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    Essential oils

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    10 views11 pages

    Natural Care For Pets and Garden

    Uploaded by

    kathy
    Essential oils

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
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    of 11
    be used on their own, Hyssop 1 drop Fennel 1 drop Thyme 1 drop Natural Health Care for Pets seveseosesooes ABSCESS. Put 1 drop of tea wee on the abscess. Then when the pusis discharged, puton I drop oflavender. Clean with salt water ANAL SWELLING Apply the f to the area on wool: Chamomi 5 drops Tea tree 5 drops Diluted im 1 teaspoon vegetable oil get the following onto the gums with a toothbrush: Clove 1 drop Lavender 1 drop Myrch 1 drop Diluted in 1 teaspoon vegetable ofl ‘nlaoull or eucalyptus chest, Preferably, use a blend of 2 drops of each, BURNSANDSCALDS As for humans—cold ‘water followed by neat lavender oil as soon CATARRE Treat as for Bron COAT IN POOR CONDITION Addl 14 teas spoon of the following blend to each feed: Olive oil 1 tablespoon Wheatgerm oil 1 tablespoon Carrot oil 5 drops Evening primrose oil 5 drops COTS AND BITES Bathe the area with a solution of salt water to which 2 drops of thyme have been added, then apply 1 neat Grop of lavender. CYSTS Apply 1 neat drop of livender or tea tree, FAR PROBLEMS Drip the following for- ‘mula into che ear as well as massaging around the ear: Tea tree 1 drop Lavender 1 drop Chamomile 1 drop ted in 1 teaspoon warm olive ofl RHEUMATISM Massage the area with the 5 drops 2 drops «5 drops blespoons vegetable SKIN PROBLEMS Apply the following oil over the affected area 2 teaspoons 5 drops 5 drops Diluted in 2 tablespoons vegetable oil @ CHAPTER 18 @ GARDENS FOR THE FUTURE E Our genenon ceding shave few ees win given space. Analy suo he syubioe relationship between therange ot vareesnanatl enon tment howe a harmony and coexistence Stich should bea lesson to anyone con Cemed wih plant grow Ife ae lnain the goodness of te cath, the sense wtlzaton ofthe widespread sbi of plas and plane producto tohance and preteeteach other we might fot ableothmad on to ou desxndans the beautiful planet that was once handed tous. ‘We are ba im this ideal by our lgnorance about plants and about the symm- Diotic relationships they set up between Scientists Imow very litle example, about the role of about pollen being transported from one plant to another—and In this aroma plays vital role, The most highly scented flowers tend to be fertilized by butterflies ‘and moths, while fairy a ‘les, and those plants wi fishy aroma attract dung- ‘And aroma also protects a ing itrepugnant or even poisot tain insects, Our scientific knowl 365) —_—_, 's whole subjects so far very lim- ind that may be partly due tothe fa extremely difficult to describe, yet alone catalog. Itis not known to what extent defensive aromatic action occurs ‘Washington University, Dis, Orlans and Rhoades, discovered a sophisticated bio- ches ion system operat- and alder trees. They de Mberately infested these with predatory caterpillars and webworms and the trees began to produce terpenes and tanning from therleaves, while also changing theit protein content. The insects now leaves umpalatable and indig began to die. The trees also managed to te a warning to trees of the same species, although unconnected by branch or root systems, so that they too begin to make the chemical changes needed to protect themselves fk common enemy. The scientists belie scented chemicals deliver the warning message by ait—in other words aroma molectles This phenomenon has ince been found to occur in other plants, and as time pro- sresses we will no doubt be able to build 'upa catalog of information based on sclen- tfc observation, It will however, be much longer before a comprehensive picture can be painted ofthe effect aromatic molea have on those ompanisins that are much Sinier than caterpillars and more difficult essences indicate that they were working 6m this level inthe plants from which they were extracted. Aroma molecules may ex- ert an influence on plants in even less obvious ways such as wavelength and clectromagnetism—as, indeed, they do on animals and humans, ‘When we understand more about the role aroma play a better posit understood, and used commercially. In Bulgaria, roses