MAY Cleaning Tips

May is one of my favorite months. The uncertain weather of early spring is a thing of the past, and the whole summer seems to stretch out before us. What better time to get reacquainted with the garden? I came by my love of gardening naturally: I inherited it from my mom! The Queen Mother taught me to garden the natural way, with minimum fuss and no chemicals. I’m going to pass that along to you! I’m also going to share some recipes for homemade personal care products because there’s nothing nicer than pampering yourself after a warm afternoon in the garden. And because May is the month of Mother’s Day, why not treat her, too?

A Garden of Ideas

BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

Get a head start on summer! Plant seeds in an egg carton to which you have added a small amount of soil -- don’t pack it too hard, and don’t let it spill out over the sides. Keep the soil moist, taking care not to over water. When you’ve seen the last frost, it’s time to pop the seedlings out of the egg container and plant them in the ground. Still impatient? Speed up germination by laying a piece of plastic wrap over the seedlings to keep them moist and warm. Leave the plastic in place until the plants start to poke their heads through the soil.

• Try latex gloves in the garden instead of cloth. They’re easier to clean -- you can just rinse them under the hose and let them air dry -- and they don’t stiffen up like canvas gloves do.

Tie a used fabric softener sheet around your belt to keep mosquitoes away while you garden.

• For a moisturizing treat while gardening, rub your hands with cream or petroleum jelly before donning your gloves.
• Don’t like to wear gloves? Scraping your fingernails over a bar of soap before you get started will prevent dirt from penetrating under your nails and will protect them from breaking.
• Use a little wagon to haul your supplies around the garden.Check garage sales for good deals.
• Carry a quart spray bottle filled with water and a squirt of liquid dish soap.If you see bugs attacking your flowers, just give them a squirt and they’ll vamoose!
• Need a kneeling pad?Take a 2- or 3-inch piece of foam, wrap it in plastic or put it in a large resealable bag and you’re all ready to go.

 

FERTILIZERS

• Crushed eggshells worked well into the soil make a wonderful fertilizer. Terrific for garden and houseplants, they aerate the soil, too.
• Bury some usedcoffee groundsin your garden to provide much-needed acid to soil that has a high alkaline content. You’ll notice much greener greens.
• Fish tank wateris loaded with nutrients. Use it for gardens and houseplants.
• Plants love starch, so save the water each time you boil noodles or other pasta. Just make sure to let the water cool down first.
• Dampened newspapers placed on the ground around plants will help keep the soil moist and hold weeds at bay. Wet the newspapers well -- you need the weight of the water to hold them down -- then sprinkle lightly with soil. The papers are biodegradable, so they will eventually dissolve.

 

PEST CONTROL

• Keep pests such as aphids, mites, and white flies off roses, geraniums, hibiscus, and other plants by spraying them with a combination of 1 quart of water and ½ teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Reapply the solution every two weeks.

Planting garlic, parsley or basil among your flowers will deter bugs. Marigolds also work well. Just plant them as an edging around the garden.

• Dissolve 1 to ½ teaspoons of baking soda in 1 quart of water to kill bugs on flowering plants. Spray every 7 to 10 days.
• Powdered milk can kill aphids on roses.Mix cup of powdered milk in one quart of warm water, and spray. The aphids will get stuck in the milk and die. Hose the roses down occasionally and re-apply as needed.
• Here’s a great natural way to control black spots on roses. Add 1 tablespoon each of baking soda and vegetable oil to 1 gallon of water. Then add 1 drop of liquid detergent and shake well. Spray directly on the foliage, and spray every 5 to 7 days during humid weather. Make sure to wet both sides of the leaves.
• Chase away peststhat feed on your tender plants by mixing 1 tablespoon of hot mustard or red pepper with 1 quart of water. Spray directly on the foliage. One hot taste and the pests will be gone!

 

WHO KNEW

• Old panty hosemake great ties for plants and tomatoes. They’re strong and flexible, but soft enough so that they won’t cut into the plant.

 

Cutting roses and trimming bushes can be a prickly job, but if you grip thorny stems with barbeque tongs or clothespins . . . no more pierced fingers!

• Tuck a bar of soapinside a mesh bag and tie it around the outside faucet. After gardening cleanups will be a breeze.
• Hands that are very dirtycan be cleaned with a thick paste of oatmeal and water. Rub well into hands before rinsing and washing as usual.
• Kill weedswith a natural toddy of 1 ounce of white vinegar, 1 ounce of inexpensive gin, and 8 ounces of water. Pour on the weeds and say good-bye.

