Author: Julie Fryer

Thai Chicken Lettuce Cups

Recipe created by Chef Katie Chine and served at the 2013 White House Easter Egg Roll.

Ingredients:

2 TB olive oil.

2 tsp. peeled, minced fresh ginger

1 clove garlic, minced

1 TB lemongrass, finely minced

½ lb. ground chicken

¼ cup mushrooms, finely chopped

¼ cup water chestnuts, rinsed, drained, and finely chopped

2 TB fresh cilantro (chop 1 TB finely, reserve remaining leaves for garnish)

1 TB green onion, finely chopped

1 TB fish sauce

Season with salt and pepper to taste

8 large butter lettuce leaves

Directions:

Heat oil in skillet and add ginger, garlic, and lemongrass. Stir-fry about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add chicken and stir-fry for another 4 minutes. Add water chestnuts and mushrooms and stir-fry for 2 more minutes. Stir in cilantro, green onion, and fish sauce and heat through. Season and let cool. Scoop into lettuce leaves and garnish with sprig of cilantro.

The beauty you’ve worked so hard to create outdoors can easily be turned into gorgeous wall art, all for a fraction of the cost of decor store prints. And all you need is one good digital photo of the one-of-a-kind subject matter right outside your backdoor! Whether you have an expensive multi-lens camera or a simple smart phone, you can freeze frame that beauty with just a couple clicks. Getting a good shot doesn’t require advanced skills. Just remember these simple garden photography basics:

1. Look at the subject matter with an artistic eye. Instead of trying to capture the entire floral arrangement, select by color (for example, capture how the colors blend together or contrast within one flower); look at the different forms of the plant (try a Celosia Comb Mix for some interesting shapes); or look for seasonality (shoot the same tree in all four seasons.) Sometimes just one part of the flower – such as the interior pistil – makes a fantastic shot.
2. Frame your subject. Look at the area around or behind your subject – is it cluttered with furniture, parked cars, flagpoles, or downspouts? Move your shooting position to avoid these distractions. Flowers look very artistic when shot from close-up and this will help eliminate the “background noise.” Most computers have a basic photo-editing program to crop photos or add text.
3. Play with lighting. Take photos under different light conditions or at varying times of day. Shoot from multiple angles so the light falls differently on the subject matter. Play with photo-editing settings to adjust the lighting effects or even make it monochrome or black-and-white.
4. Take your time. Spend a chunk of time watching the activity in your garden and you’ll eventually notice birds, butterflies, and bees that stop by. These make great shots – just use your “sports” mode and snap a bunch as they flit around the blooms. (And by the way, sitting in your garden is a great stress reliever!).
   

 

 

 

 

 

Little Gardener’s Tip: Now this might turn out to be a tear-jerker – but wouldn’t it be neat to have a yearly photo of your kids growing up? Start this year with a new tree, take a photo with the kids next to the tree, and repeat every year. Twenty years from now you’ll be amazed by how each has grown!

    All that hard work you’ve put into your flowerbeds, planters, and patio pots really deserves a spotlight, don’t you think? From candles to strings of light to unique solar light stakes, creative outdoor lighting can turn your patio into a warm and welcoming extension of your living room. And you don’t need to be an electrician to turn on the lights! It’s easy and inexpensive to light up every nook and cranny of your garden and enjoy your yard long past sundown.

   Lighting is not just for edging a walkway or illuminating a back step, use it to lighten up dark corners, showcase special plants, add interest to potted arrangements, or create mood lighting in seating areas. Be sure to choose outdoor-safe lighting with approved UL-cords and never bury extension cords underground or place under pots or rugs. Try these bright ideas to lighten up your spaces:

• Place staked solar lights in planters, flowerboxes, hanging baskets, or mixed in with foundation plantings.
• Use glow-in-the-dark spray paint on rocks and place around your garden or line your walkway. You could also paint your pots or planters with glow-in-the-dark designs. Most craft stores and home stores sell both tube and spray glow-in-the-dark paint.
• Loop white “Christmas lights” from tree branches, over your bushes, or drape along your deck railing. Or create your own outdoor light fixture by balling up the string and placing in an old-fashioned metal colander so the light shines through in an interesting pattern.
• Remove the stake and place the solar light top into a thrift shop chandelier or hanging light fixture and hang from a tree, pergola, or shepherd’s hook.
• Combine mosquito-repellent candles with your favorite collections or line your deck stairs for an evening party that’s bug-free. Browse our essential oils candle collection here.
• Fill a large urn, tub, or bowl with colored water and float candles and flower petals to create a romantic centerpiece.
• Play “Flashlight Tag” or “Ghost in the Graveyard” with the kids. It’s a great workout and guaranteed fun!

