Home gardening offers ways to trim grocery costs [Survival Today, an on going thread]

Dallas News.com ^ | March 14th, 2008 | DEAN FOSDICK

[nw_arizona_granny]

Americans finding soaring food prices hard to stomach can battle back by growing their own food. [Click image for a larger version] Dean Fosdick Dean Fosdick

Home vegetable gardens appear to be booming as a result of the twin movements to eat local and pinch pennies.

At the Southeastern Flower Show in Atlanta this winter, D. Landreth Seed Co. of New Freedom, Pa., sold three to four times more seed packets than last year, says Barb Melera, president. "This is the first time I've ever heard people say, 'I can grow this more cheaply than I can buy it in the supermarket.' That's a 180-degree turn from the norm."

Roger Doiron, a gardener and fresh-food advocate from Scarborough, Maine, said he turned $85 worth of seeds into more than six months of vegetables for his family of five.

A year later, he says, the family still had "several quarts of tomato sauce, bags of mixed vegetables and ice-cube trays of pesto in the freezer; 20 heads of garlic, a five-gallon crock of sauerkraut, more homegrown hot-pepper sauce than one family could comfortably eat in a year and three sorts of squash, which we make into soups, stews and bread."

[snipped]

She compares the current period of market uncertainty with that of the early- to mid-20th century when the concept of victory gardens became popular.

"A lot of companies during the world wars and the Great Depression era encouraged vegetable gardening as a way of addressing layoffs, reduced wages and such," she says. "Some companies, like U.S. Steel, made gardens available at the workplace. Railroads provided easements they'd rent to employees and others for gardening."

[metmom]

I’ve had stuff buried in snow all winter survive, and continue growing when the snow melted. Lettuce one year and onions this year. Getting to them is a problem, though during the winter.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Pepper plants do fine in a big flower pot and will live indoors in a sunny window....I have done it.

Just shake the stem, every time you get close, they appear to be self fertile as are tomatoes.

A hot pepper in a post of beans or soup, is the secret ingredient, it wakes up the taste buds.

I envy you your blackberries that would be heaven. They would work fine on a dish of ice cream....I used to buy a brand that had streaks of berries in it....

Years ago, I decided that God knew more about what we need to survive, then we do.

Look at the plants that grow in any area and you will find the minerals in them that you need to survive in that area.

I am glad to hear that your garden is doing so well, that will be a blessing for you and help you if food does keep going up in price and rationing.

There will be a run on food this week, the article that I sent to you was also on the Mike Savage radio program and he said it was on his web site.

I found it in a forum’s threads that I ran across.

[nw_arizona_granny]

You need a solar greenhouse, attached to your house.

It has always amazed me how the different plants make it through the snow and ice.

You could also consider a cold frame, they say that is a good way to go.

I loved my attached greenhouse, I was out there with my coffee, still in my nightgown most mornings.

One year I had 4 kids under 12 and a solid week of snow, the kids were able to escape into the greenhouse.....as I don’t have a large mobile, it was a real blessing.

The first year that I was here, the cooler did nothing for the mobile, it was rare that it wasn’t over a 100 degrees, but with the added moisture of the greenhouse and space for the air to circulate, it worked fine the next year.

It does not need to be fancy, enough slant to the roof for the snow to fall off and any handy man can build one.

I hired a handy man to build the one on the hill when I lived there, had to fight him, as he did not have a clue as to what he was doing and had never built a greenhouse before.

He did fine, in his mind, he followed a photo he found of a porch with a roof.

When it was done, he brought his wife to see it.

[PGalt]

Great thread bump! Educational. Dollars and sense BUMP! Health/life BUMP!

[metmom]

The only place that we could put a greenhouse is in the back, on the north side of the house. :(

I don’t doubt that mr. mm could do it but the heating costs alone would be extortionate. And you need sun to grow things. In the winter....sun? What’s that? We’ve had stretches of three weeks without seeing the sun once. Granted it broke a record, but.....

A solid week of snow is what we can count on from mid-Dec to mid March every week.