 

Keep on the Grass

Morning is the best time to water your lawn. Grass that’s damp with dew will absorb water better than grass that’s fully dry. Parched grass can be resistant to moisture, so don’t wait till your lawn is dehydrated before you bring out the sprinkler. And try not to water your lawn at night if you can avoid it. Night watering can encourage fungus.

You can cut grass that’s still damp with morning dew by spraying the blades with vegetable oil. The wet grass won’t stick, and you can get on with the rest of the day. Car wax works well too, but it’s probably best to skip the drive through the car wash!

How do you know when it’s time to water the lawn? I like the barefoot test. If you feel comfortable walking across the grass barefoot -- if the lawn isn’t crackly and spring back up when you walk across it -- there’s no need to water. But if the grass feels unpleasantly spiky and lays down flat after you’ve left the area, it’s time to water.

A good soaking of water will promote a healthy lawn. That means strong roots and good color. I put a small empty can of Finn’s cat food on the grass when I water the lawn. When the can is full I know I’ve given the grass about an inch of water, and that’s plenty.

Try not to cut grass too often. A closely manicured lawn may be fine for the golf course, but longer grass is actually healthier because it holds moisture longer. Use the high setting on your mower for the best results.

 

The Cat’s Meow

Bothered by moles and gophers? Some people swear by castor bean plants, but the leaves and seedpods are poisonous to children and pets -- yikes, that’s me! Try human hair instead. Hair is an irritant to these small rodents, but it won’t harm them or anything else. Ask your hairdresser for a bag of clippings and stuff the hair into the hole. It won’t be long before these little critters move on. (If you have any hair left, you could try knitting a toupee for your uncle Jack.)

If dogs, raccoons or other animals are tipping over your garbage cans, tie a couple of rags soaked in ammonia to the handles. All it takes is one sniff and your garbage can will no longer be attractive to critters. Dogs . . . sheesh!

Discourage fleas and flies from gathering around your pet’s outside eating and sleeping area by planting rue (Ruta graveolens) nearby. You can also rub rue on furniture to keep cats . . . like me, from scratching. Just use care that you don’t discolor upholstery.

Keep the neighborhood dogs and cats out of your flowers by mixing equal parts of mothballs and crushed dried red pepper (cayenne) in and around the flowers beds. No more four-legged visitors!

 

JUST TOOLING AROUND

Take good care of your garden tools and they’ll last you a lifetime.

Keep a container of sand in the garage or shed, and push your shovels and trowels into it when you’ve finished your chores. Sand is a wonderfully natural abrasive. It will clean your tools and stop them from rusting. Not only will this too-time sandbox prevent dirt from spreading around the garage area, but you’ll always know where to find your garden tools!

 

Spray your garden tools with nonstick cooking spray each time you use them. The dirt will be easy to remove when you are done. In fact, it should fall right off.

Paint the handles of your yard tools a bright color and they will be easier to spot among the green of your yard. Not only that, you’ll be able to identify your tools if you loan them out.

If rust has disfigured a metal tool, try rubbing with a stiff wire brush. Scrape a metal file across dull edges and they should come back to life if they’re not too dull. Naval jelly sold at hardware stores is also a good alternative for rust on metal. Follow the directions on the container.

You can help protect your tools by applying a thin coat of paste wax to the metal. The wax will form a barrier between the metal and the elements and should retard the growth of rust.

Rough handles mean rough hands, so make sure to take care of your tools. Wood handles that have become jagged and coarse can be made smooth again with a good rubbing of some light-grade sandpapers. Apply a generous coat of linseed oil when you’ve finished sanding and you’ll protect the wood from cracking and splitting.

If you still find the handles too difficult to hold, try wrapping them in tubes of foam insulation, the kind used to insulate water pipes. Slit the foam lengthways, slip it onto the handle, and wrap it lightly with heavy-duty tape. Not only will the foam protect your hands from the wood, it will also protect the wood from the elements.

Don’t forget to store your tools out of the elements.

 

A Mom for All Seasons

When you hear the words “Mother’s Day” I’m sure you think of your Queen Mother just as I do mine. Naturally, we all want to do something nice for our mothers . . . and naturally is what it’s all about. So read on to find out how you can make your own collection of personal care products that are easy to make, and natural too. Give these to your own Queen Mum and every day can be Mother’s Day!

 

LET’S FACE IT

An oatmeal scrub will treat dry skin and draw impurities from your complexion. Mix ¼ cup of oatmeal, 1 teaspoon of honey and enough milk, buttermilk or plain yogurt to make a paste. Apply liberally to your face -- making sure to avoid the delicate eye areas -- then gently massage in small circular motions. Allow the mask to dry before you rinse with warm water. Once the mask has been removed, give your face an invigorating finish by splashing with cool, clear water. Apply your favorite moisturizer, or for a more thorough facial, follow with the tightening oatmeal mask.