Little Gardener’s Tip: A solar-powered light makes a great nightlight. Put in a sunny window each morning and it will be charged and gently glowing by bedtime. And, of course, will protect your little ones from monsters under the bed!

Did you know mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth?

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that every year, mosquitoes infect 200 million people with malaria and kill another 3 million. Every year. Tens of millions more suffer the debilitating and often fatal effects of other mosquito-borne diseases. These are sobering statistics and many have turned to toxic chemicals to control these mosquito populations. While this works to kill mosquitoes, it’s also known to cause cancer and other side effects. In poor Third World countries these methods are out of reach because they are so expensive yet these are the areas suffering the most. Because of this crisis, researchers started looking for non-chemical control methods . . . and they found it! The common flowering plant, Lantana Camara, repelled mosquitoes and protected people from these dangerous diseases.

A natural mosquito control method proven to repel mosquitoes.

Research published in the Journal PLoS ONE (Public Library of Science) gives scientific proof that Lantana works to deter mosquitoes – specifically those known to carry malaria in Africa. Researchers were focused on finding a lower-cost mosquito control alternative to bednets or insecticidal indoor spraying. The hopes of the study was to find a method that would be simple to install and maintain, be cost effective, and would provide broad protection from dangerous disease-carrying mosquitoes. Several mosquito-repellent plants were considered but lantana was ultimately selected because of its “size and vigor, year round growth, and known repellency towards the African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae s.s.” Not only does the smell deter mosquitos, but those that do feed from the flowers have shorter lives and diminished reproductive success.

By the end of the study, researchers had data from 231 houses with lantana screens and 90 houses without. Those with well-growing screens (some reached as high as the home’s eaves) had significantly less mosquitos caught in traps compared to the non-lantana homes. (Full study can be found here).

Can Lantana be used here for the same purpose?

Sometimes called Yellow Sage or Shrub Verbena, common Lantana has been a popular bedding plant for decades and is the go-to plant for many gardeners. Its lovely verbena-shaped blossoms emerge in multiple color combinations of pink, red, yellow, orange, and purple which last all summer long and make it an outstanding container or foundation plant. The medium green, leathery leaves grow in an upright and sturdy pattern and this plant has the outstanding ability to thrive in nearly all growing conditions especially poor soil, hot sun, and prolonged heat. Deer and other critters dislike the taste and smell but butterflies and hummingbirds love it so you’ll attract beneficial insects to your garden. Planted as a “mosquito fence” around high-traffic and outdoor living spaces, it really does help you better enjoy your precious outside time.

Kids & Pets Alert!:  After flowering, some cultivars will produce a berrylike fruit which turns black when mature. These berries are poisonous to pets and humans. If you have curious little fingers or animals, plant in an area they can’t reach or trim off the berry clusters when they first appear in their green stage.

How to use Lantana to repel mosquitoes in your garden.

Planting this gorgeous plant really is as simple as making space for it in all your gardens. Place it near high-use areas such as decks, patios, and entryways – rub or crush the leaves as you walk by and they’ll give off a citronella scent. Cut sprigs to add to bouquets for super repelling power. Leaves can be dried by laying out in the sun for a few days, then crushed, and burned in a glass jar to repel mosquitos. It is not recommended to rub this plant on your skin as it can lead to irritation. Combine with other mosquito repellent plants such as Citronella Geranium and Lemongrass in a deck planter for a real show-stopper that will smell heavenly all summer long. Plant en masse along the edge of your patio or doorways. Fill a windowbox with multiple colors and enjoy the hummingbirds coming right up to your window.

