Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Ultimate Goal: Mosquito-Free Yard

Anyone else having a heck of a time with mosquitoes around here?  We just built a house in the 'woods'... well, sort of.  We have about half an acre with lots of trees, but roads on either side of the property.  It feels woodsy, yet connected.  Anyways, lately I can't hardly take the dogs outside without fighting off mosquitoes the size of small birds!  Casually browsing Facebook this evening, I came across an outstanding post by 'Homesteading Self Sufficiency Survival' that I would love to share.  I will definitely be referring to this list myself and making a few updates to my flora and fauna to make a people friendly and mosquito-free yard!  Supposedly easy to grow, mosquito-repelling plants are as follows:

Citronella
1. Citronella

Citronella is the most common natural ingredient used in formulating mosquito repellents. The distinctive citronella aroma is a strong smell which masks other attractants to mosquitoes,

making it harder for them to find you. Although citronella is used in many forms, such as scented candles, torches and citronella ‘scented’ plants, the living plant is more effective because it has a stronger smell.

When purchasing citronella, look for the true varieties, Cybopogon nardus or Citronella winterianus. Other plants may be sold as ‘citronella scented’, but these do not have the mosquito repelling qualities of true citronella.

My findings: if you live in northern climates, plant in planters with casters so it can be moved indoors during the winter months.  It is a perennial in zones 10-12 and can be grown as an annual in other climates - plant after the ground has warmed.


Horsemint
2. Horsemint

Also known as Beebalm, Horsemint is an adaptable perennial plant which repels mosquitoes much the same as citronella. It gives off a strong incense-like odor which confuses mosquitoes by masking the smell of its usual hosts. 

Horsemint leaves can be dried and used to make herbal tea. Its flowers will also attract bees and butterflies to your garden. 

My findings:  Midwest and Eastern climates are favored for growing this plant - it especially prefers dry, sandy soil.  Its often found around beaches, as it can easily tolerate salty conditions.

3. Marigolds

Commonly grown as ornamental border plants, marigolds are hardy annual plants which have a distinctive smell which mosquitoes, and some gardeners, find particularly offensive. Marigolds contain Pyrethrum, a compound used in many insect repellents.

Potted marigolds can be positioned near entrances to your home and any common mosquito entry points, such as open windows. The smell may deter mosquitoes from going past this barrier. While marigolds can be used as border plants around the patio, we do not advise putting marigolds on the patio table since the bright blooms may attract wasps.

Besides repelling mosquitoes, marigolds repel insects which prey on tomato plants, so you may want to plant a few marigolds in your tomato bed for added protection. 

My findings:  This one might be a better option for me here in the Northwest.  Marigolds prefer hardiness zones 1-11, and to be grown in moist, well-drained soil.  
Ageratum
4. Ageratum 

Also known as Flossflowers, Ageratum emits a smell which mosquitos find particularly offensive. Ageratum secretes coumarin, which is widely used in commercial mosquito repellents.

Although the leaves of Ageratum can be crushed to increase the emitted odor, it is not advisable to rub the crushed leaves directly on the skin.

My findings: This annual thrives in full OR partial sun and blooms all summer and into fall.








Catnip
5. Catnip

Catnip is a natural mosquito repellent. In August 2010, entomologists at Iowa State University reported to the American Chemical Society that catnip is ten times more effective than DEET, the chemical found in most commercial insect repellents. According to Iowa State researcher Chris Peterson, the reason for its effectiveness is still unknown. “It might simply be acting as an irritant or they don’t like the smell. But nobody really knows why insect repellents work.”

In the laboratory, Peterson put groups of 20 mosquitoes in a two-foot glass tube, half of which was treated with nepetalactone, a biologically active characteristic constituent of catnip. After 10 minutes, only an average of 20 percent – about four mosquitoes – remained on the side of the tube treated with a high dose (1.0%) of the oil. In the low dose test (0.1%) an average of 25% – five mosquitoes – stayed on the treated side. When the same tests were conducted using DEET (diethyl-meta-toluamide), approximately 40 to 45% – eight to nine mosquitoes – remained on the treated side. A ten-fold higher concentration of DEET was required to obtain results similar to those of the Catnip.

