Old Sage Still Grows

General information on Chamoiles

2012-11-27T01:09:00.000-08:00

General Information

Scientific name : Matricaria recutita and Matricaria discoidea
Two basic types.

German Chamoile: An annual plant that really likes the sun. Reseeds itself when some of the flowers are unpicked.
Roman Chamoile: Low growing perenial tolerating most soil conditions. Really enjoyes being in the sun too.

Growing near herbs will actually increase the essential oil production.
Companion plant information
Chamomiles plants accumulate calcium, potassium and sulfur. Good in composts and when returned to the soil.

General plant information

2012-11-27T00:53:00.001-08:00

Catnip
Chamoile

General information about catnip

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Also known as Catswort and Catmint

A perienial plant of the Lamiaceae family - inclused mint.

There are two varieties that I have grown.

Nepeta cataria and
Nepeta citriodora [ lemon catnip]

Part of the mint family and thus a member of the Nightshades.

Some may be sensitive to the effects where other just have no reaction.

Catmint in flower.... protected by a
tyre after the cats got to it

Basically [ especially with cats] there are two ways of experiencing the effects.

An olfactory one. The essential oils travel through the nose membranes reaching the area of the brain stimulated by "happy" pheromones and the cat goes wild.
When eaten the effect is a mellowing one

Freshness

The old story of fresh is best ~ especially with Catnip as catnip is known to loose it's potency over time. When used in repellents the time frame is only a few ours of effective use.

Uses

The concentrated nepetalactone within the catnip is a repellent.

10 times more powerful than DEET if the essential oil has been steam distilled. Use as a spray. Not as effective when applied to the skin.
Mosquito repellent
Japanese Beetle spray.
Fly spray.
Termite repellent.

needs to be applied to soil where termites are to be an effective deterrent to termite tunneling [ 1]

Relaxant for both humans and cats.
Calming effect similar to chamomile.
May also be used for a sedative effect.

Resources

All about catnip

Companion Planting with catnip.
Termites repelled by Catnip oil as seen on 27th November 2012.

How to makes a homemade spray to drive away flea beetles.

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Catnip [ and grass] in a tyre

Have on hand

Catnip
Water

Gather the catnip by the hand full.
Use a mortar to crush the catnip allowing the essential oils to be released easily.
Seep the catnip in the water.

Please note steam distillation is a better way of releasing the essential oil terpenoid nepetalactone that is needed for to really make this spray effective however being practical the above will suffice.

Place in a spray bottle
Spray or drizzle on the plants

Only make what you are going to actually use.

When you are actually using this spray please be aware of the effects the catnip will have on plants that really do not like living next door to catnip. Also if the catnip that attracts the cats from the neighborhood is used will they love the vegetables sprayed to death! Some catnip plants literally have either an intense ten minute hyper relaxing effect or a mighty aggressive behavior effect on the cat ~ all depends on the cats sensitivity to the catnip. Not good if the vegetable patch is guarded by a cat unfriendly dog!

Reference:

All about catnip
Companion planting with catnip

Companion planting
Catnip

Companion planting for Catnip

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Good Neighbours
Helps
Help By
Attracts
Repeals

Deters ants, aphids, flea beetles, Japanese beetles, Squash bugs, weevils.

Bad / not good companions

Companion Planting with Hyssop

2012-11-22T01:00:00.000-08:00

Good Neighbours / Companions
Helps:

Cabbage, Cauliflower, Grapes

Helped By

Brussel Sprouts

Attracts

Honey Bees, Butterflies

Repels / Distracts

Cabbage Butterfly /Cabbage moth larvae, Flea Beetles, Slugs .

Bad / Not Good Companions

Radishes

General Information

Hyssopus officinalis [1]

References
How to grow Hyssop
List of companion plants

Companion Planting with Cilantro / Coriander

2012-11-20T23:03:00.001-08:00

Good Neighbours / companions
Helps

Spinach

Helped by

Beans, Peas

Attracts

Tachinid Fly

Repels / Distracts

Aphids, Potatoe Beetle, Spider Mites, White Flies

Bad / not nice companions

General Information

Scientific name : Coriandrium sativum

References

List of Companion Plants

Companion Planting with Chervil

2012-11-20T22:59:00.001-08:00

Good neighbours /companions
Helps

Broccoli, Lettuce, Radish

Helped by
Attracts
Repels / distracts

Aphids

Bad / Not nice companions

Radish

General information
Scientific name: Anthriscus cerefolium

Shade loving which makes it a great complement to shade giving plants.

