Filed under: Uncategorized
Is anyone else tired of seeing “eco friendly” labels on products with no explanation as to what makes the item eco friendly? I am!!
Filed under: Uncategorized
Thanks to Jessica for the hot top: Blossom star Mayim Bialik is a total AP mama! Article here.
Filed under: Home and Garden
I’ve been reading and researching about companion planting this year. Now that I’m feeling confident in the garden, I knew it was time to amp it up as far as learning more about what kinds of plants will attract beneficial insects and also repel harmful insects (Integrated Pest Management). Being an organic gardener it’s wise to utilize annuals, perennials and herbs alongside your veggies to help them produce and deter harmful insects. Companion Planting will attract more bees to pollinate and birds to munch on harmful insects. So far in my garden I’ve planted Zinnias, Geraniums, Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Chamomile and still need to add a variety of herbs. Not only was I thinking about Integrated Pest Management but the beautiful array of colors that my annuals will produce. I can’t wait to see what it will finally look like come mid/late June.
I thought it would be helpful to share what I have learned by providing a list of the best plants and herbs to help you on your way to Companion Planting.
Asters
Deters most insects
Basil
Basil repels white fly and makes a good companion to tomatoes, in the garden & the kitchen. Use 3 basil plants to each tomato plant. Basil also repels flies and mosquitoes, so useful in kitchen, outdoor barbecues. Don’t plant near rue. Deters tomato hornworm, aphids, flies and mosquitoes. Slows growth of milkweed bugs and acts as a fungicide.Borage – Deters tomato worm – improves growth and flavor of tomatoes
Borage
Plant with strawberries to increase crop. Also good with tomatoes and squash. Attracts bees to the garden. Deters tomato worms, attracts bees, helps growth and flavor.
Calendula (Pot Marigold)
Deters asparagus beetles, tomato worms and general garden pests
Catnip
Deters flea beetle
Celery
White cabbage butterfly
Chamomile
Improves growth and flavor of onions and cabbages.
Chrysanthemum
Deters most insects
Dead Nettle
Deters potato bug – improves growth and flavor of potatoes
Eggplant
Deters Colorado potato beetle
Fennel
Repels fleas, so grow it around dog kennel.
Flax
Deters potato bug
Garlic
Deters Japanese beetle – other insects and blight
Geranium
Deters most insects. Plant near roses, grapes and corn. Repels cabbage worm. Oil of geranium prevents red spider mite.
Horseradish
Plant at corners of potato patch to deter potato bug
Henbit
General insect repellant
Hyssop
Deters cabbage moth, white butterflies, good insect repellant
Lavendar
Lavender bags repel mice, ticks and moths.
Marigold
The workhouse of the pest deterrents. Plant throughout garden to discourage Mexican bean beetles, nematodes and other insects.
Mint
Deters white cabbage moth and ants
Nasturtium
Good insect repellent. Deters aphids, squash bugs, striped pumpkin beetles
Onion Family
Deters most pests
Oregano
Plant near broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower to repel cabbage butterfly and near cucumbers to repel cucumber beetle. Also benefits grapes.
Petunia
Protects beans
Peppermint
Planted among cabbages, it repels the white cabbage butterfly
Radish
Especially deters cucumber beetle
Rosemary
Deters cabbage moth, bean beetle and carrot fly
Rue
Deters Japanese Beetle
Sage
Deters cabbage moth, carrot fly
Salsify
Repels carrot fly
Southernwood
Deters cabbage moth
Summer Savory
Deters bean beetles
Tansy
Deters flying insects, Japanese beetles, striped cucumber beetles, squash bugs, ants
Tomato
Asparagus beetle
Thyme
Deters cabbage worm
Wormwood
Carrot fly, white cabbage butterfly, black flea beetle
Diana Bauman is a Local Spanish foodie. You can view her personal blog at: A Little Bit of Spain In Iowa.
At Gray’s Lake: Saturdays 9-10, led by various Yogis.
At the Downtown Community Garden: Sundays at 5, led by Maggie from Firehouse Yoga. (E 6th and Scott)
Don’t have time to make it to the Downtown Farmers Market? Don’t worry, in Central Iowa you can find a farmers market near you almost every single day of the week. Grab your market sack and head out for some fresh local goodies!
