Gila's Place

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Nothing coming out of the clouds but the skyline sure lit up nice.
06/12/2026

Nothing coming out of the clouds but the skyline sure lit up nice.

The ticks were already congregating on the deer by May 11, 2026.
06/12/2026

The ticks were already congregating on the deer by May 11, 2026.

My very non traditional garden is running amuck. Veggies will likely be late here this year but it's been a busy spring;...
06/12/2026

My very non traditional garden is running amuck. Veggies will likely be late here this year but it's been a busy spring; just means it will cooler when I have to start all the canning. Have cut a few small heads of broccoli, eaten my share of strawberries and now raspberries are coming in. Still eating last year's harvest of carrots, beans, tomatoes, and still have plenty of squash in the freezer. I can wait. :-)

06/10/2026

Right now, mid-June, female squash bugs are laying egg clusters on your squash and zucchini leaves — small bronze-copper ovals tucked along the leaf veins in neat groups of twelve to twenty.
You have ten days before they hatch. After that, the math turns against you.

- The Eggs — Your 10-Day Window
Oval, bronze-copper colored, laid in tight V-shaped clusters along leaf veins — usually on the underside but sometimes on top or on stems. Each female lays multiple clusters over several weeks. One missed cluster hatches into a feeding mob of grey nymphs that drains the plant from below while you're looking at the top.

- The Nymphs — Gregarious and Fast
Newly hatched nymphs are tiny, pale grey, and feed in tight groups. They're more vulnerable than adults but they hide in leaf folds, stem crevices, and under debris. By the time you see wilting, dozens of nymphs have been feeding for days. Neem and insecticidal soap work on nymphs with direct contact — but direct contact means finding them first.

- The Adults — Nearly Impossible to Kill with Spray
Adult squash bugs have a hard shield-shaped exoskeleton that resists most contact insecticides — including organic options. They're fast, they hide, and they fly. Spraying adults is an expensive way to feel productive while accomplishing almost nothing.

- The Fix — 30 Seconds Per Plant, Once a Week
Run your thumb along the underside of every leaf. Check the veins — that's where the eggs are. Crush the clusters with your fingernail or press a strip of duct tape over them and pull the eggs off. It takes thirty seconds per plant. One weekly walk through the bed removes more squash bugs than any spray sold for this pest.

- The Night Trap — Board Method
Lay a piece of cardboard, a wooden shingle, or a flat board on the soil at the base of each plant in the evening. Adult squash bugs hide under flat objects overnight. Flip the board in the morning and crush or drop them into soapy water. Repeat nightly during peak season.

- The Timing Matters
In most zones, egg-laying begins when squash plants start to vine — mid-June through July. Start checking BEFORE you see damage. By the time leaves wilt and brown at the edges, the population is established and mechanical control alone won't catch up.

One weekly walk beats every spray. The eggs are the battle. Win it there.

06/10/2026

Some native plants don't just attract pollinators. Specific specialists — certain bees, and certain butterflies — can't survive without them. Eight blooming in your yard right now:

🌿 What each one actually feeds:

- Spiderwort — opens at dawn, closes by midday; mining bees work it in that morning window.
- Wild bergamot (Monarda) — feeds bumblebees, plus its own specialist, the Monarda sweat bee, into July.
- Purple coneflower — a magnet for sweat bees, including the metallic green ones, through midsummer.
- Black-eyed Susan — visited by a long list of native bees.
- Wild lupine — the only plant Karner blue caterpillars can eat. No lupine, no Karner blue.
- Penstemon — draws specialist mason and leafcutter bees.
- Butterfly w**d (Asclepias) — a milkw**d: monarch caterpillars depend on it, and it pulls in a crowd of native bees.
- Blue wild indigo (Baptisia) — the larval host for the wild indigo duskywing.

Plant a generalist garden and the generalists show up. Plant these, and the specialists that have nowhere else to go finally do.

Don't throw out leftover fruits. Make juice because it's super easy, tastes awesome, and a lot better for you than store...
06/10/2026

Don't throw out leftover fruits. Make juice because it's super easy, tastes awesome, and a lot better for you than store bought. You control the sugar and NO artificial dyes or preservatives. Leftover cranberries (whole, fresh) from Thanksgiving came out great! One bag made 7 pints and cost me about $1.50. You can do the same with other fruits as well.

