Is Recession Preparing a New Breed of Survivalist? [Survival Today

It is so refreshing when we travel “up” north. They are just as conservative there as we are “lefty” here. Palin signs everywhere last fall. With all the foreigners coming into Portland and Lewiston, it will only get worse. Most of them care nothing about “free speech, right to bear arms”, just interested in welfare.

55 degrees and pouring right now. Hydroponics sounds like the only solution right now but I am so set in the old ways, I will probably plant beans and the root crops over when the weather cooperates. Things should just explode out of the ground with some sun. I did deviate some and planted some potatoes in fie gallon buckets and they are doing marvelously.Guess I need to plant raised beds as the few I have seem to thrive.

I notice that a lot with libs - their stand on issues seems to be based on what benefits them at the moment. But I find few of them pleasant or well-educated! (A liberal arts degree is pretty worthless in today’s world and seems to contraindicate common sense in most matters as well. That’s why we have so many bad teachers, IMO, and are at the bottom of the international tests repeatedly. I taught for a short time - I can go on and on about the inadequacies of our union-controlled education system, but won’t bore you here!)

Yes, it is very laughable how someone will say we must be racist for not supporting Obama, yet they didn’t support Clarence Thomas. I think voting for Obama because of his skin color is just as racist as not voting for him because of it.

Is your weather still damp today? I actually think that sounds pretty nice. I get so sick of sun. And more sun. Nothing but a dry heat here - and lots of it!

>>> Hey, when do we start saying it’s Bammie’s fault!!!

LOL sometime - maybe he will accept responsibility for something. <<<

Ha! that's a good one.. meanwhile here is “reality”

Economist declares ‘train wreck’

By: Victoria McGrane
July 8, 2009 04:50 AM EST

If you thought last week’s job numbers were bad, take a look at the latest from Morgan Stanley’s chief economist, Richard Berner.

In a research note that’s been making the rounds of economics blogs this week, Berner declares that “America’s long-awaited fiscal train wreck is now under way.”

By “train wreck,” he means out-of-control federal budget deficits that he’s sure will finally drag the economy under — as if we weren’t already feeling badly enough about its shaky state.

“Depending on policy actions taken now and over the next few years, federal deficits will likely average as much as 6 percent of [the gross domestic product] through 2019, contributing to a jump in debt held by the public to as high as 82 percent of GDP by then — a doubling over the next decade,” Berner writes on Morgan Stanley’s online Global Economic Forum.

“Worse, barring aggressive policy actions, deficits and debt will rise even more sharply thereafter as entitlement spending accelerates relative to GDP. Keeping entitlement promises would require unsustainable borrowing, taxes or both, severely testing the credibility of our policies and hurting our long-term ability to finance investment and sustain growth,” he adds. “And soaring debt will force up real interest rates, reducing capital and productivity and boosting debt service.”

“Not only will those factors steadily lower our standard of living,” Berner concludes, “but they will imperil economic and financial stability.”

full link:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/24660.html

Comment: The derivatives bubble which is never mentioned by the SRM, will eventually pollute the kool-aid , you can not go into turn 1 at Dover with a tire rubbing for long.. eventually you're in the wall..

We have been here several months and most times I can only imagine how is was for Noah ( can I get this ready in-time ) or Job ( what pestilence will be sprung upon today )

I know that I would find a way to put more veggies in the ground if I was back in April, because here in July, the prospects are looking bleak, and am now planning on a late season crop.. and have never been so reminded to give thanks for what we do have to can and freeze..

Meanwhile::

Here is your change!!!
Michelle Obama Takes Girls to London for Fish and Chips

Truly change we can believe in -—

or as was said during the campaign, “We are the change we have been waiting for.”

Imagine this -— and when do we get totally fed up? A Boeing 757 and a fleet of armored cars for Michelle’s sight seeing tour!

President Obama flew back to the United States on Air Force One.
His wife, two daughters and her mother did a bit of shopping in Paris before taking their own Boeing 757 (C-32) over to London to do some sight seeing.

We all remember Obama’s admonishment to corporate CEO’s in February: “You can’t get corporate jets, you can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas or go down to the Super Bowl on the taxpayers dime.”Apparently that doesn’t apply to his wife.

The London Times opened it’s description of Michelle’s visit this way:

Motorcycle outriders, armoured Chevrolets and bullet-headed men in raincoats criss-crossed London yesterday as Michelle Obama and her daughters spent a second day on an unofficial visit to the capital..

The Times went on to describe that when Michelle and the girls arrived at Westminster Abbey, the building was closed to tourists with people already in told to “wait against the wall.”

An American visiting the Abbey said “Right then I knew it was probably someone from our ‘royal family’.” Michelle’s motorcade shut down the London street above as the First Lady of the World and her children go for Fish and Chips at a pub in Mayfair .

The entourage inside the restaurant was 15 people while dozens more wait outside. Include the dozens of Air Force personnel to fly and service the plane, embassy personnel and other staff and we are talking about a serious expenditure of tax payer dollars.

Meanwhile, millions of Americans have lost their jobs and won’t be able to take their family on a summer holiday.

Despite their circumstances they’ll still be expected to fork over the tax dollars to pay for Michelle’s trip.

52% WANTED CHANGE. 100% GOT SCREWED!!

TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE WAY THE OBAMA'S ARE SPENDING OUR TAX MONEY!!!

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 news brief: no. 1

Viruses resistant to oseltamivir (Tamiflu) identified

8 JULY 2009 | GENEVA — WHO has been informed by health authorities in Denmark, Japan and the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, China of the appearance of H1N1 viruses which are resistant to the antiviral drug oseltamivir (known as Tamiflu) based on laboratory testing.

These viruses were found in three patients who did not have severe disease and all have recovered. Investigations have not found the resistant virus in the close contacts of these three people. The viruses, while resistant to oseltamivir, remain sensitive to zanamivir.

Close to 1000 pandemic H1N1 viruses have been evaluated by the laboratories in the Global Influenza Surveillance Network for antiviral drug resistance. All other viruses have been shown sensitive to both oseltamivir and zanamivir. WHO and its partners will continue to conduct ongoing monitoring of influenza viruses for antiviral drug resistance.

Therefore, based on current information, these instances of drug resistance appear to represent sporadic cases of resistance. At this time, there is no evidence to indicate the development of widespread antiviral resistance among pandemic H1N1 viruses. Based on this risk assessment, there are no changes in WHO’s clinical treatment guidance. Antiviral drugs remain a key component of the public health response when used as recommended.

Read full article>>

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/newsbriefs/h1n1_antiviral_resistance_20090708/en/index.html

For more information on H1N1 situation, please visit www.Flu.gov

Tell us what you think of our News Window at newmedia@hhs.gov

Twitter logo Follow Flu.gov on Twitter

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm170845.htm

-

The C. F. Sauer Company Recalls Gravy and Sauce Mixes Because of Possible Health Risk

Consumer Contact:
Sauer Company Consumer Relations
800-688-5676 (Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern time)
www.cfsauer.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 7, 2009 - The C. F. Sauer Company, of Richmond, VA is taking the precautionary measure of voluntarily recalling brown gravy, brown gravy with mushrooms, brown gravy with onions, turkey gravy, pork gravy, country sausage gravy, country style gravy, Alfredo sauce mix, Cajun gumbo mix, and Hollandaise sauce mix produced under the Sauer’s, Gold Medal, and Piggly Wiggly labels because they contain instant non-fat dry milk manufactured by the Plainview Milk Products Cooperative. Plainview has recently commenced a recall of instant non-fat dry milk and other ingredients that have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more serious illnesses such as arterial infections (i. e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.

No illnesses have been associated with this recall.

The products affected by this voluntary recall include foil packets and plastic jars in cartons of 6 to 24 individual containers distributed to retail stores in AL, GA, NC, SC, MS, MI, OH, TN, VA, WV, KY, FL, and PA.

Only the codes listed below are affected by this recall notice. Customers should look on the foil packet for embossed codes along the edge of the package, and on the jars for printed codes located on the jar immediately below the bottom of the cap. Packages of recalled products can be returned to the store where purchased for a full refund, or contact the C. F. Sauer Company at 800-688-5676 between the hours of 8:00 Am and 4:30 Pm Eastern time, or at www.cfsauer.com.

PRODUCT NAME UPC CODE CODE DATES
Sauer’s Country Style Gravy Mix 1.31 oz. Pouch 52500 02327 8018R, 8162R

Sauer’s Hollandaise Sauce Mix 1.12 oz. Pouch 52500 02340 8029R, 8155R

Sauer’s Onion Gravy Mix 1.12 oz. Pouch 52500 02356 8011R, 8084R, 8184R, 9056R

Sauer’s Pork Gravy Mix .87 oz. Pouch 52500 02373 8016R, 8087R, 8176R, 8217R, 9078R

Sauer’s Turkey Gravy Mix .87 oz. Pouch 52500 02394 7339R, 7347R, 7365R, 8105R, 8106R, 8183R, 8255R, 8282R, 8295R, 8301R, 8325R, 8359R, 9166R

Sauer’s Cajun Gumbo Mix 1.25 oz. Pouch 52500 02364 8028R, 8143R

Sauer’s Alfredo Sauce Mix 1.60 oz. Pouch 52500 02360 8028R, 8029R, 8107R

Sauer’s Country Style Gravy Mix 1.31 oz. Pouch 52500 02331 9119R

Sauer’s Brown Gravy Mix .75 oz. Pouch 52500 02312 8008R, 8066R, 8092R, 8093R, 8133R, 8141R, 8142R, 8148R, 8217R, 8273R, 8302R, 8303R, 8344R, 9070R, 9105R, 9120R, 9124R

Sauer’s Brown Gravy Mix 4.5 oz Plastic Jar 52500 00691 8007R, 8072R, 8178R, 9008R

Sauer’s Brown Gravy 10 oz. Plastic Jar 52500 01507 8178R, 8197R, 8198R, 8288R, 9078R, 9162R, 9166R

Sauer’s Brown Gravy Mix 19 oz. Plastic Jar 52500 01776 8115R, 8129R, 8134R, 8136R, 8142R, 8184R, 8192R, 8206R, 8232R, 8252R, 8266R, 8275R, 8287R, 8301R, 8316R, 8339R, 8364R, 9012R, 9036R, 9069R, 9082R, 9105R, 9153R, 9160R

Sauer’s Brown Gravy with Onions Mix .75 oz. Pouch 52500 02314 8009R, 8043R, 8093R, 8196R, 8268R, 8358R, 9117R

Sauer’s Brown Gravy with Mushrooms Mix .75 oz. Pouch 52500 02313 8011R, 8086R, 8248R, 8289R, 8294R, 9117R
Gold Medal Turkey Gravy Mix .87 oz. Pouch 52500 02103 8073R

Gold Medal Brown Gravy Mix .75 oz. Pouch 52500 02100 8133R, 8339R, 9056R, 9077R, 9141R

Piggly Wiggly Brown Gravy mix .75 oz. Pouch 41290 41229 8262R, 9013R, 9014R, 9154

###

Photo: Product Labels

Welcome to the thread.

