[Wisconsin's] Herbarium Tries To 'Counteract Bio-illiteracy'

Wisconsin State Journal ^ | January 30, 2009 | Melanie Conklin

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Exactly! I’ve been a ‘Conserve-ative’ for my entire life. And that’s why the ‘Greenwits’ annoy me to no end with their tying every little thing into ‘saving the planet.’ *Rolleyes*

Spend a day keeping up with me, Tree-Hugger, LOL!

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Liberal tree-huggers think nature is disappearing, because they live in huge cities...

They have no concept.

Except I suppose that doesn’t completely explain Madison. :)

[mplsconservative]

When I had kitties they couldn’t stand the scent of chives. But it being a kitchen garden, I’m sure you already have some planted there. Hmmmm...

I wonder if you could put some thorny rose branch clippings in amongst your plantings. Ouch for kitty when he steps in there, but he might avoid it from then on out.

[Arrowhead1952]

After reading your reply, I thought back to the past of my own family. One thing that stands out, is when the daughter and I were in the garden digging dirt for the fall veggies. She wasn't much of a veggie eater back then, but is now.

We dug and dug, put down some compost, piled the dirt onto a bed and turned it all upside down. Then, we put leaf lettuce seed into the dirt and raked the bed. After the plants grew up and we had fresh veggies, she went “YUCK. all that work for this?”

Now, she actually eats a lot of salads, and loves coming home to fresh lettuce from the garden. Fresh out of the garden tomatoes are an endangered species at my house. They do NOT go bad.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

NOTHING explains ‘Madistan,’ LOL!

It’s one of the most gorgeous places on the planet...and it’s filled with kookburgers!

I’m pretty sure our Founding Fathers never imagined America this way...

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Now that the boys are grown, they love having their own little ‘garden’ even if it’s just a pot of herbs or a patio tomato until they own a little land of their own. :)

You gotta plant the seeds and have patience. Then, years later you get to see what blooms. :)

[Gabz]

Actually, I don’t have any chives in that particular spot, I guess I’ll just have to dig up a clump from else where!!!

Rose branch clippings is an idea, I don’t have roses, but I’m sure I can find some thorny branches around here somewhere.

[mplsconservative]

Just thought of another trick I used long ago when the cats would dig in my houseplants. Lemon or orange peels in the pot would keep them out. I don’t know how that would work outside though. It might invite other creatures in. :>0

[Arrowhead1952]

You gotta plant the seeds and have patience.

There is so much truth in those statements, "Patience is a virtue."

Then, years later you get to see what blooms. :)

And this Biblical prophesy, "By their fruits, you will know them."

[Gabz]

I’ll give the peels a shot as well. Between the cats and the dog, around that side of the house we rarely get any critters.

Thanks for the tips!!!

[reformedliberal]

My husband inherited that book, as well, and still consults it to set the table for a dinner party.

I believe it was written to educate the immigrants from Europe who came here in the early part of the 20th century.

However, I tend to look up more modern versions of the recipes on the Internet. Most of them are available with measurements, temperatures/times, techniques and ingredients with which we are more familiar.

I like your potpourri technique and will try it this year. Do peonies retain their odor when dried?

Last year I made Elder Flower cordial. I adore the odor of Elder Flower and maybe I will see if they retain their odor, too. The cordial was a big hit with everyone who tried it and I gave away nearly a gallon (I made two gallons). You can google a variety of recipes, but be advised they call for way too much sugar and I cut the sugar in half. I use it mainly to make a drink with LaCroix Lime Flavored carbonated water and a squeeze of lime. Great with Prosecco or 1/2 and 1/2 with a cheap Asti. A friend used it in some bundt cakes. It is great in a cup of tea, adding a summery taste/smell. I used it instead of simple syrup in some marmalade I made with my Calamondin oranges and then mixed some of the result 1/2 and 1/2 with honey. That was also great in tea. I think it would also make a good icing.

Does anyone gather and use Sumac flowers? I dried some and have it in the freezer, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. I need to get a dedicated spice grinder, first.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Do peonies retain their odor when dried?”

Not that you’d notice, but they make great ‘filler’ for potpourri. The darker colors look nicer when dried. The white petals seem to just turn brown/tan. They are one of my favorite flowers! I have 14 of them. :) Have you found a good lotion or oil that captures their scent? I haven’t. :(

By ‘Elder Flower’ do you mean the blooms of the common Elderberry? That sounds interesting.

I’ve made a rose petal cordial. When you drink it, you feel as if your whole head is filled with roses, LOL! I’ve also added rose petals to a bottle of vodka, then thrown it into the freezer for summer sippin’ on ice.

(Your own untreated rose petals, of course!)

[reformedliberal]

No, I don’t have a good carrier oil for any natural petal scent. I don’t think it would be a case of what oil, as much as what fixative. Maybe Orris Root powder for the potpourri? I will try that. Orris has its own, slightly sweet scent, IIRC. It has been awhile since I played with scents.

Yes, the big umbrella-like white blooms. Pick, clip _just_ the tiny blooms until you have 4c packed. Meanwhile, mix 5# sugar with 3 liters water, the zest and juice of 4-6 lemons (depends on size; the original recipe, online, calls for 10# sugar and 12-14 lemons). Just warm the water/sugar/lemon juice and zest until sugar dissolves. Add the elder flowers. Place something (I use the top of my dehydrator) over the pot of flowers and cover with a clean flour sack dish towel. If you don’t use some sort of domed cover, the liquid could wick into the towel. Let sit undisturbed (you can go and take periodic whiffs...it is heavenly)up to four days. Strain the flowers and zest out of the liquid. Boil 20-30 minutes, skimming as it boils. Prepare jars or other containers with good tight lids by pouring boiling water over them and let them dry in the oven at 250. Remove cordial from heat and ladle into jars/containers. Has so far kept well in the fridge. I had a tad bit of mold in one jar out of 2 gallons total (I do a gallon at a time). I skimmed out the bit of mold, boiled the contents hard for 10 minutes and rebottled after cleaning and boiling the same jar. All is fine, at the moment.

The rose cordial sounds wonderful. Unfortunately, I cannot grow them more than a couple of seasons on my land....just not enough sun, too cold in the valley and too much West wind, IMO. Maybe I will try some this summer, just for the cordial and not expect them to survive.

The elder flower cordial also fills your head with the scent of the flowers. It’s Summer anytime you use some.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Copied! My Aunt gives me dried elderberry flowers for tea. I’ll ask her to let me know when they’re in bloom this upcoming season and hopefully I can get some fresh ones. :)