MONDAY
Urbandale Farmers Market at Living History Farms
June 1 – October 12
4 – 7 p.m.
Front Lawn of LHF, 11121 Hickman Road
TUESDAY
Johnston Farmers Market
May 26 – October 6
3- 7 p.m.
Johnston City Hall Parking Lot, Merle Hay Road and NW 62nd Ave. Johnston, IA
WEDNESDAY
Drake Neighborhood Farmers Market
June 3 – September 30
4 – 7 p.m.
First Christian Church parking lot 25th Street and University Avenue
Waukee Farmers Market
June 3 – September 30
4 – 7 p.m.
Triangle Park Sixth Street and Ashworth Drive
THURSDAY
Ames Farmers Market
May 2 – October 31
2 – 7 p.m.
Main Street Station, 526 Main Street, Suite 103 & 104, Ames, IA 50010
Highland Park Farmers Market
June 4 – October 1
4 – 7 p.m.
6th Ave. from Euclid to Douglas, west side of street
Pella Farmers Market
May 14 – October 22
3 – 6 p.m.
First Reformed Church parking lot, 603 Broadway St.
Polk City Farmers Market
May 28 – August 27
4 – 7 p.m.
Held in and around the Square in Polk City (Broadway, 3rd, 2nd and VanDorn Streets)
Valley Junction Farmers Market
May 7 – October 1
4 – 8 p.m.
100-300 blocks of 5th Street
SATURDAY
Ames Farmers Market
May 2 – October 31
(Closed July 4th)
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Main Street Station, 526 Main Street, Suite 103 & 104, Ames, IA 50010
Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market
May 2 – October 31
7 a.m. – Noon
Des Moines Court Avenue District
Madison County Farmers Market
May 16 – October 3
(Closed July 4th)
7:30 – 11 a.m.
Winterset town square
Uptown Ankeny Farmers Market
May 16 – September 26
(Closed July 11th)
8 a.m. – Noon
Uptown Ankeny – Corner of SW 3rd & SW Maple Streets
West Glen Farmers Market
May 16 – September 19
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Avenue of the Arts, one block North of Mills Civic Parkway
Diana Bauman is a Local Spanish foodie. You can view her personal blog at: A Little Bit of Spain In Iowa.
Filed under: Home and Garden
I never stopped to think about lead in soil, until a friend of mine posted about it on facebook. (http://projectsformoms.blogspot.com/) For all you twitterers out there, @ShannyM515, had mentioned that she couldn’t plant due to lead being in her soil. As I read that, I started to think about my own soil. We live in Des Moines, Beaverdale area, which is an old neighborhood where many homes have been painted and treated for lead paint. That paint could have leaked into the soil making it hazardous to start utilizing it for a garden. With the recent popularity of home gardens, I thought it would be great to share a link that I just found on lead.
For Urban Gardeners, Lead is a Concern
Diana Bauman is a Local Spanish foodie. You can view her personal blog at: A Little Bit of Spain In Iowa.
Urban chickens have been popping up in backyards throughout the metro. Des Moines active involvement in the local food movement has the most lenient ordinances in the state for backyard chickens according to the Des Moines Register’s article, City-dwellers look to chickens for food, but some laws say no. I’m one of these people that finally bought my first flock of backyard chickens. My five hens will provide my family 20-25 eggs a week. Raising my own chickens is a natural procession to self sustainability.
This trend, as people like to call it, is exploding throughout our nation. People are turning back the clock 50 years when it was the norm to see backyard chickens. With the sludging economy and consumer awareness of the harsh realization of factory farms, people are becoming more interested in growing and raising their own food supply. Raising backyard chickens happens to be EASY! All you’ll need is chicken feed, a coop for shelter, roosting and nesting and a backyard filled with fresh green grass, weeds and bugs. You’ll have nutritious farm fresh eggs in no time. Chickens are also great with kids. Although not the smartest animals, they do have wonderful temperaments.
Some of the benefits of raising free range hens in your backyard,
- They TASTE so much better! Rich orange yolk.