I’ve considered cold frames. They’d extend our growing season some in the spring providing there’s no hard freeze and there’s no guarantee for that. By the time fall comes around, the plants are fading anyway; they really look pretty pathetic by then. The days are getting too short and they’ve about produced all they’re going to for the season.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Homemade Vanilla Extract

6 vanilla beans, divided
1 quart vodka
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water

Cut each of 3 vanilla beans into 4 pieces. split each piece
lengthwise.
Place in a 1 1/2 quart bottle and add vodka. Cover tightly and shake
vigorously.
Let stand in a cool dry place 3 weeks, shaking bottle every 2 days.
Line a
funnel with a coffee filter; pour mixture through funnel into a bowl,
discarding beans. Cook sugar and water in a small pan over medium high
heat, stirring
occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Remove form
heat, cool
completely. Add to vodka mixture. Cut remaining 3 vanilla beans into
pieces.
Fill small bottles with 1 vanilla bean piece and extract. Cover
tightly and
let stand in a cool dry place 1 month. Strain vanilla, discarding
beans. Pour
into decorative bottles. makes about 4 1/2 cups extract.
If giving as a gift, include these directions: Store at room
temperature.
Source: Unknown

[nw_arizona_granny]

Good morning, glad you checked in.

[nw_arizona_granny]

When you have such extreme cold, then consider growing cold types of plants during the winter.

If it was going to see sun, you could use barrels of water to heat in the sun and give off heat at night, it works, I used old oil barrels and set my potted plants on top of a pallet that was laid on them.

It will also garner the heat that is escaping the walls of your house now......be sure to place it so it has a window or two is better, into the house.

I have known folks that used the cold frames and were happy with them.

You could move to a warmer spot.

I could not exist without the sun, a windy grey day, makes me mean and nasty.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Here are the wild edibles websites I mentioned in my previous post:

Rose Barlow http://www.prodigalgardens.info/
“Wildman” Steve Brill http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com
Thomas Elpel (primitive living advocate) http://www:hollowtop.com
John Goude http://edibleplants.com
“Green Deane” Jordan http://www.eattheweeds.com
Ray Mears (BBC wild food series) http://www.raymears.com
Christopher Nyerges (Wild food walks in LA, Calif)
http://www.christophernyerges.com
Sunny Savage (You Tube type segments) http://www.wildfoodplants.com
Sam Thayer (Wrote A Forager’s Harvest - Lived on foraged meals 3x
day for 12 years while compiling info for his book - incredible!)
http://foragersharvest.com
Don Wiss (listing of links) http://www.foraging.com

I hope I got these right and these links work. If not, I hope they
provide enough info that people can Google them successfully. This
is some great info.
Happy nibbling!
sadieblossom

[metmom]

You could move to a warmer spot.

That's the best option but not feasible for now. We'll make due.

[nw_arizona_granny]

F.D.A. Identifies Tainted Heparin in 11 Countries...(not sure if you already posted this, granny...it’s hard to keep pace with you)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2005061/posts

Thanks to PGalt for calling this to my attention.

[nw_arizona_granny]

That’s the best option but not feasible for now. We’ll make due. <<<

I know, there are times when one walks the path of life that has been chosen for them and there is no getting off it, until the end of it is reached.

I lived in Portland Oregon for one year and left, not that much snow, but still very little sunshine.

[yorkie]

I know what you mean - I gotta have sunshine. Well, maybe not every day (I love a good thunderstorm) but most days.

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/ants2.html

Ants Be Gone!
From Old Fashioned Tips
While living in a rental house we were over run by ants. My husband by accident grabbed the wd40 and sprayed the trail. It killed the ants on contact and the slight residue repelled any more ants using that entrance. From then on it was my first choice to deter ants anywhere but the kitchen. In the kitchen I would spray the trail with simple green or 409 cleaner then go outside and spray the entry points with wd40. I have two dogs and neither one wanted near the wd40. It seemed to repel them also. I’ve used vinegar on small hills showing on a brick patio and that seems to do the trick. Vinegar is also good to pour on weeds sprouting between bricks. ~Jo D