cropped with gar- licand onion, only pro roses from predators and fungi but en- hhance their fragrance—while growing strong themselves. Carrots have for centi- ies been known to do well when grown alongside marigolds, and at Ryton Research Centre, in Coventry, England, they have observed th is growing relationship ly from going near the carrots, variety should help ways easy to determine. It the predator of one is dis- couraged from the area by the aroma of ‘another; or that the color of one plant auracts the insect needed to pollinate nother. It may simply be that one plant hasa root system s while is shallow-rooted and e (0 extract the nutrients from the upper layers. Or perhaps ot excretes just che nutrients that its neighbor requires. In some cases it may be that the ‘antibacterial and antivieal properties con- tained in the aromatic substances work to protect poring plants from micro- ests. Orthe symbiotic benefits may be far simpler, one plant merely providing the shade and protection that its neighbor needs, And as well as discovering the rea sons for positive relationships, we need to find out why some plants have a negative impact upon one another, Clearing Out the Garden Shed. s+¢009 _ shed contains enough potson to Kil of his family and nelghbos several es ove This maybe tm the form of pesticides, ood preserves Ifyou hive any prod sets in your shed whi lowing they shouldbe thrown ou im snditly bese heath ike have been Kingdom; Lindane, an le, ‘cluded in one hundred and thiry products ‘n the United Kingdom with a of uses including wood treatment i home; 2.45T (phenoxy herbicide) comes Ive products, especially those ts and earthworms, f dangerous chemicals sold in {isa question s le refer the reader who requizes further infor- ‘mation on this subject to Pesticide Action Network Intemational, whose address may be found in the appendix. Unde sumstances should you use chemical pesticides in the home, and as chemical sprays travel as fast as bad news, ask your neighbors to let you know when end to spray their garden so that you can malee sun Closed, Using Essential Oils in Your Garden +++¢0¢+ the gare den. They can be natural pest deterrents, and as pests carry disease in the form of bacteria and viruses, the oils area form of ventative medicine for your garden, Mo nown antibacterial the plant from which they were extracted ‘was to provide direct protective measures inst bacteria and viruses, Fungi and lems that essential oils and effectively y plants resist disease, and the essential oils, working on che same principles that apply to the biochemical and electromagnetic aspects ‘of inter- cropping, build up the health of plants. This seems not only to affece the yield, flavor of flowers, fruit, and vegetables, For example, as companions in the cooking dish or salad bow, tomato and basil are ‘well know, but basil grown around the tomato plant orbasiloil in the watering can service uses French marigolds to deter nematode worms in the public parks but they could just as easily chop up chis plant and scatter it around the affected area, or use the essential oil of tageres i their essential oil when watering them, ‘THE NATURAL INSECT REPELLENTS THE NATURAL INSECT REPELLENTS (continued) BLACK FLY Lavender, Tagetes, Tansy Insect ellent Plant or = Repellent Plant or Plant Tea sential Oil Insect Repellent Plant or Plant Tea ‘Spearmint, Peppermint, GNATS Pennyroyal Pennyroyal, Garlic, Ginoneta _ - = — GREENELY Gare Tavender, Tagets, Tansy do ce Spearmint, pensyroyal, peppermins, —Speanmint, Peppermint, Spray the oils along shelves where the net, basi Ceudarwood, Pennyroyal, i ants are seen, and on their nest Rue ‘APHIDS — se inte MOSQUITOES Lavender, Penayzoyal dual species) Sassafras, Citronella, ‘Temongrass, Tansy ‘Wormwood, southernwood, rosemary, MOTHS . sage, santolina, lavender, mint, tansy Spearmint, Lavender, CABBAGE ‘Thyme, sage ROOT FLY ee Thyme, Sage CABBAGE Sage, rosemary, hyseo cassas ge, Tosemary, hysop, thyme, NeuTODEs Marigold Tages, Sap, Ctzonela BUTTERFLY int, wormwopd, Rosemary, Hyssop, Thyme PIANTLCE Stinging nerds ‘ue, Spearming, Peppermint CARROT ERY “Ro — = ‘Tansy, Rosemary, Tagetes SLUGS Garlic, chives, wormwood Garlic, Cedarwood, Hyssop, CATERPILLARS Celery, =< ne Susafras, Pine armint, Reanyroyal, _ eres = a ‘SNAUS Garlic Cedarwood, Sassafras, Pine, curwoma Garlic, Patchouls a