I have not fixed your macaroni salad, but do sometimes use cukes in place of celery, for salads and it is very good in tuna salad.

I learned from a mother of many kids to always add a package of frozen mixed vegetables to the macaroni water, bring it to a boil again and then add the raw macaroni.

It is a good way to get more veggies into the kids and grannies.

LOL, now if a macaroni dish does not have them, I think it is puny and lacking something.

One of my off beat sandwich combination’s is peanut butter, mayo, tomato, lettuce, and avocado.....a mess and so good. You can even add bacon to it.

“Not only will those factors steadily lower our standard of living,” Berner concludes, “but they will imperil economic and financial stability.”<<<

I think that is the goal of all this, as in the past, if we wanted something, we went to work and got it.

The elites do not want the common man to have the best, we are meant to serve....the clinton’s proved that, when they said we were a service country and the manufacturing could be done elsewhere.

52% WANTED CHANGE. 100% GOT SCREWED!!<<<

That is the truth!!!!!!!!

>>> The elites do not want the common man to have the best, we are meant to serve <<<

That’s what the actions are pointing to.

Here’s a site I found while looking for supplies..I have not tried this business:

http://www.johnnyseeds.com/home.aspx?ct=HG

I have used this supplier and was perfectly satisfied and I am reordering: Marshall Grain Ft.Worth, TX

http://www.marshallgrain.com/marshall/default.asp?s_id=0

News & Resources

New Publication Available on Small-Scale Poultry Processing
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/store/ItemDetail.aspx?ProductID=13044
A new Iowa State University Extension guide is designed to help small-scale poultry producers in Iowa figure out poultry slaughter and processing regulations. Iowa Poultry Slaughter, Processing, and Sales Guidelines for Small-scale Producers (http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM2068.pdf) (PDF/4.5MB) also discusses marketing limitations and provides additional resources.
Related ATTRA Publication: Small-scale Poultry Processing
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/poultryprocess.html

Organic Curriculum Available Online
http://www.georgiaorganics.org/curriculum/index.html
Georgia Organics’ curriculum on organic and sustainable growing is now free online. Intended for use by university extension agents, master gardeners, and high school educators, the program is the first of its kind in the state. It can be viewed online for free or it costs $10 as CD-Rom.

Loans Aid in On-Farm Conservation
http://www.iowaagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=649&yr=2009
When an Iowa program rolled out low-interest loans for farmers and livestock producers in 2005, no one knew whether they would be willing to borrow for conservation improvements. The conventional wisdom was that they needed grants or cost-share. ‘The study has shown that farmers are willing to finance conservation when low-interest loans are available,’ said Bill Ehm, DNR coordinator for water quality. ‘We gained information that indicates borrowing can be a useful tool for producers who want to improve their management practices.’ Other findings show that people who used the loan program were very satisfied. In general, they tended to spend more on conservation than the farmers who funded their conservation practices through cost-share programs.

New Publication Discusses Farm Succession
http://www.extension.org/pages/Study_Encourages_Farm_Succession,_Retirement
Farmers rarely consider full retirement. According to the new publication, “Iowa Farmers Business and Transfer Plans” (https://www.extension.iastate.edu/store/ItemDetail.aspx?ReturnTo=0&ProductID=13078) by Ethan Epley, Michael Duffy and John Baker of the Beginning Farmer Center at Iowa State University, only 23 percent of Iowa farmers plan on retiring, and 30 percent say they never will. These statistics are part of the findings from the International Farm Transfers Study done in 2000 and 2006. According to Baker, for every 10 farmers that want to get into farming, only one is getting out. Additionally, more than 70 percent haven’t identified a successor despite the high interest in the occupation, because for many, farming is more than simply a career. It’s a lifestyle that retirement will completely disrupt.

Herbicides Not the Answer for Invasive Species
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2009/090630.htm
It may not always pay for ranchers to use herbicides to kill exotic invasive weeds such as leafy spurge, according to a 16-year study by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and colleagues. Rangeland ecologist Matt Rinella at the ARS Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory in Miles City, MT, and colleagues conducted the study. Data they collected 16 years after a one-time aerial spraying of herbicide showed that the invasive leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L) may have ultimately increased due to spraying. Conversely, several desirable native forbs were still suffering the effects of spraying 16 years after spraying. Although the herbicide would have dissipated within a few years, it seemed to cause a long-term plant community shift.

Study Results Discuss Barriers to Farmers’ Market WIC Program
The Community Food Security Coalition has released a report from a recent study. State Implementation of the New WIC Produce Package: Opportunities and Barriers for WIC Clients to Use Their Benefits at Farmers’ Markets (http://www.foodsecurity.org/pub/WIC-FarmesMarketReport.pdf) (PDF/3.42MB) provides an overview of the current status of the new WIC Package Rule [at 7 CFR 246.12(v)] and the issue of states authorizing farmers as vendors for the new cash value vouchers for fruits and vegetables. The report includes an overview of survey data, barriers, and case examples collected from 36 states regarding their decision to authorize or not to authorize farmers as vendors for the new cash value fruit and vegetable vouchers. It also includes policy recommendations.

More Breaking News (http://attra.ncat.org/news/)

Funding Opportunities

Good Husbandry Grants for Farmers
http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/index.php?page=goodhusbandrygrants2009&utm_source=Animal+Welfare+Approved+Email+List&utm_campaign=02274fe2bf-Grants+Announcement&utm_medium=email
President of the Animal Welfare Institute Cathy Liss and Animal Welfare Approved Program Director Andrew Gunther are pleased to announce the 2009 Animal Welfare Approved grant cycle. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded for the sole purpose of improving farm animal welfare, with a concentration on three areas: increased outdoor access, improved genetics and improved slaughter facilities. Current Animal Welfare Approved farmers and those who have applied to join the program are eligible, and farmers may apply for certification and for a grant simultaneously.
Proposals are due October 1, 2009.

Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/ssdpg/ssdpg.htm
Formerly known as the Small, Minority Producer Grant Program, the primary objective of the SSDPG program is to provide technical assistance to small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers through eligible cooperatives and associations of cooperatives. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. The maximum award amount per grant is $175,000.
Proposals are due August 10, 2009.

Small Business Innovation Research Program Grant
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/sbir/sbir.html
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) makes competitively awarded grants that are to qualified small businesses to support high quality, advanced concepts research related to important scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture that could lead to significant public benefit if successful. Topic areas include Forests and Related Resources; Plant Production and Protection - Biology; Animal Production and Protection; Soil and Water Resources; Food Science and Nutrition; Rural Development; Aquaculture; Biofuels and Biobased Products; Marketing and Trade; Animal Manure Management; Small Mid Size Farms; Plant Production and Protection - Engineering..
Proposals are due October 1, 2009.

More Funding Opportunities (http://attra.ncat.org/funding/)

Coming Events

Organic Agriculture Field Day
http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/events.html
July 21, 2009
Kimberly, Idaho
The University of Idaho will host an organic field day at the Kimberly R&E Center. Eleven acres of the research station were certified organic in 2008. Several researchers are now studying various aspects of organic production at this site. This season the rotation includes organic winter wheat, dry beans, and potatoes. The field day will feature the following topics:
* Transition of the organic research site
* Organic nutrient management and sources
* Organic weed management studies, including cultivation methods
* Organic disease management, including a biological control agent for early blight in potatoes
* Organic potato variety trial and storage research

Facilitating Sustainable Agriculture Education Conference
http://sustainableaged.org/2009Conference/tabid/89/Default.aspx
July 15-17, 2009
Ames, Iowa
Come join us in the heartland to learn about key issues of the sustainable agriculture education research and practice community! The conference will provide an open exchange of information among students, faculty, staff, administrators, student farm managers, farmers, non-profits, community organizers and others.

Farmscaping for Pest Management Workshop
http://www.cefs.ncsu.edu/calendar2009.htm#bih
July 15, 2009
Goldsboro, North Carolina
This workshop will focus on how various landscapes (farms, home gardens, golf courses, etc) can be arranged to enhance populations of beneficial insects used for pest management.

