06/03/2026
"The Sourdough Baker at home".
A little down time means doing some things I don't normally share here, but since we're both waiting for Bread Shed restock...
Why not?
It's prime gardening and herb foraging time. Lots going on!
🍅 A completely safe pesticide for aphids and mites that's practically free? 🍅
Save those tomato trimmings and place in a jar. Fill with water. Close and wait 1-2 days. Strain into a dedicated spray bottle. Spray your plants safely. Refill jars with trimmings throughout your growing season.
Tomato plants contain Glycoalkoids (Tomatone ans Solanine) natural insecticides and fungicide. When absorbed by soft bodied insects... well, it ends them. The plant hairs contain Methyl Ketones, volatile organic compounds. ( 2-tridecanone and 2-undercanone, highly toxic to mites, but safe for our gardens.)
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🍹Natural Electrolyte Drinks.🍹
Stay hydrated while working!
In a large jar or pitcher mix thoroughly,
6 cups of water or coconut water
2 juiced oranges
2 juiced lemons and or limes
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp iodized salt (for iodine)
2 tablespoons honey (try to use locally gathered honey. I use Nally Bees here in Glenville)
Bottle up and chill or pour a glass as needed.
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🌱Mullein 🌱 The super medicinal w**d! It's everywhere and prime picking for tender leaves now. Please be careful where you pick it from. Be aware of pollutants on roadsides. Mine are gathered on my property that uses organic gardening practices. In fact, several in one raised bed.
At the moment, I've gathered young small batches of leaves to air dry for tea. (I avoid heat drying due to loss of effectiveness. You want dry, not cooked.) Once dried, crumble up and steep your favorite way for respiratory aid. Excellent for colds and flu.
Tincture: Cleaned and dried off, then chopped into pieces creates a base for respiratory, anti-inflammatory, and pain relieving. Also reserved, for cough syrup. I've included leaves, stems, and roots in this batch with ethanol to infuse for 6-8 weeks. That's all!
Mullein is biennial, the use of two year old roots are useful for a stronger tincture. If left to flower, the flowers are beneficial for ear oil. Soaked in pure olive oil, strained and used with a dropper, aids earache and wax build up. The rolled leaves are cleaned, dried off, and rolled tightly. Once dry enough, can be burned like sage, the smoke aids the lungs for bronchitis and other breathing issues. There's more, such as salve, but maybe a separate more detailed post will be best.
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See you later!!! 😊
Disclosure: Always refer to your physician before trying any herbs, tinctures, and research for allergies.
None of these practices are used in my bakes as are for personal use only.