wom nes Rue Citronella, emongr FLEA BEETLE ——— = Thyme, Sage, Pennyroyal, GBLaAcK) Peppermint, Lemongrass, Rue ——__—__ Spearmint, Rue, Lavender — FLEAS Lavender, mint WEEVILS Garlic FES Rue, tansy, wormwood, tomatoes Rue, Lavender, Citronella, Reis very helpful grown sound Peppermint, Tansy connposts, mani ple, and bums Marigolds, tomatoes ‘woorLy Nasturtium Tagetes, Tansy, Lavender, Sage Sandalwood, Patchouli, Pine 70 me and lavender are marvelous at protecting all vegetables in the patch, and ‘gain, plant them near the vegetables ar use their ofl in the watering can. To find out ‘which plants and essential oils to use for deterring particular insects, refer to the list on page 368 You will see there that ant terred by peppermint anc go to great lengths to avoid sn be de- izectly onto the nest and ‘exodus Ifants are coming into your house, put 1 or2 drops of peppermint che threshold, or wherever they 8 pepy an be placed at the back door and moved as the ants get smart and try to find another entrance point, Alternatively, chop the leaves of a peppermint pl them to create a batier As mice hate pep- ppermint t00, these same methods can be dried leaves or use the essential ‘watering can, Sage can be used in both these ways against this butterfly. Ofcourse, certain insects are essential for Juding bees, wasps, and oilsin your garden wil atoace these useful insects. Bees especially like coriander. is not only contol pests and rake your crop stronger and better tasting cormore fragrant, they will make your own time in the garden altogether more enjoy- able. Mosquitoes have an aversion to the aroma of lemongrass, citronela, or laven- mong others, and thelr use in the yout of hot sum ng Insects are a + [ESSENTIAL OILS AND AROMATHERAPY nuisance in the garden, especially if you are having a barbecue. The answer again is ‘lemongrass or citronella essential ofl which ‘may be used in several different ways. Add 3 drops toa cereal bowl of water and soake some ribbons in thisbefore attaching them to the branches of tres, You need to pay particular atrention to clearing the area ‘under trees and over water as lying insects, including gnats and midges, love lurking around there. The pond can be cleared by putting some of che soaked ribbons on a pole and stic may find it easier and pre couple of neat drops of lemongrass or citronella onto an artificial lower or water ‘on the pond. Ifyou have side, simply drop the ‘wax at the top, just candles or fares essential if you wish, and as the bulb heats up the aroma molecules will be released into the ‘immediate area and the flying insects will decide that there ‘You can see from the pte that there are many ingenious ways to use ‘essential oils in the garden, and you may be able to devise yet more ways than those listed below co make use of these exceed- ingly helpful gardener’s mates. Sprys Sprays are used as insect deterrents, to banish fangl and mildew, of to encour age growth, Unless otbervise stated, use 428 drops ofessental ofl a 1 gallon of rate for praying onto lovers, land egies GARDENS FOR THE FUTURE Hanging Strips Place 1 drop ofnestes of material and hang it from a stick ora ‘ranch, This method is pariculaeyeffec~ dive when hung from braiches of trees and saves the arduous task of spraying such a Tange area Renew as needed. Cotton Wool ball and place nest and repeat as needed. Cartons ‘This method is good for deterring slugs, snails, mice, cats, and dogs, and all ground~ ‘moving insects. Bury an old plastic food carton such as a yogurt or margatine con- tainer into the ground so thatits top is evel with the ground, Use 4 drops of essential oflin the carton and renew as needed, Cats and dogs dislike a powerful aroma because {tputs them off the scent. I¢will discourage ‘them from urinating on the area, but not necessarily from walking over newly sown seeds, for example, Use the strong essen tial oils of peppermint, spearmint, thyme, or eucalyptus, Remember though that dogs like lavender, and although tradition has it that cats do notlike oranges, they do ike the essential ofl of orange, so dotituse that. Sering string soaked ina soltion of water and essen oll may be strung between rows sfvegebles to deter Hiying insects sich 8 cabbage white buterfles. Use the appr0- prise essential ofl forthe char. an Garden Teas sveseeeees flower blooms, and wi tor is still incorporated