More Events (http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/)

New & Updated Publications

Energy-Efficient Grain Drying Resources
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2009/07/01/energy_efficient_grain_drying_resources

Market Gardening: A Start-up Guide (Update)
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2009/06/25/market_gardening_a_start_up_guide_update

An Illustrated Guide to Sheep and Goat Production (Hmong version)
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2009/06/11/an_illustrated_guide_to_sheep_and_goat_p_1

Question of the Week

What information can you give me on organic control of pickleworm?
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/question.php/2009/07/06/what_information_can_you_give_me_on_orga_4

Website of the Week

The Sustainable Agriculture Education (SAGE) Center
http://attra.org/wow/

Ask a Sustainable Agriculture Expert

Submit questions to our professional staff online
http://attra.ncat.org/ask.php

ATTRA Spanish Newsletter

Subscribe to Cosecha Mensual (http://attra.ncat.org/espanol/boletin.php)
(Monthly Harvest), ATTRA’s Spanish-language e-newsletter

ATTRA on the Radio

Listen to NCAT’s new weekly internet radio show, Sustainable Agriculture Spotlight (http://www.ncat.org/news/index.php#radio01), on the Green Talk Network from July through October 2009.

Subscribe to the Weekly Harvest
(http://visitor.roving.com/optin.jsp?m=1011223551022&ea=)

Comments? Questions? Go to http://www.attra.ncat.org/management/contact.html.

Weekly Harvest and ATTRAnews Archives Available Online
(http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/archives.html)
Digital versions of recent Weekly Harvest and ATTRAnews newsletters are available online. ATTRAnews is the newsletter of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.
(http://attra.ncat.org/)

ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and is funded under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service (http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/index.html). Visit the NCAT Web site (http://www.ncat.org/sarc_current.php) for more information on our sustainable agriculture projects.

Homemade Potpourri 101

Posted By TipNut On August 8, 2007 @ 6:16 am In Crafty Ideas, Garden & Plants, Tipnut’s Picks | 3 Comments

The Three Components of Potpourri

Fixative:

* These do the best job of absorbing the different fragrances so things keep smelling nice for a longer period of time. Potpourri fixatives are things like oak moss and orris root.

Fragrance:

* Essential oils, fragrance oils. These are applied to the Fixatives so they’ll retain the fragrance for a longer period of time. When the potpourri needs to be freshened up because its losing its fragrance, just add more Fragrance to the Fixatives.

Filler:

* The dried flowers, herbs, leaves, wood shavings, wood chips and spices (both fragrant and non-fragrant).
* If you’re using fresh items that need to be dried first, plan on four times the amount that you are needing. For example: if you want 1 cup of potpourri, prepare 4 cups of fresh items to be dried to account for the shrinkage.

Tools Needed for Making Potpourri

* Use plastic, wood, ceramic or glass bowls and plastic or wooden spoons when preparing.
* Do not use metal items.
* A mortar and pestle will also come in handy when crushing the items.
* If recipe calls for salt, use Kosher salt because it has no additives.

Potpourri Storage

* Seal the potpourri in a jar, crock, airtight container or ziploc baggies and store in a cool, dark place until it’s ready to use.
* For freshly made potpourri, allow it to cure for about six weeks before using. The longer the potpourri is allowed to cure, the stronger and longer lasting the fragrance will be. Shake the container or bag regularly during this stage to blend the ingredients (about every other day).

Two Types of Potpourri

Dry Potpourri:

* Is made by combining dried flowers and ingredients in an airtight container and allowing to cure over time.

Moist Potpourri:

* Is made with partially dried flowers, leaves and herbs that are layered with salt (use Kosher salt).
* The potpourri should be made in a large crock or bowl that is made airtight by covering with a tight fitting lid.
* Layer flowers about 2 “;, then salt about 1/8”.
* Place a plate on the top layer to cover and weigh down the ingredients. Place a weight on top of the plate with something heavy (like a bowl or rock).
* Cover the container so it’s airtight.
* Stir daily and allow to ferment for 14 days.
* After 14 days, stir the mixture well then re-seal tightly.
* Allow the potpourri to “brew” untouched for four weeks. Do not peek or allow any air in the crock. After four weeks the potpourri can be removed from the crock and used.

Ingredient Ideas for Potpourri

Flowers & Filler Suggestions:

* Lavender
* Roses (petals and buds)
* Pine cones
* Cedar tips
* Eucalyptus

Herbs:

* Mint
* Lemon Balm
* Thyme
* Rosemary

Spices:

* Cinnamon Sticks
* Cloves
* Nutmeg
* Vanilla Beans
* Anise

Dried Fruits:

* Orange peels
* Lemon peels
* Apple slices

Fixatives:

* Orris root
* Oak moss
* Calamus root
* Sandalwood chips
* Wood shavings
* Tonka beans
* Ground cinnamon

General Rule of Thumb Potpourri Ratio

* 2 parts dried flowers, 1 part dried herbs and leaves, .5 part spices, Fixative (1 TBS per 1 cup dried flowers), Fragrance (2 drops per 1 TBS of Fixative). This isn’t a hard and fast rule, mix as you prefer.

How to Pronounce “Potpourri”

* Some say “Pot–Poor–EE” but it’s actually “Poe–Poo–Ree” and it’s a french word that means “Rotten Pot” (if you try the Moist Method of making potpourri, you’ll know why rotten pot applies). See below for more info on the Moist Method.

Don’t Miss These Tips:

* How To Make Winter Citrus Potpourri [1]
* Homemade Herbal Carpet Freshener Recipe [2]
* Homemade Lavender Sugar Recipes [3]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/homemade-potpourri-101/

URLs in this post:

[1] How To Make Winter Citrus Potpourri: http://tipnut.com/citrus-potpourri/

[2] Homemade Herbal Carpet Freshener Recipe: http://tipnut.com/homemade-herbal-carpet-freshener-recipe/

[3] Homemade Lavender Sugar Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-lavender-sugar-recipes/

25 Cheap or Free Garden Gear Items: Repurposing

Posted By TipNut On July 1, 2009 @ 1:05 pm In Garden & Plants, Green Living | No Comments

Milk Jug Mini-Greenhouse By bhg.com
Today’s feature is from Better Homes And Gardens with 25 No-Cost (or Low-Cost) Garden Tools [1]:

Any job is easier when you have the right tool.

Read on for our list of the 25 best ideas for garden tools that you can buy or make in minutes — and none costs more than a pack of seeds.

Ideas Include:

* The Magic Milk Jug: Cut off the bottom to use as seed flats; Cut off the bottom to make a mini-greenhouse; Make some clever cuts to make a sturdy scoop.
* Vinyl Tablecloth: Use a vinyl tablecloth, plastic side down, to transport heavy items like bags of mulch, plant divisions, or balled-and-burlapped trees and shrubs.
* Yogurt Containers: Protect young seedlings from night-crawling cutworms by surrounding them with a collar made by cutting the bottom off a yogurt container.
* Newspapers: Over a few months, the newspaper will smother weeds [2] and grasses, then decay into the bare soil. You now have a pristine planting bed ready to receive trees, shrubs, or flowers.
* Plastic Dish Pans: Fill with some potting soil and supplies, and you have a portable potting bench [3] that you can take anywhere.
* Old Towels: An old bath towel gets a new “leash” on life, supporting a tomato plant’s heavy stems. The look is a bit dowdy, to be sure, but the gentle caress of the terry cloth is ideal for the vegetable patch. Best of all, one towel can be cut into enough strips to last a lifetime. Also see 10 Ideas for Recycling Old Towels [4].
* Coffee & Tuna Cans: Use these straight-sided containers to collect and measure rain and sprinkler water. That way, you can be sure that every part of your garden is getting the an inch of water a week.

Pretty clever ideas offered, please visit the site above for all the details. Nice list!

Don’t Miss These Tips:

* Build A Potting Bench: DIY Project [5]
* How To Pot A Plant: Gardening Tips [6]
* How To Build A Raised Garden Bed – Cheap [7]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/garden-gear/

URLs in this post:

[1] 25 No-Cost (or Low-Cost) Garden Tools: http://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/tools/no-cost-or-low-cost-garden-tools/

[2] smother weeds: http://tipnut.com/weed-killers/

[3] potting bench: http://tipnut.com/potting-bench-plans/

[4] 10 Ideas for Recycling Old Towels: http://tipnut.com/10-ideas-for-recycling-old-towels/

[5] Build A Potting Bench: DIY Project: http://tipnut.com/potting-bench/

[6] How To Pot A Plant: Gardening Tips: http://tipnut.com/how-to-plant/

[7] How To Build A Raised Garden Bed – Cheap: http://tipnut.com/how-to-build-a-raised-garden-bed-cheap/

Rose Hips: Tips & Recipes

Posted By TipNut On July 6, 2009 @ 6:22 am In Garden & Plants | No Comments

Rose Hip
Wild Rose Hips: Rose hips are a very rich source of Vitamin C and are free for the picking. Three average rose hips have as much Vitamin C as a medium-sized orange.

Collecting Rose Hips: Pick only the ripe berries that are vivid red and slightly soft. They have a much better flavor if picked after the first frost…preferably late August, September or October. You can harvest them from your garden roses, but they’re more plentiful from old-time shrub roses like rugosas and wild rose bushes.

What Is A Rose Hip? A rose hip is the fruit of the rose plant, it is filled with tiny seeds and covered with silky hairs. The food value is found in the skin of the hip and is similar to the taste of an apple.

To encourage your roses to develop rose hips, don’t trim the rose blossoms and leave them to naturally fade and fall.

The Use Of Rose Hips: Rose Hips can be used fresh in making jelly, jam, pickles, juice, etc., or they can be dried or canned to be used in the winter, or served raw, shredded or halved in salads, sandwich fillings and desserts. Dried rose hips are also a favorite in teas and homemade potpourri [1].

* Important: Before using rose hips as a food source, make sure the plant you’re harvesting from has not been treated with pesticides or chemicals.

How To Dry Rose Hips

Dried Rose Hips
Collect quantities of rose hips or berries to be dried or made into teas, jellies, juice, pickles, etc., for winter use.

Drying the hips is very easy and similar to air drying flowers [2], follow these directions:

* Sort out imperfect rose hips and rinse the batch. Carefully pat dry.
* Line a cookie sheet with a screen, or a sheet of cardboard, or parchment or wax paper and spread the dry rose hips across in a single layer.
* Leave them to dry in a dark, well ventilated area for a few weeks, they’ll be ready when they are hard, wrinkly and darker in color.
* You can also dry them in the oven on the lowest setting or use a dehydrator.

