GREETINGS GARDENER!

From Tech Setbacks to Vole Attacks

Last we we missed communicating and this week it's primarily just one new article as we spent most of the past two weeks on tech support with one of our websites crashing.

But... we've (hopefully) rounded the corner to safety in all of that and are just doing cleanup work on it now, like picking up the pieces after a storm.

And... we're still fighting the voles. We thought we were so smart completely redoing beds with hardware mesh, only to discover that the voles have still managed to get into some spots.

We also think that they're coming above ground, climbing over the raised bed garden and then burrowing in the lined "protected" beds!!! But of course... there's nothing to keep them in the tunnels if the tunnel access is blocked!

Meanwhile, aside from critter control, we're finding MUCH joy outdoors and in the garden where life makes sense.

So... upward and onward!

Greens and Things

We love kale, but our friend, community member, and co-host for our Planting for Retirement group, Shannon Schofield, says that although she hates kale, she’s growing it. 

Shannon dries her kale and then grinds it into powder, which she then puts into everything so that she’s getting her vitamins without even noticing the kale taste she doesn’t like. 

Homemade greens powder can be used for all sorts of edibles and uses including edible “weeds”. Greens powders is also a good way to make use of edible plant leaves that may not be your favorites in salads.

Some examples include slightly fuzzy textures like daisy fleabane or longevity spinach, or those that are slightly bitter or spicy like dandelion, mustard or nasturtium leaves and blossoms, but which still have a lot of nutritional value.

The dried herbs, leaves and veggies - especially powders, can then be added — and hidden for picky eaters — in practically anything.

Medicine and food abound all around! Gardeners are blessed to have nature’s "farmacy” at our fingertips. 

Check out more on homemade greens powders and infusions.

We'd love to hear what you're up to and if you're making your own greens powders. Send your tips and recipes, photos, etc., and we'll be glad to add them to this article to help others with tribute to you, of course!

Other Refreshing Beverages

Cucumber Lemon Water - add herbal infusions to this

Watermelon Smoothie - great with mint

Raw Chocolate Smoothie - a great place to hide the greens powder for the picky eater

"Better to hunt in fields for health unbought, than fee the doctor for a nauseous draught."

~John Dryden, English poet, playwright, 1631-1700

Wishing you great gardens and healthy harvests,

Coleman and LeAura Alderson

GardensAll.com