Garden Party - Worm Composting

We have new pets!

This was the hands-on activity at the end of my composting class.  Inside are dozens of red wrigglers, happily munching on a couple of banana peels and some leftover tea bags.

Worm composting is not only great for the environment by helping to limit the amount of trash we send to the dump, but the castings (aka worm poop) are PHENOMENAL fertilizer for your garden.  And, BONUS - keeping a worm bin is also a great educational activity for your kids!

So how do you make a bin?  My bin is a plastic storage container, 15" long by 12" wide by 9" deep.  You can see the holes in the lid - three rows, roughly equally spaced 1/4" holes that were drilled.  There's also one row around the top edge of the container itself.  About 5 holes per long side and 3 on the short sides.  No holes on the bottom.

There are loads of other worm bin designs online, along with other information about how to start them, etc.

Mine was started with about 1/3 of the container filled with moist shredded newspaper.  Moist like a damp, wrung out sponge.  If you squeeze it, only a drop or two of water should come out.  On top of the moist paper, my worms were added with some of their "native" soil.  More shredded moistened newspaper on top of that, then a solid layer of moistened newspaper.

We are on week 2 of this grand experiment.  I brought them home on a Saturday, and last Saturday, I added a couple of peels from bananas that had gone bad.  I've also added a few tea bags throughout this week.

If you'd like to try this experiment at home along with us, here are some really great links:

http://www.wormfarmingsecrets.com/blog/

http://www.sfenvironmentkids.org/teacher/lesson_plans/Worm%20Diner%20K-4%20July2010.pdf

http://www.sfenvironmentkids.org/teacher/lesson_plans/worm_bin.pdf

http://www.sfenvironmentkids.org/teacher/lesson_plans/worms.pdf

http://www.recycleworks.org/compost/wormcomp.html

Hope you'll join us!

Garden Party - Organic Weed Control

Yes, there were a few weeds in yesterday's photos, but here's how you can zap'em without harsh chemicals.

Let's take a quick moment to discuss the scientific method.  First, you see a problem or ask a question. Next, you want a solution or an answer.  Then, you figure out a way to test out an idea you have that will solve/answer the problem/question.  And then, you test it.

I have a perfect example of this scenario for you today.  Recently, in a composting class I was taking, one of the members of the class mentioned using vinegar as a weed killer.  Now, despite my best efforts and cultural practices, weeds still find their way into my garden.  It happens.  Usually, I can pull them when they are small, but if I've been lazy or they are the mean-nasty-thorny weeds, it's a bit more complicated.  The vinegar idea really appealed to me.

I did some online looking, and found several articles about using vinegar.  Some used plain household vinegar, some used horticultural vinegar.  This article with Grandma's Recipe for Weed Killer really was the best.  The author did his own testing with various variations on the formulas that may have been handed down through the generations.

Based on this information, I prepared my own experiment in my own garden, and here are the results:

These grasses grow in between our garden beds.  In spite of weed blocking fabric and mulching.  They need to go!  The test group was sprayed with undiluted regular white distilled table vinegar.  You know the stuff you buy at the grocery store.  I used Great Value brand from WalMart.  It costs about $2/gallon.  I applied it with one of those little spray bottles you can get in the beauty section - the ones that cost about a buck.  I sprayed on a day that I knew it would be scorching hot and that we wouldn't see any chance of rain.  That morning, I filled my little bottle with vinegar and sprayed the holy heck out of the test patch.  The photo shows results after 24 hours.  I'd say they're pretty well dead.  Now, they'll be easy to hand pull and throw in the compost pile.

So what about those meany-nasty-thorny weeds, the ones with the deep tap root?

This is one instance where our drought has worked in our favor - even the weeds are really thirsty!

Using information from the chart in the article mentioned above, I made a larger quantity of weed killer (we have some other big nasties hanging around in other areas of our landscape).  I used about 1/2 of a 1 gallon jug of the vinegar, and added 1 cup of kosher salt.  It's what I had on hand.  You can try other table salt if that's what you have.  I gave the jug a good shake, keeping my thumb on the lid.  Then, I filled my little spray bottle again.  For each weed, I sprayed about half the bottle on the leaves and poured the remainder straight onto the spot where the stem meets the soil.  Again, hot scorching day with no rain.

And this is what the weed looks like now:

You're not so big and tough now, are ya' pal?! Gardener-1 Weed-0.

Just a little FYI here:  I did test some of the other formulas in the chart, but these two worked the best for me.  Feel free to try the other formulas in your yard.  Find what works best for you.


Also, be sure to only spray the weeds.  The vinegar will do the same thing to plants you want to keep.  That's the benefit of using the smaller spray bottle - it will make it easier to apply the solution only where you want it to go.


So get your mad scientist hat on, laugh your best wicked laugh, and go kill your weeds!


Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Garden Party - Companion Planting

Remember WAAAAAY back when, in the post about planning your garden?

I'm sure you'll remember the diagrams with the fun colored dots.  Well, this is what they look like in my garden...

And here's another one:

You'll notice I don't have any photos from the tomato/marigold/basil/pepper diagram. We have had such record heat here, coupled with amazing drought conditions that none of the seeds I planted for these plants grew. Not one. Not even the marigolds! I have even resorted to watering our beds with a lawn sprinkler. It's a set-it-and-forget-it kind of thing. The sprinkler can water for a half-hour while I do something else semi-productive in the air conditioning or take 4LPA for a walk. But still no plants...

The good news is that we have no Japanese beetles in the garden gnoshing on my potatoes or anything else. None. The geraniums are doing their job. Also, we have minimal cabbage leaf looper damage on the kale. Way to go, zinnias!

So, yes, companion planting really does work. It's a cheaper, prettier alternative to nasty chemical bug sprays.

Now if we could just get some rain...

What's Shakin' Bacon?

Just a quickie update about what's shakin' here at the Suburban Prairie Home...


It's Fair Season!  Yay!  That exciting time of year when you convince yourself that you can crochet, knit, and sew simultaneously for 47 hours every day and turn out blue-ribbon worthy projects by the truckload!

Well, maybe not quite that extreme, but things do tend to kick into high gear around here from a crafting perspective.  Princess and I are both entering quite a few projects, and while she had the foresight to get started last fall, I still had a lot on my plate that I was wrapping up before I started my class.

Now that class is done, and the garden is in, and growing, and weeded...

I've had time to start sitting down with my crochet hook.  I made sure to buy my yarn on sale with my teacher's discount, and now it's time to get stuff used up and moved out.  The first project I've got is an afghan.  It's a patriotic afghan, and so far I've got one square done (out of 24), the second one almost done and ready to join.  I'm learning a new technique with this one - join as you go.  I'll be sure to take photos and share how to do this with you.

I'll also be posting how my other projects are coming along.  Because you know that you can't just stop with one.

Also, keep an eye on the Chicago weather.  If you see that we're above 90 degrees, we use a certain set of rules to save energy.  The main rule is no electronic media between 6 am and 6 pm, especially those items with video monitors, like the TV and the computer.  We've found that the temperature in a room where these two particular items are running can be as much as 10-15 degrees warmer.  I don't want to pay for the extra electricity to keep us cooler when we are adding the heat.  Another rule:  no baking or cooking, unless we use the toaster oven or crock pot outside on the front porch.  Maybe the grill if Hubby's in the mood.

Today is one of those days - 97 degrees in the city, which means we could easily top the century mark out here.

So what does that mean?  Well, if you don't see me post for a few days, don't be surprised or alarmed.  Just know that it's uber hot here.  Like today and the next few days.  Also, new recipes will be few and far between for a while.  I'll try to be here when I can, with photos, updates, etc.

I'm off to finish up some cleaning before it gets too hot, then I'll be grabbing my hook and my camera.  Until next time!

Gluten Free Glazed Lemon Bread Recipe

A light and luscious treat for breakfast or anytime!

This is a great recipe for a loaf.  Or muffins.  Or mini-muffins or mini-loaves.

SPH Glazed Lemon Bread
Inspired by a recipe by Marjorie Rose
as seen in Taste of Home magazine

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon lemon extract
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest, optional
1 1/2 cups Gluten Free Bisquick (brand)
1/2 cup sour cream
4 tablespoons Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy vanilla frosting
2 tablespoons milk, water, or lemon juice (more if needed to make it thin enough)
1 tablespoon lemon extract (use if not using lemon juice)

Preheat oven to 350, and grease a 9" x 5" loaf pan.  In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar.  Beat in eggs, one at a time, then add lemon extract.  This would also be a good time to add the lemon zest if you are using it.  Alternately add Bisquick and sour cream, ending with Bisquick, stirring until well combined each time.  Pour into loaf pan, and bake for about an hour.  Check with a bamboo skewer or knife inserted in center, and if your tester comes out clean, your loaf is done.

Allow to cool for about 15 minutes.  Meanwhile, whisk together frosting, liquid of choice and lemon extract (if using).  While loaf is still warm, drizzle top with glaze.  Spread with a knife if necessary.  Allow loaf to cool completely, and slice and serve.

Some other options?  Use orange extract instead of lemon.  Instead of a thinned glaze, eliminate the liquid from the glaze altogether, and let the heat of the loaf melt the flavored frosting.  Want your loaf yellower (or oranger)?  Add a few drops of food color.  Make a strawberry lemonade loaf by glazing with melted strawberry jelly.

This would be lovely to bring to a summer brunch, to small group/Bible study, or to a new neighbor.  Or take a loaf to someone who is new to the whole gluten free world as a little encouragement.