You can dry the hips whole or you can cut and seed first (directions below). If mainly using dried rose hips for teas, drying them whole is fine.

Tips: To remove the hairs from dried hips, grind them up a bit in the food processor (once they’re dried) then shake the batch in a sieve, the hairs will fall loose. After hips have dried, stems and ends can be removed easily by plucking them off.

Storage: Seal in airtight containers or glass jars, store away from direct light.
Rose Hip Recipes

Rose Hip Tea
There is some loss of Vitamin C if there is a lengthy delay between picking and bottling the product although one of their important advantages as a source of Vitamin C is the unusual stability of this Vitamin in rose hips as compared with other Vitamin C foods.

* Tip: Avoid using aluminum cookware and utensils when preparing rose hips as it can deteriorate the Vitamin C in the hips.

How To Make Rose Hip Tea

* Fresh Hips: 1 to 2 TBS rose hips per cup of boiling water, steep for 10 minutes.
* Dried Hips: 2 tsp per cup of boiling water, steep for 10 to 15 minutes.

Tip: Don’t throw out the rose hips once you’ve used them to make tea, eat them after you’re done drinking the tea or add to soups or serve as a side at the supper table. There’s still a lot of nutritional value in the hips after they’ve been used in teas.

Wild Roseberry Jam Recipe: Gather the berries after the first frost. Remove seeds and hull. Wash. Add water just barely to cover the berries. Cook berries until soft. If mixture is too thick add water as needed. Set aside to cool. Mash and put through sieve. To 2 cups puree add 1 cup sugar and cook slowly until thick, stirring frequently. A better consistency is obtained if commercial pectin is used. Pour into sterilized jars and seal.

The jam may be used on bread and as a filling for cakes.

Note: If desired, lemon juice may be added and used either as jam or meat sauce.

Roseberry Catsup Recipe:

4 quarts ripe berries (red and ripe)
1 clove garlic
2 medium sized onions
1 cup water (or more if necessary)

Boil these ingredients until they are soft. Strain them. Add 3/4 cup of brown sugar. Tie in a bag and add:

1/2 TBS whole allspice
1/2 TBS mace
1/2 TBS whole cloves
1/2 TBS celery seed
2 inch stick cinnamon

Boil these ingredients quickly. Add 1 cup vinegar, cayenne, salt, if desired. Boil catsup 10 minutes longer. Bottle it at once. Seal the bottles with wax. The flavor of this catsup is excellent.

Roseberry & Crabapple Jelly Recipe: Use 1/2 crabapple juice and 1/2 rose hip puree. To one cup of this mixture use 3/4 cup sugar. This jelly retains its Vitamin C content for as long as nine months without loss.

Note: Rose hip puree may be combined in jelly or jam with fruit such as cranberry, grape, chokecherry, red currant, wild plum, etc. Combine one part rose hip to two parts fruit or one to three if taste of rose hip is not desired. A little acid such as lemon juice adds to the flavor as does honey used for part or all of sugar.

Most rose hip products will be softer at first but will stiffen on standing. Do not place in sun to stiffen as this destroys Vitamin C.
How To Remove Hairs & Seeds From Rose Hips

It is desirable that the hairs and seeds of the rose hip be removed before consuming. The fine hairs associated with the seeds are unpleasant in the mouth and have an irritating action. A few different methods are used, try one of the following:

* Cut in half and shake out seeds, this takes the longest time;
* Cover with water and simmer, then rub through a sieve using the puree;
* Simmer whole Rose Hips in more than enough water to cover, then merely strain. Bottle the juice. Add sugar if desired and process 45 mins. This juice contains Vitamin C and may be added to sauces, soups (not cream soup), puddings, beverages and many other foods.

Did You Know: Women and children were encouraged to gather rose hips during World War II when food supplies were low, the Vitamin C the hips provided were a much needed source of nutrition and was highly valued over the winter months.

Source: Much of the information was found in Home Canning Guide, Dominion Glass Co. Limited (vintage booklet)

Don’t Miss These Tips:

* How To Make Rose Water: Recipes & Tips [3]
* How To Make A Rose Jar [4]
* Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes [5]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/rose-hips/

URLs in this post:

[1] homemade potpourri: http://tipnut.com/homemade-potpourri-101/

[2] air drying flowers: http://tipnut.com/how-to-dry-flowers-a-collection-of-tips/

[3] How To Make Rose Water: Recipes & Tips: http://tipnut.com/how-to-make-rose-water-4-recipes/

[4] How To Make A Rose Jar: http://tipnut.com/how-to-make-a-rose-jar/

[5] Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-sugar-scrub-recipes/

12 Home Remedies for Nausea

Posted By TipNut On July 11, 2007 @ 6:35 am In Beauty & Health | 1 Comment

If the cause of nausea is from morning sickness due to pregnancy, please don’t try any of these home remedies until your doctor okays it.

Home Remedies for Nausea

1. Ginger: Ginger snaps, Candied ginger [1], Ginger Ale, 1/2 tsp Ginger powder mixed in glass of water, sip
2. Teas: Peppermint, Ginger, Chamomile, Lemon, Raspberry, Cinnamon. Can also try a tea made with fresh ginger and lemon juice or a few cloves steeped in hot water
3. Tummy Munchies: Soda crackers, Digestive biscuits, Animal crackers, Melba toast, Graham crackers, Cheerios (without the milk)
4. Flat 7-Up, Coca-Cola, Ginger Ale or try Cola Syrup
5. Sucking on hard candy (like peppermints, lifesavers, sour candy)
6. 1 TBS apple cider vinegar plus 1 TBS honey mixed in 1 cup of water, sip. Can be hot or cold drink, whichever you prefer
7. 1/2 tsp Baking soda in glass of warm water (*a no-no if you’re pregnant)
8. Sip dill pickle juice
9. Fresh lime or lemon squeezed in glass of water, sprinkle a little salt on top, sip
10. 1 tsp cumin seeds mixed in a glass of milk, or a glob of yogurt, or eat the seeds plain
11. Suck on popsicles, ice chips, ice cubes
12. Suck on a wedge of lemon or lime

If the cause of nausea is unknown and persists for more than a couple days, see your doctor. If you’re in physical pain and vomiting, or know of a recent head injury (even the seemingly silly bad bumps) and you’re nauseous, see a doctor.

Don’t Miss These Tips:

* 23 Home Remedies From The Spice Rack [2]
* Dry Elbow Home Remedies & Treatments [3]
* Sunburn Relief Home Remedies – Over 50 Soothing Treatments [4]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/12-home-remedies-for-nausea/

URLs in this post:

[1] Candied ginger: http://tipnut.com/easy-candied-ginger-root-recipe-storage-tips/

[2] 23 Home Remedies From The Spice Rack: http://tipnut.com/home-remedies-spice/

[3] Dry Elbow Home Remedies & Treatments: http://tipnut.com/dry-elbow-home-remedies-treatments/

[4] Sunburn Relief Home Remedies – Over 50 Soothing Treatments: http://tipnut.com/sunburn-relief-home-remedies-over-50-soothing-treatments/

How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies

Posted By TipNut On June 23, 2009 @ 9:43 am In Cleaning, Household | 2 Comments

Fruit flies are tiny, pesky flies that are brown and appear to have no fear of people (often it seems they’re trying to fly up your nose and in your mouth) but they’re mostly just clumsy fliers. The good news is that getting rid of and killing fruit flies is not difficult, you just need to do some cleaning, find their food source so you can remove it and lay out a fruit fly trap to bait them with.

Below I have a few cleanup and prevention tips plus a handful of easy & natural homemade fruit fly traps you can make that will capture and kill them–no need to run out for supplies since it’s likely you have all that’s needed in the kitchen already.
Getting Rid Of Fruit Flies: Cleanup & Prevention

Wash The Kitchen Sink Well
Fruit flies love sweets, ripe vegetables and fresh fruit, especially if it’s overripe (the fermenting process is a strong attraction for them). If they’re in your house, they’ve found a food source to feed from and lay their eggs on. To effectively get rid of fruit flies, you need to find their food source and remove it immediately.

* Wash kitchen counters and surfaces daily with soap and water. Wipe up sauces and spills immediately, look under heavy appliances.
* Make sure to keep kitchen sinks and drains washed and clean, if dirty the residue can attract fruit flies. If you think your kitchen sink drain is where they’re gathering, pour boiling water down the drain each day.
* Make sure all food dishes are washed and put away (do not leave dirty dishes out). If food is eaten throughout the house rather than just at the kitchen table, look for dirty plates, fruit pits, rinds and peels that may be left out in another room. Look under furniture.
* Don’t leave beverage bottles, cans and glasses filled with fruit juices, soda pop, wine, sweet liquors or beer sitting out–these are big attractions to fruit flies.
* On hot summer days, tie up and remove garbage from the kitchen daily, the refuse and kitchen scraps start turning faster in the heat and the smell attracts the fruit flies. Or make sure the garbage bin has a tight fitting lid to keep out the flies.
* Make sure to rinse out all cans and bottles before placing in the recycling bins.
* Keep food and fruit wrapped in plastic or in the refrigerator (especially overripe fruit, this is like a magnet to the little pests). Fruit flies love to lay their eggs on food.
* Watch the pantry, bags of potatoes and onions are quicker to turn in the heat and this will attract the little flies. Keep pantry shelves clean of all drips and spills.

Homemade Fruit Fly Traps

Fruit Flies Love Bananas
Fruit flies are one of the easiest little pests to bait and kill, no elaborate trap setups required. Here are a handful of homemade traps you can try, all of them are free from harsh chemicals.

Quick & Easy Trap

* An easy & effective fruit fly trap is to set out a bowl of vinegar with a couple drops of citrus smelling liquid dish detergent. This attracts the fruit flies and they drown. Lay a fresh bowl out each day to keep the smell strong enough to attract them.

