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Gratituesday Meets the Spring Cleaning Carnival

May 10, 2010 by Laura 52 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

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This week, Gratituesday is teaming up with Katie’s Spring Cleaning Carnival to talk about “getting the pesticides out”. The carnivals came together on the same day…so we’re working with it. You may think that thankfulness and pesticides have absolutely nothing in common…ooh but you’re wrong! It just so happens that I’m very grateful that we DON’T have to use pesticides. See? The two do go together!

SPRING CLEANING BUTTONRead more of what I wrote about getting rid of pesticides over at Katie’s!

Learning about all the pesticides in many of our foods and the harmful ways they can wreak havoc on our bodies can be incredibly disheartening. 

I’m thankful that we don’t have to throw our hands up in dispair! Do you know what I’ve discovered while growing my own garden? It is really NOT hard to grow vegetables without pesticides. Just don’t use them – plain and simple. There WILL  be bugs. Squish them, flick them, step on them, scream at them…but you don’t have to use poison on them. Poison for the bugs means poison for the food. Watch carefully (especially under the leaves of your plants) and squish them before they get out of hand. Plant marigolds in and around your garden (because many bugs don’t like them!).

And what about the food in the store? How can you afford to buy organic foods all the time? Well, there’s no hard and fast answer to these questions. Our health food co-ops have made organic eating much easier for us, not to mention…affordable! Katie has a list here that may help you decide which fruits and vegetables should be a higher priorty when it comes to buying organic. Plus, read through this series I wrote on Feeding the Family to see how feeding our family of six a *mostly* organic diet on a limited budget works for us.

And what about household pests like ants and roaches? Sprinkling borax in the “buggy hotspots” of your home is very effective!

Trying to avoid DEET? Try cinnamon oil! Mosquitoes don’t like it!

I’m so thankful that there are healthy, safe alternatives to pesticides. I’m thankful that I’ve learned the harmful effects of pesticides to our bodies and to the earth. I’m so thankful that we have a choice about what we eat and what we do.

But I’m VERY thankful that no matter what the pesticide usage is in the world, and no matter what I choose for my family…God is still in control. We put our trust in Him!

Please join us for Gratituesday and/or the Spring Cleaning Carnival! Write on your blog about what you’re grateful for…and/or about how you’re working to get rid of pesticides! Come over and link up with us here!! 

AND…there’s a giveaway going on over at Katie’s place that includes Heavenly Homemaker’s Guide to Gardening and Preserving Ebook. Leave a comment over there AND over here for chances to win!

Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!

Filed Under: Gratituesday Tagged With: Gardening, gardens, Gratituesday, grow, organic, pesticides

Comments

  1. Patti Sikes says

    May 10, 2010 at 9:03 pm

    Laura, Thank you for continuing to remind us that no matter what the circumstances – GOD IS IN CONTROL!!! You are a blessing!

    Reply
  2. carmen says

    May 10, 2010 at 9:49 pm

    Wow, my comment is about the same as the first one. I LOVE that you made the statement about GOD being in control. Sometimes I read blogs like this and get discouraged because it can be expensive and my husband doesn’t always agree with the changes. I always submit to his wishes but I tend to worry about it. Thanks for reminding me that I don’t need to worry, just trust God. By the way, I am thankful for a wonderful husband who returned home from Afghanistan last Tuesday.

    Reply
  3. Brighid says

    May 10, 2010 at 10:11 pm

    I’d love a chance to win your ebook! This year I’ve greatly increased my garden, and it’s mostly organic. I now know things about free horse manure that I never knew before!

    Reply
  4. Amy @ Simply Sugar & Gluten Free says

    May 10, 2010 at 10:39 pm

    We belong to a local CSA (they’re organic & sustainable) and get a huge amount of produce for the little bit we pay. We’ve also planted a garden – it’s our first year so anything that grows will be a bonus.

    It’s actually a joy to know that we’re eating foods that are good for our bodies and helping the environment. :)

    Reply
  5. Jen says

    May 10, 2010 at 10:55 pm

    I have not been able to get my act together to plant a spring garden this year, but I can hardly wait to get some plants in the ground for fall! Looking forward to growing our own veggies so that we don’t have to worry about what got sprayed on them or what kind of soil they were grown in. They’ll come from our own backyard.

    Reply
    • Danielle says

      May 11, 2010 at 7:55 am

      I would test the soil.. to see what it’s made up of though. Some people do not have good soil.

      Reply
  6. Jamie Swenson says

    May 11, 2010 at 6:04 am

    I would love to win your ebook. Although I didn’t plant a garden this year, we did join a co-op so we will have fresh chemical free produce all summer and fall!