in and leaf, Older plants are as younger ones. Herb and Flower Teas Use 1 cup of dried or fresh herb oF flower to 2.cups of water. Bofl he water, pour onto the plant material and leave to stand for at least four hours. Strain off and store, Use 2 tablespoons ofthis tea diluted {in 1 gallon of water ina watering can or gar- den spray. For a more concentrated tea, fil a jar h the herb or flower mat polling water, leave to stand overnight, strain off, and use as above, cover with, Essential Oil Teas ‘for the Garden ‘Add 8 drops of essential ofl to 2% cups and leave to cool, Use 2 in the sual watering methods. Other Methods of Pest Control seeeees Gardeners have devised all manner of ingenious ways foil um and given the determination t chemical solutions, 1 have no dauht we id think up even more. One of the si 1c ways to protect seedlings is bottom off plastic bottles and push them a couple ofinches into the ground, around the plant. These can then be watered through the open hole at the top. CCabbages can be protected from the lar- -vae of the cabbage white butterfly by hav- ing tin foil wrapped around thelr stalks. ‘Another barzier method involves carpet underlay—cut Into squares of about 6 inches.and make a cut on one side and a hnole in the middle and place these around the vegetable atthe time of planting. This simple method will save you hours of won- dering whether the cabbage root fly is ruin ing your crop. Carrot files hate mothballs and these can be crumbled up and scat- tered around on the soil They also appear to have an aversion to creosote, which can. >be puton string which is hung between the rows of carrots, It also helps if you plant before May and after June, thus avoiding the main activity period of the carrot fy. ‘We have so far been discussing tactics in acceptable to Buddhists, But there ate those among you who are made of harder stuff and won't mind seeing your insect enemies die a horrible death. Once you have decided to take this option, a whole range of possibilities is open to you. Wasps, for example, can be made to do the dam- age to themselves ifyou simply ‘with water, while they are sti and hang them up, especially 2 ‘mes, The wasps suddenly turn kaze pilots and dive-bomb into the jats principles apply when d beer triek, Bury old margarine or so that the top of the ¢ ESSENTIAL OILS AND AROMATHERAPY or elder and stand back and co the beer, get drunk; and drown, ‘Slugs have an acute sense of smell and hhate garlic in any shape or form. The essen- tial il of garlic is so aromatically power- falas tobe rather unpleasant to handle and ‘an easier option may be to break a garlic ‘nto its cloves and place these in the needles or holly around them. Save the needles from your Christmas tee, ready for your bate next simmer, Thi ‘works for the simple reason ‘-too fond of dragging their sol tummies over the sharp prickly carpet alot of ene- ries over the years because so may meth- g with them have been devised, but most insects can be thwarted In their endeavors to devour your crop and dui offspring can do plan to frustrate or mibilate, the secret of success in the bat- dle is to know your e and dislikes, cheir natural enemies and hhow to attract them, their Life cycle, the parameters of thelr movements, and so forth. With that information it should be possible to construct a bate plan chat ensures you win. GARDENS FOR THE FUTURE Birds sooeesosoooooooes Birds have a poor sense of smell and taste, so although planting violets or lavender among soft fruits has been reported to dis- courage them from going near, tery as co why this should work (although, ‘one can't help noticing that these two ng or across flower or vegetable beds and Detween fruit wees will deter birds, but the ccan see them, and strung ti thelr legs do not get entangled in them. Molds and Fungi +sees Niaouli ‘You can also use garden teas equipment see page 371). Elderflower tea discourages molds on everything, while chive tea is particularly good with the gray, Nettle tea treats horsera The Friendly Bunch +44 Certain aromatic plants have a beneficial effect on most flowers and vegetables when 3 {grown among them, However, you do not actually have to cultivate this friendly ‘bunch to take advantage of their capac to enhance your garden because their essential sed in the watering can instead. You will only need 6 drops