Cider Vinegar Trap Recipe

1 cup water
1 cup cider vinegar
2 tsp dishwashing liquid

* Directions: Pour into a jar or bottle and set out close to fruit & produce. The smell will attract the fruit flies and they will come investigate, getting themselves covered with soap and then drown.

Fresh Fruit Bait

* Place a piece of cut fruit in a jar (use a ripe/overripe banana if you can, this seems to be their favorite). Roll a piece of paper into a funnel (cutting the bottom tip so there’s an entry) and place into the top of the jar to trap fruit flies. Make sure the bottom opening of the funnel doesn’t touch the fruit (you don’t want the fruit flies to have an easy exit) and that the sides of the funnel fill the jar opening completely (no cracks for the flies to get out). Make sure to remove and replace the fruit every two days to avoid breeding new fruit flies. You could also skip the funnel and just cover the jar with plastic wrap, poking a few small holes in the top for them to enter.

Coca-Cola Trap

* Leave an inch or two of Classic Coke in the bottom of a pop bottle and twist on the cap. Take a hammer and nail or drill to make a small hole in the cap (about 1/4 inch diameter). Set the bottle in the room where the fruit flies are heaviest. Fruit flies will crawl in and won’t be able to get back out.

Beer Trap (Works With Wine Too)

* Fill a mason jar about 2 inch to 3 inches deep with beer, cover opening with a piece of plastic wrap secured with a rubber band. Poke a few holes in the top of the plastic so the fruit flies can get into the jar to get at the beer–they won’t be able to get out.

Yeast Trap

* In a mason jar, sprinkle active dry yeast over 1/3 cup warm water. Add 1 teaspoon of sugar and stir.
* Once the yeast is activated and starts to foam, cover the jar top tightly with plastic wrap (try to keep the surface wrinkle free), secure with a rubber band.
* Make a small hole in the top for the fruit flies to find their way in, most will be unable to get out.

Tips:

* If you have an especially heavy infestation, set out a fruit fly trap in a small room with the light left on overnight. Although fruit flies are most active during the day, the flies will be attracted to the light and make their way to the room (and their tempting trap bait).
* Once it seems you’ve gotten rid of the fruit flies, you may notice a fresh batch flying around–these are likely those that have hatched from the eggs of the previous fruit flies (the gestation period is about 7 to 10 days). Repeat the cleaning process and lay out the traps until there’s no recurrence. This is why it’s important to find all their food sources, fruit flies lay eggs on the food that will hatch later.

Don’t Miss These Tips:

* Get Rid Of Wasps: Traps & Tips [1]
* Pantry Pests: Getting Rid Of Flour Bugs [2]
* Fresh Fruit Pies: Kitchen Cheat Sheet [3]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/fruit-flies/

URLs in this post:

[1] Get Rid Of Wasps: Traps & Tips: http://tipnut.com/wasp-trap/

[2] Pantry Pests: Getting Rid Of Flour Bugs: http://tipnut.com/pantry-pests/

[3] Fresh Fruit Pies: Kitchen Cheat Sheet: http://tipnut.com/fruit-pies-chart/

How To Beat The Soda Pop Addiction

Posted By TipNut On January 7, 2008 @ 6:37 am In Beauty & Health, Popular Tips | 43 Comments

I used to be a heavy cola drinker (somewhere between 2 to 4 cans a day) and I decided that for me, cola was ok in moderation but drinking it daily in the amounts that I was just wasn’t a healthy habit.

I found the trick to kicking the soda pop addiction was finding a replacement beverage that satisfied both the convenience and taste factor.

What I most liked about drinking soda was that it was nice and cold, easy to grab and go and had some “texture” to it (the carbonated beverage). Although I like a bit of fruit juice, it was too “syrupy” for me to find it satisfying as a main beverage and plain water wasn’t doing it either. Here’s a replacement beverage that worked for me:
Healthy Soda Pop Replacement

* Keep a jug of water refrigerated at all times. It has to be prepared fresh daily or sealed well because once it tastes a bit stale, you’re turned off of it for awhile.
* Squeeze fresh lemon or lime juice in the water, as much as you like, tossing in the just squeezed fruit wedges too.
* When serving, pour over a full glass of crushed ice. The crushed ice added a bit of “texture” to the beverage that I felt was an acceptable replacement to the carbonated soda. It wasn’t carbonated, but the sensation was satisfying enough.
* I found keeping the water cold, always at the ready and lots of crushed ice on hand was key.

More Tips

* Don’t keep soda in the house, especially canned pop. When you open a can of pop, it’s too easy to feel obligated to drink the whole thing (otherwise it’s wasteful).
* If you find in the beginning that you just have to have some pop, keep a small bottle refrigerated. I found that giving myself a sip or two was enough to satisfy my craving. Just be careful to only take sips when you’re on the verge of guzzling a 2 Litre bottle of cola.
* Keep water bottles at the ready so you can just fill them up when you’re running out the door. You may have to pound the crushed ice a bit finer for it to scoop up nicely into the empty bottle.

If you give yourself a few days, you’ll find the craving won’t be that strong and that you’re satisfied with the citrus flavored water. For me, the crushed ice was a must have.

This is a great healthy alternative to drinking soda pop daily and it’s easy (and cheap) to maintain.

Don’t Miss These Tips:

* Money Saver: Beat The High Cost Of Coffee Shops [1]
* Baking Soda In The Kitchen: Timeless Wisdom Collection [2]
* 12 Home Remedies for Nausea [3]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/how-to-beat-the-soda-pop-addiction/

URLs in this post:

[1] Money Saver: Beat The High Cost Of Coffee Shops: http://tipnut.com/coffee-shops/

[2] Baking Soda In The Kitchen: Timeless Wisdom Collection: http://tipnut.com/baking-soda/

[3] 12 Home Remedies for Nausea: http://tipnut.com/12-home-remedies-for-nausea/

Get Rid Of Wasps: Traps & Tips

Posted By TipNut On July 7, 2009 @ 6:04 am In Household | No Comments

If you’ve ever been stung by a wasp [1], you know they live up to their reputation of being aggressive and having painful stings. When you regularly spot wasps in your yard, chances are there’s a wasp’s nest on your property or nearby. These are not pests that you want hanging about, especially if you have children running around. The best way to get rid of wasps is to find the nest and destroy it, but if you can’t find it or if it’s not on your property, you can use wasp traps to tempt them away from high-traffic areas to another part of the yard to kill them.

Here are directions for two easy homemade wasp traps, they require the same materials and and have the same concept, but two different designs (one’s ideal for hanging, the other for setting on the ground). I used graphics that show soda inside the bottles, but you need to use empty pop bottles (ignore the soda levels shown in the images).
How To Make A Wasp Trap: Ground Version

DIY Wasp Trap

* Take an empty two liter pop bottle or any plastic bottle that has a consistently even width along the sides.
* Using a sharp knife, cut off the top of the soda bottle just below where the start of the bottle sides are at even width.
* Fill the bottom of the bottle with wasp bait about 2 inches deep (ideas below).
* Insert the top of the bottle upside down into the bottom of the bottle (remove the bottle cap first). The pieces should fit together nice and snug, but use duct tape along the top edge to secure the pieces together if you need to.
* Set the wasp trap out wherever you’ve seen wasps (in flower beds, close to a hedge, near the bird bath, etc.).
* The wasps will fly into the trap to get at the bait, but have trouble finding their way out. They’ll eventually drown in the liquid bait.
* This trap setup will also work for killing fruit flies [2].

DIY Wasp Trap: Hanging Version

This trap is well suited for hanging in tree branches or along the eaves of a house (away from entrances since this trap will attract live wasps). The wasps will fly up into the trap from underneath, but have trouble finding their escape by flying down and out.

Homemade Hanging Wasp Trap

* Take an empty two liter pop bottle, tighten on the cap then cut off the bottom few inches of the bottle.
* Taking a second two liter pop bottle, remove the bottle cap and cut off the top part of the bottle right underneath where the width is the same as the rest of the bottle.
* For the bigger bottle piece, puncture two small holes, one on either side of the bottle (at the top) and push through each end of a piece of heavy string or yarn, knotting at each end inside the bottle (this will need to be long enough to hang the bottle and strong enough to hold the weight of the trap).
* Seal the holes where the string runs through with duct tape to prevent wasps crawling out and escaping.
* Place the small piece up inside the bigger piece, securing together with duct tape around the edges.
* Fill the trap with wasp bait about 2 inches deep and hang.

Tips:

* Do not fill the trap so full of bait that there isn’t plenty of air space between the bottom (or top) of the pop bottle opening, you want the wasps to be able to fly in with no trouble.
* Empty and refill the wasp traps regularly, wasps won’t be too tempted by a trap filled with drowned wasps. You can submerge the trap in a bucket of water for about 1/2 hour to make sure all wasps are dead before cleaning and refilling.

Wasp Bait Ideas

Just like ants [3], wasps can be looking for two different types of food sources depending on the colony’s needs at the time: protein or sugar. Set out two different traps to see which bait tempts the wasps best, then continue to fill with that type of bait. Or you could do a sugar & protein bait together (for example: mixing juice with a piece of meat).

* Jam dissolved in water (sweet enough to attract the wasps but diluted enough to drown them)
* Fruit juice
* Beer
* Sweet Soda Pop
* Wine
* Maple syrup diluted with water
* Molasses diluted with water
* If you need protein baits: Try adding a piece of raw hamburger or a chunk of canned tuna, canned dog or cat food to a trap with fruit juices or even plain water (deep enough to drown the wasps but the piece of meat bait needs to be sticking out above the liquid surface to effectively attract the wasps).

