Companion Planting & Why Marigolds are Rock Stars

Marigolds in my flower garden add a pop of bright color

Companion Planting? The first time I heard that term I was like "Huh?... Uh is that where you and your spouse/significant other do gardening together?" Needless to say, I was way off.  That was quite a long time ago. Since then I have strived to learn a fair amount about this. I use it in my garden and it I have found it really does make a difference in 3 major areas. Production, Pest Control and Presentation. 

Marigolds hanging out with Squash

Marigolds are hands down my most favorite companion plant. If you are wanting to keep it simple and get the most bang for your buck, marigolds are the way to go. They have been used as natural pest control in gardens for centuries and are a pest control powerhouse. Here are just some of the benefits they help provide:

First and foremost they attract pollinators. If you want to have heavy production in your vegetable garden this will be a great addition. They bloom for a long time and right into fall. For those who do succession planting this is particularly helpful as is great for attracting pollinators at all stages of your garden.  

Some gardeners swear they can help deter mosquitos. I tend to listen to experienced gardeners. They have lots of years of experience and many times information has been handed down through generations. I am a mosquito magnet so I will take all the help I can get. 

Marigolds hanging with the beans

They help ward off harmful nematodes, bean beetle, cabbage moths, slugs, tomato hornworm, and some other pests that like to munch on tomatoes.   How does this work. Well for some pests they don't like the strong smell. Meaning it can mask your desired crops from pests. For other pests they function as a trap crop. Slugs love marigolds. Often this means that your other crops are saved from loss because your marigolds will draw them away from those crops. Regarding harmful nematodes, marigold roots do the work here. 

They are natural companions to the following: cucumbers, melons, potatoes, lettuce, beans, asparagus, tomatoes, brassicas (ie broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, brussels sprouts), squash/pumpkins, egg plant and onions. Natural companion can also mean they enhance the growth, flavor or health of these plants.  For many other plants they are considered a neutral companion. This means they nether particularly help or harm. At the very least for those plants they act as a pollinator attractant.

They bring beauty and a pop of color to any garden. I do love the lush green of my kale but that pop of the oranges, yellows and reds always brings a smile to my gardeners heart. Gardens are meant to be enjoyed for many purposes including the visual aesthetics. Marigolds come in many different colors, sizes, varieties and variations so there are lots of options to choose from. I really love the two toned varieties.

My little guy sampling 
some Okra last year and a little
marigold peeking in the
bottom right with

The flowers are edible. Making this a harvestable crop. Want to add a splash of color to your salad? Pop the petals off a bloom and sprinkle them in your salad or you can add them to a vinaigrette. There are lots of ways to use them.  They are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants (antioxidants are cancer fighters). 

I also have small children and I want them to enjoy and experience the garden in lots of ways. Gardening can be so much fun for little ones and a great way to teach them skills. This means when I am planting things I want them to be non toxic to my tiny people. 

Just a lovely French Marigold
(my favorite)

They have many medicinal uses as well. Calendula and marigolds are of the same family. Thus marigolds also have many of the same properties.  Some of the things they have been used for are sores, inflammation, some skin conditions and itching. I could write an entire blog on that alone, but for today I will say, if that interests you there is much information available on the internet and in books. Do your own research before using herbal medicine or work with a trusted and trained herbalist.

The seeds are VERY easy to harvest. Let the flowers dry out when they are done blooming and there you go. You have a handful of seeds that can be saved for the next season.

So yes this plant knocks it out of the park when it comes to earning it's keep in the garden. For all of the reasons stated above marigolds get my vote for best companion plant. That said it is not the only plant that is a companion plant. There are lots more. I also use onions mixed in with my brassicas to help reduce pest pressure. (Oh you pesty cabbage moth... we just can't be friends.) 

If you would like to learn more about companion planting here are some great resources:

List of resources / books / sites:

BOOKS:

• Companion Planting: The Beginner's Guide to Companion Gardening - M. Grand 
• Carrots Love Tomatoes - Louise Riotte
• Vegetables Love Flowers - Lisa Mason Ziegler
• Companion Planting for Beginners: Pair Your Plants for a Bountiful, Chemical-Free Vegetable Garden - Brian Lowell

WEBSITES:

• Companion Planting Chart (Interactive)
• Urban Farmer
• Farm Homestead

Canning Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce

Have you ever read the back of a jar and wondered "what the heck is that ingredient?" yup me too. Its one of the reasons I started canning food. I wanted to know what my family was actually putting into their bodies. If you have ever read my blog you know I like to garden and grow my own food. What better way to use that food than to make spaghetti sauce?!