Another good way to get rid of ants is to mix borax (found in the supermarket with the laundry detergent) and white powdered sugar together and set it out anywhere the ants might be. It works great!! I gave this advice to a girl at work who had carpenter ants. She tried it and came home to so many dead ants that she had to vacuum them up. It does work!! They get attracted to the sugar and die immediately. ~Mary Lou

The spice - ground cinnamon - will stop ants from entering the house. Just sprinkle it all around the baseboards and NO ANTS. Non-toxic and smells great. ~Nancy

I’m surprised to note that no one has mentioned white powder of any kind (last week), be it baby powder, talc, cleanser, flour, all of these will make ants run for the hills. I first saw it used at a campground. Someone sprinkled cleanser around their car’s tires, which was where they kept their food. I couldn’t figure out what the white squares in their parking spot meant! I tried it around my dog’s dish with cornstarch baby powder (my daughter was 18 months old at the time) & they left immediately! No poison, no worries about the dog getting sick and they will NOT cross a line of white powder. I don’t know why. At least the little black ants won’t. I’ve used it ever since, I always have pets around & can’t use poisons. I have never tried this on red ants, though. ~Kristina

My mother also told me that boiling water poured over the ant hill will kill them. Sometimes two doses are needed. It definitely works! Also, growing mint near the outside doors helps ward off ants. For some reason they do not like mint of any kind. Sometimes I even crush a few leaves and put them in my bathroom by the baseboard to ward them off also. ~Kathleen

Just in case you didn’t or the readers know...Mule Team Borax is boric acid. It is fairly reasonable priced and easy access. It also works wonders with roaches and silver fish in the home. I made dough balls with a little grease, sugar, flour and boric acid. Just put them were children and pets do not reach. It took a little while but it worked. Much easier than letting off bombs and all that extra cleaning up. And much cheaper than hiring a company to a long term contract. ~DJ

I have heard that using cucumber peelings really work at getting rid of ants. I had this question in one of my newsletters, then got a response back saying it worked..I never would have thought of that and perhaps you had heard of it...:) ~Donna from http://www.ICanGarden.com

I remember when I was MUCH younger we had a larger ant colony in our side yard. On wash day dad took the water from the wringer washer and poured it over the ant hills. By the next week they were all gone. I would think a pail or two of very hot soap water would do the same. ~W. Peter

We have been invaded by ants. I cleaned scrubbed and ran out to buy ant proof dishes. I paid $9.00 for the cats and $12.00 for the dog. The cat’s is so narrow she would not eat. The dog’s was just TOO high and she liked her other bowl, as did I. You see the bowls are in the kitchen where everyone can see them. So thinking over a glass of lemonade, the idea came to me. The ant proof bowls were just a bowl with in a bowl creating a water mote. I dug out the glass pie pans, set the well loved and pretty pet bowls inside and DADA I have ant proof bowls. Hope this hint works for your ant problems as well! ~MJ

When it comes to piss ants (Ed. note: Many types of small indoor ants are often called piss ants -because of their smell-, or sugar ants, and can be any of a variety of small ants. ) try a mixture of borox and powdered sugar. Put it where your pets can’t get to it. It will take two or three days but it works and it’s cheap. ~Joe

ANTS ON BERRY PLANTS
Do you or any of your readers know how to get rid of ants on berry plants? My red raspberries are just covered with them, and each year it seems they are getting worse! Your column has always given me great info, and I am hoping you will be able to help with this one. Thanks! ~Mary T.

Ants are usually a sign of aphids or mealy bugs—the ants tend to protect them because they feed on a substance produced by the insects. If you see ants on your berries treat the plants for aphids with a soap spray. The ants won’t harm the plants but the other insects can.

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://oldfashionedliving.com/spiders.html

Brown Recluse Spiders
Experiences from OFL Readers
The two emails below were sent to me in response to the following tips in the April 18 Old Fashioned Tips. I do want to say that when I shared the herbal remedies they were in NO WAY meant as a substitute for seeing a doctor. That should be done immediately! They can be used in addition to medical treatment, but not in place of it. You can see pictures and details on the brown recluse here.