Wasp Prevention Tips

* Keep garbage cans and recycle bins covered.
* Don’t leave food or beverages sitting outside, keep beverages covered with a lid. Wipe up spills as soon as they happen.
* If you have water sources in your yard (bird baths, ponds), the wasps could be hanging around for the water (they get thirsty too).
* If you have fruit trees, keep the fruit picked and remove any that have fallen on the ground.

Don’t Miss These Tips:

* How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies [2]
* How To Beat The Soda Pop Addiction [4]
* How To Wash A Feather Duster [5]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/wasp-trap/

URLs in this post:

[1] stung by a wasp: http://tipnut.com/wasp-stings/

[2] killing fruit flies: http://tipnut.com/fruit-flies/

[3] ants: http://tipnut.com/ant-killer/

[4] How To Beat The Soda Pop Addiction: http://tipnut.com/how-to-beat-the-soda-pop-addiction/

[5] How To Wash A Feather Duster: http://tipnut.com/feather-duster/

How To Make Oilcloth: Crafty Idea

Posted By TipNut On July 8, 2009 @ 1:04 pm In Crafty Ideas | No Comments

Samples of Oilcloth Designs
Today’s feature is from ModHomeEcTeacher at Curbly with Real Oilcloth and How to Make It [1]:

Why do they call it “oil”cloth? Probably because the recently advertised “real oilcloth” that is all the rage is made from cotton fabric covered with a petroleum based coating. However, genuine oilcloth, the real thing grandma had on her kitchen table was made from cotton duck, canvas or linen that was coated several times with linseed oil to give it a waterproof-ish surface. The fabric could be dyed or printed before the linseed treatment.

So interesting, I had no idea! If you can’t find the perfect color or pattern of oil cloth that you need (or you want the real stuff like grandma had), here’s what you need to make your own:

* Heavy cotton duck or canvas
* Wooden stretcher frame
* Staple Gun
* Linseed Oil and paintbrush
* Oil paint or oil dyes if you want to create your own design

Please visit the site above for all the project details, neat tip!

Don’t Miss These Tips:

* Crafty Idea: Thread Organizer [2]
* Homemade Oilcloth Lunch Bags [3]
* Cinnamon Votives: Crafty Idea [4]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/make-oilcloth/

URLs in this post:

[1] Real Oilcloth and How to Make It: http://www.curbly.com/ModHomeEcTeacher/posts/6857-real-oilcloth-and-how-to-make-it

[2] Crafty Idea: Thread Organizer: http://tipnut.com/thread-organizer/

[3] Homemade Oilcloth Lunch Bags: http://tipnut.com/homemade-oilcloth-lunch-bags/

[4] Cinnamon Votives: Crafty Idea: http://tipnut.com/cinnamon-votives/

30 Lip Smackin’ Barbecue Sauce Recipes

Posted By TipNut On July 2, 2009 @ 1:07 pm In Recipes | 2 Comments

Basting Ribs With Thick BBQ Sauce
This week’s Recipe Hit List is a collection of homemade bbq sauces I’ve found around the net (for ribs, chicken, pork–you name it).

There are some really interesting recipes in this bunch with ingredients like espresso, bourbon whiskey, cherry cola, blueberries but there are plenty with more traditional ingredients too. Some sweet, some hot & spicy –they all look so good, you might just find a few new favorites in the bunch!

*Some of the pages include recipes for the meat dishes or side dishes, you may have to scroll down the page to find the BBQ sauce recipes.
Homemade Barbecue Sauce Recipes

*Note: Descriptions below are quotes from the recipe sites

1. BBQ Sauce [1]: The following recipe is for my tomato-based BBQ sauce. It is fairly straight forward until you get to one ingredient, vanilla. I love vanilla, and try to use it everywhere that I can. It highlights the sweetness in this sauce recipe, and lingers gently on the palate. It adds an exotic, almost mysterious flavor that leaves you wanting to take another bite. Recipe from Beyond The Kitchen Wall.
2. Backyard Barbecue Sauce [2]: This spicy slather has been my go-to for so long that I can no longer remember its source, and of course it changes just a bit each time I make it. My friend Bob made this batch when he fired up his smoker last week; he used brown sugar substitute instead of the real thing, and the sauce was deee-lishus! It does have quite a kick, so if you want a milder sauce, omit the jalapeno. Makes 4-5 cups; leftover can be frozen. Recipe from The Perfect Pantry.
3. Classic Barbecue Sauce [3]: I’ve already made barbecue chicken twice in the last week. At the risk of sounding immodest, I have to say that my barbecue chicken is fantastique. Recipe found at Brownies For Dinner.
4. Alabama White Barbecue Sauce [4]: This is truly a regional thing, but also a regional requirement. EVERY BBQ restaurant in North Alabama features white bbq sauce on their menu, their meats, and their tables and North Alabamians eat it with everything from french fries to bread to chicken and ribs. This unique, tangy flavor is the perfect compliment to just about everything. Personally, I like to use so much that my food is swimming in it. How about we make up a batch for you? Recipe from Southern Plate.
5. Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q White Sauce [5]: But once the grilled breasts (over charcoal, not wood) were dipped in the white sauce, the magic truly happened. The creamy, peppery sauce had a slight edge of heat that was transformational. By the end of the meal, we were pouring white sauce on everything we could find—grilled mushrooms, corn, bread, whatever — just so we could get some more of it. Recipe found at Bitten Blog – NY Times.
6. Barefoot Contessa’s Barbecue Sauce [6]: There’s this initial sweetness followed by an unexpected heat, and it’s better than any jarred stuff I’ve ever had. What’s more, BC’s recipe makes a staggering 1-1/2 quarts (48 oz) of sauce, which compensates for the initial investment. Without exaggeration, it will last FOR MONTHS. Recipe found at Cheap Healthy Good.
7. Balsamic BBQ Sauce [7]: (Includes lager beer) This isn’t the type of recipe you just make on a whim, it’s a labor of love recipe, so since you’re going to put the time in, you might as well make your own bbq sauce. It adds that extra something special to make them your own. Recipe from Krista’s Cooking Blog.
8. Tangy Rhubarb Barbecue Sauce [8]: This is a nice change of pace from the usual smoky and/or sweet barbecue sauces. The rhubarb gives it thickness and a fruity flavor. The amounts below are suggestions only. Add more honey if you like it sweet, more apple cider vinegar if you like a vinegary kick. Or leave out the ketchup and double up on the mustard and vinegar for a Carolina-style sauce. The sauce is good with grilled pork chops and chicken thighs, but it’s a particularly good match with duck breasts that have been pan-fried and sliced. It may be refrigerated in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days. Recipe from The Washington Post.
9. Blueberry Chipotle Barbecue Sauce [9]: The secret to getting a really nice deep flavor is to cook the sauce down for a good long time. That concentrates all the flavors and makes it lusciously thick like a BBQ sauce should be. I didn’t feel like cheating and using liquid smoke for the smokiness, not this time. Instead, chipotle powder giveth smoke and spice. Recipe from Post Punk Kitchen.
10. Kansas City-Style Hot Barbecue Sauce [10]: Adapted from Blue Ribbon BBQ. Recipe found at The Boston Globe.
11. Elizabeth Karmel’s Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sauce [11]: My students make this barbecue sauce every month in my Southern-barbecue classes. It is the only red sauce that we make in the class, and we always double the recipe because the class slathers it on everything! This sauce has been printed in many places and thousands of students have the recipe, but I couldn’t write a sauce chapter and not include it here. The Dr. Pepper gives this sauce an edge over most basic sweet barbecue sauces. Recipe found at Good Morning America Recipes.
12. Coffee-Honey Barbecue Sauce [12]: The sauce on the other hand. Oh that sauce. That sauce is love. The color of shellacked mahogany, the sauce is so thick and sticky, it has the consistency of molasses, or sorghum, or honey or some other slow-moving, sticky-sweet substance. And yet the sweetness is not at all cloying. The bitterness of the espresso balances it out and adds a really rich depth of flavor. Recipe found at Well Fed.
13. Cherry Cola Barbecue Sauce [13]: This sweet-savory sauce is served with a mixed grill of baby back ribs, chicken breasts, and smoked sausages in our Fourth of July Cooking Club menu. Adjust the sauce’s heat by adding hot pepper sauce to taste. Recipe from bonappetit.
14. Homemade Chipotle Barbecue Sauce [14]: (soy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free) Just in time for summer BBQ’s comes an easy recipe for homemade barbecue sauce! It is sweet and tangy with a nice kick from the chipotle chili powder. Recipe from Whole Life Nutrition.
15. Paula Deen’s Spicy Barbecue Sauce [15]: Incorporates a bit of peanut butter. Recipe from Paula Deen.
16. Sweet-and-Sour Barbecue Sauce [16]: This classic barbecue sauce is so flavourful you won’t even realize that it has no added salt. It’s great for pork, chicken or beef. Recipe found at Canadian Living.
17. Moroccan Barbecue Sauce [17]: This super flavorful, tomato based barbecue sauce uses wonderful Moroccan spices for a new twist. Absolutely delicious! Recipe found at The Nourishing Gourmet.
18. Georgia Peach Barbecue Sauce [18]: This is the sweetest of the three sauces for barbecued chicken. You can add a tablespoon or so of peach liqueur for more peach flavor. Recipe found at Fine Cooking.
19. Mango Barbeque Sauce [19]: Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger. Recipe found at Food Network.
20. Smoky Orange and Honey Barbecue Sauce [20]: A recipe for my Smoky Orange and Honey Barbecue Sauce that you can throw together and slather on some chicken. It’s heavenly and miles above any bottled sauce. It’s got tang, sweetness, spice, smoke, and overall fabulous balance. Recipe found at Prudence Pennywise.
21. Smoky Barbecue Sauce [21]: Here is a recipe that doesn’t require chopping vegetables and hours of cooking, just a few special ingredients. Recipe found at Cooking For Seven.
22. South Carolina Golden Mustard Barbecue Sauce [22]: When I moved to South Carolina, I was surprised to discover that the barbecue there was yellow instead of red. Tangy and sweet, mustard-based barbecue sauce was very popular, but I don’t think I ever got a chance to sample the barbecued pork that the natives raved about because I became vegetarian shortly after moving there. Fortunately, the bottled sauce was available in stores, and once I tried it, I developed an instant love for it. Recipe found at FatFree Vegan Kitchen.
23. Honey Chipotle Barbecue Sauce [23]: Chipotle peppers are known for having a smoky sweetness, with a slow but strong heat. The spice is what makes them so great, but the sweetness is fairly unique and lets chipotle work very well when paired with some much sweeter things. Honey and chipotle is one of my favorite combinations for a salsa. It wasn’t a stretch to make it into a smoky sweet barbecue sauce – perfect for pairing with anything grilled. Recipe from Baking Bites.
24. Ryan’s Homemade BBQ Sauce [24]: (recipe includes a good shot of bourbon whiskey) I love fine cuisine from all over the world, but my favorite flavors are the uniquely American, rich, smoky tastes of true Southern BBQ. When buying BBQ sauce, most of the sauces you’ll find at your local grocery store are thick, sugary sauces, generally intended to be used as a condiment rather than a marinade or cooking tool. Below, you’ll find the recipe for my personal BBQ sauce done in this same vein, but with a few twists. Recipe found at Culinary Crafts.
25. Lifeboat Farm BBQ Sauce [25]: This is our own recipe based loosely on the DYC vinegar recipe with some extra (not so) secret ingredients. Recipe found at Lifeboat Farm.
26. Jamaican Barbecue Sauce Recipe [26]: Since visiting Jamaica, I’ve become a big fan of jerk chicken and fish. I came up with my own version of that zesty island flavoring especially for this contest. It’s a great sauce for ribs, whether you’re grilling them or making them in the oven. It makes me feel like I’m on vacation! Recipe found at Taste Of Home.
27. Chipotle Apricot Barbecue Sauce [27]: The barbecue sauce was a hit, but of course, there was bacon in it, and let’s be honest, pork on pork is a winning combination. Although, I imagine it would also be magical on shrimp and chicken, too. Recipe found at He Cooks, She Cooks.
28. Molasses Barbecue Sauce [28]: The sauce has a “rich, intensely sweet taste” that is good paired with pork. Recipe from Serious Eats.
29. Homemade Guava BBQ Sauce [29]: Nothing says Miami or Cuban food like guava, so it’s just natural that when I get a grill, I think to make guava BBQ sauce. Some of you may think it’s weird, but everyone’s heard of peach BBQ sauce. This version has the same sweet flavor with a little tropical twist. Since I use canned guava shells and guava paste, this also makes it an all-season sauce. Pork chops and pork tenderloin are especially yummy covered in guava BBQ sauce, but chicken and turkey taste pretty darn good, too. Grill, broil or sear for a caramelized, sweet and tangy taste that will make you feel like it’s summer already. Recipe found at Bitchincamero.
30. Espresso BBQ Sauce [30]: Not only will I make them again and again, I have decided that it’s stupid for me to ever to buy BBQ sauce. This espresso bbq sauce was fantastic! I was a bit skeptical because it was soooo tangy before I smothered the ribs in them. But the second they hit the grill, those bad boys turned into the stickiest tastiest caramelized mess. I was proud. I conquered. I show those ribs who was BOSS. Recipe found at Shutterbean.