1. Wash the fruit well.
2. Wash and sterilize jars (leave them in boiling water about ten minutes)
3. Fill the jars 1/3 of the way with fruit and add sugar. I don't like juices super sweet so I use about 1 teaspoon per pint (or less, depending on the fruit) of sugar or honey per quart.
4. Fill jar with filtered water (You don't have to buy bottled water but chlorine from tap water isn't good. (If you have to use tap water, let it set out overnight for the chlorine to evaporate)
5. Wipe jar rims dry and place lids and rims (finger) tight, not cranked on.
6. Place jars in a pot of water with a couple inches of water OVER the top of the jars.
7. Bring to a boil and rapidly boil for 10 minutes.
8. Remove jars from water bath and allow to rest and cool on a cloth on the counter.
9. Once cooled place in the pantry for at least two weeks before drinking. The longer it sits, the fruitier it gets.

No waste here either because the chickens love the fruit I strain out when I open it.

Growing Oregano SuccessfullyOregano (Origanum vulgare) is a hardy, drought-tolerant perennial herb that thrives in hot, ...
06/09/2026

Growing Oregano Successfully

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a hardy, drought-tolerant perennial herb that thrives in hot, sunny conditions. It is relatively easy to grow, making it ideal for beginners, provided it has excellent drainage and sufficient sunlight.

-Planting and Care-
Site Selection and Soil Oregano requires full sun (at least 4–6 hours daily) to develop its strongest flavor and essential oils. It tolerates light shade but may become leggy. The soil must be well-drained; oregano struggles in wet, heavy clay or waterlogged conditions which can cause root rot. A sandy or gritty loam with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is ideal. If your soil retains too much water, amend it with compost, sand, or grow the herb in raised beds or containers.

Start indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost. Sow seeds superficially (¼ inch deep) as they need light to germinate. Germination takes 10–15 days at roughly 70°F (21°C). Transplant outdoors only after all frost danger has passed.

Transplants/Cuttings are often more reliable than seeds, as oregano varieties can vary in flavor. Plant transplants or rooted cuttings in spring, spacing them 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for spreading.

When planting in containers, use a pot at least 12–14 inches wide with drainage holes. Container oregano may need more frequent watering but ensures perfect drainage.

-Maintenance-
Water new plants regularly until established. Once mature, oregano is highly drought-tolerant. Overwatering reduces flavor intensity and promotes disease. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Fertilizing is typically unnecessary in good soil. Excess nitrogen can reduce oil concentration and flavor. A light application of compost tea or balanced fertilizer once or twice a season is sufficient.

To prune, pinch back tips regularly to encourage bushy growth and prevent the plant from becoming woody. Cut the plant back by half in mid-summer if it becomes leggy.

-Overwintering-
In cold zones (USDA 4–7), apply a thick layer of mulch (straw or leaves) after the ground freezes. In warmer zones, it often remains evergreen. Potted plants can be moved indoors to a sunny window.

-Harvest-
For peak flavor the concentration of essential oils (which provide flavor and aroma) is highest just before the plant flowers. Late spring to early summer is the primary harvest time.

Harvest in the morning, after the dew has evaporated but before the midday sun heats the plant. This ensures maximum oil retention. Look for plump, deep green leaves and forming flower buds. Once flowers open, the leaves can become bitter and less aromatic.

Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears. Cut stems about 2–3 inches above the soil line, or snip individual stems just above a leaf node to encourage branching.

Never remove more than one-third of the plant at one time to avoid stressing it. Regular "cut-and-come-again" harvesting promotes new, tender growth.

Use fresh immediately, or dry/freeze for later. To dry, hang small bundles upside down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated area. Avoid washing the herbs before drying to prevent mold.

-Nutritional and Compounds-
Oregano is nutrient-dense, particularly when dried, offering significant amounts of vitamins, minerals, and potent bioactive compounds per serving.

Macronutrients (per 100g dried)
Calories: 265 cal
Fiber: Extremely high (43g), aiding digestion.
Protein: 9g
Carbohydrates: 69g (with low sugar content).
Fat: Low (4.3g), with a favorable unsaturated-to-saturated ratio.
Vitamins and Minerals Oregano is an exceptional source of several micronutrients:
Vitamin K: Critical for blood clotting and bone health (provides >500% of the Daily Value).
Iron: Essential for oxygen transport in the blood (provides ~460% DV).
Manganese: Vital for metabolism and antioxidant function (provides >200% DV).
Calcium: Important for bone structure (provides 160% DV).
Vitamin E: A powerful antioxidant (provides >120% DV).
Other: Rich in magnesium, potassium, copper, and B vitamins (especially B6 and folate).