There is also a page from emedicine.com that is VERY detailed on the medical treatment, including pictures and references. It’s here.

The best thing to do when bitten by a brown recluse is to make a poultice (paste) from the weed, Plantain (Ribwort) and apply to the bite. Keep renewing with fresh plant. I always make a paste of charcoal powder and apply to any spider bite as soon as possible. It may be well to alternately apply charcoal with the plantain. ~Cherie, Center for Herbal Studies

Just so people are aware, the brown recluse spider has a much larger territory than the map on the link shows. We have them in Colorado as well. Our friends daughter was bitten on the face while sleeping on the living room floor. They are an extremely nasty and painful bite just as Michelle described. They are nothing to fool around with! ~Valerie

I would recommend using tea tree oil for spider bites, even those of the brown recluse (but get immediate medical attention as well). A local radio celebrity got bitten once—we should definitely use caution when visiting unfamiliar areas. These arachnids are probably more common than you think. The Australians even use tea tree oil on snake bites, and since they also have a lot of other deadly creatures, it’s fitting that the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) only grows there. The oil belongs in every first aid kit, as it kills bacteria and fungi (but it’s only for external use). So watch out for those fiddle back (recluse) and red hourglass (black widow) spiders, and have a safe spring! ~Brent

Valerie states an the April 18th OFTs that the map is wrong. I wonder if the little girl had been bitten by a Hobo spider (pictures & info. here), which is a “cousin” of the BR. Where as the Recluse has a more light-coffee colored abdomen, the Hobo has dark brown and black striping/spotting. There are folks who swear that the agressive spiders up here in Washington are BRs, but they’re actually Hobos. I have battled quite a few in my house, and they are intelligent, agressive, and have a definite lack of fear (I once had one charge after me!). You can purchase traps and those help (www.family-protection.com is listed on the back of the info slip that was included.) The info sheet states about the Hobo: “The hobo spider is a fast moving, moderately large (14-16mm) brown spider, wtih a chevron-like marking on the dorsal abdomen, WITHOUT rings on the legs....” Also, my family “bombs” the house every summer, which is the time of the most bites. (Want to see something gross? Do that, then count how many poisonous spiders you have living with you! ) We use a general fogger that takes care of fleas, silverfish, spiders... anything you have. We started after adopting a cat with a flea problem, and after one look at the spider remains... I haven’t stopped!

Also, it claims that Sac Spiders (picture and info. here) are found in many parts of the US, and are “probably responsible for most “Brown Recluse” bites reported in certain parts of the country.” Although, I do not know what parts they are refering to. They are smaller (9-12mm) and are yellowish and prefer to live amongst plants, but sometimes are found in houses.

I used to be afraid of spiders... now I’m just afraid of CERTAIN spiders. ~Thank you, Selena

Second, a few words about the tips given for brown recluse spider bites. I’ve been bitten twice, both times on the inside of my left knee, the 2nd bite exactly 7 yrs. after the 1st bite, and only a quarter inch away from the 1st, so I have first hand (knee?) experience. I felt neither bite, they are not painful like a black widow’s bite. These spiders prefer to live in places that are not disturbed, and they are small, not too noticeable. Closets, cellars, attaics, garages, undisturbed garden areas are prime living quarters for them.

I would caution your readers that the brown recluse bite can be fatal, it can cause the loss of a limb or extremity, and can kill unborn children! While herbal treatments may help, this is something that demands the best medical care! This, from the dermatologist who cared for me when I was bitten. He had specialized in a study of brown recluse spiders while in med school, and developed a way to “milk” the venom from them to produce an antivenom. Prior to this, the procedure was to grind up the entire spider.

The severity of the bite depends on several factors; how large or old the spider is, how much “venom” is delivered with the bite, the location of the bite, the health of the person bitten, etc., etc.

Mine was a bad bite. I received shots every other day for a month, and was put on total bed rest during that time. In spite of the best care, I still lost a lot of tissue. The bite kills all the tissue around it, and, in the worst cases, can get into one’s bloodstream and do even worse damage. The second bite was not nearly as severe, but, again, the doctor monitored and treated it as aggresively as the first.

