Organics – Barb's Back Yard

Oh the peaches!

August 24, 2018 by adminNo Comments

Oh the joyous arrival of juicy fresh from the farm peaches! Just like summer, filled with sunny colors and life and joy! Our neighborhood farmers market features peaches from a local orchard that never fail to deliver. Big and juicy, they sell out quickly. Quarter peck? Full peck? Neighbors are known to call out "Are there peaches today?" before deciding to visit the market. This year, I found new ways to enjoy these sunny fruits, along with some old favorites: Breakfast or a special mid-day treat Slice them up in a bowl, and cut ribbons of fresh basil to mix with Add mozzarella pieces to a bowl of cut peaches Bonus! Add mozzarella and fresh basil ribbons! Peaches and blackberries in a bowl Peaches, blackberries and vanilla yogurt or ice cream in a bowl Dessert Fresh peach and ginger ice cream - try this easy recipe from Pillsbury. Just six ingredients! Simply peach ice cream - same recipe without the ginger! Smoothies Add chopped peaches with...

Some Earth Day ideas for your garden

May 24, 2016January 31, 2017 by adminNo Comments

Since it is time to plant and ready our gardens for the coming summer bounty, it came to mind that some earth friendly gardening makes for a great way to celebrate Earth Day! Last year I suggested a few things to help our struggling bees and monarch butterflies here. This year, some "weed and insect control" tips: Got mosquitoes? Plant a lot of lavender, basil or marigolds to repel them from your patio. Many people also swear by mints - especially peppermint. Watch out, though. Mints usually go crazy and take over a garden in a flash. Perhaps some potted plants around the patio will do. Ladybugs love to munch on aphids. Did you know most nurseries carry them? Release them at dusk in your garden area that aphids show up, and everyone but the aphids will be happy. Dandelion leaves make for great additions salads. Like arugula, the leaves have a bite to them, and packed with nutrients. Just make sure no...

How to celebrate Earth Day in your backyard

April 22, 2015January 31, 2017 by adminNo Comments

Celebrate Earth Day 3 ways in your own backyard: plant milkweed for Monarchs, bee friendly flowers & stop using herbicides & pesticides. Monarchs and bees are disappearing at an alarming rate. Aside from beauty & honey, their role in pollination means survival of plants on our planet, and the people/animals that feed on plants. I am no Einstein (and the bee quote is questionable), but it doesn't really take a renown scientist to figure this one out. : ) Monarchs depend on milkweed to survive. This stuff appeared everywhere when I was a kid! We loved opening the pods and watching the silky strands release and carry the tiny seed on the wind. Aside from the crafts projects (and there were many), the pods had the most beautiful linings. This summer, my backyard will sport some milkweed in the flower beds as a small way to help keep the butterflies from extinction. And sadly, extinction could happen. Want to plant your own...

8 reasons I love White Clover

June 10, 2012June 8, 2016 by barbNo Comments

Every year when I look out and see clover in my yard, my heart leaps with the happiness of seeing an old friend. I absolutely love the stuff. Why on earth anyone would want to kill it off with herbicide goes beyond my comprehension! Here are just a few of the things I love about it: White clover attracts beneficial insects, and naturally controls bug populations. As a gardener, this means a lot. Whiteflies? Watch out! White clover attracts parasitic wasps (the itty bitty kind, not the big nest building kind) and bees. Bees pollinate vegetables, fruits and flowers. Unless you are allergic to them, welcome them to your gardens for much greater abundance! Beautiful to look at, white clover also smells good! Rabbits absolutely LOVE to eat white clover. Last week I looked out to my garden to see a rabbit, with his back turned to my garden, happily munching on the adjacent patch of clover. Made us both...

Books, tips and garden “how-to”

July 14, 2011 by barbNo Comments

Much of the garden knowledge I've gained came from some wonderful books. Lots of people ask me about them, so I added a new section at barbsbackyard.com for these recommendations, cleverly titled Books, gadgets & great stuff. The first book on my list is a classic. Carrots love tomatoes. First published in the 70's, I've been referring to it for about as long. What makes it so special? How easily it teaches the concept of companion planting. That means: certain plants, like good friends, when planted near each other, help each other. For example: planting carrots near leeks and onions helps repel the dreaded carrot fly, onion fly AND the leek moth! Good for both the carrot & the leek! Not to mention how much you will enjoy a delicious veggie soup with carrots & leeks come harvest time. To be direct: most of them bring a small commission to me to help defray the costs of this blog. Just click...

Spring time – time to till & prep for planting

March 26, 2009 by barbNo Comments

Before you plant, take these three steps to prepare the soil and your garden will reward you all season. Just like you and I, your garden needs to breathe – the soil as well as the plants. Tilling and aeration keep the soil loose, allowing for air and drainage near plant roots. An added bonus: if you take the time to prepare the soil and make it healthy, the odds favor a more bountiful harvest and healthy, robust plants. That means less pest control, fertilizing and plant loss for you. (more…)...