- includes basil cultivation and growing tipsl

by Monica Resinger

Name/Botanical Name: Basil, Ocimum Basilicum

Description: A highly flavored tender annual herb that is used in many dishes. Sweet basil can reach 2-3 feet tall. It attracts butterflies and beneficial insects to the garden.

Daylilies are one of my favorite perennial plants. They are pretty, hardy and very easy to take care of. They have arching, sword shaped leaves and lily shaped flowers that come in all shades of yellow, orange, red and more. They grow to a height of about 18 inches usually and are best placed in the middle of the flower bed. Daylilies are called this because their large lily-like blooms only last one day, however, the next day there will be a new bloom right next to the old one on the same stem.

Daylilies will grow in all zones and like full sun, but if your area is very hot, plant them in semi shade. They will usually adapt to any type of soil. They need quite a bit of water during bloom and should be fed with complete fertilizer during spring and summer.

When your daylily plant starts looking crowded and the base is pretty large, it’s probably time to divide it. This is a great time to share with your friends and family. Just dig it up and pull (or whack) it apart. It will take some forceful pulling (maybe even some wrestling) to get the roots apart. It’s a tough plant, so don’t worry too much about hurting it. The best time for this is in early spring or late fall.

Daylilies look beautiful planted near Shasta Daisies or Poker plant. They do well on banks, near pools in the flower bed, and in containers. You can even try them in the vegetable garden planted near some salad ingredients.

The petals are edible and are very tasty. They are crisp and sweet like lettuce and go very well in tossed salads, not only for flavor and texture, but to make the salad pretty.

Even though the blooms only last one day, they still make great cut flowers because the buds are in clusters on one stem. This means one stem with 5 or 6 buds will probably last a week in a vase provided the water is changed daily.

If you don’t have a daylily yet and are looking for easy and rewarding plants, I recommend you get one (or two, or three). Before you buy one, check to see if your family and friends have a plant that needs dividing. This way, when you look at the plant in the future, you’ll have a pleasant memory of who gave it to you.

For more gardening inspiration, check out The Gardening Tips E-book! You’ll learn about compost, starting new plants, rose care & tips, whimsical planter ideas & yard decor, raised bed gardening, garden recipes, plant recommendations, pond care, and much, much more! Get Monica’s FREE e-zine! Each issue includes a home & garden article, delicious recipes and more! Send a blank e-mail to: HomemakersJournal-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

The geranium is not only a beautiful garden plant, but is also useful for its healing properties. Native to South Africa, the plant produces essential oils in small glands around the foliage and flowers. Geranium oil can be harvested when the plant starts flowering and can be taken 2 or 3 times a year.

The oil of the Geranium makes a good astringent and can be diluted with water and used topically to help clean the face or in a bath . It also has great antiseptic properties and is said to help restore the balance to dry or oily skin and hair. You can also make a tea with the leaves and flowers or an oil infusion. The geranium is considered to be safe for most people (those with an autoimmune disease and those who are pregnant should avoid it) and can be used as an herb in cooking as well.

In addition to its astringent qualities, the geranium also has soothing qualities and is helpful in relieving symptoms of anxiety as well as PMS and menopausal symptoms. The geranium is reputed to help heal bruises, cuts and scrapes, eczema, hemorrhoids, nail fungus and sunburns as well as help with insomnia and varicose veins. It is also said to be a great natural insect repellent and is well known in the ancient world as a tick repellent for dogs and humans alike!

How to Make Geranium Tea:

You can make a tea from dried or fresh geranium leaves. For dried leaves, use 2 teaspoons, for fresh use /14 cup. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the leaves and let sit for 5 minutes. Strain the leaves out and drink.

How to Make A Geranium Compress:

Pour boiling water over the dried geranium herbs. Cover tightly and let sit for 15 minutes. Strain out the herb so that you are left with the infused water. Soak a cotton cloth in the infusion and squeeze it out so it is only damp. Apply the compress.

How to Make a Geranium Oil Infusion:

Fill a jar with the dried herbs almost to the top. Pour in extra virgin olive oil – make sure the oil covers the herbs and goes 1” above the volume of the botanicals. Put in the sun for two weeks shaking it daily. Strain out the flowers. You can store this infusion in the fridge for up to three months.

Growing Geraniums Indoors

You already know that geraniums thrive outdoors, in summer flower beds or containers, but did you know that geraniums can be grown successfully indoors all year round?