Bioactive Compounds The health benefits and distinct aroma of oregano are largely due to its volatile oils and phenolic compounds:

Carvacrol and Thymol: The primary active compounds responsible for oregano's antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties.

Flavonoids: Including lutein, zeaxanthin, and quercetin, which protect cells from oxidative damage.

Rosmarinic Acid: A potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent.

-Uses-
Oregano is used primarily as a culinary seasoning and a potent natural medicine.
Its applications range from flavoring food to treating infections and supporting chronic health conditions.

Oregano is a staple in Mediterranean, Mexican, and Italian cuisines. It is essential for pizza, pasta sauces, Greek salads, gyros, and chili con carne.

Historically oregano was used to preserve food and prevent spoilage due to its antimicrobial properties.

Used fresh, dried, o6r as an infused oil. Dried oregano often has a more concentrated flavor than fresh.

-Medicinal and Therapeutic Uses-
Modern research and traditional practice utilize oregano (especially oregano oil and tea).

-Immune Support & Infection Fighting-
Antimicrobial: The compounds carvacrol and thymol act as broad-spectrum antibiotics, fighting bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus.

Antifungal: Effective against Candida albicans (yeast infections), athlete’s foot, and toenail fungus.

Respiratory Health: Used as a tea, syrup, or steam inhalation to treat coughs, bronchitis, sinusitis, and the common cold. It acts as an expectorant to clear lung secretions.

Digestion: Relieves bloating, gas, indigestion, and intestinal cramping due to antispasmodic properties. Helps treat Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and parasitic infections (like Giardia) while supporting beneficial gut bacteria.

Anti-Inflammatory: Reduces inflammation associated with arthritis, muscle pain, and autoimmune conditions.

Heart Health: May help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol.

Blood Sugar Control: Shows potential in improving insulin sensitivity and lowering blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes.

Antioxidant: High antioxidant activity helps neutralize free radicals, potentially reducing cancer risk and slowing aging.

-Topical Applications-
Diluted oil treats acne, eczema, psoriasis, and minor wounds by preventing infection and reducing inflammation. Oregano is used to naturally repel bugs and soothe sting and can also be used as a mouthwash to treat gingivitis and bad breath.

Successfully Growing and Harvesting Chamomile-German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is an annual preferred for tea due ...
06/08/2026

Successfully Growing and Harvesting Chamomile

-German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is an annual preferred for tea due to its sweet flavor and higher oil content.
-Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is a low-growing perennial often used as ground cover.

-Planting and Care-

Soil and Light: Plant in full sun (at least 6 hours daily) with well-drained, sandy or loamy soil having a pH between 5.6 and 7.5. Avoid nitrogen-rich soil or heavy fertilizing, as this promotes leafy growth over flowers.

Sowing Seeds: Chamomile seeds require light to germinate, so scatter them on the soil surface and gently press them in without burying. Start indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost or direct sow after the danger of frost has passed.
Watering: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged; established plants are drought-tolerant but need regular watering during dry spells to prevent root rot.

-Harvesting-

Harvest flowers when they are fully open and petals begin bending backward, preferably in the morning after dew has evaporated.

Cut flower heads just below the base using clean shears; this encourages continuous blooming throughout the season.

Dry flowers completely on a screen in a cool, dark place, then store in airtight containers for long-term use in tea or remedies.

*********************

German chamomile is an annual, meaning it completes its life cycle in one growing season and dies after the first frost. However, it freely self-seeds, often returning the following spring without replanting if flowers are left to mature and drop seeds.

In contrast, Roman chamomile is a perennial that returns year after year from the same root system, surviving winters in USDA zones 4–9.

-Uses-

Chamomile is primarily used to promote sleep, reduce anxiety and stress, aid digestion (relieving gas, bloating, and indigestion), and lower inflammation. It also supports heart health by helping to lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol, manages blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, and soothes skin conditions like eczema and acne through its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

-Nutritional Content and Compounds-

Chamomile is low in calories (approx. 2 calories per cup of tea) with negligible sodium and no cholesterol. It contains small amounts of carbohydrates, protein, and fiber.

It provides vitamins A and B, as well as minerals including magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, copper, and zinc.

Chamomile contains rich and potent antioxidants such as flavonoids (including apigenin, quercetin, and luteolin), terpenoids (including chamazulene), and phenolic compounds. These compounds are responsible for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and sedative effects.

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Coulterville, IL
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