Natural Flea Deterrent

 Natural Flea Deterrent If you have fleas in your area I have discovered Fennel is the answer. Bought for under $5 at most nurseries (or they can get it in for you). Plant it in a pot outside your dog kennel or in 500mls of hot water place about 3 generous sprigs (crushed up)and let cool strain and spray the water inside kennel, or you can pick fennel, scrunch it in your hand until the juices flow and rub it into your dogs coat (my dogs don't mind) they seem to like the aniseed flavour and the fleas hate it. If you plant it in your garden keep it away from all beans, tomatoes, kohlrabi and coriander.

National Botanical gardens in harare

The 58-hectare National Botanic Gardens contain examples of the diverse plant life that thrive in Harare's pleasant climate. Most Zimbabwean species are  represented, as well as specimens from Southern Africa. It's a great place to spend the day.  One can walk one's dog, have a light meal in the restaurant and generally enjoy the situation.  Societies such as the Tree Society and the Aloe and Cactus Society are regular visitors.  It is good to know that this park is still very much in existance.  There is a herbarium when specimens can be identified and a plant nursery.  For anyone interested in Zimbabwe plants this is one definate place to visit.

It is summer again!

At last summer is with us although, like the rest of the world our weather has changed.  It is cool and wet  - meaning our vegetables are suffering - what was a good vegetable garden is now producing weather damaged crops!  Anyway at least we have fresh and organically grown produce.

The worst hit seem to be the marrows and squash - a pity as we love to eat them.  Perhaps we will have a day of sun shortly!

Epsom Salt Fertilizer

Now spring is nearly with us in Zimbabwe we are planting seeds for our veggie garden.  We do not use any form of fertiliser but we do use compost and i have come across this recipe which sounds quite useful and harmless..  It is good as Houseplant food, Vegetable fertilizer and Rose fertiliser.

Mix:

•1 Tablespoon Epsom Salt

•1 gallon water

in a watering can

Use the solution to water your plants.

Repeat once a month.

Epsom salt is made up of magnesium and sulfate – both vital plant nutrients. Some magnesium-loving plants to try it on: are houseplants, roses, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes.

Good gardening!

Winter is still here

Looking round the garden this morning it is very evident that winter is still here.  The dry season has caused brown patches in lawn.  Plants have died back and even having a bore hole has not saved us from lack of rain.  This year has been cold but no frost has settled - thank goodness.  Although one knows that as soon as the rains return we will get green grass again it is still sad to see so little colour. 

What colour there is comes from the aloes with their lovely yellow, orange or pink flowers - much loved by the sun birds.

We have been against watering anything but what we need to water in the garden - letting it rest during winter and conserving the underground water supply.  So many people water their garden throughout the year - even the verges outside their houses and then wonder why their bore holes dry up!

In two weeks we should be ready to start planting the seeds which need spring - and within a short time the garden will be returned to its glory.

Planting at this time of year

I have been silennt for a while due to power failures, load shedding and Internet problems.

Anyway in our part of the world these are the best things to do this month in your garden:

Sow root crops in July. Sow/plant hardy spring edible flowers such as borage and violas. Mulch beds.

Harvest medicinal herbs and crops that are to be dried such as broad beans. Zap any weeds and pests that are still around.

Plan your spring garden. Water and fertilize as needed. .

Prune Roses!  - this weekend is the best time!

Good gardening!

Herbal remedies for TB

This shows how important it is that we grow garlic, herbs and other natural foods in our gardens. Although we have a different climate to Europe many of the herbs mentioned below can be grown hee.

Another very good source of natural antibiotic is honey - we may not grow it but the plants we do grow help the bees to make it.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an illness related to the respiratory system.
It is a disease caused by a germ mainly found in your lungs. It is a contagious disease, which means you have to take extra precaution for the safety of other people.
By continuous sneezing, talking and coughing these air-borne germs can spread to other people.
It can turn into a dangerous disease if proper care is not taken.
Due to lack of symptoms, doctors have distinguished it into TB infection and Active TB.
TB infection provides no symptoms and is not contagious.
On the other hand, Active TB can make you sick and is very contagious.
Even though we may think TB is no longer a threat, it has still taken many lives. Millions have died even though we have proper medicines to prevent it.
The need for proper care becomes very crucial for the survival of the patient. The symptoms remain dormant, which makes the situation even worse.

Home remedies for TB
l Garlic is a great remedy to prevent tuberculosis. You can have raw garlic three times a day or have garlic capsule.
l Tuberculosis patients lack silica in their bone, which is one of the most important weapons to fight diseases. To increase that resistance level you must have one tablespoon of horsetail juice three times daily.
l Nettle juice taken raw is rich in calcium. You can use it in soups and salads to add taste and health in your food. Have nettle juice with carrot to make it more appetising. Have at least one tablespoon daily to find the right changes in your body.
l Any herbal tea made by using one part each of mullein, bugleweed, knotgrass and sage, including three parts each of chamomile and horsetail, which work immensely against the coughing problem.
For daily usage use three cups of boiling water over one teaspoon of this herbal concoction and have three to four cups daily.
l Consume natural antibiotics by having horseradish, watercress and nasturtium juice. Have one tablespoon of these juices daily or have them in your salad.

l Source: http://www.healthguidance.org