Thriftism

Oregano is a great herb to try if you're just starting out as it is easy to grow and is a perennial. I love that it creates an edible garden while also acting as a repellant against biting insects. It is also known as wild marjoram and grows similarly to marjoram.  Oregano has traditionally been used to reduce fevers and relieve cramps by taking as a tea. This herb has been said to also help with bronchitis, measles, mumps, upset stomach, anxiety, and irregular menstruation. Topically, oregano oil has been said to help with seizures when applied to neck, spine, chest, throat or temples. For tea, add 1 tsp dried oregano leaves to 1 pint boiling water and let steep for 30 minutes up to 3 times per day. As with all treatments, please check with your doctor before self administering. This herb contains Thymol, which can be an antiseptic. As we look to culinary uses, oregano has been using in cocktails as a bitter as well as multiple types of food. Known best for use in Italian dis...

Thyme is a great herb to try if you're just starting out as it is easy to grow and is a perennial. If you let it flower, it will produce tiny white, pink, or purple flowers that add to the visual appeal of your garden, while not detracting too much from herb flavor. Plant up front as this is a short growing perennial.  Burning thyme can help reduce insects in house or yard.  Thyme has many medicinal uses. Thyme has been known as a natural antibiotic. Some use for gargling or tea to help treat cold sores, bad breath, allergies, and the common cold. It can be used external as a hot compress to help relief chest congestion, though I have not tried this myself. It has been said to help improve blood circulation as well as treating nail or foot fungus when used as a soak. Can be applied to cuts/scraps to help prevent infection or used in toothpaste. People have used for acne and rashes as well. Thyme may help relax tense muscles helping relieve headaches. Thyme oil can still be...

Sage is a great herb to try if you're just starting out as it is easy to grow and is a perennial. I love that it doubles as a flowering shrub while stilling creating an edible garden.  Sage can provide itch relief for insect bites. Do this by crushing leaves and mix with water or saliva and apply to bite area. This herb can also soothe sore throats and may help relieve mucus buildup when taken as a tea. Use caution as tea can be considered harmful to some.  NOTE: Sage can and likely will reduce milk production/flow if taken while breastfeeding. Some also noted that sage may reduce heart problems. It is also well known in rituals and spiritual purification.  As for cooking, sage pairs well in traditional thanksgiving dishes as well as with many meals. It is high in Vitamin K.  Growing sage is very easy. While you can plant either in the ground or in a container, I would recommend ground planting as it is more of a bush than other herbs. Sage is a perennial...

This lesser known veggie is in the cabbage family (Brassicaceae) and while looking somewhat alien, tastes great in a wide variety of dishes.  Planting For starters, you can plant seeds or transplant live plants. Kohlrabi is a full sun plant, but actually grows best through filtered sunlight (think through tree leaves or near taller plants). It also prefers lighter, well draining soils with a pH of 6.0-7.5, but can be grown in heavy clays or sands with adjusted watering. Seed Direct sow when soil becomes workable, in mid April or early May, spaced at 1" and cover with 1/4" soil. When seedlings emerge, thin to 4" spacing. Plant second crop in mid July following same planting procedures. If you choose to start indoors to speed summer production, plant 6 weeks before transplanting. Kohlrabi thrives in lower temps (60 -70 F). Harden off before transplanting outdoors.  Growing Mulching will help keep weeds to a minimum. Use a hose to remove ...

As with all vegetables, there will be the lovers, haters and the unaware. My family used to fall into the haters group - bitter, mushy asparagus, no thank you! In the recent years, we tried it again but from friends that had grown it in at home and cooked using different methods. Boy, did that make a difference. Fresh grown asparagus has a vibrant flavor and a light crunch when cooked correctly. So we decided to grow our own as well. Plus some say asparagus is a natural blemish remover (skincare) as well as a natural diuretic.  Planting For starters, you can plant seeds or bare roots . We chose to go the route of bare roots, but we'll also cover the basics of planting from seed. Begin by choosing a variety proven to thrive in your area. Check with nursery before purchasing. Different varieties will grow better in different zones and soils. Carefully choose your location, asparagus can thrive in one spot for over 20 years. Asparagus is a full sun plant, but ca...

Onions are ubiquitous in our household being used at almost every meal. While onions are fairly inexpensive at the store, we figured we'd give it a go with growing them at home to save even more money on groceries as well as to use the companion planting benefits of this veggie. So whether you love onions or just want to keep some pests away from your other plants, let get growing! Planting Plant seeds or onion sets as soon as soil is workable in the spring in Northern climates or late fall to very early spring in warmer areas. Best temperatures for bulb and root formation are 55-75 degrees F or  13-24 C. Ideal soil will be easy draining and have a pH of 6.0-7.0. If your soil is not high in organic matter, spreading compost or apply fertilizer around plants after roots are established. Onions are a full sun plant. Planting from Seeds Choose a variety that is recommended for your growing zone. Most seed retailers will list recommended zone for each plan...