There was such trauma to that area of my body, that a year after the 2nd bite, more blisters appeared, and, of course, I thought that it was a third bite. Instead, it was an outbreak of herpes, which we all carry, but normally lies dormant. In periods of stress, it can manifest itself outside the body, in this form, blisters at the site of past trauma. A few years later, that same knee had to be replaced. I do not know if the bites caused any weakening to the tissues of the knee, which eventually tore, requiring first laproscopic surgery and then total replacement, but I wouldn’t doubt it.

So, if you’ve read this far, please do not just report on herbal remedies for this spider’s bite. While a bite from a black widow is very painful, and can cause severe stomach upset, it is rarely fatal. The brown recluse’s bite is far worse, and should not be taken as less than VERY SERIOUS. ~Becky

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://oldfashionedliving.com/moths.html

Eleminating Pantry Pests
by Brenda Hyde
We all get them at one time of another-pantry pests-Indian meal moths, grain/flour beetles and many other tiny bugs that infiltrate our pantries, cupboards and storage areas.

Pantry moths most likely got into your house with some type of purchased food. They are found in flour, dog food, biscuits, pasta, cereal, dried beans, bread, spices, cookies and very often in bird seed, because it’s not regulated the same as food. Store birdseed, dog food and that type of thing in a shed or garage if possible. Many times the eggs hatch after you bring these items home, and before you realize it, you have a problem.

The larva are very small, not much bigger than a piece of rice. The moths are small too, but easier to see and identify. If you see small moths flying around, especially near or in your cupboards or pantry, then you need to start searching! Look everywhere—grains, nuts, spices, dried peppers, and even things you wouldn’t consider suspect. If you find it, you’ll know. Most likely you’ll see webbing, or larva. If you throw out that item—outside in the trash-and use a few of the following tips you may get on top of it quickly. A note on the Indian meal moth-—they may not be limited to kitchen areas if you’ve had them for awhile. Check all dark places for the webbing.

Pantry Pest Trap Traps: Buy non-toxic moth traps that use pheromones to lure the moths. One trap per room is all you need-more than that will confuse the moths and it won’t be effective. Usually this method will work if combined with cleaning and finding the source of the moths.

Alternative trap: Mix boric acid with cornmeal-at a 1 to 3 ratio. Place mixture in jar lids or washed tuna cans in pantries and cupboards. Keep this away from kids and pets.

Clean: Remove everything from cupboards or pantries. Vacuum out every nook and cranny-top and bottom! Take the vacuum outside, remove the bag, and place it in a garbage bag. Tie and place in the trash can-—don’t keep it near the door. Afterwards, wipe down the cabinets with a vinegar solution. Use a sponge or a rag, but make sure it’s really saturated. You want to get in all the crooks and crannies.

Essential oils: consider washing everything down once a month or so, and putting cotton balls with 10 to 15 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil in the corners of the cupboards, pantry and closets.

Extreme cases: IF your moth infestation is really bad, you will need to throw out all items made of grain and the other things we’ve talked about today. Get rid of it all and clean, clean, clean. I came close to having to do this, but managed to limit it to one cupboard that I knew was the problem. I also had them in the basement and discovered it was birdseed I was storing. I now store that in the garage in a large can with a tight lid.

PREVENTION

What can you do to prevent pantry moths? Sometimes nothing, but you can follow these tips to minimize the chance.

-When you purchase items that I’ve mentioned today put them in the freezer for 3 days to kill anything that may have come home with you.

-Store your rice, flour and cornmeal in the refrigerator or freezer. I do this mostly when I buy a lot of extra that doesn’t get used right away. Don’t mix old and new grains or flour. Use up the old, then wash and dry the container before storing the new batch.

-Place bay leaves in your grains—but this is only prevention. It won’t kill the eggs or larva, but it will usually keep them away. Use 2-3 leaves in each container.

-Watch your rodent population. The pantry pests can breed in their nests AND in the bate traps for rodents.