of drop of essential a large mumber of the ot amount and pati ina, Fill the can up with cold water and, again, xix around well, F'you use a spray, sim- ply take halfthe volume you need from the bucket and half from the tap The African marigold, Tagetes minuta and patula, was considered sacred by the Aztecs and associated with thelr god of agriculture—no doubt because grown next to so many plants, the marigolds increased their crop. Sage is beneficial to many ‘vegetables, as is lavender, but lavender bushes should be grown around the bor- ders of vegetable patches, rather than Desween them, simply because they are so permanent. Tarragon can be grown every- jhere because it doesnt leech the soil of utrients,as many other plants do. Yarrow snexeases the aromatic quality of ll herbs and therefore makes a good companion for medicinal plants and herbs, Valerian is good for most plants because it contains phosphorus and attracts earthworms, The root can be dried and g tomake a seductive tea grown in a border There is no essent rake a tea and ama (@ ESSENTIAL OILS AND AROMATHERAPY ‘THE GOOD COMPANIONS. ____THE GOOD COMPANIONS ___ Other Essential Vegetable Herb Flower Vegetable Oils Fruit Negetable Herb _Flower_Vegetable OWS Fut ASPARAGUS Parsley Tomatoes Basil Parsley a _ BEANS, Savory Beetroot Lavender Stawberties GREEN, Celery Basil DWARF Savory Strawberries ———— BEANS, Savory Potatoes Lavender ‘BROAD Sweet com Basil Savory a BEANS, savory Potatoes Lavender RUNNER Sweet com Basil Savory [eee BEETROOT ——Mayjoram Onions Celery ‘Dwarf beans Marjoram a BROCCO Valerian ‘Nasturtium Cabbage Basil Peas ‘Thyme Tomatoes ee CABBAGE ‘Peppermint Gueumber Peppermint | Rhubarb sage Celery Sage Rosemary ‘Tomatoes Thyme Fever Clary-sage Chamomile oe CARROTS Chives Peas Sage Leeks Leenace EE cAULRLOWER Thyme Runner Gelery beans Thyme caey Garots ee ceLERY Yarrow Cabbage Geranium Leds Yarow Dar beans Celerise Tomatoes Cauliflower Lo GARDENS FOR THE FUTURE . a5 ‘THE GOOD COMPANIONS (continued) Other Essential ‘Yegetable Herb Flower Vegetable Oils Fruit CUCUMBER Chives. Sunflower Peas Sage Cabbage Yarrow LEEKS Valerian, Celery Celery Strawherties Carrots “Hyssop LETTUCE Tages Carrots. Carrot. Tagetes ONIONS ‘Chamomile Roses Beeuoot Chamomile Strawberries Summer Tomatoes Savory ‘savory PEAS Caraway Nasturtium Sweet com Geranium Carrots Carrot Broccoli Radishes Cucumber POTATOES, Horseradish Foxgloves Beans (all) Basil Sweet com Sage Cabbage Peas RADISHES Chervil Carrots Parsley Parsley Peas Savory Lettuce SWEDE ‘Sage ‘Marigolds Turnip Sage “Tagetes SWEETCORN Savory -Maigolds Broad Savory Chamomile beans Tagetes Runner beans Peas Potatoes TOMATOES Basil Marigolds Asparagus Tagetes. ——Goose- Chives Tagetes Celery Basil berries Pusley Foxgloves Broccoli Cabbage in a plant-spray is the perfect method dealing with this problem. Chamomile is another plant which helps sick plants to re- cover—either move your chamomile plants next to the ailing patient or spray it ‘with chamomile essential oil. Once the plant has recovered, spray on alternate days only. the standby emergency “medicine” for all your plants. Just as there are plants that find each. other's company mutually beneficial, there are those that do not thrive close to each other. Sometimes we can explain why—because they are competing for resourees, for example, or attract insects 316 $ ESSENTIAL OILS AND AROMATHERAPY GARDENS FOR THE FUTURE . 377 THE GOOD COMPANIONS (continued) THE BAD COMPANIONS Essential Other Other Frait/ Fruit Herb Flower Vegetable _ Oils Fruit ‘Vegetable Herb Flower Vegetable Cereal APPLES Southem- Nasturtums Legumes Lavender Elm ‘BEANS, GREEN Gaille Gladio ——Beewoot ‘wood Wallflowers Artemisia ay Fennel Kohirabi Chives. Faxgloves Onions Lavender Shallots oRares, Hyssop Clematis, Hyssop ‘eETROOT Marigolds ‘Tomatoes Lavender Spinach STRAWBERRIES Borage Leeks Sage CABBAGE Onions Stawberies News Spinach Rosemary —— Mine Lewuce Mine CABRAGE, ‘Tomatoes Thyme RED ‘CARROT ill ves cucuM@eR Potatoes ROSES Galle Mignonette Onions Basil Pasley Lupine Hyssop ares Parsley Chives Marigold PEAS Garlic Onions POTATOES Sunflowers Onions Raspbersies CEREALS: Pumpkin RE CHamomile Pansies Chamomile Cucumber waear Chamomile Chamomile — bia ‘TOMATOES Koblrabi Feo Nature’s Nursemaids ¢¢@ _ Nobody likes to find stinging nettles in oe Ini gaeden and yee these ave the great