Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Lets Build a Bee Bed (garden) Part 1

So I was thinking about it last night after my other post and I thought maybe it would be a fun and good idea to do a few blog posts about putting in a bee garden.  Some people when they put in flowers for bees put in ones bees don't like or have issues getting food from, I figured why not do a series of posts that go into a nice healthy, happy bee garden.  This will include steps from going to nothing to putting in plants and will include bee friendly plants.  This is also going to be an eatable garden, meaning everything in it will be safe to eat (who knows, some stuff may surprise you.)

Now this bed is going to be as organic as possible.  I'm not going to say 100% organic but it will be as close as possible.

First off lets find a place for your bed.  Walk around your yard and pick a spot that you wouldn't mind digging up and putting in some flowers/herbs.  It can be as close to your house or as far away as possible (just keep in mind it will draw bees so if your allergic away from your house may be a good idea.)  When picking your spot be sure to look up and see what trees are over head.  We're in the fall now so keep in mind come spring if there are trees over head they will make an area that looks sunny now into a shady spot.  For the bed we're putting in now full sun to partial shade is idea.  Pick a spot that gets a few hours of sun a day.  Ideally for this bed your spot should be 5 foot by 5 foot to 8 foot by 8 foot (mine is 8 foot by 10 foot.)

Once you have your spot picked out we're going to start building the bed.  No digging is required right now so don't worry about that.  We're going to use composting to make dirt.  If you have newspapers or old cardboard boxes take them and spread them around on the ground where your bed will be.  You can also use old pizza boxes for this layer.  All of the grass or dirt in your new bed should be covered by paper/card board.  This is important, do not use any paper or cardboard that is coated with the shiny paint or is shiny paper.  This is bad for the soil and the worms that will make their home in your future garden.  Stick to non coated, not shiny materials. 

Once you get this layer down add your garden bed walls.  This can be anything from wood (make sure it's not treated) to bricks, rocks, I use fencing on some of mine because of my birds.  I also use old wood to line the inner wall of my beds and bricks on the outside.  Build your wall to whatever height you want.

Now that the walls are done we're ready to start filling it in with composable materials, chances are you already have a great start to your bed in your house right now.  If you drink tea or coffee start saving your leaves, bags, grounds, and filters.  Worms love all of this and it makes great soil.  Egg shells are also loved in soil, as are left overs from veggies, fruits, sea food.  All of this can be saved in a plastic ice cream bucket and if it's dumped daily it doesn't make any smells.  So what else can be dumped in there since we have so much to fill up before spring?  Well most people know the common things, leaves chopped up, grass clippings, general outdoor mulch.  You can also add things like shavings from rabbits if you clean their pens or other pets like that, mice, birds; do not use cat, dog, or any other carnivore's droppings, they can contain pathogens and since we're going to be snacking on our bed with the bees we don't want that in there.  Okay so what else?  Any kitchen left overs are great for it as long as it's not meat or blood.  You'll hear people disagree on this, but using meat/blood in a compost bed can draw in scavengers such as racoons, skunks, possums or even outdoor cats that may dig up the beds.  Other odd things? People hair, as long as it's not treated, sweepings from the floor as long as you don't use flea powder or pesticides, the same as pet hair not treated, coffee carriers you get from fast food places (as long as their not shiny), news papers ripped up or shredded can be added as well to this layer.  The key will be to have a mixture of stuff in there, so it will break down nicely and provide our herbs with food when we put them in.

A few hints for finding biodegradable matter, if you live near coffee shops you can ask them for their coffee grounds.  I know some people give them a bucket to dump them in and collect them daily.  If you live in a town that collects leaves you can ask the town if you can have some of the chopped up leaves. If you don't get newspapers you can ask your local recycling center for a bundle or two.  And don't forget about asking your friends for their composable stuff!

A minor side note, while doing this don't use herbicide around the bed or on your property.  If you need to kill weeds that can't be killed by pulling or smothering with mulch make a white vinegar and water spray solution and cover the offending weeds with that.  Its safer for the bees.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

A few things about Feverfew

I keep seeing Feverfew being listed as a 'miracle herb' on a few sites around for things like headaches and migraines.

Now I will be honest, first off I've never used Feverfew, but there is a reason for this that I'm going to get into and it's the same reason everyone should first do their own research into any herbal supplement they want to take.  I've been researching herbs for several years, so while I'm not all knowing, I do try to keep myself educated about them.  Any time someone mentions something that works for xyz condition I look into everything about it, it's uses, how to grow it, how to harvest it, how to use it, and most importantly it's side effects.

Back to the Feverfew now, Feverfew is great for headaches and migraines.  It works by increasing blood flow by opening blood vessels.  There are other herbs that work well as well, and I'll get into them in a minute.  Like most other herbs Feverfew does have other uses, but mostly it will come up as a headache medication.

Now here's the important part, Feverfew's side effects.  It can cause miscarriages among pregnant women.  It can cause problems if you are trying to conceive as well.  If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant avoid this herb.

For those who cannot take Feverfew other herbs do work just as well, peppermint taken as a tea can help prevent or relieve pain from migraines, as an added bonus it also helps settle upset stomachs that may result from migraines.  Other mint teas also help, but to a lesser degree (I use mint teas myself personally.)  I've heard catnip teas work as well, but I've never tried them myself.

Also if you are looking into a 'bee garden' avoid using this plant.  Bees hate the smell of the flowers and will avoid the beds at all cost. (In one book I own it actually recommends carrying some Feverfew in your pocket if you want bees to stay away from you.)  On the other hand if you want to plant something that will keep bees away then this is the herb for you.