About the Author:
Brenda Hyde is a freelance writer and editor of Old Fashioned Living. She and her family live in a 100 year old house and are experts at Do-it-Yourself projects on a budget! Visit HERE to sign up for her free tips newsletter.

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://oldfashionedliving.com/vinegar.html

Homemade Citrus Vinegar for Cleaning
by Brenda Hyde
This gentle but effective vinegar is also fresh smelling and a wonderful homemade alternative to harsh chemical cleaners.

Fill a glass quart jar with the peelings (remove any of the white pulp) of any citrus fruit-grapefruit, orange, lemon, lime, etc. Cover the peelings with white vinegar, cover and allow it to sit for about 2 weeks. Occasionally shaking the jar. Remove the peels, and you can strain it as well. Use this vinegar in any of the following ways:

Pour into a small dish, and set in a room to absorb odors.

Make an all-purpose floor cleaner by mixing 1/2 cup to 1 gallon of water.

Glass Cleaner: Combine a quart of water with 1/2 cup of the vinegar and add it to a spray bottle. Use as you would glass cleaner.

Linoleum floor cleaner: Add 1 cup citrus vinegar with two gallons water of water and mop as usual.

To clean ovens: Spray or pour the vinegar on burned or soiled areas. Close the oven door and allow it to sit for 2 hours. Wipe clean with a sponge or rag that has been moistened with warm water. You may need to repeat.

About the Author:
Brenda Hyde is a freelance writer and editor of Old Fashioned Living. She and her family live in a 100 year old house and are experts at Do-it-Yourself projects on a budget! Visit HERE to sign up for her free tips newsletter.

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://oldfashionedliving.com/cockroaches.html

How to Deter and Get Rid of Cockroaches
From Old Fashioned Tips
Cockroaches are another pest that love moist and humid conditions. It’s important to get a handle on them as soon as you are aware of a problem. But again, when you have kids and pets in the house it’s always best to try non-toxic methods before going the chemical route.

Boric acid is inexpensive and there is no doubt that it works IF applied correctly. First, you need to find out where they are hanging out, then you need to dust the powder in these areas. Here is the key— more is not good in this case. You want to put just a small amount— a dusting— of the boric acid. Do not leave piles or enough to be seen clearly. One method is to use a plastic bottle with a small tip like the ones made for camping and picnics to hold mustard or ketchup. Apply the boric acid in a thin layer in corners and in the areas you are seeing the roaches. Later when you start to see the dead bugs and the problem seems to be taking care of you can wash down those areas. Also, remember to fix any drips that might be causing moisture in these areas.

This is another non-toxic method you can try. It’s a spray that you can use in areas that are a problem, but smell may be an issue. Mix a clove of garlic, a chopped onion, one tablespoon cayenne pepper in a quart of water. Steep for one hour, then strain. Add the mixture to a spray bottle, put in 1 tablespoon of dish soap, shake and spray where needed.

It’s important, especially in areas of the country where roaches can be more numerous, to keep the laundry room, areas under sinks and the kitchen as free of crumbs and tiny bits of food as you can. I like making a spray with a few drops of peppermint essential oil. You can add it to a good organic cleaner (I use Watkins) by itself or with a blend of other oils such as tea tree, lavender or rosemary. All of these are known for their cleaning properties, plus they leave such a nice scent!

OLD FASHIONED TIPS READERS’ TIDBITS

When I was a poor newlywed we could only afford a very low budget apartment in our first move to Dallas. I had always lived in rural Oklahoma and had never even seen a roach before, but anyone who has seen those Texas size roaches can tell you they are scary even to those who have seen roaches before. I tried every trick and eventually got rid of them- where they were so thick that they were even in the common outdoor halls of those buildings. Our management company sprayed regularly and it would slow down the population but did not make a real dent it the problem. After a few months of this nasty problem, I decided I could not take it any more. So here is what worked for me.

First, you need keep the house very clean. Sweep and take out any trash, no matter how little, every night. Hang all damp laundry up to dry. Never ever leave food or dirty dishes around, this includes pet food, water, and dishes. Keep pet food in containers with tight fitting lids. Keep dry goods, such as cereal or crackers, in Ziploc type bags. Remove as much clutter as possible to eliminate hiding and nesting areas.

