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

Help Fund an Urban Garden, Get Some Free Undies

Ok, you don't usually hear gardening and underwear in the same sentence, except for maybe that time your friend said 'you wouldn't believe what happened last night'... anyway, PACT, a company that helps fund social projects by selling organic cotton basics, has recently launched their spring line for 2013 and has teamed up with Whole Kids Foundation and Indiegogo to help support their latest cause, helping fund and start 100 urban gardens for schools across America.

Through the crowdsourcing platform, Indiegogo, you can make donations until Feb. 28 to fund your local garden, another garden anywhere in the country, or both. Whole Kids Foundation, a Whole Foods Market^® foundation, will provide additional support for each garden, like online garden planning tools and organic seeds to help build or expand each urban garden. 

Urban gardening is the practice of growing, harvesting, and distributing food within city communities and is becoming increasingly more necessary in this day and age. Having gardens in urban areas encourages children and adults alike to choose healthier foods than the more processed foods and snacks found in your local grocery aisle.

The goal for spring 2013 is to establish 100 urban gardens that offer access to healthy food and at the same time empowering adults and children in those communities to actively experience the process of growing food from seed to plate.

For more information, or just to get some trendy new underwear (which also help fund future 'PACTivist' causes) visit PACT



~ James
Garden Media Group

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

GMG's Friday Find! - It's a POP-UP Garden!

Last week's Friday find was all about planning your garden and this week's find is how to set one up...Quickly! Practically right out of the package...just add soil (and your favorite veggie seeds!)

The Little Acre® Raised Bed Garden Bag makes it quick, easy and affordable to grow an organic garden of veggies, herbs, berries and flowers just about anywhere!

NO Tilling - No Digging - NO Soil Amending - NO Tools

Simply  1. Open it up

 2. Fill it with soil

3. Plant & Watch it Grow

Description from their website...
•Can be set-up just about anywhere - apartments, condos, small back yards, patios, roof tops, urban/suburban settings.
•Can be used again next year! Leave out or fold up and put in the garage.
•Sturdy construction and completely self-supporting once filled with soil - holds a rectangular shape well.
•Cute design, light color reflects sunlight delicate plants will not over-heat.
•Sizes: 3’ X 4’ X 12” ("Original") and NEW for 2012: 2' X 3' X 8" (The Little Acre "Junior")!
•All this for a Suggested Retail of just $49.95 for The Original and $39.95 for The Junior!

So now the excuse "I hate digging and tilling" is no longer allowed! Got any other excuses? Let me know what they are and I will try to find a product to help you over those hurdles!

Now GO GET GROWING!!!!

-Karen
GMG