You can over-winter geraniums that you have in your garden by bringing them indoors. There are two common ways to do this: you can take top-growth cuttings about four to five inches long and root them in a suitable cutting medium, then transplant the rooted geranium cuttings to grow in pots in a sunny windowsill. Or you can dig up the whole geranium from your garden, cut the growth back to six inches, and let it grow back naturally in a suitably sized pot.

Geraniums prefer to dry out somewhat between watering and will benefit from bi-weekly fertilizing, either soluble fertilizer added to the water, or slow-release fertilizer added to the pot soil.

Growing and Using Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable that is used most often like a fruit as it is delicious in pies, tarts and sauces. Rhubarb grows well in most gardens - a half-dozen plants will yield enough rhubarb for four people.

Rhubarb Planting Guide
Rhubarb is usually propagated by dividing roots in early spring. Root stock is readily available in garden centers, but planting rhubarb from seed is not generally recommended.

The University of Illionois extension offers these planting tips:
- Plant the roots with the crown bud 2 inches below the surface of the soil. Space the roots 36 to 48 inches apart in rows 3 to 4 feet apart. Good garden drainage is essential in growing rhubarb. Planting on raised beds ensures against rotting of the crown. Working plenty of well-rotted manure or compost into the rhubarb bed before planting greatly increases production.

- Old roots may be dug and divided to make new plantings. Cut the roots into four to eight pieces. Each piece must have at least one strong bud. To improve vigor and leaf size, many gardeners divide the old plants and establish a new planting after at least 5 years of full harvest. Plantings older than this tend to begin crowding themselves out. Dig the roots of the most vigorous, healthy plants to establish a new bed the spring before the old planting is to be discarded.

Rhubarb Varieties
Recommended rhubarb varieties include Canada Red, with long, thick, extra sweet stalks; Cherry Red, which is a rich red color inside and out; Crimson Red, with tall, plump petioles; MacDonald, known for its brilliant red color and tender skin; Valentine, a good flavored rhubarb, and Victoria, which is shaded with red.

Care and Cultivation of Rhubarb
- Apply manure or compost in late fall or early winter, taking care not to cover the crowns.
- In spring, before leaves emerge, apply a complete garden fertilizer followed by a side dressing of high-nitrogren fertilizer three months later.
- Organic mulch is beneficial to help retain moisture. Water new plantings until established; older plants should only need watering during extended dry periods.

Harvesting
- First year rhubarb should not be harvested. Allowing the foliage full growth during this time helps build a strong root system.

- Second year rhubarb can be harvested for two weeks, with the harvest extended for 8 to 10 weeks in subsequent years.

- To harvest rhubarb, pull the stalks from the plant, rather than cutting. A slight pull and a twist at the base of the stalk should release it quite easily. Trim off the leaves, which are poisonous and should never be eaten.

- Remove only one-third of the stalks at any one time to keep the plant vigorous and healthy.

- If seed stalks develop, cut them from the plant as soon as they appear and discard.

- Yield and quality are at the highest when you harvest stalks that have just reached full size but before stringy fibers have a chance to develop. As a general rule, flavor is enhanced in stalks with deep red color.

Storage and Cooking Rhubarb
Trim and discard the rhubarb leaves. Tightly wrap the fresh, unwashed stalks in plastic and keep in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.

To freeze, wash the stalks, remove any tough outside fibers, chop into 1/2 inch to one inch chunks and spread on a cookie sheet to freeze. Once frozen, seal tightly in plastic freezer bags or freezer containers. Frozen rhubarb will keep for up to six months and can be used in place of fresh in most rhubarb recipes. To prepare rhubarb for cooking, remove any brown or scaly spots or stringy fibers. Peeling is not required; simply trim off each end of the stalk, then wash and dry.

Cook rhubarb in non-reactive cookware such as anodized aluminium, stainless steel, teflon or enamel. Do not use pots made of aluminium, iron or copper as both the fruit and the pan will darken.

Rhubarb is very sour and requires the addition of a sweetener in most recipes.

Nutritional Value
One cup of rhubarb provides 26 calories, 2 grams of fiber, 1 gram of protein, 6 grams of carbohydrates, 10 mg of vitamin C, 8.7 mcg of folic acid, 122 IU of vitamin A, 105 mg of calcium and 351 mg of potassium.

The following article by Captain Anne Mahle includes some wonderful rhubarb recipes.

For the Love of Rhubarb

I have great memories of the rhubarb that grew near my early childhood home on the backside of the garage. It was the sunniest part of the yard and that’s why it was located there, but it was hidden from the rest of the house and it always felt a little bit enchanting back there. The warnings about the leaves being poisonous made it a little bit forbidden as well and although I never used the leaves for food, I used to love to suck on the stalks. The leaves were relegated to doll blankets, elf hats, skirts, fairy boats and other useful items.