Next, the boric acid clumps when you put it in to the squeeze bottle and is very hard to apply this way. It was more efficient to mix it with peanut butter and put it on a small square of cardboard or plastic in the backs of cabinets, behind the trash can, stove, and refrigerator.(Make sure pets and children can not get to these.) It’s the same principle as the prepackaged roach baits but a lot less expensive.

And last, pour a couple of tablespoons of bleach in every drain in the house every night. They don’t have to have a leak to get a water source.

After you notice they are gone, they are probably not, but the reduced numbers find it easier to hide. A week or two after you see fewer adult roaches, previously laid eggs will start to hatch and it seems that they are coming back. You can tell because you see mainly babies. Just keep it up, especially in an apartment where you can not control how the neighbors keep house. After a couple of months, you can probably quit worrying about the damp laundry and bleach in the drains. But if they do come in again, go back to the previous pattern.

Also, if you have any roaches and you move, they move with you. It is easier to get control if you start with these steps before unpacking anything and keep at it for a few months even if you are not seeing any roaches. ~Shelley

BORIC ACID

I almost always enjoy and can use your tips. However, I will be forever grateful for your recent issue containing recommendations for the use of Boric Acid for roaches. I proceeded to look up some further information, actually trying to find out where one would buy boric acid and found this site. I believe that your readers may find it an excellent supplementary reading for your recommendation. It also has a recipe from Heloise that some may prefer over peanut butter. It appears to be less messy. ~Betty
http://alsnetbiz.com/homeimprovement/boric_acid.html

Just in case you didn’t or the readers know...Mule Team Borax is boric acid. It is fairly reasonable priced and easy access. It also works wonders with roaches and silver fish in the home. I made dough balls with a little grease, sugar, flour and boric acid. Just put them were children and pets do not reach. It took a little while but it worked. Much easier than letting off bombs and all that extra cleaning up. And much cheaper than hiring a company to a long term contract. ~DJ

NATURAL COCKROACH HELP

Living in NYC in a 2 family house surrounded by apartment house I have fought this battle for 46 years! I have finally found the VERY BEST WAY! Roaches do not like the smell of bay leaves. I read this somewhere on the internet (I don’t remember where) and so, having nothing to lose, I put bay leaves around in my kitchen, in cabinets, under and behind appliances, especially under the sink. I even stuffed them under the baseboard where possible. Within a few days there was no roach activity. However, when the weather changed, I did observe some, though not nearly as many as previously. So I decided to make a bay leaf “tea”. I put an entire jar of leaves in a 5 quart pot and boiled it for about 4 hours, adding water as necessary. I then went outside and sprayed the side of my house (I have a corner house whose side faces where the garbage from the apartment house is put out for collection. This did the trick and there has not been a single roach in my house now for about 4 years! Furthermore, I am not worried about poisoning anyone or anything! I wish I had known this years ago, but better late than never! Also, I allowed the wet bay leaves from my tea to dry on a cookie sheet and scattered them also around my house. Waste not, want not. ~mgcherry

Pest and Garden Resources
-Yardiac Animal Repellent Store
-GardensAlive Pest Control
-Gardening Pest & Disease Finder
-All-natural Garden Pest Control.

About the Author
Brenda Hyde is editor of Old Fashioned Tips, a daily newsletter for visitors of Old Fashioned Living.com. To sign up for the free tips visit here.

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://oldfashionedliving.com/moles.html

Ridding Your Property of Moles
by Brenda Hyde
Emily asked last year about moles, and I shared my answer, plus the tips readers sent in. I also added a few new things I have found out!

Do you have any idea how to help get rid of moles in your yard? They seem to tear my grass up and eat my bulbs so most of my bulb flower are gone shortly after planting ~Emily

Usually moles don’t eat bulbs, but they may be rooting for insects —it might be the squirrels or chipmunks munching the bulbs. One thing you can do is mulch your bulbs with clippings from a rose bush, or other thorny plants. You can also use chicken wire or old screens. The plants look more natural, but either will work. You can also buy little “cages” for bulbs if you aren’t planting too many. You can also try planting the bulbs that were eaten along with daffodils and alliums, which animals generally don’t like.

