in the garden and landscape?

-Karen
Garden Media Group

A town wraps its arms around edibles

Once upon a time, not so long ago, a small Victorian mill town in England united over gardening, and hasn't looked back.

Todmorden, in West Yorkshire, has experienced a food renaissance of sorts. Um, not the kind that attracts foodies and gourmands, but the type that is a quiet revolution of trust, sharing, and uniting around a common goal... food sharing.

Over coffee, Mary Clear, a grandmother of ten and co-founder of Incredible Edible, and Pam Warhurst, the former owner of the town's Bear Cafe decided to help educate the residents (and the world) about growing food - with a twist - and stimulating the economy.

The goal? To make Todmorden the first town in the country that is self-sufficient in food.

Town residents grow edibles in raised beds on the canal towpath, on their lawns, and throughout the 70 large beds around town. And get this... the bounty of veggies, berries and fruit is FREE for the taking.

Locals are encouraged to linger over a sprig of your neighbor's thyme, or appreciate the size of beans and peas, experience the mouth-watering juiciness of an heirloom tomato, and pause to chat with neighbors over recipes for currants, as they commune over the pleasurable satisfaction of growing food and sharing slices of life.

Thievery? Nonsense, say the founders. Everyone shares with glee. "We trust people. We truly believe -- we are witness to it -- that people are decent," says Mary. What a concept.

The "gentle revolution" as she coins it seems to be working. Today, hundreds in the town are growing and sharing communally, even planting sweeps of herbs at railroad stations. Young and old are side-by-side, passing secrets about pickling, canning and preserving - even bread making.

And local business is "growing" as well. The Bear now sources all of it's ingredients from farmers within 30 miles. And their local school is setting up a fish farm to teach the young new skills and offer locals access to fresh food.

Brigadoon? Perhaps. But 21 other towns throughout the U.K. are onboard and interest from Canada to Hong Kong have perhaps sparked a "quiet revolution." 

'Once upon a time'  may indeed be here and now.

Share what you think of this novel concept. We'd love to learn if your town is considering this concept, or wants to stamp it with its own unique brand of sharing the love.

~Lynne
 Garden Media Group
photos: Mary's garden and Debbie's garden (Incredible Edible)

Growers Exchange Selected to Grow the 2013 Notable Native Herb of the Year

We are so excited to announce that The Herb Society of America has chosen Monardaulosa, commonly known as “bee balm”, as the 2013 Notable Native Herb of the Year, and has selected The Growers Exchange as the official grower and distributor of the herb. 

Continuing with the ‘Made in America’ trend sweeping the U.S., The Notable Native Herb of 2013, bee balm Monarda Fistulosa, will be grown and distributed by The Growers Exchange, a family run Virginia farm that specializes in unusual and hard to find herbs.

“The Growers Exchange has been a member of the Herb Society of America (HSA) for a number of years and has a solid reputation for growing top quality plants,” says Katrinka Morgan, executive director of HSA. “This historic American farm is the perfect partner to help us bring attention to the vast selection of native herbs found in North America.”

According to Morgan, the defining characteristic for the Notable Native award is the herbs usefulness, including its value for culinary, medicinal, ornamental, economic, industrial, or cosmetic purposes.

”Bee balm is used mostly today to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden, but its uses are far greater. We selected it for its culinary, medicinal and aromatic values, as well as its usefulness as a companion plant,” Morgan explains. “It also performs well in most gardens throughout the US.”

Briscoe White, owner of The Growers Exchange, agrees. “Bee balm is a common garden flower, but most people don’t know that it was used medicinally by Native Americans for its strong antiseptic properties in treating wounds.”

White says bee balm is gaining popularity as a culinary herb and makes a great substitute for oregano. “It’s a wonderful addition to pizzas, salads, breads and any dishes that are complimented by the herb's minty, slightly spicy flavor.”

Bee balm makes a fragrant, comforting tea, and, surprisingly, an excellent mouthwash. “Bee balm naturally contains high levels of thymol, an antiseptic found in many brand name mouthwashes, making it a natural remedy for mouth and throat infections caused by gingivitis,” White explains.

Bee balm also attracts helpful pollinators while at the same time, the thymol works to keep underground pests away.

You can grow bee balm in full sun in moist soil. To buy bee balm and other native herbs, or for more information visit The Growers Exchange http://www.thegrowers-exchange.com.

-Stacey @Staceygmg
Garden Media Group

Mother's Day gifts that keep on giving!

Here at the Garden Media Group we’re sharing great last minute Mother’s Day gifts that are practical, long-lasting and stylish. Live plants for Mother’s Day are gifts that keep on giving and will add beauty to her home and garden.

1) Orchids. Orchids are exotic plants with stunning flowers that are surprisingly affordable and simple to grow. These gorgeous flowering plants keep blooming for months with little to no effort long after her special day is past. Look for Phalaenopsis orchids, which are the most popular and come in a variety of colors in decorative containers, for under $20 at your local retailer. For more tips on caring for your orchid, visit  http://www.orchidsareeasy.com/

2) Tropical plants. Surprise mom with an instant backyard make-over. New tropical plant varieties are ready to place in any sunny spot for immediate color. Carefree desert roses from Hines Growers like Adenium Kissable Pink, Red and Blush have bright, colorful flowers and a unique bonsai-like appearance. Sun-loving, Bahama Bay hibiscus ‘Amazon Queen’ has ruffled swirls of orangey blooms that look great in the landscape or on decks, patios and porches.
For more information on the many varieties of tropical plants and plant care, visit http://www.hinesgrowers.com/

3) Herbs. Mom will love a living herb plant that’s a meaningful, sustainable gift, no matter what variety you choose. Herbs are ideal choices for their low maintenance, beauty and versatility as both a functional flavor in the kitchen or aromatic scent to enjoy. Pamper mom with an easy to prepare homemade herbal facial scrub that’s great for her skin and smells citrusy.