Rhubarb is one of the first vegetables (yes, it is a veggie) that I grew when I was a beginning gardener. It’s so forgiving that it’s a snap to grow. It comes back faithfully every year, is relatively disease free, needs little dividing or attention and produces a wonderful harvest.

While rhubarb is relatively maintenance free, I have learned after many years, that there are a few things that will help your rhubarb thrive. The stalks are actually pulled out when harvested, not cut. I usually end up cutting the leaves off right then and leaving them as mulch around the base. If I’m feeling extra energetic they go in the compost pile. When you harvest, you want the longest and biggest stalks, but only take 1/3 of the plant at a time or you will decrease its vitality over time. Rhubarb does well with a heavy feeding of compost in the spring or fall and it’s best to break off the seedpods before they go to seed.

Once harvested, it will last, covered, in the refrigerator for several days. It freezes well, and after I’ve had my fill of pie and the rest, I cut it into 1-inch pieces and freeze it immediately. I can then scoop out what I need over the course of the next few months.

Rhubarb Sauce
This one reminds me of my grandma. She used to serve it with corn bread and sausage on one of those simple, comfort food nights.

4 cups diced rhubarb, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (to taste)
1/2 cup maple syrup (to taste)
In a medium stockpot, cook the rhubarb, sugar and cinnamon over medium heat for 15 minutes or until the rhubarb has broken down. Add the maple syrup to taste and serve.
Makes 2 cups

Crunchy Sugar Rhubarb Muffins
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1 cup rhubarb, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 cup large grained sugar like Demerara (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease muffin pans or line with muffin papers. Sift together dry ingredients. Add oil, egg, and milk. Stir until just mixed. Gently fold in the rhubarb; then fill the muffin cups two-thirds full. Top with the Demerara sugar and bake for 20 minutes or until the muffins spring back when lightly pressed in the center. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans.
Makes 10-12 muffins

Rhubarb Jam
4 cups diced rhubarb, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (optional)
Combine all ingredients in a medium stockpot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer, stirring often, until the mixture reads 220° on a candy thermometer.

Transfer to sterilized jars and seal. Refrigerate for up to 2 months or freeze for up to 6 months.
Makes 2 cups

Rhubarb Current Chutney
This recipe pairs well with pork tenderloin. It is easily doubled or tripled and freezes well if you are lucky enough to have a large patch of rhubarb in your yard.

1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons minced ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic, or 1 clove
1/4 cup minced onion
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 cups rhubarb cut into 1/2-inch pieces or smaller (about 3/4 pounds)
1/3 cup currents

Add the first eight ingredients to a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over low heat until the sugar has dissolved, stirring occasionally. Add the rhubarb and the currents and cook over medium-high heat until the rhubarb and onions are soft. Serve warm or cold.
Makes 1 cup to serve 4-6

About The Author: Anne Mahle is a captain and chef and spends her summers cooking for guests on the Maine Windjammer, Schooner J. & E. Riggin, which she co-owns with her husband. To find out more about these sailing adventures visit MaineAdventureSails.com or their blog at MaineSailsBlog.com

by Jackie Carroll

Dill is one of the easiest herbs to grow and would make a great first herb for someone who has never grown herbs before. You’ll find lots of uses for both the fronds and the seeds in the kitchen. A sprig of dill will perk up almost any soup, salad, or main dish. You can buy transplants at your local garden center, but there is no need because dill is easy to grow from seeds. You won’t even have to start them indoors - just plant your dill seeds right in the garden where you want them to grow.

When to Plant

Dill likes to be planted in cool weather. In warm winter areas that don’t experience a hard frost, you can plant dill in fall or winter. In cooler areas, plant dill a week or two before your last hard frost. After the first sowing, plant again every 10 days or so for a continuous crop.

When growing in containers, use a deep container to accommodate the long roots, and remember that you will eventually have a plant that is three feet tall. Plants grown in containers may require staking.

Cultivation of Dill

Here are a few suggestions to start you on your way to a healthy crop of dill:
Dill, like most herbs, loves to bask in the sun, but will tolerate afternoon shade.

Dill grows up to 3 feet tall, so plant it in the back of your flower, vegetable or herb garden.

Sow seeds close together. This will allow the plants, which blow over easily to support each other.

Cover the seeds lightly, and allow a week or two for them to germinate.

For a continuous crop, sow repeatedly from mid spring to early summer.

Don’t plant near caraway, fennel or angelica.

Caterpillars are fond of dill, and can be handpicked if they become a nuisance.

