Lavender Lemonade

In my -” What’s New” section we’ll be talking about what seeds to start now for summer.

June • Lettuce varieties indoors/outdoors • Borage – outdoors • Coriander – outdoors • Flowers from seed

Summer Herbs

These are herbs to take cuttings from and then transplant into pots

• Mints • Roses Ragosa • Elderberry • Lavender • Yarrow – divide and transplant • Currants

Mulching

It’s time to mulch you garden before the summer heat and help to retain moisture for your plants. Mulches that are used to retain moisture are leaves, straw or grass clippings. In this area it’s hard to get straw so I use hay which does have weeds seeds in it though.

Recipe of the Month

Lavender Lemonade:

Serves 6 Recipe borrowed from Sarah B. Bader, The Lavender Lover’s Handbook Prepare plain lemonade and then add lavender syrup or make it from scratch as this recipe specifies. Either way, get ready to make copies of this recipe for whoever tries it. 4 cups filtered water 1 cup sugar or honey 2 tablespoons dried lavender buds or 4 tablespoons fresh lavender 1 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed Lavender sprigs for garnish

1.Combine the water, sugar or honey, and lavender in a saucepan and heat for approximately 10 minutes or until the mixture begins to boil. Remove from the heat and allow infuse until cool, about 20 minutes.

2.Pour the mixture through a fine-screened colander or cheesecloth into a pitcher. Add the lemon juice and stir. Serve in glasses filled with ice and garnished with a lavender sprig or lemon wheel.

Lavender Lemonade Tea (Citrus)

Aromatherapy for Insect Bites and Ticks

Yields: 1 application 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 drop oil(s) Filtered/distilled water as needed

To Make: In a small ceramic dish combine baking soda with essential oil(s), adding water to make into a paste.

Apply directly on bite as needed. As with bee stings remove the stinger first then apply.

Which oils to use: Lavender or Tea tree can be applied neat (undiluted) every hour.

Roman or German chamomile, Eucalyptus, Lavender and Tea tree

Handmade Soap of the Month: Smells like lemony citronella, a good soap to help repel insects

Goat milk soap with lemon eucalyptus, rosemary and peppermint

Natural oils with lemon eucalyptus, rosemary and peppermint

Lavender Syrup

Makes 2 cups Recipe from Sharon Shipley’s The Lavender Cookbook 1 cu distilled or filtered water 1 cup sugar 2 tablespoons whole culinary lavender buds 1 strip lemon zest

Boil the water in a small saucepan and add the sugar. Stir constantly until the sugar is dissolved. Add the culinary lavender buds and the lemon zest and allow the mixture to steep, uncovered, for about 30 minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine-screened colander or cheesecloth. Lavender syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.