- Less Cholesterol, up to 1/3 less cholesterol than factory farmed eggs
- Less Saturated Fat
- More Vitamin A and E
- More Omega-3s
If you’re interested in learning more about raising backyard chickens in the metro, please visit and join the facebook group, Iowa Urban Chicken Farmers or www.backyardchickens.com.
Diana Bauman is a Local Spanish foodie. You can view her personal blog at: A Little Bit of Spain In Iowa.
Filed under: Books
I found this one to be difficult to read. There were just too many words on the page or something. Also, it’s kind of a lengthy ad for Shaklee.
That said, there is some good information in the book, particularly for those looking for easy ways to get started living Green. The book is divided into pratical sections, like “Clean Body,” “Clean Baby,” and “Clean Food.” She talks about the surprising number of nasties in soap, laundry detergent, makeup, etc.
Many of the suggested solutions are just alternate things to buy. If you’re just looking for “instead of Ajax dish soap, buy a green brand instead” advice, you could probably get away without buying ANY books, and just go shopping at Campbell’s or New City instead. But she does suggest things such as just forgoing baby lotion (babies usually don’t need lotion if you avoid drying soap and too frequent baths), etc. (no mention of forgoing makeup, though!)
(I’ll note, she calls disposables “safer.” I’m not sure what she means by that. I have yet to see a cloth diaper explode or do anything that would make me think of them as “less safe.”)
One of the greatest things about living in Des Moines is that they are actively a part of the Local Food Movement. The Des Moines Community Garden Coalition provides four areas throughout the metro for Community Gardening. The Franklin Community Garden, The Drake Community Garden, The Edmunds/Oakridge/Sherman Hill Community Garden, and the new Downtown Community Garden. The city provides the plots, compost, mulch, and water free of charge as long as you maintain your garden and grow organically. What a deal!!
For those of us that live in older neighborhoods with way too much shade, this is the perfect opportunity to start growing your own organic produce. Not only is this economical but for newbie gardeners, you will find a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips by meeting your garden neighbors. Seasoned gardeners and newbie’s alike work side by side learning from each other and forming lasting friendships. There are people from all walks of life and all ages involved. It’s a great way to learn about where our food actually comes from and organic methods of growing and care.
For more information on joining a community garden please visit the Des Moines Community Garden Coalition.
Diana Bauman is a Local Spanish foodie. You can view her personal blog at: A Little Bit of Spain In Iowa.
Filed under: About the Bloggers
Hola! I am currently living in Costa Rica with my family. We’ve been living here as missionaries for a year now. Our second child, Tabitha, was born in Costa Rica via homebirth and we will become permanent residents in June 2009. So exciting!
Before we moved to Costa Rica, we lived in Des Moines area. I started on the road of natural living, healthy wholesome food and natural birth while I was pregnant with my first child, Naomi, in Mexico (we were missionaries there for two years). We moved back to Iowa before Naomi was born and found Dana Ericson (midwife) through a couple friends. We were blessed with a wonderful natural birth and healthy baby. A few months later, I found Teresa who heads the local Weston A. Price group called NOAH (Nourishing Organic Affectionate Homes) and learned so much from this amazing group of people.
I was stoked that Sarah asked me to be a guest blogger for NLDSM (Thanks Sarah!). I have so much to share and it is my passion to help people understand that living naturally is the way to go. Even though I am not in DSM area anymore… I am excited to share about our adventures of live naturally and organically in a foreign country. I have learned a lot of new things from the locals on natural medicine, frugal living and food that can be applied in the states. You can live naturally almost anywhere you are.
A little more about myself… I am a wife of one awesome hubby, Jon, and a mommy of two precious girls, Naomi and Tabitha. I am the daughter of Jehovah Jireh, a missionary in Costa Rica and deaf. I am a total foodie and love trying new things. I love horses and it is our vision to open a ranch to rescue horses and work with youth (Jon’s gift). We are currently looking for land to lease or buy.
Well, that’s me! I am looking forward to sharing my experiences in natural/organic living. Thanks, again, to Sarah.
My personal blog: just making noise: sound bites from a deaf mama
Our mission blog: Rancho Oasis for Youth (look to the right and you’ll find links sharing about our vision for the ranch)