Start growing your Goodbye Mosquito Garden today!

The possibilities are endless but the supply of Lantana is not! With the renewed interest in its mosquito-control abilities, these plants are flying off the shelves so don’t wait to order! Besides, the sooner you plant them, the bigger they’ll get to fend off those pesky mosquitoes. When you order from Clovers Garden, we’ll include a handy planting instruction sheet so you’ll have everything you need to start. If you’d like to start reading up now on Lantana and all the other plants that work to repel mosquitoes, click here to join our gardening community and we’ll send you an email with a free ebook, Mosquito Repellent Plants. This great book has tons of planting info, recipes for making your own natural bug spray from the plants’ leaves, and even five original garden designs such as the one shown in this article. And you’ll get it FREE just for subscribing to our newsletter.

These plants can be planted up until first frost (or year round for Southern gardeners) and they only get fuller and more lush as the season goes on. Shop the full collection here.

If you have any questions about gardening with mosquito repellent plants, we’ll be happy to answer them. Just comment here — we check posts often. Thanks for reading and Happy Gardening!

Every gardener runs into common problems during the summer from blight to weeds to pests but few of us are willing to resort to pesticides or herbicides. These healthy garden tips can help minimize and eliminate pests in your garden and protect your plants as they grow.

#1 Start with the soil.

A healthy garden begins with the best soil you can find or create. For brand new gardens, buy the best from a garden center. Don’t be tempted to fill up from your community compost pile – these are often filled with weed seeds and worst yet, diseased plants. If you have an established garden, feed it in early spring with a good, rich compost or manure. Rototill this in well and let sit for a week or two before planting so it can settle and warm up.

Do you have blight in your garden? If you’ve noticed healthy tomato plant leaves suddenly turning brown and shriveling up, you probably have blight in your soil. The spores attach to droplets of water, splash up on the leaves, and eventually defoliate the whole plant. If you’ve had blight, you must either replace the soil or wait a few years before planting blight-susceptible plants in it. Frustrating I know!

#2 Use mulch (yes, even in your vegetable garden!).

After planting, lay down a thick layer of natural mulch (not treated wood chips). Great choices are hay, untreated grass clippings, or newspaper. These materials will keep weed growth down, help the roots retain water, and by the end of summer decompose to feed the soil.

#3 Pay attention to weeds and water.

We all know how busy life gets and we sometimes let the weeds take over or miss a day of watering. And we know this hurts our plants. But did you know it actually helps the pests and diseases? Big, bountiful, healthy plants (that are well-watered and maintained) actually keep weed growth down and are more resistant to diseases. Struggling plants will give weeds a foothold and attract opportunistic pests. If you find diseased or pest-attacked plants, dispose of them away from your own compost pile and clean your garden tools with a mild bleach solution.

#4 Start with good, quality plants.

Whether you grow from seed or buy from a nursery, choose plants that are suited to your climate and are raised without insecticides (bad for pollinators) or pesticides (bad for people). Always, always harden off your plants before planting and follow a regular feeding schedule during the growing season.

#5 Plant like crazy.

The best way to really stymie the pests is to plant your garden in a haphazard style. Combine multiple and different plants in one row, mix and match herbs and flowers, and create a more free flow style or cottage garden look within your fences. This gives you the advantages of companion planting (more on that here) but also truly confuses rabbits and deer! They will pass by your garden if the beans are hidden within a barrier of marigolds and deer-repelling hot peppers.

 

If it flowers, butterflies of all stripes will be happy to visit your gardens but did you know there is one plant that Monarchs cannot live without? Common Milkweed is a necessity for Monarch caterpillars. While Monarch butterflies will feed on many different flowering plants, they only lays eggs on Milkweed because it is the ONLY plant the caterpillar eats until it goes into the chrysalis. In fact, the chemical compounds in this plant protect the caterpillars from getting eaten! Milkweed contains a cardiac poison that caterpillars are immune to but makes them taste bad – and become poisonous – to predators. Over time predators have come to see the unique coloration of the Monarch caterpillar as a warning and leave it alone!