Radishes make the Chervil taste spicier.

Also known as Flat Parsley

References
List of companion plants

Companion Planting with Chamomile

2012-11-20T22:47:00.002-08:00

Good Neighbours / companions
Helps

Basil, Cabbage, Cucumber, Onion, Wheat

Helped by
Attracts

Hoverflies, Wasps

Repels / Distracts
Bad / not nice companions

References

General information on Chamomiles
List of Companion Plants

Campanion Planting with the Bay Leaf

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Good neighbor/ companions
Helps :
Helped by:
Attracts
Repeals / Distracts

Use Sprinkled dried leaves as part of a natural indseciticide dust.

Bad / Not nice campaigns

General Information

Likes to grow in:
Length of life
Diseases
About the plant parts

References

Companion Planting with Squash

2012-11-20T22:23:00.003-08:00

Good Neighbours / companions

Helps

Flower after pollination

Beans, Corn, Sweet Corn

Helped by:

Buckwheat, Catnip, Radishes that trap flea Beetles, Tansy

Attracts

Ground Beetles, Spiders

Repels/ Distracts

Bad / Not nice companions

Potato

General Information

There is a method of companion planting that is called the three sisters. This involves growing corn as a starter crop. Then adding climbing beans and one member of the Curcurbita family. Squash and pumpkins being one of the members.

Reference
List of companion plants

Companion Planting with Parsnip

2012-11-20T20:42:00.000-08:00

Good Neighbours:
Helps

Fruit Trees

Helped by
Attracts

the flowers withh attract a variety of predatory insects

Repels/ Discourages

The flowers left under fruit trees [like the apple] will deter the coddling moth and light brown apple moth.
Fruit flies, house flies, red spider mite, pea aphids are all affected by the Parsnips root chemical Myristricin.

Bad / Not nice companions

General Information
Scientific name : Pastinaca Sativa

References

Natural remedies for removing or controlling pests, disease, molds, weeds

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Codling Moth   http://oldsagegrows.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/how-to-make-homemade-spray-that-removes.html

Fruit Flies http://oldsagegrows.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/how-to-make-homemade-spray-that-removes.html

House Flies  http://oldsagegrows.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/how-to-make-homemade-spray-that-removes.html

Light Brown Apple Moth  http://oldsagegrows.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/how-to-make-homemade-spray-that-removes.html

Red Spider Mite  http://oldsagegrows.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/how-to-make-homemade-spray-that-removes.html

How to make a homemade spray that removes house flies, pea aphids, red spider mites and fruit flies

2012-11-20T20:33:00.003-08:00

Making your own home made and completely natural pest deterrent / removal spray is a wonderful experience.

The roots of a parsnip contain Myristricin. This chemical is toxic to fruit flies, house flies, red spider mites, pea aphids.

For every one liter of water blend three parsnips.
Strain the blended pulp.
Use within a few days, especially on and around the fruit trees and peas.

Reference
List of companion plants

Companion Planting with Mustard

2012-11-20T20:00:00.001-08:00

Good Neighbours / Companions

Helps

Brussel Sprouts, Cabage, Cauliflower, Radish, Turnips

Helped By
Attracts
Repels / Distracts
Bad / Not nice companions

Various pests

General information
Scientific name : Brassicacaeae Sinapis alba

References
List of Companion Plants

Companion Planting for Caraway

2012-11-20T19:30:00.000-08:00

Good neighbours/ companions

Peas

Helps :

Strawberries

Helped by
Attracts :

Parasitic wasps and flies that then help keep the other insects away

Repels / Distracts
Bad/ not nice companions

Anise / Dill, Fennel

General information

Scientific name: Carum carvi

The long roots help brake up and condition any heavy soil. Thus shallow rooting plants benefit when planted together with caraway.

references
List of companion plants

Companion Planting with Eggplant / Aubergine

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Good Neighbours
Helps:

Beans and peppers

Helped by

Marigolds deter nematodes,
Mint,
Tarragon

Attracts
Repels/ distracts
Bad / Not nice companions

General information
Scientific name: Solanum melongena

Part of the Nightshade family : Related to Peppers, Potatoes and Tomatoes

Susceptible to early and light blight - builds up in the soil and gets worse every year. Once a member of the family is planted leave the ground fellow for three years afterwards. Thus the blight problem is negated.