While catnip will repel mosquitoes in close proximity to the plant, some people apply crushed catnip leaves or catnip oil for more robust protection. Bear in mind, however, that cats will respond to you similarly as they would respond to the plant itself. Cat owners may want to choose an alternative plant for repelling mosquitoes.

My findings: Grows in hardiness zones 3-4... and note to self: this plant attracts cats so do not plant in the garden!  Plant in other areas of your yard that you do not mind cats hanging around near.

Hopefully some of this information is useful to you and one or two of these can be intermingled into your gardens.  Happy mosquito-free summer!

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Wishing for a Green Thumb



I come from a family of green thumbs... and mine is, well, sort of a pink color.  Houseplants usually last (if I'm lucky), 2 years, outside plants last for the most part, as long as I remember to water them...and that usually comes when they're starting to wilt.  I have a strong appreciation for all things growing and green, but struggle when it comes to making them thrive.  I've found I need to pick the brains of my parents and grandparents to even know when to put stuff in the ground and when to transplant, etc... 
I recently found some goodies online that, for those of us that struggle a bit with growing things, is very helpful!  Genevieve Schmidt writes this wonderful (and VERY helpful) article about August to-do's for those of us that need a little extra assistance in the garden... She is a landscape designer and writer who lives in the coastal area of the PNW and has her own blog!  I encourage you to check it otu: www.NorthCoastGardening.com.  Here is the article I encourage you to read up on @ Houzz.com: Northwest Gardener's August Checklist.  Thank you Genevieve!


Thursday, July 19, 2012

My Spontaneous Entertainment for the Day

Tuesday evening brought a phone call from my mother-in-law with an invite to the Woodland Park Zoo on Wednesday and.... wait for it... a ticket to Grace Potter and The Nocturnals!  What an awesome way to spend my Wednesday afternoon/evening.  I was to be accompanied by my brother-in-law, niece, and mother-in-law.  Sometimes the unplanned events in your day become the most fun!  We arrived around 2pm, or just before, and talk about timing - the critters & beasts were either being fed or were getting ready to be fed so things were up and moving around and VERY visible.  Made for probably my most memorable day at the zoo (and I've been there MANY times over the years)I'm sure that the weather being overcast and warm, (not hot as it has been the past few weeks) had something to do with it... So to sum it up, pick a day that's not hot and sunshiny (is that a word?) and go in the afternoon to go to the zoo (or, at least, that zoo).

Then as our day wound down looking at all the critters, we made our way to the ZooTunes stage and settled in for an almost magical evening.  Seats were perfect on the grass - visibility was to die for.  Our audience 'neighbors' were well-behaved and pleasant (not always the case at concerts).  Beer garden was good... nice selection and not more than what you'd pay at a football game.  Opening act, ZZ Ward, was just the right fit for opening for Grace and had an utterly OUTSTANDING voice.  Grace and her band just blew me out of the water.  Extremely entertaining, high energy and spot-on vocals.  If you get an opportunity to see her in concert, go!  And this venue @ the zoo rocks!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Like Being In Her Shoes...

Just this past weekend, I finished reading Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay.  This book swept me up and carried me through the character's life - as though I was seeing it with her eyes and literally wearing her shoes.  It goes back and forth between the present-day Julia and another character, Sarah, who becomes her growing focus and subject of the story.  Wonderfully written, unlike anything else I've ever read about France's occupation during WWII and the experience of a Jewish family who experiences the horrific Vel' d'Hiv Roundup in 1942 - a dark time in France's history.  