unap- —— Font a Hyssop helps other plants which are preciated nurses of the plant world. When- STRAWBERRIES Cabbage suffering from bacterial invasion, and as ever you find nettles growing somewhere such an event is unforeseen when laying inconvenient or unwelcome, cut them ah Oats cout the garden, using hyssop essential oil down and make a tea which can become and microorganisms that harm each other—but somerimes the reasons are unclear, as yet. Certain planting anange- ments just do not work well. Growing any type of bean near onions, galic, and shal- lots, for example, is a grouping in which none will do well, whatever che soll and 78 @ ESSENTIAL OILS AND AROMATHERAPY Trees out into tomatoes and thought he would i send both crops to Covent Garden market and Fruits 4699¢469966¢ ive cune container When twas opened In companion gardening terms treeshave up at the other end, a huge pile of rotting their fends too. All the following help trees to flourish if grown neasby: chives, horseradish, garlic, tansy, southemwood, nasturtum, and the stinging net. Nast rear potatoes (and they d tums planted around the baseofa tee,or growing neat each other, either) encouraged to grow up ts trunk, wil pro- apples give off gas called ethylene which tectit from aphids. They also have a dis- rings forward the ripening of lowers and couraging effect on scab and molds on vegetables and has other effects notalways apple tees. Chives too prevent apple scab. easy tosee—for example, catrots stored by Wallflowers, either grown around apple apples lose their sweetness. teees or made into a tea and sprayed onto Brown ots the scourge of fale farmers them, havea similarly proteciveandbene- but they have four very good friends in ficial action, Legumes in general help all horseradish garlic, onion, and chive. These and can be encouraged to grow up can either be grown berween the frit or their trunks, while beans particularly made into atea and used to water or spray increase the growth of apricot wees the fit planes, Southernwood planted around the tree Stinging netiles area very useful plant repels fruit ree moths, while tansy Keeps because they contain nitrogen, away fying insects ingeneral. Ontheother proteins, phosphate hhand, bees ae vital pollination and they salt, and wace elem can be encouraged by planting coriander between any ype of currant, whether between the tees. An old wives tale holds black, ed, or whe, hey wil bring in abig- that hanging mothballs on a wee is elfec- ger and tastier crop. ‘Stawberties do very well grown beside dvwarf beans, spinach, borage, and lettuce. “The borage encourages bees which are pottingthem in the comersofaplasticbag, nese for polination, Leuuces and sta- catting the comers off and sealing them. _beies both entice slugs, but these ean be Then plerce the bags with apin afew times sent scuttling at double speed if you use so that the odor can escape but not — pineneedles forbedding, Indeed pine nee- evaporate completely, and hang them in des make a better option than straw not only as.a slug deterrent but because they ‘make a very warm bedding material and It’s great shame to go toall the trouble contain more nutrients than straw, which of protecting your trees and bringing in ais dead, and will do more for the quality terrific crop ifthe whole effectisruined by of ourearth, As an added bonus, the pine bbad storage. The mostheartbreaking story needles give srawbenies the flavor of wild Theat along these lines came from aJer- _strawberries—a tricknat entirely unknown sey flower grower who decided to branch to certain catering suppliers, GARDENS FOR THE FUTURE Flowers and Indoor Plants +s As we all know, trying to buy a rose that ‘smells like a rose is today often a fruidless Breeders seem more concerned with cof the lower than its aroma. And the aroma which gives a lower its stance to pests, which Is why closes do so wel widhoue the need for pesticides, ‘The most sensational rose crop in the gatians have always imter-cropped their roses with gale, onions, parsley, mignon- need to use chemicals and, moreover, you increase the Fragrance as well as the health of the flower, course, flowers have their litle pests, as vegetables do, and with roses the prob- lems are mildew and black spot. These can be treated using the relevant essential oil listed on page 374. Asa general rule the oils used against