Members of the nightshade family [ Peppers, potatoes and tomatoes] and walnuts do not like each other. The walnut produces an allelopathic chemical called juglone that inhabits the growth of all members of the nightshade family

What belongs in the Cururbitaceae Family

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Acorn Squash [Cucurbita moschata]
African cucumber [ Momordica charantica]
Balsam pear[ Momordica charantica]
Banana Squash [Cucurbita moschata]
Butternut squash [Cucurbita moschata]
Buffalo Gourd Butternut squash [Cucurbita foetidissima]
Cantaloupe [Cucumis melo]

Cassaba [Cucumis melo]
Cucumber [Cucumis sativus]
Fig Leaf Gourd [Cucurbita ficifolia]
Gerkins [ Curcumis anguria]
Gourd [Cucurbita]
Honeydew [Cucumis melo]
Hubbards [Cucurbita maxima]
Malabar Gourd [Cucurbita ficifolia]
Melons [Cucumis but for watemelon]
MuskMelon [Cucumis melo]
Netted Melon [Cucumis melo]
Pumpkin [Cucurbita pepo]
Scollops [Cucurbita pepo]
Snake Gourd [Trichosnathes]
Straight necks [Cucurbita pepo]
Summer Squash [Cucurbita pepo]
Turban gourds [Cucurbita maxima]
Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus]
Wax Gourd [ Benincasa hispida]
Winter squashes [Cucurbita mixta]
Yellow- flowered gourds [Cucurbita pepo]
Zucchini [Cucurbita pepo]

References

Cucurbitaceae -- fruits for Peons, Pilgrams and Pharaohs

What belongs in this family

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What belongs in the Fabaceae family

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Comprises of the legume or bean family.

String beans
Stringless beans

French haricot beans
snap beans
black beans or black turtle beans
cranberry beans [ tan speckled with maroon or white with crimson]
Kidney beans
cannellini or white kidney beans'pinto beans
white beans [ navy beans]

general information
Orginated in Central and South America.

can be either harvested when immature or mature in growth.
Green beans are high in vitamin C and dietary fibre.

Resources

Phaseolus vulgaris

What belongs in the Nightshade family

2012-11-20T13:53:00.000-08:00

Under the classification of Polemonieles or Solanaceae there are over 2800 species of nightshade plants. These come in the forms of trees, shrubs, herbs, vegetables and flowers

Some of the common ones that you may have weekly dealings with are the

Vegetables

bell pepper

green
red
yellow

Carrots
Egg plant
Tomato
Tabacco plant
White potato

Common Seasonings oe spices

Cayenne pepper
Paprika
Tabasco Sauce,

belladonna
Garden Huckleberry [Solanum melanocerasum]
Ground cherries [Physalias]
Mandrake
Mints [basiol, oregano...]
Morning Glorey
pepinos
pimentos
tomatillos
tamarios

Reference
What are Nightshade plants

What belongs in the Allium Family

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Chives
Onions
Garlic
Leeks
Shallots

General Information on Dill / Anise

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Natural Order

Apiaceae

Origins: From the regions of Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

There are reports that Switzerland had Dill as far back is the Neolithic period.

Names also known by:

In the new Testament Dill is referred to as "Anethon" in Matthew xxiii, 23.

Also known as Anise [ mistranslation of Anethon]

Growing cycle: Hardy Annual

Height :

Grows to 61 to 76 cm [24 to 30 inches] tall.

Soil Type preferred.

Prefers a sandy soil

Characteristics

Being similar to Fennel can sometimes be mistaken for each other.
Leaves

Dill has slightly broader leaves resembling thread like pine needles.

Flowers

Numerous yellow flowers situated on a compounded umbel.

Petals: rolled inward.

References

Our Herb Garden - Dill

Companion Planting with Sunflowers

2012-11-19T22:54:00.001-08:00

Good Neighbours / companions

Cucumbers

Helps
Helped by
Repels /Distracts
Bad / Not Nice companion