During summer and with enough habitat along the way, four generations of Monarchs will emerge, each one flying further North. But without Milkweed corridors, Monarchs must fly greater distances before laying eggs and consequently reproduce less and less over each summer. Herbicidal control and increased agricultural land use has eliminated much of the U.S. milkweed, creating a critical turning point in the Monarch population. So much so that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is considering including the Monarch Butterfly on its Endangered Species List. 

From the United States Fish & Wildlife Service:

North American monarch butterflies are in trouble. Threats, including loss of milkweed habitat needed to lay their eggs and for their caterpillars to eat, are having a devastating impact on their populations and the migration phenomenon. Unless we act now to help the Monarch, this amazing animal could disappear in our lifetime.

We can save the Monarch, but it will take a concerted national effort.

Every backyard can become an oasis for monarchs and other pollinators—even in cities. Schools, youth and community groups, businesses, and state and local governments can engage in planting native milkweed and protecting monarch habitat along roadsides, rights of way, and other public and private lands. By enlisting a broad group of partners, from schoolchildren to CEOs, we will build a connected conservation constituency.

How You Can Help the Monarchs

There are many simple steps you can take to support the Monarchs in their annual migration and still grow a beautiful garden:

1. For starters, keep a pollinator-friendly, herbicide-, insecticide-, and pesticide-free garden. Monarchs need lots of nectar to fuel their journey and a wide selection of flowering plants will attract them to your landscape.
2. Plant native Milkweed plants. Milkweed has many, many varieties and it’s important to choose a species native to your region. Choosing a non-native species may encourage Monarchs to lay eggs too late in the season or even veer off their migration path. Here’s a great link to check what varieties work in your area.
3. Choose non-herbicide treated Milkweed plants. Many nursery-raised plants of all kinds are treated with “systemic insecticides” (neonicotinoids) which are toxic to invertebrates feeding on the nectar, pollen, or leaves. Plants treated with these chemicals will kill Monarch caterpillars! Be sure to ask your garden center before purchase (FYI: Clovers plants are NOT treated with any chemicals.)
4. Spread the word and encourage landowners and neighbors to let Milkweed grow! This pretty plant is worth a shot especially if it helps rebuild the Monarch population.

Give this interesting plant a try . . . you’ll help this regal butterfly and attract all kinds of beneficial pollinators to your garden. Click over to “How to Grow Milkweed” for info on planting instructions and a few design ideas for including it in your landscape.

Flickering light adds so much to your outdoor spaces and these gorgeous, long-burning jar candles do double-duty because they also repel mosquitoes! And more is better when it comes to this decorating item . . . choose the scent you love, they all work to drive biting insects from your party. Or combine colors and scents to match your patio décor. Another bonus? These candles have screw-on lids so when the party’s over, you can close them up to protect from rainwater.

Here’s a few easy ideas to update your next deck party with Mosquito Naturals candles.  

Repurpose Household Items
Think like a light beam when scouring your cabinets or thrift stores . . . metal colanders or cheese graters cast really interesting patterns when the glow shines through but they’re open enough to keep the air flow for the candle.

Candles Do Not Have to Set On Tables!
All it takes is a little twine or wire and a cookie rack and you have a chandelier or a hanging lantern. Just loop twine around the rim of the candle to create a hanger, string en masse through the holes of the cooling rack, and hang from a pulley (so you can raise and lower it to light it).
Or hang individual lanterns from a short shepherd’s hook lining your walk or even from a birdfeeder hook attached to a railing post.

Created a Lighted Path.
Solar stakes are nice along your walkways but candles really add that special touch. Just mix in candles along the edges of your sidewalks and steps to light the path to your next deck party. Try poking in wire “firepit drink holders” – these candles fit perfectly! The heavenly scent and flickering light will really set the mood as your guests drop in.

Stagger Your Displays.
A decorator trick is to always place candles or décor in odd-numbered groups and staggered heights . . . for some reason this is more appealing to the eye. Pull chunky candlesticks from your house, repurpose chunks of wood, or turn buckets or terra cotta pots upside down to make a base. Group in the corners of your seating areas and top with candles. Place a potted plant in front to hide the bottoms and you have a gorgeous lighted display that will glow all evening.