Enjoy!

One Yard Wednesday - Patriotic Hoop Art

Some scraps, a hoop and a little paint - let's rock!

Made entirely from scraps in my stash, some acrylic paint, and a spare hoop.  I love the folk art vibe, and especially that it was super simple and basically FREE!

What you'll need:

• Red, white and blue acrylic paints - use the bottles that are on sale for less than $1, or what you have on hand.
• Wooden embroidery hoop - I used one I had on hand that fit the scrap of burlap I had in my stash.  Use whatever size works best for you.
• Burlap
• Scrap piece of denim
• Craft glue
• Sponge brush - I use the little 1" ones you can get 20/$1 because they come with a wonderful chisel edge and they are CHEAP!
• Newspaper and wax paper to protect your work surface

Start by painting the outside ring of the hoop navy blue.  Be sure to get the front edge as well as the side.  That chisel tip really comes in handy here.  Some hoops have a light finish on them.  Feel free to sand this off if you want more of a painted look.  I wanted mine to look like blue stain, so I only did one light coat of the navy blue paint right over the top of the finish.  I think it looks more vintage.  Rinse your brush THOROUGHLY for the next step.

While the hoop is drying, cut a circle of burlap to go into the hoop.  This circle should be a couple inches larger than the size of your hoop to allow for being pulled tight in the hoop when you frame it.  Make red stripes by using your brush as a guide.  Start by making one red horizontal stripe at the top, roughly the width of your brush.  To make the "white" stripe, use the width of your brush as a guide, and mark the top line of the next stripe.  It looks something like this:

Then, go across, following this line, making a stripe that is one brush-width wide.  Clean up your edges as needed.  They don't have to be perfect, but you don't want your stripes to be too wonky.

Repeat these two steps all the way down the circle.  Again, rinse that brush THOROUGHLY.  Now it's time to add the blue to Old Glory.

Use a scrap of denim and cut a quarter circle the same size as 1/4 of your burlap circle.  Apply some craft glue on the back of the denim, and place it in the upper left corner of your circle.  Be sure to attach the edges firmly.  If your denim has some fringe action like mine, don't let the fringe get caught in the glue.  Allow the glue to dry.

So our flag tribute wouldn't be complete without a star.  I drew a rough outline with a disappearing ink fabric marker, but if you feel really brave and artistic, you can just freehand it.  Make one star or a bunch - up to you.  The chisel point of the sponge brush really helps make crisp edges and sharp points.  Allow your paint to dry, and trim all the fabric from around the back edge of the frame.  Try to get as close to the hoop as possible, and display proudly!

Make a big one.  Make a bunch of small ones.  String them together to make a banner.  Tie some patriotic ribbon around the top to make a bow.  Don't have denim or burlap?  Use scraps you have on hand.  For example, you could use muslin, or old cream/white sheets to make the back ground.  Maybe a blue with tiny dots for the blue field instead of blue with a white star.

Have fun!

Everyday Science and Bird Watching

As a homeschooler, I love what I call “Everyday Science”.  It’s the science that’s all around us, all the time...

**THIS IS A COMPENSATED POST***

***ALL IDEAS EXPRESSED ARE COMPLETELY MY OWN**

One of my favorite “Everyday Sciences” is bird study.  We live in an area that is semi-wooded, with mature trees, so we see lots of different birds all year round.  Our first foray into this wonderful world of winged creatures was simply learning to identify the birds that we would see in our trees, or on our walks around our town.  We have since graduated on to looking at migration and habitat maps, and also keeping track of who’s here when.

Speaking of keeping track, a cherished activity that is under this umbrella is participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count through the Audubon Society and The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.  Simply set up a bird feeder in your backyard, or on your deck or balcony, then identify who visits and how many friends they bring with them.  What a great math activity, too!

What’s that?  You don’t have a bird feeder?!

Backyard Chirper is an excellent resource for you.  They have a huge selection of bird feeding products, and also bird baths, bird houses, and other fun gardening accessories.

One of the greatest parts of the website is their learning center.  Maybe you’ve never bird watched a day in your life.  I didn’t before we lived in this house.  Now you’d like to share in the joy of learning with your children.  The resources here are just so helpful!  You can learn how to attract many different bird species, the importance of bird baths, and also about butterfly gardens.  Backyard Chirper also carries DVD’s and CD’s as well as birding guidebooks.

Whether you need help with a purchase, have questions about an order, or just need information about their products, their friendly staff is knowledgeable about their product line and can help you pick the perfect product for your home.  In fact, they offer a 30-day money back guarantee (some exclusions apply – see website for details).

Use the warm summer days to explore the feathered friends in your neighborhood.  Visit Backyard Chirper today, and get started on a new adventure – bird watching!