While moles will sometimes eat bulbs and the roots of plants, they mainly dig their burrows under lawns to eat the grubs of cutworms and larger beetles. So, in some ways the moles are doing a good thing eating the grubs, which are destructive and will leave you with dead patches in your lawn. Determine how bad the damage is, and put up with it if it’s not too bad. The chemical treatments for grubs are generally very toxic— so it may be worse than the moles in many ways.

If you want to attempt to deter the moles try planting castor bean plants-or using castor oil. Plant the caster bean plant where they are the worst, BUT it is very poisonous so you have to be careful where you plant it and be aware of how accessible it is to kids. OR you can buy caster oil and spray it around the border of your lawn in a 2-3 inch strip. However, it would have to be reapplied after rains, so there would be limitations.

MOLES, VOLES & JUICY FRUIT
For the mole situation, how about planting a stick of Juicy Fruit gum in the wrapper with each bulb? That isn’t very costly and will end the mole problem as well... ~Lois

Regarding the reader question about moles eating her bulbs: Here in Virginia we have a real problem with voles and moles. The voles, a relative of the mouse family, use the same tunnels the moles burrow. Where moles hunt for bugs and grubs, voles eat plants...flower bulbs, roots etc. Last year voles ate the roots off one of my roses. They also devoured almost all my tulip bulbs. They’re not as fond of daffodils, I still have a few of them. I have tried everything and still have a problem. Jerry Baker has a temporary fix, but it has to be repeated occasionally. Mix Texas Peet, chili powder and dish soap with a quart of water. Pour into mole holes. I don’t remember the amounts for the ingredients, so experiment. He also recommends putting sticks of Juicy Fruit gum in their holes, foil and all. It did seem to help. ~Media

I don’t know if this will help get rid of moles but it worked on our gophers. Drop regular ole Bazooka Bubble Gum into their holes. They eat the gum and are unable to digest it, killing them. Our yard is gopher free! ~Debi

GOPHER/MOLE ALTERNATIVE
Lauren sent me an alternative to the chewing gum method, which many do not prefer because the animal dies a slow death:

Gardener’s Supply Company carries Mole and Gopher Repellent that uses a castor oil-based repellent tested in a Michigan State University study with much success. The area treated is protected for at least 30 days and as long as 75 days depending on soil and rainfall. ~Lauren

To help keep moles away put whirly gigs anywhere in your garden. The twirling vibrates the ground and the moles hate it. When I lived in Ohio I bought a couple at a Big Lots or Dollar store and it worked great. Depending on your garden theme you can usually find something that will fit in without looking tacky. I used the ones that looked like sunflowers and the petals were the part that whirled you can also find them in birds, stars etc. It doesn’t harm the animals and is a natural alternative to keeping the pest away. ~Karen C.

About the Author:
Brenda Hyde is a freelance writer and editor of Old Fashioned Living. These tips are from her daily tips newsletter and her helpful readers. Visit HERE to sign up for the newsletter.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Is lack of sunshine, the source of all the mental illness in America today?

People stay in the house, watch tv, use the computer and do not get the suns rays.

If you want a sample of what makes me think that something is very wrong in our country, in addition to all the results from using the drugs, both illegal and legal, then listen to the police scanner.

Search Google for [police scanner listen on internet] add your state and you will come up with lots of listening.

I listen to: scan san diego.net the top [#1] scanner, as I lived there for 30 years and a Freeper posted that link during the fires last year......LOL and I was hooked.

The San Diego Police have always been considered the best and they are, it has spoiled me for listening to Las Vegas or Denver, they make me want to tell them how to do the job right.

I would say a third to half the calls the dispatcher gives out in a day, are involving mental illness of several types and over and over “He/she is off their meds”.

Something we fed our kids sure did mess them up, as well as all this dope that “is only a herb”............malarky, some of the herbs that are herbs, will kill you, if you use them.