Harvesting and Preserving Dill

The best way to use dill is fresh from the garden, so during the growing season, cut your dill to use fresh as you need it. If not kept cut, your dill will go to seed, so cut often until you are ready to switch to seed production.

If you find that you have cut more than you can use, dry the excess in the microwave. Spread the dill in a single layer on a paper towel and microwave on high until dry. The result is beautiful and tasty - much better than dried dill you buy in the grocery store. After microwaving, remove and discard the hard stems, crumble the leaves, and store in an airtight container protected from light.

Once seedheads begin to form, it’s time to stop cutting dill for fresh use. Allow the seedheads to develop and dry completely, then cut them. You’ll be able to remove the seeds easily with your fingers.

Medicinal Uses:

To brew a stomach-soothing tea, use two teaspoons of mashed seeds per cup of boiling water. Steep for ten minutes. Drink up to three cups a day. In a tincture, take 1/2 to 1 teaspoon up to three times a day. To treat colic or gas in children under two, give small amounts of a weak tea. Many herbalists recommend combining dill and fennel to ease colic in infants.

Culinary Uses

The taste of dill leaves resembles that of caraway, while the seeds are pungent and aromatic. Freshly cut, chopped leaves enhance the flavor of dips, herb butter, soups, salads, fish dishes, and salads. The seeds are used in pickling and can also improve the taste of roasts, stews and vegetables. Try grinding the seeds to use as a salt substitute. Both the flowering heads and seeds are used in flavored vinegars and oils.

About the Author:
Jackie Carroll is the editor of GardenGuides.com, a leading internet destination for gardening information and ideas.

Weathervanes can be simple constructions or detailed works of art. They are often installed as an outdoor decorating feature, but a weathervane serves a useful function as well - it tells you which way the wind is blowing.

The Franklin Institute has a great series of how-to projects related to weather, including a simple plan to Make Your Own Weathervane. It would be ideal as an individual or group science project, as the basic supplies are easy to obtain - you’ll need a piece of dowelling, discarded ruler, aluminum pie plate, a metal washer and wire, plus some simple tools.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has an even simpler weather vane model to make from cardboard.

Teachers will find the Weather Scope page from CIESE has easy instructions to make a weathervane from readily available materials such as tag board, a pencil, eraser, clay, and a paper plate. Students will also use a compass to determine where north is, so they can track wind direction with their newly completed weathervanes.

For a more decorative touch, kids might like to paint a cardboard or thin wooden weathervane. You’ll find how-to’s and a lesson plan on the Folk Art Weathervane page at KinderArt, including links to some free folk art patterns like this rooster outline.

FamilyFun has instructions to make a Fish Weather Vane, using styrofoam meat trays.

Woodworkers may find this unique Animated Cowboy WeatherVane, from the Woodcrafter.net, an interesting challenge. The detailed plans are free to download as PDF files, but the creator cautions that this woodworking project requires extreme precision and attention to detail.

Shaping a propeller for a weathervane or windmill can be tricky for even experienced woodworkers. But the Woodcrafter also has a free PDF file of explaining how to make different types of propellers, using a protractor, a wood lathe and a band saw or mitre saw. As a bonus, you’ll find lots of other free woodworking plans offered on the same page.

Finally, for the eclectic collector of weathervanes, FineScrollSaw.com has a free PDF file containing directions to make a Novel Electric Weathervane.

~ Weathervane History and Background Information ~

You Need A Weathervane To Tell Which Way The Wind Blows

Weathervanes, or wind vanes, have been used for centuries. Since the time of the ancient Greeks, the weather vane has served a dual purpose. Since the advent of the weathervane, their use has been both decorative and functional. The source of the wind may not have been fully understood, but people of ancient cultures understood how important the wind is a predictor of the weather.

It is no surprise that the simple weathervane became as ornamental as it is practical. Historians believe one of the first weathervanes was part of the Tower of Winds in ancient Greece. The tower was believed to have been constructed around forty B.C. by the astronomer Andronicus.

The Romans constructed many weathervanes from images of the gods. Prior to the advent of recorded scientific observation, there was much superstition around the weather. Through good weather or bad, the gods were often given credit for the prevailing winds.

Ancient seafarers used a simple type of weathervane, in the form of a small piece of cloth fastened to the rigging. This makeshift wind vane came to be known as a telltale and is still used today by sailors.

The weather vane existed in almost every ancient culture. Aside from depictions of various gods, animal themes are common for wind vanes, even today. The use of animal characters usually had a connection to religious beliefs. Artisans have adopted the weathervane as a medium for their craft adding to the decorative qualities of these simple weather tools.