Also check out Grilling Tips: 12 Ways To Kick Up The Flavor [31].

Don’t Miss These Tips:

* Homemade HP Sauce [32]
* Recipe Hit List: 12 Tempting Crockpot Recipes [33]
* Grilling Tips: 12 Ways To Kick Up The Flavor [31]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/barbecue-sauce/

URLs in this post:

[1] BBQ Sauce: http://www.beyondthekitchenwall.com/2009/06/bbq-sauce.html

[2] Backyard Barbecue Sauce: http://www.theperfectpantry.com/2009/03/recipe-barbecue-sauce.html

[3] Classic Barbecue Sauce: http://browniesfordinner.com/2009/07/01/gearing-up-for-the-4th-bbq-chicken/

[4] Alabama White Barbecue Sauce: http://www.southernplate.com/2008/10/alabama-white-barbecue-sauce.html

[5] Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q White Sauce: http://bitten.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/05/a-barbecue-sauce-that-transforms-chicken/

[6] Barefoot Contessa’s Barbecue Sauce: http://cheaphealthygood.blogspot.com/2008/07/gettin-potlucky-barefoot-contessas.html

[7] Balsamic BBQ Sauce: http://kristarinaldi.blogspot.com/2009/05/memphis-style-ribs-with-balsamic-bbq.html

[8] Tangy Rhubarb Barbecue Sauce: http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2008/05/07/tangy-rhubarb-barbecue-sauce/

[9] Blueberry Chipotle Barbecue Sauce: http://theppk.com/blog/2008/08/25/berry-week-day-2-blueberry-chipotle-barbecue-sauce/

[10] Kansas City-Style Hot Barbecue Sauce: http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/articles/2009/05/20/kansas_city_style_hot_barbecue_sauce/

[11] Elizabeth Karmel’s Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sauce: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/recipe?id=7626809

[12] Coffee-Honey Barbecue Sauce: http://wellfed.typepad.com/well_fed/2007/09/baby-back-ribs-.html

[13] Cherry Cola Barbecue Sauce: http://www.bonappetit.com/magazine/cookingclub/2008/07/cherry_cola_barbeque_sauce

[14] Homemade Chipotle Barbecue Sauce: http://glutenfreewholefoods.blogspot.com/2009/06/homemade-chipotle-barbecue-sauce-soy.html

[15] Paula Deen’s Spicy Barbecue Sauce: http://www.pauladeen.com/recipe_view/191

[16] Sweet-and-Sour Barbecue Sauce: http://www.canadianliving.com/food/sweet_and_sour_barbecue_sauce.php

[17] Moroccan Barbecue Sauce: http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2009/04/moroccan-barbecue-sauce.html

[18] Georgia Peach Barbecue Sauce: http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/georgia_peach_barbecue_sauce.aspx

[19] Mango Barbeque Sauce: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/chicken-with-mango-barbeque-sauce-recipe/index.html

[20] Smoky Orange and Honey Barbecue Sauce: http://prudencepennywise.blogspot.com/2009/05/super-easy-hot-and-cheesy-potatoes-and.html

[21] Smoky Barbecue Sauce: http://www.cookingforseven.com/2008/10/smoky-barbeque-sauce/

[22] South Carolina Golden Mustard Barbecue Sauce: http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2006/08/south-carolina-golden-mustard-barbecue.html

[23] Honey Chipotle Barbecue Sauce: http://bakingbites.com/2008/08/honey-chipotle-barbecue-sauce/

[24] Ryan’s Homemade BBQ Sauce: http://www.culinarycrafts.com/blog/?p=545

[25] Lifeboat Farm BBQ Sauce: http://lifeboat.co.nz/our-bbq-sauce/

[26] Jamaican Barbecue Sauce Recipe: http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Jamaican-Barbecue-Sauce

[27] Chipotle Apricot Barbecue Sauce: http://hecooksshecooks.net/2009/07/chipotle-apricot-bbq-sauce/

[28] Molasses Barbecue Sauce: http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2009/02/grilled-pork-burgers-with-molasses-barbecue-sauce-recipe.html

[29] Homemade Guava BBQ Sauce: http://www.bitchincamero.com/mel/2009/01/homemade-guava-bbq-sauce/

[30] Espresso BBQ Sauce: http://www.shutterbean.com/babyback-ribs-with-espresso-bbq-sauce/

[31] Grilling Tips: 12 Ways To Kick Up The Flavor: http://tipnut.com/grilling-tips-flavor/

[32] Homemade HP Sauce: http://tipnut.com/homemade-hp-sauce/

[33] Recipe Hit List: 12 Tempting Crockpot Recipes: http://tipnut.com/crockpot-recipes/

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How To Dry Flowers: A Collection of Tips

Posted By TipNut On August 9, 2007 @ 6:56 am In Crafty Ideas, Garden & Plants, Tipnut’s Picks | 1 Comment

After yesterday’s Homemade Potpourri [1] information, I thought this collection of flower drying methods and tips was a perfect follow-up.
Tips For Drying Flowers

* Collect flowers first thing in the morning (after the dew is gone) and at least two days after a rain. Handle them carefully so they don’t get bruised.
* Choose flowers that have reached near peak and haven’t started to fade or turn brown around the edges. Flowers that are too mature can drop their petals easily during the drying process. Also try to choose flowers that have had no chemicals used on them.
* If you cannot proceed with the drying method of choice as soon as you’ve gathered the flowers, you can arrange them in a vase with lukewarm water for up to 24 hours.
* The drying times provided below are approximates only since each flower dries differently, the environment in which they are dried also plays a role.
* When drying flowers, remove the stems and leaves (unless otherwise noted) since they retain moisture and prolong the drying process. If you prefer dried flowers with leaves, you can do so but allow for extra drying time.

How To Tell If Flowers Are Dried?

* When the petals feel papery, stiff and the stem snaps easily when you bend it, not flexible.

Methods To Dry Flowers

Air Drying:

* Use a window screen, wood frame with thin mesh stretched across or a cookie sheet with a wire rack laid on top. These will provide excellent air circulation.
* Remove the stems about an 1 inch from the base of each flower. Lay the flowers in a single layer across the screen, making sure they aren’t stacked on top of each other and no petals are touching. Set aside in a warm, dark place to dry.
* The drying process can take 10 to 20 days, you want the flowers to be completely dry and hold no moisture at all.

Petal Drying:

* If you want to dry loose petals harvested from mature flowers, you can use one of the methods above or line a cookie sheet with paper towels (newspaper works too) and arrange the petals in a single layer. Leave in a warm, dark place until dry.

