This is where the 'green' bit begins; the garden and cooking stuff, herbs and flowers and so on.


This is my particular hobby at the moment and I would really love to hear from anyone with unusual recipes or craft suggestions using the ordinary and everyday things we all grow in our gardens.
Come on in ... have a coffee and check out a few interesting ideas for ordinary plants out in your garden, beginning with ........ .............................................................................. Lavender


Lavender is so easy to grow, most people have a bush somewhere in the garden, but it is much more than a decorative, aromatic space-filler.


Lavender grows best in light, sandy, well-drained soil and a dry, sunny position. It can be propogated by seed but more quickly by cuttings taken in late summer or early autumn. Lavender should be pruned back after flowering to keep the bush in shape and promote strong growth.



Pick lavender for drying when the flowers are in full bloom. Pick on a dry day and take the long stems.
 Lavender may be laid as picked among clothes and linen as a moth deterrent and perfumer. The flowers placed in little bowls (dry) will deodorise and scent a room.
 Lavender is well known as a remedy for headache, migrane and nervousness. It can stimulate the circulation and help in cases of nervous exhaustion. It can be used to relieve neuralgia and insomnia and to revive those who feel faint or dizzy.
 Lavender is usually taken in the form of oil but lavender tea is a fragrant and pleasant drink. For migraine, headache and nervous disorders a small glassful can be taken last thing at night and first thing in the morning. Taken at night it is sleep inducing.
To make LAVENDER TEA : pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of fresh flowers. Cover and leave to infuse for 10 minutes.
 Lavender tea can also be used as a mouthwash and as a remedy for bad breath

LAVENDER SACHETS

 

  • small calico or muslin bags
  • lavender flowers
  • rubber bands
  • ribbon, as preferred
  • selection of dried flowers
  • hot glue gun
  • sprigs of dried herbs (optional)

    •  

    Fill the bags with dried lavender

    flowers and secure with
    a rubber band. Do not overfill
    the bags, or they will be difficult
    to secure.
    2. Tie the neck of the bag with a
    ribbon and decorate with a selection
    of dried flowers, attached with a hot
    glue gun. One of the most effective
    ways to decorate the bags is to use
    a couple of dried roses and perhaps
    a sprig of lavender or other herb.


    Lavender Bottles are easy to make.......


    Cut 18-20 flowers with the longest possible stems.
    Allow the stems and flowers to go limp as it is
    almost impossible to make a good-looking bottle
    using stiff stems.
    Make a bundle of the flowers and tie them together
    just below the flower heads with a piece of then
    wool or string. Strip any foliage from the stems.
    Bend the stems back over the flowers, arranging
    them to cage the flower heads tidily. Secure the stem ends with a couple of spring pegs
    so you can ease the stems a little if neccessary
    as you work. Tie one end of a 3m length of baby
    ribbon to one of the bent stems, attach a small
    safety pin to the other end and weave the ribbon
    in and out between the bent stems. When you reach
    the end of the 'bottle', cut the stems to the
    length you require. Then twist the ribbon down
    the handle, back up again, and finish with a bow.
    TIP: To release the scent, just give the bottle a squeeze
    to buise the floers within the cage.
    If you have a bountiful harvenst, make extras as gifts for
    friends and family. Use where-ever you would use a sachet.

    Lavender Rosemary Mint
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