Balance is the key to a properly functioning weathervane, as the weathervane must be able to turn in reaction to the slightest breeze. The center of the weathervane must rest on a center axis and be equally balanced on both sides. A basic design includes a center post with the body of the weathervane resting over it. The center post may come to a sharply tapered point. The body of the weathervane would fit on the post in a way were the weight would be concentrated directly on the point. If the body of the weathervane is not allowed to move freely, its reaction to changes in wind direction and speed will be too slow.

The shape of the weather vane can vary from a simple arrow, to more ornate and decorative figures. Even a large weathervane can be designed in way that optimizes its reaction to the wind. The shape is probably more important than the size. The body of the weathervane must designed in a way that is somewhat aerodynamic. An airplane wing creates lift by generating a positive pressure under the wing surface and a negative pressure on the top. Think of a weathervane as a wing surface turned perpendicular to the ground. The reaction to both positive and negative pressure causes the weather vane to turn.

Farmers and ranchers often relied on the wind to operate water pumps. Anyone who has traveled the American heartland may remember seeing these simple windmills turning. A key to an operating windmill is its ability to rotate with changes in wind direction. These windmills have a tail stock that acts in the same way a weathervane does, helping to point the blades of the windmill in the optimal direction.

For most of us, the need for a windmill has little to do with whether we have a weathervane. In these days of modern meteorology, weather predictions are readily available, often in great detail. These advancements in modern technology have rendered the humble weather vane to a decorative addition to our homes. Like many pieces of Americana, antique weathervanes are collectible. Many diverse themes have been used for the wind vane from the artistic to the humorous. With a rich history and functionality, the humble windmill can add a touch of whimsy and lore to your home.

Author Mike OBrien is a staff writer for the quality online store FineWebStores.com. Shop for Weather Vanes for your home. ]]> http://howtomakedo.net/107/how-to-make-a-weathervane/feed http://howtomakedo.net/27/how-to-beat-west-nile-virus http://howtomakedo.net/27/how-to-beat-west-nile-virus#comments Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:02:38 +0000 admin http://howtomakedo.net/?p=27

Culex mosquito larvae

How is West Nile Virus Transmitted?
West Nile Virus is transmitted to people by mosquitoes, particularly the culex genus of mosquitoes, which are now widespread throughout North America. Mosquitoes transmit the virus after becoming infected by feeding on the blood of birds carrying the virus. Symptoms typically develop three to 15 days after a bite. It is important to realize that the risk of infection is low, and the risk of serious health effects is even lower. However, taking steps to protect yourself and your family, and to recognize the symptoms of West Vile Virus, is a sensible course of action.

What are the Symptoms of West Nile Virus?
The severity of the infection varies, with mild cases often including fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes. Patients with more severe symptoms may present with headache, high fever, stiff neck, sleepiness, confusion, coma, tremors, convulsions or paralysis. Anyone who experiences the sudden onset of these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. Death rates from West Nile Virus are estimated at 3%-15%.

Culex mosquito

Who Is at Risk for West Nile Virus?
In northern climates, the biggest risk of contracting West Nile Virus occurs in late summer or early fall, when mosquito populations are high. In southern areas, the risk may persist year-round. People who live in areas that have identified active cases of West Nile virus are most at risk, with those over 50 more likely to experience severe symptoms.

Outdoor workers, gardeners, or anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors should make it a habit to cover their skin with clothing and apply insect repellent. If there are reports in your area of infected mosquitoes, dead horses, dead birds, or identified cases of West Nile Virus, everyone should take immediate steps to minimize exposure to mosquitoes.

How Can You Protect Yourself Against West Nile Virus?

• Limit the time you spend outdoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear light-colored long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a hat when outdoors.
• Use insect repellents. Read and follow the manufacturers’ directions for safe use.
• Make sure that door and window screens fit tightly and have no holes.

You should also clean up mosquito prone areas around your home. Mosquitoes need standing water to breed, so remove any water that has gathered on pool covers, or in flower pot saucers, pet bowls, and wading pools. Other items that can collect water include old tires, clogged gutters or drainage ditches, and even small containers such as cans or bottle tops. Empty and clean bird baths twice a week.

Community health organizations also help control the spread of this disease, by monitoring dead birds, reducing breeding areas and distributing information as soon as it becomes available.

Sources:
- Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph PUblic Health, Protect Yourself from West Nile Virus
- Health Canada, West Nile Virus
- Medicinenet.com, West Nile Encephalitis
- Culex larvae image was published in a Public Library of Science journal. Their website states that the content of all PLoS journals is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 license.

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