Thought Eucalyptus was just a delicacy for koala bears?  Think again!  It’s actually a potent medicinal herb with a myriad of benefits. We were overjoyed a few years ago, when we discovered “Silver Drop” Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus gunnii), which is a much more cold hardy version of this Tasmanian native herb. After planting it throughout our farm, here in zone 7, it now thrives in our gardens and towers over us.

Used medicinally to relieve respiratory and chest congestion, ease coughs and soothe burns, Eucalyptus has long been used by Aboriginal tribes for its healing properties. Antiseptic components in the plant’s oil, like cineole- a chemical found in the herb’s oil that gives the plant its camphor-like, pungent aroma adds the active ingredient that makes Eucalyptus an expectorant. Often compared to Vick’s Vapor Rub, Eucalyptus has a strong, piney smell that aids in decongestion when inhaled.

To create your own decongestant, forget about the artificial drugstore remedies like Vick’s, and opt for the grease-less, natural source. Just boil some water, crush a cup of fresh ‘Silver Drop’ Eucalyptus leaves. Remove the water from the stove top, wait for it to stop bubbling, and toss in the leaves. Hover over the hot concoction with a towel over your head to collect the steam and breathe deeply until the water cools. You can then use the cooled Eucalyptus water as a fragrant hair or skin wash, to infuse your body with the plant’s fresh fragrance. I like to add lots of freshly crushed leaves to a satchel and place it in the floor of my shower where the hot water will release the essential oils into the steam. It’s a great way to open up your lungs if you’re asthmatic, clear a stuffy nose if you’re sick, or just relax and treat your body to a fresh fragrance after a long day.

Being the resident “crazy cat lady”, our Marketing Director Caroline, rescued two flats of Catnip this past season that were past their prime for selling and were bound for the compost pile. Here’s her experience with biting off more than you can plant and finding a great way around it!

Admittedly, as stated above, I’m a little kitty crazy. So when offered the abundance of Catnip that was about to head to the big compost pile in the sky, I excitedly threw two flats into the back of my Jeep.  I promised myself that I would find room as well as time to actually plant, which I quickly realized upon getting home and assessing my two overflowing gardens, that it just wasn’t possible to find homes for these plants. Not wanting it to go to waste, I decided to save what I could by harvesting the plants to dry them for later use.

Two flats of fresh Catnip, reduced to two containers of dried "nip", ready for the freezer!

I began by clipping each plant at the soil level with a pair of sturdy gardening scissors. I piled the plants up into a shallow tupperware container, with all of the stems facing the same direction. Instead of hanging them in bundles to dry, I simply placed the open container piled high with plants on the top shelf of my pantry where it would be out of the way ( I didn’t want my boyfriend to think it was something to cook with!), in a dark, dry place and out of reach from my two mischievous  indoor cats. After about a month of forgetting it was still there, I took the container out and assessed my project. The once formidable pile had dried to a much smaller version of itself, making it much easier to manage.

I got a large mixing bowl, and for about thirty minutes, just stood at the kitchen counter, removing all of the usable parts (leaves, some flowering heads, small pliable stems) and adding them to the bowl. The stems, I tossed to the floor for my cats to play with in between begging for the “nip” I was currently working on. After removing all of the good stuff from the stems, I broke up any large pieces or stems by hand in the bowl. I found two recylced Chinese food containers to pack everything into and popped them in the freezer. Storing it in the freezer keeps them fresh for a longer time, and also triggers a frantic dash for the fridge from my cats, any time I open it to get a Popsicle. Give this little trick a try next time you have too many herbs to handle. You can extend the plant’s useful life and enjoy fresh herbs for everything from your cats to culinary use, for much longer!

My cat Milo, ready for a "nip" nap!

Summertime in Virginia not only means hot, humid temperatures; it sounds the call to break out the bug spray if you plan to be outside for more than five seconds.Yet, with so many chemicals and air pollutants found in commercial, over the counter brands, why not grow your own insect repellent and protect yourself the natural way? The majority of retail sprays, candles, coils and other creative contraptions to keep you safe from the summer swarms contain harmful toxins, including DEET, which can lead to serious health issues, especially for expecting mothers, children or pets. By planting herbs that are rich in natural sources of citronella and other repellent oils, you can skip the potential side effects and safely protect your family from pests all summer long.

Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus):

This light, lemon-flavored culinary herb commonly found in Asian and Indian cuisine is at the top of our list for its versatile usage and potent repellent properties. Though annual in most areas, this heat-loving, tropical herb is closely related to the variety of grass (Cymbopogon nardus) that citronella oil is derived from, which is found in most commercial repellents. Although it may not be as potent as its cousin, the citratus variety still contains enough essential oils to ward off backyard buggers. You can either plant this fragrant herb around your pools, water gardens and patios to enjoy skeeter-free evenings this summer,  rub freshly cut stalks directly onto your skin, or steep them in hot water to release the volatile oils and once cooled, used that as a spray.  In addition to its repellent properties, Lemon Grass is also anti fungal, antibacterial, helps detoxify your liver, reduces cellulite and more! Lemon Grass grows quickly, so you can harvest it as often as you like. What you don’t use to keep pests away, you can add to your favorite stir fry or brew into a refreshingly healthy tea.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita):

Not just a common scent around the holidays, Peppermint can also help defend your skin from mosquito attacks, while offering a few other beneficial results. Of all of the various types of Mint, Peppermint has one of the highest concentrations of volatile oils, hence its strong minty flavor and aroma.  Peppermint has long been loved as a medicinal herb for its many uses in treating digestive issues, and has also been proven to enhance your memory! This hardy, low-growing and quick-spreading herb is well known to many as a flavoring or culinary herb used in jellies, desserts, gum and other recipes, but many underestimate its ability to thwart pests. Containing high levels of menthol, Peppermint keeps mosquitoes, lice, ants, fleas and even rats at bay with its minty scent. As most insects dislike pungent herbs, a good rule of thumb when considering what to plant is, the stronger it smells, the more likely it is to help keep pests away. This vigorous herb is a proven winner. You can surround your home with a minty barrier and enjoy the lovely, crisp perfume each time you brush past these plants. For more controlled growth, you can easily container plant Peppermint and keep it indoors, allowing its natural perfume to freshen your home.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria):

Cat lovers and most pet owners should be very familiar with this herb that felines flip for. When kitties roll in or ingest this easy to grow herb, it induces euphoric behavior ranging from tearing around the house madly, to lounging around and drooling. A cousin to Mint, Catnip is a very low maintenance herb that will grow vigorously. The active oil in Catnip is Nepalactone, the very same volatile oil that drives your cat wild, while protecting you from becoming a snack for mosquitoes. Nepalactone has been researched and proven to be more effective in repelling mosquitoes in lower concentrations than the commercial chemical DEET, which is a key ingredient in most retail repellent products. It also seems to have an effect on cockroaches, and can be steeped in hot water and made into a “tea” for spraying baseboards where they may be hiding. Make sure to dilute the Catnip oil in water, or to rub it on your clothing rather than your skin, as the oil can affect people who have dermal sensitivities and may cause irritation if applied in a concentrated amount.

Having trouble with grasshoppers munching your plants? Don’t grieve for grasshoppers this summer, protect your garden naturally!

Try this Garlic Oil Spray:

1) Soak 3 ounce of garlic and 1 ounce of mineral oil for 24 hours or more.
2) Separately, mix 1 tsp. fish emulsion with 16 ounces of water and 1 tbs. castile soap.
3) Slowly mix the two mixtures together. This should keep in a sealed jar for up to 2 months.
4) To Use: Mix 2 Tbs. Garlic “concoction” per 1 pint of water and spray!

You can also plant herbs like Cilantro, Pyrethrum, Rue, Calendula or Horehound to act as natural deterrents to your unwanted grasshopper guests. These herbs also keep other critters and creepers out of your garden and some can even be used for culinary purposes.

Well it’s been well over a month since we planted our employee garden and the fruits (and veggies) of our labor are beginning to show! We’ve already been reaping tons of greens from our cold frame garden, and now our squash, zucchini, and green beans are starting to yield enough for dinner. With the week of heavy rains that we’ve had here in Charles City, VA, it’s no wonder that our plants are starting to really get big. We harvested a flat of baby squash and zucchini on Friday and the girls in the office all enjoyed them over the weekend. Our Marketing Director Caroline, tossed them in with fresh kale, onions and garlic for a delicious dinner packed full of fresh vitamins!

In attempts to keep our garden free of pests, we’ve planted our tunnel veggies near our Rue field. Rue is a natural insect repellent,  and as a result, we’ve had considerably less critters trying to feast on our vegetables.  Rue is also a great rabbit, deer and domestic pet deterrent, so if you’re having problems with pests, trying planting a perimeter of this hardy perennial around your gardens.