Living close to a creek and seeing the results of insecticides and pollutants from the road and erosion has only strengthened my appreciation for natural remedies for pest control in the gardens and backyard.

photo credit: Mick E.Talbot
Our wet summer has also caused a serious mosquito problem, so I have been mixing up my own ointments to ward off these insects.

Herbs such as basil, catnip, lemon balm, rosemary and rose geraniums are a few of the plants that have insect-repelling qualities. By growing an herb container garden or mini herb garden you can have these herbs close at hand for making a natural insect repellant ointment.

Catnip and Lemon balm are especially good for warding off mosquitoes. Researchers at Iowa State University found the essential oil in catnip to be about 10 times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET, the widely used synthetic repellent.

photo credit: kthread

To create an ointment, crush the leaves of any of these plants to release their scents and rub them on your exposed skin. I usually store the ointment in a brown or blue glass container and store in the refrigerator. Unfortunately my cat really likes catnip so he tends to get a bit wound up when I am making the catnip ointment.

Tip: You can grow you own herbs and make an essential oil or stop at a health food store and pick up top quality essential oils.

The recipe below will make an insect repellant for various pesky insects

Herbal insect repellent

• 2 teaspoons total of any of the following essential oils: basil, catnip, cedarwood, citronella, juniper, lemon, myrrh, pine, rosemary or rose geranium. (You can use one herb or a combination or two or three.)
• 1-cup 190-proof grain alcohol (available at liquor stores)

Place the ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously. Place in a small glass jar for storage. I prefer dark jars to keep light out. Light will weaken the mixture in time.

To use, rub a small amount on exposed skin. When ever you make any ointment or cosmetic place a small amount on the skin and wait to see if you have any reaction such as a rash or red skin.

Rose geranium is also excellent for keeping ticks off of you dog and cats.

Herbs have many  medicinal , natural cosmetic  and crafting uses. They also can help control insects just by being planted among you vegetables and flowers.

Technorati Tags: herb uses, herbal pest control, herbs, organic gardening

There are several ways to store herb that you have grown in your garden. Freezing and drying are the most popular forms of storage.

I dry most of my herbs. I like the look and the smell of the barn when I have the herbs hanging while drying.

My barn works the best for me for drying as its dry and dark. Many people use a dark closet or even an herb drying cabinet.

And with modern advance the microwave will also dry herbs. Some question if the microwave dries out the essential oils in the herbs so that they are not as potent.

The following you tube below shows how to dry herbs

There are several points I consider important when drying herbs.

• Pick the herb in the morning. Rinse and make sure the herb is dry. I usually wait and start to dry the herb until the next day.
• When you feel the herb is dry, check once again. If the herb has any moisture left in the leaves it will mold when put in a jar.
• Store the herb in a glass jar and keep out of sunlight. Sunlight will delete the oils left in the jar.
• Herbs that are left whole, not crushed, will keep their herbal strength longer.

Herbs are easy and fun plants to grow. With the many uses for herbs you will find they are a wonderful addition to the yard and gardens.

Technorati Tags: drying herbs, herb drying tips, herbs, storing herbs

Fall weather is setting into NW PA and my gardens are winding down. At this time of year I check on my herb crops and get them ready do the winter season.
photo credit: themissiah

Many plants are annuals and will be removed from the garden. But I like fresh herbs so I will either transplant the plant into a pot and bring indoors or start a new herb plant from seed.

I grow my tender perennials  in a window. Rosemary is a tender herb in my region. And my perennial herbs are cut down (the tops will be dried for later use) and the plants will be prepared for winter. I clear any weeds from my herb patch and will cover the garden area when frost threatens. That may be any day.

If you are planning a new herb garden for next year or moving herbs indoors for an herbal window garden this you tube may be a guide on which herbs to grow.

And here is a you tube on fresh or dried herbs. I prefer fresh, but the time of year can influence if you can purchase fresh herbs.

Herbs are always in my garden and home. I use them for cooking, crafting, medicinal uses and for creating cosmetics.

They are also beneficial in the garden for controlling pests. One of my favorites for pest control and a forgotten herb in this time is Borage.

Herbs also add beauty to the gardens and yard. And for the beginning gardener, herbs are very easy to grow.

So if you haven’t grown herbs you may want to give them a try.

Technorati Tags: caring for herbs, growing herbs, herbs, indoor gardening with herbs