Supernatural Botanicals

Keep the summer going all year long and grow a windowsill herb garden.  Herbs are very easy to grow, great to spice up any breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and looks so pretty in your kitchen.  Find some great containers (flower pots, coffee cups, dip bowls), and make sure they fit in your windowsill securely.  Pick up a good bag of soil and plant some seeds.  Huge wow factor!

Think you can’t have a garden because you live in the city?  Think again.  The Durvaes Family of Pasedena, California has done just that.  Watch the amazing transformation of their yard, from dry, parched dirt, to rich organic soil where fruits and veggies (and more) grow.  Their story is ultra-inspiring.  Let it inspire you to do the same!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IbODJiEM5A

So it’s no secret that we here at Supernatural Botanicals are tree-hugging, granola-eating, Earth-loving people, so an event like Earth Day 2011 is a celebration for us.  In our effort to be Green, we ask that you do one thing kind for the planet today.  You can approach this in a myriad of ways…try to walk instead of drive, recycle something, reuse something instead of chucking it into the garbage, avoid putting toxins down your drains,  reduce your consumption, plant a tree, start a garden.  Simply, live a cleaner, more eco-friendly  lifestyle.  Start today, and see if it “sticks” tomorrow.  Stand for something, have a cause.  Happy Earth Day!

Delicious herbs from our Supernatural Garden.   Fresh chives, Rosemary, Dill and peppers.  They are so easy to grow, and there is always an abundance of fresh herbs from the garden.  Not only are they fab for adding kick to your meals, but there are multiple at home spa recipes you can try to even use more of your herbs.  Brilliant!

With all the flower bulb and tree planting lately, my poor herb containers sat empty, waiting for me to plant new herbs.  I tackled them over the weekend.  I had such an abundance of Basil last year that I actually couldn’t use it all.  After all, how many times can you make pesto?  I decided this year to only grow things I truly loved, and things that I’m sure I’d use every last drop of. 

I ended up planting Cilantro (for homemade salsas and Pico de Gallo), Dill (for dips, fish and seafood, and appetizers) and Rosemary (the summer wouldn’t be the same without roasted Rosemary potatoes.)  I also planted garden salsa peppers, jalapenos, and pepperoncinis (for the salsa and my pepper-addicted Irishman.) 

Within a month, I anticpate the herbs to be plentiful and vibrant, bright green.  Updates to follow…as per usual. 

Freshly planted Cilantro

Dill, a very unattractive herb, but delicious

Planting extra-fragrant Rosemary

Delicious Dill...I wish it looked as good as it tastes

Cilantro. I'll need this to multiple to the extreme for all my summer cooking

Freshly planted peppers. I had the best luck with Garden Salsa peppers last year

My Ginger got acquainted with the fresh mulch. A bath followed!

Hoping for a lovely herb garden this year

Been wanting to compost to reduce your garbage output, create soil for your garden, and save the planet’s eco system at the same time?  Composting can be daunting and, admittedly, make a huge mess of your backyard. 

Luckily, The Earth Machine does this for you in one contained unit.  And, what makes it even better is the deal they have worked out with Hamilton County Environmental Services.  They are offering a one day only sale on The Earth Machine for $35, (regularly $100.) 

They will have two sale locations, one at Cincinnati State Technical College and one at Princeton High School.  The sale will be on Saturday, May 8, 2010 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

If you aren’t lucky enough to live in Cincinnati, contact your county’s local environmental services and ask them about The Earth Machine.  

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwhU-KT_Iqo

Fresh from my garden five minutes ago.  They smell so amazing.  My entire kitchen smells of their succulent fragrance.  Gorgeous!

Early to mid Spring is the best time to plant Stargazer Lilies and Peonies.  Both will produce enormous, super-fragrant blooms from mid to late summer.  Both prefer full sun.  Lilies and Peonies produce mounds of enormous full flowers, and are perfect for keeping fresh cut flowers in every room in your house all summer long.  If you want beautiful flowers for cutting and for fragrancing your home, Stargazer Lilies and Peonies are highly recommended.  Plant your bulbs in the next week.  You’ll have a house full of beautiful flowers in the summer to reward you. 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKhNcKT_mTo

Reminder:  Fall is the time to plant Limelight Hydrangea bushes in your yard for next year’s growing season.