Lets Get Crafty... Harobeds Hippy Gardening Tricks!

Welcome my Lovlies:)

Being a Hedge Witch my gardens are where I dwell for the biggest part of the year.
I lovingly tend mine in the old ways as much as possible and always use the most
earth friendly way to accomplish my gardening goals.This does not have to be exspensive
 or a tiresome chore!Earth friendly and Goddess honoring ,I gleaned alot of knowledge back in the day from sources such as Mother Earth News ,Grit and Organic Gardening ,all of these are now online and free for the most part.

         They were the foundations I've based my life of gardening on.I use what I have around our home to solve my problems .This time I'm sharing some of the things I brew up for my outdoor realm.First off let me say ,Being who I am I have to tinker with stuff, so all of these recipies started off someone elses. Over the years Ive tweaked them until they worked best for me.Next , believe me when I tell you I like things simple!All of these are simple,quick and cheap enough to please the most frugal of Hedge Witchs.
 Now having said that,the lesson begins....

            I love my water garden its my very own taylored to me quiet spot!My fish are
 friendly and always looking for a handout.To keep them healthy I feed them Koi pellets
that can be bought most anywhere including walmart.But like kids they want treats too and
 being a loving Mom I oblige:) This is a quick simple recipie for fish treats suitable for Koi or
any larger gold fish.

Combine in a bowl......
1 cup unbleached flour (I use Wheat)
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup plain oatmeal
1/4 cup blackstrap molasses
DONT USE PANCAKE SYRUP!!!
It has to be molasses ,syrup is bad for your fish )O(

Mix well to create a stiff dough.
Form into small jelly bean size balls
and drop into boiling water for 10 minutes
remove from the boil with a straining spoon
and plunge into ice water for about a minuet
spread them out on paper and allow to dry for
 a day before storing.
Now I cheat on the last step lol
I preheat my oven to 450 spread them out on a brown paper bag ,
when the oven beeps ready I cut the oven off , pop the bag in the oven
and leave it till the oven is intirely cool.By then my treats are cool
and dry enough to be stored.
My fish love these and I keep a coffee can of them around all season,
first thing in the spring when they first start to activly feed after being
 mostly dormant Im a bit more generous with them.The same goes for after Mabon
because then they are storing up fat for the winter.
    While Im on the subject of coming through a long winter shortly it will be time
to toss our house plants out into the fresh air.Even if yours stay indoors year round
after weak winter sun and canned heat,they are tired and in need of a pick me up.
This is my witchy spring tonic remedy for the sad plant blues.
Set a pot with a gallon of water on the stove to boil
in a bucket toss the following.....
1 dz empty eggshells
3 oyster shells
3-4 old rusty nails
bring the water to a rolling boil, cut the stove off,pour the water
 into the bucket and cover it
If (like me) you are using your cauldron or an old pot not used
for kitchen duty any more you dont need the bucket,you just toss everything in and bring it to a boil.
I my old cast iron Cauldron outside under a real fire for this and let it steep outside in the moonlight.
It must steep for at least 24 hours, then water plants as you normally do using this.Continue
to do this once every 3 months and you'll be amazed as to how much happier your plants are!

       City or country ,forest or your back yard Squirells are everywhere!
They are cute ,playful and I am among those who really dont mind most of the rascally
mischief they get up to.However as all my denizons learn I have my limits.
So when I need to deter them from chewing something I whip up a batch of this.

In a spray bottle Combine .....
4 Tbs hot sauce the hotter the better
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 Tbs Castor oil
 fill with water
 Shake to combine well
Soak down whatever the little Imps are chewing and be persistant ,just like toddlers they will try you.
 So soak it down 2-3 times a week it may take awhile but this does work.
Now while we're on the subject of Squirells ,do you have birdfeeders on
a pole and no matter what you do they are invading ? Heres a trick I learned from one of my
clients ,have some fun at their expence.If your feeders are plastic or metal coat them down
with petrolium jelly .The little buggers cant get purchase and slide right off,they are also
like cats in the aspect of cleanliness and they hate having it all over them.According to her
 if you get a persistant one that wont give up.You switch and use Vicks Vapor rub because they
 hate the mentholatum.I know two things for sure ,her feeders remain unmolested and when you
get to watch the attempts at gaining a foothold its a riot !
     So you've solved the Squirell problems and your happy.Then you open your back door
one morning look out at your realm and ARRRRGGG the moles have invaded.There are humped
tunnels everywhere and you are not a  happy camper!Here are a few important things you
should know before you wage battle.The Moles are only using 1 of those tunnels
more than once.Moles have 1 main tunnel ,all the others are feeder runnels.
These are created when the Mole branchs out to feed on grubs once hes eaten
he goes back to his main run and that tube is never used again.Now I know
your wondering why did I tell you this lol and heres the reason.Before you
 can rid of them you need to figure out where the frack they are:)
So every morning for a few days go out and stomp the tunnels down,
 you will quickly be able to see the one thats his main run.Once you know that
you can do one of two things the first being you can kill it by setting a mole traps
in a couple places along his run .Or if your like me and just want him to leave,
you can make the ground unpalatable.

Combine in blender or bowl .....
1 capful Oil Soap ,I use Murphey's because thats what I clean my wood with
1/3 cup castor oil
6 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons liquid detergent any kind will do
then whip beat until its stiff and fluffy ,stop when it looks like cool whip

To Use , Add 4 Tablespoons of mix to a regular
 watering can and fill with warm water.For those who
have the Miraclegrow feeders that attach to your hose you
can apply it useing these also. Its best to use this between 4 in the afternoon
and dark.Either wait until after a good rain or water the area your treating first,
this assures the mix soaks in and stays where the moles are running.When you apply it
use plenty (as in soak that ground!)  its easy to make and you want them to leave !

     Next your peacfully contemplating your beautiful Roses and suddenly you spy Aphids!
Tiny bright green little nasties sucking the life out of the buds you've been waiting
 to open,how dare they! Well theres a cheap and easy inhouse solution that only
takes a few minuets to make!

In your blender combine.....
1 cup chopped onions
1 whole peeled garlic clove
1 cup water
Puree until super fine,then puree a bit longer!
place in a spray bottle.
In the morning before the sun is high in the sky and its hot
Spray down the plants that have aphids and any that are close by them.
Repeat spray as needed through out the season.

So there you have it,lesson over:)I have now armed you with some of my hippy gardening ways!

There will be more another day until then
"May your gardens be bountiful and your harvests be abundant"