Grandma loved this tightening oatmeal mask, and you will too. Mix 1 tablespoon of oatmeal with the white of 1 egg. Apply to your face and allow to dry. Rinse off using cool water.

Very dry skin? A little mayonnaise added to the tightening oatmeal mask will give you a smooth finish.

Prone to breakouts? Apply a thin mask of milk of magnesia once a week. Allow to dry and rinse with cool water.

Need a four o’clock revival? Try with hazel. Keep a small bottle in your desk at the office, along with some cotton balls. Dampen the cotton balls with the witch hazel, then blot your face and neck . . . prepare to be revived! It’s that easy. Keep the witch hazel in the refrigerator if you can. And for an extra treat, pour some in a spray bottle for an after-workout spritz!

 

THE EYES HAVE IT

These remedies aren’t new, but they’re worth repeating.

• A slice of chilled cucumber on each eyelid will relieve tired eyes. And that 15-minute rest won’t do you any harm, either!
• Cold tea bags are great for puffy eyes, so keep some on hand in the refrigerator.
• A little bit of Preparation H® helps keep puffy eyes at bay. Just make sure to avoid tear ducts and the eye itself.
• Dab some castor oil on the skin around your eyes before going to bed at night. Stay well away from the eye area, and make sure not to use too much oil.

 

TOUR CROWNING GLORY

Restore luster to dry hair with a light, natural oil such as corn oil or sunflower oil. Those of you with very dry hair may like to use olive oil, but make sure to use a light touch. Olive oil can be extremely difficult to wash out. Another warning: Oil heats up very quickly and can cause sever burns, so avoid the microwave. The best and safest way to warm oil for a scalp treatment is to place the oil in an egg cup, then put the egg cup inside a mug or small bowl that you have filled with hot or boiling water. Heat the oil to lukewarm -- about 1 teaspoon should do -- and apply to dry hair with the palm of your hands. Make sure that the shaft and ends are well coated (not saturated, though), but avoid getting oil on your roots, which will weigh hair down. Cover your hair with a plastic bag and try to leave it on as long as you can -- overnight is best. Finish with a thorough shampoo, lathering it twice. Skip the conditioner and get ready for the compliments!

I hate it when that happens . . .

Static electricity causing your hair to stand on end? Rub your brush and comb with a fabric softener sheet before brushing your hair. No more annoying static!

Mayonnaise also works well -- it’s a combination of egg and oil. Don’t heat the mayonnaise or it will separate. Just remove a quantity from the jar -- a couple of tablespoon should be fine, unless you have very long hair -- and let stand at room temperature for a few hours. Rub on just enough mayonnaise to soak the hair thoroughly (remembering to avoid the roots), and comb through. Leave on for 30 minutes, shampoo well and rinse with water and lemon before that final rinse of cool, clear water.

 

LET’S SEE A SHOW OF HANDS

Make your own hand cream by mixing 2 parts glycerin to 1 part lemon juice. Massage a little into your hands after washing and at bedtime. This absorbent cream works well and smells lovely!

Soften hand working hands and feet by rubbing with equal proportions of cooking oil and granulated sugar.

Cuticles may be softened by soaking in a bowl of warm olive oil. Push them gently back with a cotton swab. If cuticles are really dry, coat them with olive oil at bedtime.

Lemon juice is great for removing stains and whitening hands. Bottled or fresh-squeezed, just massage it into hands before washing with good old soap and water.

Your nail polish will last longer if you apply a little white vinegar to each nail. Just coat each nail with a cotton swab prior to applying your nail polish. The acid in the vinegar encourages the polish to stick to the nail so you get better coverage and longer-lasting wear.

Speed up the time it takes to dry nail polish by plunging freshly polished nails into cold water. Shake hands to dry. And to prevent nicks and chipping, brush baby oil on just-polished nails!

 

Hungry?? ... Let’s Dish!

Of course, nothing says “Mother’s Day” like breakfast in bed!

Orange Blossom French Toast

12 slices bread

6 egg yolks

½ cup half-and-half of whole milk

½ cup orange juice

1 tablespoon grated orange peel

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ cup butter

Leave bread out to dry overnight.

Next morning, in a medium bowl, slightly beat egg yolks, then mix in half-and-half, orange juice, orange peel, and salt. Dip bread in batter, turning to coat both sides.

Heat butter in skillet and cook bread on both sides until golden.

Serve with syrup and love. Makes 6 servings.