fungi work well with flowers, although Thaye had some truly remarkable flower will loathe being sprayed essential oll ofits relatives, so donttuse rose oll to spray your roses unless you want a treatment once a month: use ¥ teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda to 1 gallon of water, and water the roots. Do not exceed this amount—under-use rather than over-use, 379 ‘This same dilution can also be used as cut Once cut, certain flowers seem to have deleterious effect upon one another when the saime time, they actually make the life of the other shorter, Grow or buy them booth by all means, but display chem at ‘opposite ends of the room, Mignonette seems to have a bad effect on most cut long before their time, The vase life of any flower is easy to protong with any number of effective methods. One of the simplest is to add cof sugar toa quart of water. A copper penny roped into the bottom of the vase will prolong the life of some flowers—this works well with roses for example, Flowers of the daffodil family such as nareissus and Jonquil, last longer if a pinch of salt is added to the water—but no more than a pinch, Tea brewed in a teapot need never {go to waste, Any leftover tex can be added to water in china vases—not glass for obvi- ‘ous reasons—while the tea leaves make an ‘excellent mulching material for any plant ‘in the garden, Foxgloves made into a tea ‘which is added to the flower water provide an excellent feed for flowers, ut this again ‘must be used in moderation. First, make own in the shed) Leave 380 Infuse for forty-eig Jur tea. It can be filtered and reb« here is a danger of the flowers Teaspoon of liga to cach quart of vase water, House plants and plants in window boxes can be watered with dilutions of mille orbeer. [tis important to realize that only tiny quantities of these are of benefit ‘when you have finished with a carto bottle of milk ora can of beer il it with ground so that the dregs become mixed in with the water and use this to water the plants, Tt is thought that the plants benefit from the proteins in mille ‘and the hormones in the hops. ‘medicinal purposes, that is ater abi years, cast be used to wash out plant pots ‘This will Kil off the plant bacteria and viruses that destroyed the the spray are very effective against aphids. Herbs soseesesoosoooes Herbs are 50 useful as an inter-crop be- tween vegetables and flowers, cialist herb garden should re a thing ofthe past. B they don't grow well together—they do, with afew exceptions Ibis not for example, to grow sweet basil and rue together, oF coriander and fennel. Good companions ofthe herb varity are tind anise and corian- from having . ESSENTIAL OILS AND AROMATHERAPY row or stinging nettles nearby sprouts, and kale are just some of the vegetables that produce large, good qual- ity produce when scattered among the herbs and flowers, Sweet corn does partic- ularly well near dill The Soil sooeereesesoos (CHALKY SOIL is most probably alkaline, Hyssop ‘Summer savory Marjoram Salad burnet Chicory Lavender Rosemary to have a ‘would be very wellin sandy sol are many and they will help to replenish Jost nutrients The following herbs can be distilled to produce essential oils that are in demand—making euleivat better idea, especial counteies. Anise Coriander Fennel Marjoram ‘Chamomile Lavender Borage CLAY sticks to your garden fork and ‘Wellington boots in winter and crusts like GARDENS FOR THE FUTURE er sun, Compost in turn help to break up the soil. Peppermint Spearmint Comfrey Melissa because ly wet, there are those ‘which do especially well in these bog-type conditions, Valerian Marshmallow Sweet flag (from which is root is extracted) MOIST LOAM Is a rich soil which retains ‘water even in hot weather. This is a good soil forthe gardener and herbs do well init, Angelica Soapwort LOAM Is also a rich soil, and is nutrients. It may need to be drain good range of useful herbs can be grown init. Basil Getting the Best from Your Soil Fertile soil isthe key to good gardening and ifyou feed it, rather than the plants, your 381 plants will take care of themselves. This is avery big subject and not within the scope Of this book, but here are afew tips you might find helpfl ‘Nitrogen helps to promote growth and strength and it can be put into the ground by natural means. Lupins produce alot of nitrogen and are often the