For great herb choices visit The Growers Exchange http://www.thegrowers-exchange.com/.

Here's our own gardening expert and garden/ green living trendspotter, Suzi McCoy's favorite homemade facial scrub made from wonderful herbs and citrus fruit:

Juice from 1/2 ruby red grapefruit

2 sprigs of fresh rosemary (chopped)

2 cups of white sugar

1 Tablespoon of olive oil

(add pulp of grapefruit for color)

Mix all the ingredients until blended well and add enough sugar to form a thick paste. Put into a pretty jar, tie with a pretty ribbon and voila! Let us know how this works for you!

And to all you moms and your special mom, this Sunday, May 12th, have a wonderful Mothers Day from all of us at the Garden Media Group.

~Lynne, GMG

A "Royal" kitchen garden

For those of you fortunate to travel to England this year in May, be sure to check out the RHS Chelsea Flower Show from May 22-26th. The display gardens look like works of art and inspirational guide posts  to help you transform your patch of earth into a masterpiece.

Among the award-winning exhibits from last year's show, the M &G Garden stands out as a "modern take on a traditional garden."

To watch a video of this garden, click here...

It could be the playful and artful blend of ornamentals and edible plants, with French lavender underplanting potted citrus tees. Or perhaps it's the graceful cabbages and beans happily mingling with clematis and roses. No matter. Pure delight.

Whatever your fruit, veggie, flower or herb preference, this garden is a working model for those of us not so inclined to add "Royal" to our names (as Royals are apt to do when they visit Chelsea.)

Whether you have a large garden or a small balcony garden, add  herbs for color, fragrace, health and beauty. Plus, they fit nicely in any size container, border or space. Tuck in some veggies and adorn with berries and flowers and voila!- you'll have a garden that's fit for a King or Queen!

Enjoy!
Lynne, Garden Media Group

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!

GMG's Friday Find - The Growers Exchange

As any good gardener knows, January & February are always filled with anticipation for the arrival of gorgeous new plant catalogs. This week's Friday Find is the just released 2012 catalog from The Growers Exchange.
 
Full of great growing tips for your favorite culinary, medicinal and aromatic herbs and flowers, as well as interesting facts, high quality pictures and more! They've also added more pages this year to include even more Potted Herbs and Potted Herb Garden Kits, Tools and Garden Accessories to give you the best selection possible.

And, just for requesting a catalog, you’ll get multiple discounts found inside and even some additional savings for referring your friends. This is definitely a resource worth holding onto for reference while planting.

Request a FREE catalog today and start planning your spring herb garden early...click here!

Like The Growers Exchange on Facebook here!
Follow them on Twitter here!

Keep sending me your ideas for our Friday Find!
-Karen
GMG

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!

GARDEN MEDIA GROUP HIRES NYC FASHION PR PROFESSIONAL

For years, one of our goals here at Garden Media Group has been to make gardening en vogue. We've gotten out clients in hip media like In-Style, Elle Decor and Apartment Therapy.

Today we are excited to let you in on our latest development to help take our clients and gardening to the next level.

We have expanded by strategically hiring New York City PR fashionista Katie Dubow, who most recently was marketing manager of Monet jewelry, a division of Liz Claiborne in Manhattan, where she was a member of the Liz Social Media Council.

And secondly, we’re adding a typical Gen X consumer who will guide our seasoned PR staff to better understand, tap into and converse with this growing consumer segment. She is our "new consumer". She and her husband are “apartment gardeners” and enjoy growing herbs, vegetables and flowers in containers on their “front steps”.

Katie has contacts with style influencers at People Magazine, O Magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings, Real Simple, and Lucky, to name just a few, and has interfaced with several New York fashion PR firms.

Prior to joining the Liz Claiborne organization, she worked at CBS Television in New York and The Boston Celtics organization in Boston. Katie has her degree in communications from Northeastern University, where she was a member of its Division I Crew Team. She is an avid runner, traveler and reader.

With her New York public relations experience, energy and youthfulness, Katie is ready to help grow our clients, gardening and our famous GMG Garden Trends Report© to new heights in 2012.

Suzi
Garden Media Group

Gotta' love the Farmers Market!

Yay! Our local Farmers Market is open on Fridays with tables brimming with local fresh produce, plants and hard-to-find specialty foods.

This past Friday, the farmers and merchants had just set up and I couldn't wait to scarf up the tubs of creamy savory goat cheese, herbal honey and buy a huge bunch of leaf lettuce.

Ah... so many choices, so little time.

One farmer had cherries. That's all. A table buried in rich, dark, sweet cherries that were just harvested.

Unfortunately, I recently bought a pound at a store, but these beauties looked so much nicer. He's getting ready to harvest peaches in a few weeks. Worth the wait.

More people arrived who began the ritual of picking up and inspecting, pinching and thumping fruit and produce piled on the tables, and chatting with like-minded souls who love these marketplaces.

I grabbed some zucchini and made a mental note to buy kale and rhubarb, next visit.

As we meandered through the market, we saw a table with info and cool t-shirts touting 'Buy Fresh, Buy Local.' Indeed!

I was tempted to buy the dill, basil and sage plants (now regret I didn't) and some fresh, organic eggs from the local Amish folks. But there's always another Friday, and this time, I'm bringing along an extra sturdy, very large canvas bag!

If your town has a Farmers Market, it's definitely worth a visit. Let us know what great buys you discovered and send us your photos. Love to see!
~Lynne
GMG