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A TOUCH OF NATURE
September 15, 2003 Issue
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CRITTER FACTS
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LIVING WITH DEER

There are several good deer repellents such as Hinder and Deer Off. You can also use fencing or an invisible mesh barrier that can be attached to trees or posts.

The Fund for Animals offers a 12-page brochure called, "Living With Deer" that describes in detail many of these techniques and more. It also lists 100 types of plants such as marigolds, daffodils and hydrangeas that deer generally find unpalatable and will stay away from.

To request a free copy of "Living With Deer" call their office at 301-585-2591.

THE MEXICAN BUTTERFLY CONNECTION

The Monarch butterfly may be small, but its migration is grand-scale business. From Mexico to Canada, the winged insect pollenates flower after flower. Listen to this installment of Nature Newswatch for more on Monarchs.

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THOSE AMAZING BIRDS!
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NEW STUDY OF LEAF BEETLES AFFECTS BIRDS

Do your birds feast on the berries of cranberry bush or other viburnum shrubs? Will they be able to continue doing so?

In regions of NY, OH, PA, VT, ME and elsewhere, a new invasive species, the viburnum leaf beetle, is devouring the leaves of viburnums. Native to Europe, it can quickly defoliate the plant resulting in poor fruit production and death of the plant.

Cornell researchers need your help to track and limit the spread of this invasive pest. Visit this website for information on what to look for and how to participate.

HOW TO BAFFLE YOUR BIRD FEEDER

Location is the key to using a baffle to keep squirrels away from your feeder. Your baffle will only work if the squirrels can't jump around it. Squirrels can jump 8-10 feet horizontally and four feet up from the ground.

Learn ways to keep squirrels and other ground critters out of your feeders - DEAD LINK REMOVED - at this site.

CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING THE WILD BIRD FEEDING EXPERIENCE

The bird feeding experience is influenced by the quality of the wild bird food presented and the effectiveness with which it is made available to the birds. Foods vary greatly in their attractiveness and some bird feeders have a much higher innate attractiveness than others. Read more on - DEAD LINK REMOVED - Bird Feeding Considerations

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GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE- Restoring the Balance
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JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE (Helianthus tuberosus)

If you've got some of these planted, it's just about harvest time. This is a versatile hearty plant that will not only feed your family, but livestock as well.

A member of the sunflower family. It is neither from Jerusalem nor an artichoke, and derives its name from the Italian girasole, which means≥ turning toward the sun.≈ It is very different from the globe artichoke commonly seen pickled in the gourmet section of supermarkets.

The edible part of the plant is the root or tuber, which resembles a small potato when mature. Young immature tubers are elongated white roots. The plant usually has several tubers clustered at the base of each stem. The plant is tall, upright, and somewhat bushy with bristly woody stems, green pointed leaves, and yellow sunflower-like flowers.

Jerusalem artichokes can be eaten fresh or raw, cooked similar to potatoes, or pickled. The tubers can also be fermented to produce alcohol.

Read more info on this amazing food for wildlife and people

Here's a recipe:

JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE SOUP
Yield: 4 servings

2 lb Jerusalem artichokes
6 c Chicken broth
1 c Thinly sliced green onions
Salt/pepper to taste
2 T Minced fresh dill

Scrub Jerusalem artichokes and cook in simmering water 30-40 minutes, until tender. Drain and discard cooking liquid. Peel and mash artichokes and place in a large saucepan. Stir in chicken broth and green onions. Simmer for about 15 minutes; season to taste with salt/pepper and serve sprinkled with dill.

Source: Spirit of the Harvest

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NATURE'S BOUNTY FOR US
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Nature offers essential oils with potent properties that can be used in many areas around the home. For health, bath, beauty, and household cleaning supplies. Here's our featured recipe for this issue:

ROSEMARY ROOM DEODORIZER & DISINFECTANT FOR HOME & OFFICE

6 drops Rosemary
6 drops Grapefruit
4 drops Lemon
2 ounces purified water

Combine oils and water in a 2-ounce glass spritzer bottle. Shake well before each use and spray liberally into the air. This spray will combat odors and kill infectious organisms. During cold and flu season, add 2 drops of Eucalyptus. The blend works well in a diffuser also.

Read more about the benefits of these oils, find other recipes, and purchase oils

WHICH CALCIUM IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

The body contains more calcium than any other mineral. Research shows calcium supplementation can help protect your bones since it is vital to the health and strength of bones, teeth and muscles. Calcium also plays an essential role in blood clotting, nerve conduction and many cellular functions. If you've shopped for calcium, you know there are different kinds. Find out which calcium is best for you.

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" GREEN" INFO- Making It a Way of Life!
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CRUDE FACTS

Dumping one gallon of oil can contaminate more than one acre of groundwater, but the solution is simple: Recycle your used oil.

Cars are an indispensable fact of life for most of us. So too are abundant and clean supplies of drinking water. What we do with the used oil from our cars plays an important role in balancing our desire for convenient transportation with our desire for a clean and healthy environment today and for future generations.

Check out this site to search for state info and used oil collection centers. You can also find out how recycled oil is used. If you recycle just two gallons of used oil it can generate enough electricity to run the average household for almost 24 hours.

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MUSINGS: POETRY & PROSE
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" Nothing will benefit human health and
increase the chances for survival of life on earth
as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet."

-- Albert Einstein

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GOOD NEWS ABOUT OUR PLANET
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SCIENTISTS ENGINEER YELLOW POPLAR TREES TO CLEAN UP MERCURY POLLUTION

For centuries people have turned to plants to cure everything from croup to heart disease. Now it seems plants may be able to clean up after us as well. University of Georgia researchers have genetically engineered yellow poplar trees giving them the ability to absorb toxic mercury from soil, convert the toxin to a relatively inert form, and release the converted matter as a vapor into the atmosphere. The research, the cover story in the October issue of the journal, Nature Biotechnology, suggests that trees are particularly promising for phytoremediation, the use of plants (phyto) to remedy (remediate) environmental pollution. Read more

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DISCLAIMER:

The content, suggestions, and web links in this newsletter are for informational purposes only and not necessarily endorsed by our sponsor "The Herbs Place.com" This is a personal publication by Donna Watkins. The ideas and information expressed in it have not been approved or authorized by anyone either explicitly or impliedly. In no event shall Donna Watkins or" The Herbs Place.com" be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from any action arising in connection with the use of this information or its publication, including any action for infringement of copyright or defamation.

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