Dollar Store Décor!
Whether it’s seashells or stones, we all have favorite collections and grouped with a few candles they make the perfect centerpiece. Browse the aisles of your local dollar store or thrift shop for a big metal container or cake plate. Spray paint your favorite color or leave as is, drill a couple holes in the bottom (if leaving outside), and group three candles in the middle. If the container is deep, place the candles on a brick or rock. Fill around the candles with your shells, stones, or whatever you love and you’ll have a year-round centerpiece that also smells delicious.

We’ll be adding more fun decorating ideas all summer so be sure to check back!

 

   Are you looking for unique plants for your containers or window boxes? Do you need more space to grow healthful herbs and veggies? Try tucking a few herbs or veggies into your containers and you’ll solve two problems at once! Using herbs in your containers is much like using herbs in cooking . . . they add a depth to each “dish” and heighten the flavor and beauty of everything around them. Herbs and veggies, too, will stay in bloom or full-green all summer long keeping your pots looking full and fresh. Our wide variety of super healthy plants gives you the design freedom to select by color, scent, texture, leaf size, or height.

TIP: Select containers that can be moved inside for winter and you’ll extend your growing season and have access to fresh-cut herbs all year.

If you need ideas for how to create a container, click over to our How to Build a Container Garden article for some great tips on building the perfect pot. But as we always say, there are no right or wrong answers in gardening so pick what you love! Here are a few selections to get your creative juices flowing:

For colorful or showy thrillers: Lavender, sage, stevia, ornamental peppers, red kale, cabbage, or chives.

For texture and fillers: Basil, lemon balm, curly parsley, chamomile, dill, or lettuce.

For thick spillers: Mint, thyme, rosemary, strawberries, or vining cherry tomatoes.

When you start looking at herbs or veggies as a container element – instead of in a garden row – you’ll be surprised by the range of textures and colors. Combined with flowers, herbs add depth to your patio pots and all alone they create interesting combinations. Try putting a spiller-type herb like Creeping Lemon Thyme with a thriller flower such as French Vanilla Snapdragon. Or create an entire container of herbs with contrasting colors and textures such as the multi-colored Tricolor Sage, light Silver Edge Thyme and the lovely flowering Hidcote Lavender. Herbs such as basil and mint add rich undertone scents to your spaces and will attract birds or butterflies. Be sure to choose combinations, though, with the same water, sun, and drainage needs and be aware that some herbs will grow profusely and need occasional trimming to avoid overcrowding.

Little Gardeners Tip: Gardening with herbs shows your kids the connection between scent and flavor. Rub a leaf between your fingers to release the smell and ask your children to guess the food they’d find that herb in. They’ll be amazed when they see what a “dill pickle” plant looks like!

Once your plants really take hold, be sure to snip off occasionally to keep their growth in check . . . and then take those herbs right into the kitchen for a delicious summer dish. Beautiful and yummy!

Planting your own containers is a great way to stretch your budget and gives you the ultimate creative freedom as you can pick the exact colors and textures to match your designs.

Selecting the right combination is easy if you follow the thriller-filler-spiller formula used by professional garden designers. This concept works for every container from a narrow window box to large front entry pots and the three elements work together to create beauty and balance within the container. Using this approach will give you long-lasting pots that look professionally designed. Just remember to group plants with similar sun and water requirements.

TIP: Don’t overlook the herb and veggie aisle for your pots . . . many have great textures, colors, and scents that will add interest to your containers.

There are hundreds of ways to combine your favorite flowers and plants and here are just a few suggestions to get you started (bonus hint: plants shown in bold also repel mosquitoes!):

• Thriller: This is the centerpiece used to draw the eye to the container and create drama in the composition. Choose something for bold color, height, structure, or for all three. Examples of good thrillers include dahlia, geraniums, lemon grass, calla lilies, gerbera daisies, or the upright growing Thai Gong Bao hot pepper plant.
• Filler: These plants ring the lower half of the thriller, hiding the stems, and filling the space with more color and texture. Choose plants that stay at a medium height with a mounding growth pattern such as lantana, non-trailing petunia, dusty miller, coleus, or impatiens.
• Spiller: This portion of your pots tucks in under the fillers and spills over the edge of your pot, creating another layer of color and texture to showcase the thriller. Good selections for spillers include wave petunias, alyssum, vinca vines, or the edible and lovely creeping lemon thyme.