Often throughout this book, I felt as if I could feel the Parisian weather and even see the characters that Julia was interacting with.  It drew emotion out of me that I haven't experienced from a good read in a very long time.  I really appreciate this level of detail and highly recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in historical fiction.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Art in the Harbor

I am looking forward to spending some time this weekend (July 21-22) at the 28th Annual Gig Harbor Summer Art Festival!  Haven't been before, but its on my calendar this year and I'm going to make it a point to go... after all, it was voted Best Art Festival by South Sound Magazine!  Don't miss out!  Here's the link: http://peninsulaartleague.com/artFest.html

And don't let the downtown parking situation deter you... they are even offering free shuttle service from the Gig Harbor Medical Center parking lot on Kimball Drive (right across from the Park + Ride).  The festival itself is located in Gig Harbor's waterfront district @ Judson Street and features more than 130 artists and craftsmen.  Click the link above for all the details!  Maybe see you there?

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

I Think We're On To Something Here

Holy smokes!  After a bustling 5 days with my head deep in design-mode, I think we might just have something here.  As an update to my article about cheap, good housing, I'd like to update all who are interested.  My husband and I met last week with a local developer who has a 19-lot plat in Silverdale that he wants to do something with.  Our answer:  When do we start??  Our potential roles in all of this: infrastructure/site development, community planning, home designs, complete build-out, marketing and listing, and possibly property management.  A project that could put us on the map as builders/developers/green designers/real estate team is before us.  I'm absolutely excited and can't hardly wait for the next meeting to see where this goes.  I've been deep into planning, designing, estimating and bidding HOURS a day 'til my eyelids won't stay open any longer... and can't wait to do it again tomorrow. :)

Monday, July 9, 2012

Northwest Weather... Crazy As It Is...

One more reason why I love where we live.  Just last night here in the Northwest we experienced one of those freak electrical storms that are much more 'normal' elsewhere in the country.  A local man on an evening ski trip took this ah-mazing photo up at Mt Rainier for us all to relish...


Having spent many summers back in Michigan as a kid, I distinctly remember many of these events on hot summer nights, with either of my grandmas, staying up to watch the commotion outside.  Fond memories from over 20 years ago... Hopefully I am awake for the next one here at home!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Bringing Authentic Mexico to Gig Harbor

New building facade
I had the pleasure of enjoying lunch this afternoon at the new Moctezuma's Mexican restaurant in Gig Harbor.  Today, they re-opened their family-owned restaurant after a relocation to the old Harbor Monsoon restaurant on Point Fosdick and major renovation.  I hardly recognized the place!

The building's materials and presence from the outside really make a great first impression.  I couldn't wait to see what they had in store for the interior.  Upon approaching the front door, take a peek above you.  There is an absolutely fantastic metal light fixture that sparkles.  I can't wait to see what it looks like at night.  The front doors are warm and inviting and look like they were probably shipped up from Mexico (see pic).  The entrance to the dining room greets you with beautiful glowing metal globes, a warm tile floor and warm all around you.  There is a fireplace visible upon entry... can't wait to sit around it with my family!

Exterior lighting at entrance
Beautiful large entry doors
I spoke briefly with Bernie Garcia, one of the owners, about the inspiration of the new Moctezuma's, and he shared with me that many of the interior features were brought in from Mexico.  He worked very closely with a designer to realize his vision of making everything authentic.  In my opinion, they were hugely successful.  It appears very customized and artful, while being functional as well.  Special touches like the fireplace in both the lounge and the dining areas make you feel as though you could be in someone's living room.  There are natural woods all around, in many different finishes that add a warmth unobtainable with paint.  The lighting choices are spectacular - I can't say that I've ever seen lighting in a restaurant this well-done.

Lounge with open fire, tall tables and vignettes
The lounge offers many different seating options, depending on whether you are dining alone or with a crowd.  I absolutely love the more private vignettes they've created with banquettes and round tables.  Such a great feature that you just don't see in restaurants anymore!  I know my husband will enjoy this type of dining, reminiscent of the old Black Angus restaurants that used to be around.  

I enjoyed the Mexico City Tacos - a favorite of mine from the 'old' Moctezuma's - and they were fantastic!  I am a big fan of cilantro and carne asada... this dish doesn't disappoint. A friendly staff awaits you!  Come and visit the new Moctezuma's soon!

The friendly ownership group and staff