Hang & Dry:

* Leave the stems on the flowers but remove the leaves. Take 5 to 7 flowers together and align the bottom of the stems evenly. Tie the bunch 2 inches from the bottom of the stems with a string or bind together with a rubber band. Have the stems at different lengths so the blossoms aren’t crowded together at the top and rest at different lengths.
* Hang the bunches upside down in a warm, dark place and allow to dry for anywhere from two to four weeks.
* You can also place the flower bunch in a paper bag and tie the top closed around the stems, this will help keep the environment dark as well as keep dust from accumulating on the flowers as they dry. Make a few holes on the sides of the bag for better air circulation. Do one bundle per bag (about 5 to 7 flowers per bundle).

Dehydrator Method:

* Use the instructions that came with your dehydrator, or make your own dehydrator [2].
* You want to place the flowers in a single layer, petals not touching each other and normally set on low.
* It’s preferable to dehydrate the flowers by themselves so they don’t absorb the odors from other food items in the dehydrator (and vice versa). If you plan on making potpourri with your dried flowers, feel free to include some slices of citrus fruit peel and apple slices on the trays to include in the mix.

Oven Drying:

* Lay flowers in a single layer on a cookie sheet with a rack and place in a slow oven (180° F).
* Heat for several hours, keeping the oven door open the entire time (to let moisture escape).
* Remove tray from oven and allow to sit overnight to complete the drying process and ensure there is no more moisture.

Desiccant Drying:

* This method holds the shape and color of the flowers best. Be careful when removing the flowers from the desiccants after they are dried as they are brittle and can crumble easily. Either tap the mixture off or use a soft craft paintbrush to remove the granules.
* Do not leave the flowers overlong in the mixture as small holes in the petals could develop.

Silica Gel:

* These are crystals that you can purchase bulk in craft stores or online. Layer the flowers and silica gel inside an airtight container, the first bottom layer being about 1 inch of Silica and the top layer completely covering the flowers with another 1/2 inch of Silica.
* Be careful when covering the flowers that you don’t squish all the petals together.
* Depending on the flowers used, leave for approximately two to seven days. Store the used Silica Gel in an airtight container, it can be used over and over again.

Borax & Sand:

* Same layering process used above. Sift the Borax first to remove all lumps.
* Use a 2 to 1 mixture of Borax and fine sand (make sure it’s clean).
* Allow 14 to 17 days for the drying process. Leave the container uncovered. Can also be used for the microwave method (listed below).

Borax & White Cornmeal:

* Same layering process used above, use a 50/50 ratio. Can add a few tablespoons of Kosher salt to help preserve flower color. Leave the container uncovered.

Kitty Litter:

* Same procedure as the Silica Gel. Can also be used for the microwave method below. Use a plain, dust-free brand and clean kitty litter (of course).

Microwave Drying:

This can be a tricky method, but once you get the hang of it the flower drying process is very fast. Do a few trial runs to determine how much heat and length of time to use for the type of flower you are drying.

* In a microwave-proof dish that you use only for crafts (not cooking), pour a 1 inch to 2 inch thick layer of silica gel.
* Remove all but 1 inch of the the flower stem.
* Insert the flowers stem first into the silica so they’ll be sticking up.
* Lightly sprinkle Silica into the petals to hold the petal position and carefully cover the flowers completely.
* Do only a couple flowers at a time and make sure they’re not touching each other.
* Place a small cup of water in the back corner of the microwave (place a wooden toothpick in the water so there’s no danger of superheating [3]).
* Next place the container with flowers in the microwave, uncovered, and heat on the defrost setting in one minute increments. Repeat until flowers are dried.
* Once all moisture is removed and the flowers are completely dried, cover the container and remove it from the microwave. Position the lid so there’s about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch air flow into the container and let sit for 24 hours.
* Remove the flowers and gently shake off all the silica gel (you can also brush off with a soft craft paintbrush).

Denser flowers will take longer to dry. Flowers with thick petals don’t dry well with this method and more delicate petal flowers (like a pansy) will dry quickly so be careful to watch. Each microwave heats differently, experiment–you may find that you need to up the heating level.

Water Drying:

* Remove the leaves from the stem and place the flowers stem first in a vase that has 1 inch to 2 inch of water on the bottom.
* Place in a dark, warm room.
* When all the water is gone from the vase, the flower is dried.

The Hydrangea is one flower that works well with this method.

Also see How To Dry Herbs [4] and this Flower Preservative [5] for another method for drying flowers using wires for stems, Borax and cornmeal.

Don’t Miss These Tips:

* How to Dry Herbs With a Microwave [4]
* Flower Preservative Recipes & Instructions [5]
* 25 Tips For Plants & Flowers – Timeless Wisdom Collection [6]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/how-to-dry-flowers-a-collection-of-tips/

URLs in this post:

[1] Homemade Potpourri: http://tipnut.com/homemade-potpourri-101/

[2] make your own dehydrator: http://www.alpharubicon.com/prepinfo/dehydratorstryder.htm

[3] superheating: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superheating

[4] How To Dry Herbs: http://tipnut.com/how-to-dry-herbs-with-a-microwave/

[5] Flower Preservative: http://tipnut.com/flower-preservative/

[6] 25 Tips For Plants & Flowers – Timeless Wisdom Collection: http://tipnut.com/tips-for-plants-flowers/

Grow 100 lbs. Of Potatoes In 4 Square Feet: How To

Posted By TipNut On April 7, 2009 @ 1:06 pm In Garden & Plants, Popular Tips | 47 Comments

Potato Box Project By The Seattle Times
Quite the clever gardening tip here folks! Today’s feature includes tips from three different sources for growing potatoes vertically (in layers) instead of spread out in rows across your garden. If you have limited garden space or want to try some nifty gardening magic, this could be a great option for you.

First, there’s this article from The Seattle Times: It’s Not Idaho, But You Still Can Grow Potatoes [1]:

The potatoes are planted inside the box, the first row of boards is installed and the dirt or mulch can now be added to cover the seed potatoes. As the plant grows, more boards and dirt will be added.

You plant potatoes in one bottom layer, boarding up the sides of each layer and adding dirt as you go higher (you wait until the plants have grown a bit before adding a new layer). While new potatoes are growing in the top layers, remove the boards from the first layer at the bottom to carefully dig out the potatoes that are ready for harvesting. Fill the dirt back in and board up the box again. You move up the layers and harvest as the potatoes are ready. I imagine the new potatoes in the first couple bottom layers would be somewhat awkward to get at but as you move higher–not so bad.

I traced the information provided in the article to Irish Eyes Garden Seeds, they have another how-to article online here: How to Grow 100 lbs. of Potatoes in 4 Square Feet [2]. They also advise you can skip the box and try growing the potatoes in a barrel or wire cage instead.

In another article on The Seattle Times (How To Grow Potatoes At Home [3]), I came across this blog post from Sinfonian’s Square Foot Garden that details his attempt at growing potatoes with this potato box method: Build-As-You-Grow Potato Bins [4]. The info was from last year (lots of pics) and he’s promised updates of this year’s attempts. He added this tip for a better yield:

Greg from Irish-Eyes Garden City Seeds let me know that Yukon Golds, and all early varieties set fruit once and do not do well in towers. You only get potatoes in the bottom 6 inches, which is what I got. Late season alternatives to yukon gold are Yellow Fin and Binjte.

Bonus! For a handy project sheet, The Seattle Times has a nice image file detailing the steps (click to view the original):

How To Build & Use Your Potato Box: The Seattle Times

Imagine growing all those potatoes in a just a few square feet–and how drastically reduced the potato-patch weeding job will be! So Clever.

Reader Update: Here’s some info sent in by Christine who made a potato bin using wood pallets:

Last weekend, I was inspired by the Tip Nut potato bin – grow 100 lbs in 4 square feet. As nice as it looked, it seemed to be very complicated, especially unscrewing slats. Being a “just do it” kind of person, I asked my husband to build me one using pallets — which are free. He picked some up, but I realized that they were enormous, so he cut them in half and made side by side compost / potato growing bins.

The Tip Nut plan called for unscrewing the bottom portions to get the grown potatoes out. Rod attached pieces of wood to hold the front pallet in place and to allow you to slide it up like a window. I took books of hay to stuff in the openings of the potato bin so the dirt wouldn’t fall out. We’ll see how it does.

Here’s a photo:

Christine’s Wood Pallet Potato Bin

Unfortunately we placed it up against our neighbor’s fence. On the other side is their dog, who our Puggle Feeney loves to visit. He is always trying to dig under the fence. With the bins in place over his digging spot, the poor guy jumped into the compost bin and got stuck!

Christine’s Update: After having it in place for a couple of weeks, I discovered that the local cats think it makes a fine litter box, so I’ve added a frame on the top with chicken wire to keep them out, but allow the sunlight and water in.

*Updated, corrected information

Don’t Miss These Tips:

* How To Grow Roses In Pots [5]
* How To Make & Grow A Loofah Sponge [6]
* How To Bake Potatoes Fast + Recipe [7]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/grow-potatoes/

URLs in this post:

[1] It’s Not Idaho, But You Still Can Grow Potatoes: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/homegarden/2002347126_potatoes25.html

[2] How to Grow 100 lbs. of Potatoes in 4 Square Feet: http://www.gardencityseeds.net/growers1.php

[3] How To Grow Potatoes At Home: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2008829994_seedside09.html

[4] Build-As-You-Grow Potato Bins: http://ft2garden.powweb.com/sinfonian/?page_id=12

[5] How To Grow Roses In Pots: http://tipnut.com/how-to-grow-roses-in-pots/

[6] How To Make & Grow A Loofah Sponge: http://tipnut.com/how-to-make-grow-a-loofah-sponge/

[7] How To Bake Potatoes Fast + Recipe: http://tipnut.com/how-to-bake-potatoes-fast/

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