You will need the following:

A large stock pot or a large roasting pan.

A large pot to blanch fresh tomatoes

6-8 Quart sized canning jars, lids, rims

Pressure Canner

Canning Lifter

Canning Jar Funnel

Debubbler

White Vinegar

Meat:

1-2 lbs of ground meat 

(I like to use 1lb lean ground beef and 1 lb ground chorizo)

Veggies:

15 - 20 Tomatoes depending on size - blanched and peeled - 

I find that paste tomatoes work best here such as Roma, Amish Paste, and so on but you can use other kinds too and I often do.

   (you can also use canned tomatoes too if you don't have fresh)

2-3 Onions chopped (I use red, white and yellow - your choice)

1-2 Roasted Bell Peppers - peeled and chopped

2-3 carrots shaved and diced.

Seasonings:

5 Garlic cloves minced

1 Tbsp each:

Basil, 

Italian Seasoning, 

Fennell

Red Pepper flakes (I do 1/2 Tbsp)

Salt/Pepper

1/2 cup sugar (if you like it in your sauce)

and any other seasoning you like 

Brown your meat first and then drain off any excess fat and return to pan.

Add chopped onions & carrots and saute on medium heat until onions are translucent 

Next add diced bell peppers and 

Rough chop tomatoes and add to pot

Let it simmer for a bit (10-15 min)

Add seasonings and give it all a stir

I usually let it simmer on low for 30 min and then give it a taste and that is how I determine how much sugar to add. (it is usually the full 1/2 cup if not more)

I will then let it simmer on LOW for most of the day stirring occasionally. The extra liquid cooks off and the flavor is lovely.

When you are satisfied that it is ready for canning, set up your clean jars, lids and rims.

Fill jars leaving 1 inch head space.

De-bubble 

wipe rims with a clean cloth or napkin dipped in vinegar (This gets any splash or oils from rim and helps ensure proper seal)

add lids and rims to finger tight

Place into your pressure canner

Because this recipe contains meat we do need to use a pressure canner.  Follow the instructions for your specific canner model and your altitude.

Table 1. Recommended process time for Spaghetti Sauce With Meat in a dial-gauge pressure canner.
			Canner Gauge Pressure (PSI) at Altitudes of
Style of Pack	Jar Size	Process Time	0 - 2,000 ft	2,001 - 4,000 ft	4,001 - 6,000 ft	6,001 - 8,000 ft
Hot	Pints	60 min	11 lb	12 lb	13 lb	14 lb
	Quarts	70	11	12	13	14

Table 2. Recommended process time for Spaghetti Sauce With Meat in a weighted-gauge pressure canner.
			Canner Gauge Pressure (PSI) at Altitudes of
Style of Pack	Jar Size	Process Time	0 - 1,000 ft	Above 1,000 ft
Hot	Pints	60 min	10 lb	15 lb
	Quarts	70	10	15

If you prefer to omit the meat in your sauce use the table below to adjust your times.

Table 1. Recommended process time for Spaghetti Sauce Without Meat in a dial-gauge pressure canner.
			Canner Gauge Pressure (PSI) at Altitudes of
Style of Pack	Jar Size	Process Time	0 - 2,000 ft	2,001 - 4,000 ft	4,001 - 6,000 ft	6,001 - 8,000 ft
Hot	Pints	20 min	11 lb	12 lb	13 lb	14 lb
	Quarts	25	11	12	13	14

Table 2. Recommended process time for Spaghetti Sauce Without Meat in a weighted-gauge pressure canner.
			Canner Gauge Pressure (PSI) at Altitudes of
Style of Pack	Jar Size	Process Time	0 - 1,000 ft	Above 1,000 ft
Hot	Pints	20 min	10 lb	15 lb
	Quarts	25	10	15

Once you have completed the pressure canning, you just need to wait until the pressure indicator on your canner lets you know that it is ok to open the canner.