fist plants to row om barren waste, for eample afer a volcanic eruption, leading the way for other plants to follow and take up the nitrogen they Tet behind, Legumes have bacterial nodules on their roots which bring nitrogenous compounds into the soil, Beans, peas clover alfa, and soya fall {nto this group. Mustard is a fast growing “green manure’ which adds nizogen tothe soll. Sow t between May and August wher- Sapogin-ri 7 Sapogin is a lather-producing substance used as a substitute for soap by vegans and ‘others, Soapwort is the best known exam- other sapogin-rich plants are spin- net beans, tomatoes, potatoes, primroses, amations, and camellias, Th brassica family of cabbage loves sapogin, so plant your spinach and cabbage crops ‘on the same piece of land on alternate years. Crop rotation is very important to gar- dens and even the most moder farmers are coming around to the view that the old- fashioned method of putting a different crop on a piece of land each year is just what the doctor orders for their nutrient deficient sols, recovering from the leech- ing effects of monoculture. B ‘The heavy feeders, as thet suck up nucients i group are the cabbage ‘most green leafed vey cucumber, and celery. Ligh sm tomatoes generally lke to place, you can move them as much as you nutrients, alternating. these with other crops which have other needs and thus enabling them to make their own unique contribution to the makeup of the sotl, Some plants are nota crop as such but are ‘very good for the your soil a power of good. Dandelions are also good for the soil and will benefit the next plant grown there, These other so- called weeds, including couch grass, help to prepare the soil for fruit trees in par- ticular. ‘Green manu notbe green at all. Banana skins contain calcium, magnesium, sulphur, phosphates, soditam, and silica, all rs for s, among other plants— Just dig them in around the base. Roses can bbe given a stronger perfume by digging in and onion lefiovers—collect the dis- good use. Melon leaves are and make a good mulching irecdly around plants pro- also, on ground between the plants, hhinders the growth of weeds. Wet straw, s7ass, and leaves are all traditional mulch- {ng materials, but why not use forest bark ‘or wood chippings between the beds, espe- + [ESSENTIAL OILS AND AROMATHERAPY edges or held down with stones, makes an excellent mulch for vegetable pat ld newspaper, cardboard, or carpeting make , oF whatever, Instead of mulching, you could grow a crop of marigolds and Iupins which impede the growth of weeds —and look far more attractive than black pl and animal wast activators, and earthworms. Good: als for the compost heap axe dat chamomile, valerian, seaweed, elderberry, allleaves, and especially comfrey and net- tles which are good activators and help the fermentation process, Bad m cof water but have deep roots and tend to get over-thirsty in dry weather, the ground an old pipe or length of alongside 1 This provides a way of ‘watering that ensures the water reaching the roots, Finding the most propitious tim seeds Is a past involved sitting bare-bottomed on the re of it. An throughout the world take the principle seriously enough to apply it to GARDENS FOR THE FUTURE ‘The waxing and waning of the moon not scientifically), but affects pects of creation which are largeh posed of water—you, me, a in our gardens, The planets are si {influences upon us all, and although the agreed beneficial effect of planting accord- {ng to the moon has been put down to the simple fact chat one tends to get heavy rain after the new and full moons and the fi and third quarters, thus seeds germinate nore quicldy, there is undoubtedly more to it than this, There is only one way to decide inting works or {sto do it yourself Plant one row of cabbages, for example, by the and the next not, and see if there is any difference. Old Moors Almanack gives the fal fates, and these are very specific, For example, in October 1989 there are four planting days and on the 13¢h and 14th you are supposed to plant between 8:10 and 10:35 am, or 12:40 to 4:25 pm or 5:35 t0 6:35 pm, There are also those who maintain that growing north-south gives different results than planting east-west. organisms, so why not try both a you can see a difference, All Ife th the seed, but these

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