Try adding plants and flowers that actually repel mosquitoes (yes, some of your favorites are also hated by skeeters and biting insects. Try these groupings for planters that only get bigger and more protective as summer goes on.

Are you ready to grow some tomatoes?! The season’s here and this article will show you everything you need to know to pick the right tomato for your garden.

By some estimates, 95% of home gardens include tomato plants! Which means that most of your gardening friends are already fussing and fretting over growing the best, the biggest, the juiciest, the reddest, and the sweetest tomato. Whatever your goal, tomatoes are truly a summertime jewel and the most versatile veggie for the dinner table. Nothing quite beats the taste of a thick slice of tomato on a warm summer evening – except for a delicious, hearty tomato sauce in the dead of winter made with your homegrown tomatoes.

Sometimes choosing the right variety, though, can be totally overwhelming. With so many choices out there, many of us just cross our fingers and pick the prettiest plant! The type of tomato you choose starts with how you plan to use the produce. If you’re going to make salsas or sauces, choose a tomato with a meaty flesh as these hold up well when cooking, canning, or freezing. If you’re planning on eating them fresh off-the-vine, choose a salad or cherry tomato that has a bit higher water content and is usually sweeter. Many varieties in the beefsteak category fit both of these bills so are a good choice all around. Your growing space also determines what type of plant to buy as some of the heirloom varieties can require a lot of room to grow well.

Of course, the world of tomato growing involves a bit more detail than whether a tomato is meaty or viney and you’ll encounter a few technical terms on plant labels. These terms include:

• Determinate vs. Indeterminate. Determinate tomato vines produce blossoms, then fruit, at the end of the vine and typically set fruit over a short time span. Once the fruit is set the plant stops growing, creating a plant that is usually shorter, easier to control but the plant also stops producing tomatoes after this crop. Indeterminate tomatoes are typically older varieties and their blossoms grow all along the vine. These types of tomatoes will continue to grow and set fruit as long as the weather allows. They also grow taller with long vines so do require staking and lots of space.
• Heirlooms vs. Hybrids. Heirloom tomatoes are grown from seeds that have been handed down for generations. These types of plants are also “open-pollinated”, are genetically identical to the parent plant, typically offer the most variety, but also can be less disease-resistant. Hybrid tomatoes have been cross-pollinated from two non-identical plants to enhance or encourage certain qualities such as fruit size or disease-resistance. Most of the tomatoes you see at standard nurseries are the hybrid variety.

Tomatoes are also categorized by the shape of their fruit and thickness of their flesh – and these categories somewhat determine their end use:

• Classic, Globe, or Round. These are nearly perfectly round tomatoes like those you see on the supermarket shelves. They usually grow to a medium size and are useful in fresh dishes such as salads or for slicing.
• Beefsteak. These are the largest tomatoes you can find and tend to be flatter with meaty flesh. They are delicious freshly sliced but also hold up well when cooked. Because of the heavy fruit, these plants require good supports or the vines will break under the weight of the tomato.
• Cherry, Currant, or Grape. These are the sweet little tomatoes often used in salads, shishkabobs, and other fresh dishes. The fruits grow in clusters along the vine and are usually abundant producers for most of the growing season.
• Roma, Plum, or Paste. These tomatoes have thick and meaty flesh, an elongated shape with a pointy end, and grow to a medium size. They are prolific producers and are the go-to tomato for the sauce and salsa maker.

 

 

 

 

Little Gardeners Tip: What do kids love more than digging in the dirt? Digging into a fresh bowl of homegrown salsa! did you know this snack is high in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Potassium, and Lycopene and when you make it yourself you can control the salt content. Your kids won’t even know they’re eating their vegetables! Click out our delicious Pico De Gallo recipe.