Bugs be gone!

Is it just me or are the bugs crazy this summer?  Ok, that was a rhetorical question.  I am fully aware that the mosquitos are insane this year and I feel like if they got organized they could pick me up and carry me away.  Between the rain and the early heat, it is a perfect mosquito storm here in Michigan and it shows on my little guys in large red bumps every time they go outside.  

The problem is that bug sprays are full of toxic chemicals which are then directly absorbed into your skin.  So the solution my family came up with is a super simple, super effective one.  We bought the largest bottle available of organic citronella essential oil.  Before we go outside each time I just take a few drops and rub it directly on the skin.  Mosquitos stay away and we stay safe, happy, and toxin free.  

Has anyone else tried this?  Do you have another great non-toxic solution for keeping the bugs off?  

10 Uses Tuesday: Tennis Balls

Photo credit

This weekend my son and I went to see the movie "Up."  It was really cute and we had a great time, but something from the movie got me thinking.  In the movie, Mr. Fredrickson had a walker, the feet of which he had covered in tennis balls which were also useful later in the movie.  That got me to thinking, there must be a 10 uses Tuesday for tennis balls, and lucky for us, there is!  So check out these 10 great uses for tennis balls.

And then lay back, relax, and discover this additional use for tennis balls.  Make your own easy, reused, tennis ball massager.  Let me know how yours works and if you have any other unmentioned uses for tennis balls.

I made my raised beds

So I am happy to report that with my mom's help, and a few hours hard work, the raised veggie beds are in.  My mom found these wood frames at a garden co-op for $5 a piece but they are would be super easy to make with some lumber (re-used is even better!) and hinges.  Then we just added some organic soil, some of my beautiful compost with the most beautiful, fat worms I have ever seen, and our veggie seeds and organic tomato plants.  Now just to get it to grow.  Although with that compost it might be impossible not to.  We also have lettuce and swiss chard growing in pots in the small greenhouse we have.  It's not perfect, but it's a start.

Where are you at in your gardening?  Are you growing something this year?  Are you using compost? Any tips?