Mint is an easy herb to try if you're just starting out as it is can grow nearly everywhere, thought it prefers sun and it is easy to harvest. Mint can be used in a variety of recipes, teas, potpourri or have oil extracted for topical uses. Mint is  a great source of vitamins A, C, as well as calcium, magnesium, and iron. It can be used to freshen breath, may be able to reduce pain through topical or oral means, and helps to calm digestive complaints. We like it as it seems to keep the flying pests away and keeps the yard smelling fresh. Dried leaves may be used to repel rats and mice. It is often used tea or as a garnish, but pairs especially well with lamb, chicken or rice as well as many other dishes.One of my favorites is a mint & raspberry leaf tea or a standard mojito. Planting Plant seeds or plants after last frost of the year in easy draining, but moist soil (think river banks). Ideal soil will have a pH of 6.0-7.0, but mints will likely tolerate sligh...

Garlic is prolific in recipes as an easy flavor additive but has a multitude of other uses as well. It is thought to serve as a natural antibiotic and antiviral. This makes it wonderful for eating as well as potentially for use topically as it is thought to aid in overcoming skin infections. Some say it will help one overcome the common cold or even reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. It may help stabilize blood sugar, increase circulation, aid in intestinal discomfort and ridding oneself from worms (tape worm, roundworms, etc.), stop tooth pain, and treat burns. In addition it has many uses in the garden that we'll cover further on. This is a wide range and you should seek professional advice before using garlic as an implement in any of these, but it goes to show that it is a versatile herb. Garlic is a good source of B6, Manganese, Selenium, Vitamin C and is high in antioxidants. Growing Garlic Types Hardneck Better for cooler climates. This type should be plan...

Parsley is a great herb to try if you're just starting out as it can grow nearly everywhere, though it prefers sun and it is easy to harvest. It is somewhat frost resistant and can be used in a wide variety of recipes, from pesto to tzatziki sauce to teas. Parsley is a great source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as being high in antioxidants. It can be used to freshen breath, reduce inflammation, and may help with kidney issues. It is often used in pesto recipes or as a garnish, but pairs well with fish and chicken as well as many other dishes. Growing parsley is very easy. You can plant either in the ground or in a container. We have both a container and a small patch of parsley growing at our house. The main difference is that the plants tend to get bigger if planted in the ground vs in a container. A few benefits of container growing are that you can move your planter to prime sun spots throughout the year, contain the growth, and even cont...

  There are plenty of reasons to have a garden, from saving money on groceries, enjoying fresh produce, or simply having a hobby that will keep you active. While we have already been through upkeep and produce specific posts, we want to now provide a few tips to get your garden ready for winter.   Why do you need to do anything?   Clean up plants before frost to make your yard clean up easier (prevent the green sludge). Fall garden care will make spring planting much easier. Get the most from your plants by harvesting all remaining vegetables and fruits before the frost. Add nutrients, soil additives, other good things to your soil for better garden growth next summer!     Getting Started   Being your fall garden care by picking any remaining vegetables or fruit. When I say any remaining, I do mean any and all . Tomatoes will ripen on your counter or in the garage, small cucumbers have many uses, and small peppers are still quit...

Dill is a great herb to try your hand at if you're just starting out as it is fast-growing. It does grow better in spring and fall with the cooler weather, but is not frost resistant. It is typically known for use in dill pickles but there are a wide array of recipes using dill. Dill is a great source of calcium, iron, and manganese, as well as acting as an antiviral and anti-inflammatory, and is a low calorie way to add flavor to your dishes. It can be used to freshen breath,   repel bugs, and may help reduce inflammation. It is often used in pickles, but pairs well with fish and chicken as well as many other dishes. Growing dill is very easy. You can plant either in the ground or in a container. Be aware that if you let dill go to seed it can spread rapidly throughout your garden. We have both a container and a small patch of dill growing at our house. The main difference is that the plants tend to get bigger if p...

Do you ever buy a bag or even a head of lettuce from the store only to have it go bad a few days later? Not to mention it doesn't have much flavor to start with and unless you're buying iceberg, lettuce isn't very cheap. A bag of lettuce (not iceberg) typically costs $3-$4, which equates to $1+/serving. Compare that with spending $1 on seeds and having enough lettuce for 3-4 servings of lettuce every day. HUGE savings by having a garden. Luckily, leaf lettuce is incredibly easy to grow and can produce all spring, summer, and fall. It's even a small enough plant that you could have a container garden indoors during the winter. Plus, you'll have the convenience of having a salad at your fingertips or at least right out your back door. Homegrown leaf lettuce will last up to two weeks in the fridge (if you can keep from eating it) and typically has a much better flavor than store bought lettuce. Most people I talk to that don't grow lettuce in t...