CAUTION: 

NEVER EVER open your canner before the safety indicator is down, EVER. It is extremely dangerous to do so. 

As I was saying, once it is safe to open your canner, use your jar grabbers to pull them out and set on a towel on your counter to finish cooling. Let cool in a NON-drafty area for 24 hours. Do not adjust rims. After 24 hours check that each jar is sealed and remove rims.

I usually will do 12-16 Quarts a year. My family usually has spaghetti or some pasta dish at least once a month if not more so this is really nice to have on hand. 

When Michigan insurance companies change the law, we all lose

This spunky child is just one of
many that would lose the supporting 
services that these bills would privatize.

If you were not aware, Senate Bills 597 and 598 were positioned for a vote on the Michigan Senate floor yesterday, but the vote has not occurred yet. A survey Michigan voters indicates the public does not support privatization. I DO NOT SUPPORT THIS PRIVATIZATION!!! These bills would DIRECTLY impact (negatively) my son's ability to access services in Michigan. This is personal. Speak Up! Let your voice be heard! Its UP2U!!!

Nearly 3 times as many Michiganders oppose the privatization of the state’s mental health services for Medicaid patients (the purpose of Senate Bills 587 & 598). 67% oppose while only 24% support that privatization.

76% of voters are concerned that private, for-profit health plans, do not have a good track record in treating patients with mental health needs and fear they will make matters worse.

73% of voters are concerned that high overhead costs of the private health insurance companies (double that of the public system) and the corporate profits that these companies take out of the taxpayer-funded Medicaid system will lead to less mental health services for those in need.

The data also found factors that make a public mental health care system more cost-effective than a private system, including active management of comprehensive services, a person-centered planning approach, and high medical loss ratios (low spending on administrative costs to allocate those dollars towards Medicaid beneficiaries).

Nearly 4 times as many Michiganders are less likely to support their legislator if he/she supports privatization of mental health services for Medicaid patients than those more likely to support that legislator: 40% less likely compared with only 11% more likely.

Twice as many Michiganders think that Governor Whitmer should veto legislation if it passes than those who think she should sign the bills: 54% favor veto with only 27% favoring signing

French Toast Casserole

 

As the weather gets colder, I start craving warm breakfasts that are full of flavor! This casserole is a great one and it makes your house smell so good. The cinnamon in this recipe really lends itself to a great coffee with this.

Ingredients:

6 cups cubed whole grain bread

8 egg whites

1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp almond extract

1 tsp cinnamon

 Optional Toppings:

Fruit - Berries are great

Chopped Nuts

Greek Yogurt

Dark Chocolate Chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Place bread in sprayed casserole dish. 

Combine all ingredients except toppings.

Pour over top and allow it to soak for 30 min.

Sprinkle with toppings.

Bake for 45 mins. 

Looking for a fun Fall or Halloween activity? 

Here are two seasonal Scavenger Hunts that are great for kids and families.

Autumn Scavenger Hunt 

Halloween Scavenger Hunt

Sooo Many Green Beans...

So you grew green beans (well done) and now you have too many... What to do? Well of course you can can them but if you are looking to enjoy them fresh here is a great recipe to do just that.

Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp olive or coconut oil
• 1 lb. skinless boneless chicken breast, cut into pieces (you decide size)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger or you can use fresh (I prefer fresh minced)
• 2-3 fresh garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 16 oz fresh green beans, cut into halves
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce 
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 Tbsp sesame seeds

Instructions

1. In a small bowl sprinkle chicken with cayenne pepper, ginger, garlic, oregano, a pinch of sea salt and pepper. 
2. Mix well (I use my hands)
3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. 
4. Stir fry chicken for about 5-7 minutes, until browned and cooked through.
5. Add in green beans, soy sauce and cook stirring frequently for another 3-5 minutes, or until softened just a bit.
6. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and enjoy!

Variations:

• Add toasted almonds and top before serving
• Use coconut oil
• Add fresh mushrooms with the green beans
• Serve with pasta or rice
• Try swapping the beans for broccoli or asparagus
• Use 1 tsp of cornstarch to thicken sauce