    Reply
  7. Karin says

    May 11, 2010 at 6:45 am

    I am thankful that I have a choice about what I eat and what I give my family to eat. I am thankful for the support and encouragement and information that I find on your blog. I am thankful that I have a bit of land that I can use for a garden … we are building one this week and it will be the first time in several years that I am planting MORE rather than less. I am thankful that my preschool boys like to catch little bugs!

    Reply
  8. kara says

    May 11, 2010 at 6:59 am

    What do you dilute the cinnamon oil with for bug repellent? Or do you dilute it?

    Reply
    • Laura says

      May 11, 2010 at 7:25 am

      I think it works fine to just use it straight, and just dot it onto your skin here and there.

      Reply
  9. Diana@Iowa Mom Life says

    May 11, 2010 at 7:34 am

    I so appreciate you having this category on Tuesdays! Helps keep us focused on how much we have to be thankful for :)

    Reply
  10. Ami says

    May 11, 2010 at 7:34 am

    Thanks for the info on marigolds! I will be buying some the next time I go out.

    We have two apple trees that I would love to harvest apples from. The extension office advises spraying them EVERY WEEK in order to get a decent harvest. A lady at the local feed store suggested spraying them with Neem, which is an ancient pesticide and approved for organic gardening. Any comments? I really want some apples!

    I’ve seen the paper bag technique, but seriously, are those going to stay on the trees through our hard summer thunderstorms???

    And has anyone heard that putting eggshells in the hole when you plant your tomatoes will help with something, maybe some kind of fungus?

    Reply
    • Trina says

      May 11, 2010 at 10:22 am

      Chives are beneficial to apples, but not immediately. If they’re companion planted for a few years, the chives prevent scab.

      Crushed eggshells around plants will deter slugs. If you make a tea out of crushed eggshells and pour it around your tomato plants, it can give your soil a calcium boots, which helps prevent tomato blossom end rot.

      Reply
      • Trina says

        May 11, 2010 at 3:10 pm

        Wow – I just realized that I suggested giving your soil and tomatoes calcium boots! That *should* be BOOST! ;)

        Reply
  11. Johnlyn says

    May 11, 2010 at 7:37 am

    I get overwhelmed with all of the information out there. I figure if I baby step my way, I’ll get there eventually. I was a person who said “I’ll never buy organic anything.”

    Never say never! I have 2 pounds of organic carrots in my fridge right now. Thank you for all of the information you provide!

    Reply
  12. Barb@My Daily Round says

    May 11, 2010 at 7:48 am

    Thanks for the reminder of how important it is to garden organically. We have been doing this for a long time, but in the past few years with several little ones four and under, it seems a struggle at times to take care of the garden and preserve the harvest.

    For the mom asking about apple trees, I have heard of using plastic sandwich baggies to protect the fruit. Honestly, even a local organic orchard owner said that some pesticides are required to grow apples if you want a decent harvest. Personally, I would find an organic/sustainable orchard in your area and ask what works for them. Talk to the farmers at the farmers market. If they don’t have answers, they might know of someone who does.

    Reply
  13. Sherry C. says

    May 11, 2010 at 8:11 am

    I didn’t get marigolds this year but plan to next year. So far so good with the garden. I just picked (and ate) my first red tomato this morning.

    Thanks for the tip on the cinnamon oil. We have a horrible mosquito problem here (south Louisiana).

    Reply
  14. Rachel says

    May 11, 2010 at 8:40 am

    We are trying to plant more than tomatoes this year. We are adding zucchini, cucumbers and herbs. I just have a small problem with rabbits and possums. I have been eying the gardening and preserving e-book for some time. Thanks for the tip on the cinnamon. It comes just in time! Blessings

    Reply
  15. DorthyM says

    May 11, 2010 at 9:29 am

    I’d so love to win your book! I need as much help as I can get!

    Reply
  16. Jackie says

    May 11, 2010 at 9:43 am

    I’d love to win your e-book! My black thumb needs all the help it can get!!

    Reply
  17. Megan says

    May 11, 2010 at 9:55 am

    http://halfmarathonmegan.blogspot.com/2010/05/gratituesday-teal-toes-and-bright-night.html

    Reply
  18. Jennifer says

    May 11, 2010 at 10:03 am

    Dying to have your ebook…would love to win it. Laughing about the “free horse manure” comment…I about died the first year my husband came home with horse manure…but it works!

    Reply
  19. Rebekah says

    May 11, 2010 at 10:03 am

    I’m hoping to win your e-book. I’m growing a garden for the first time this spring/summer and could use a lot of help! :-)

    Reply
  20. Trina says

    May 11, 2010 at 10:24 am

    So much good information that it’ll take a little bit to sift through it all! Thank you all for all the tips!

    Reply
  21. Laurie says

    May 11, 2010 at 10:41 am

    Hi! Nice to “meet” you. :-) I linked to a post of mine from last year that talks about using coffee grounds to keep flea beetles at bay. I also use catnip to keep off mosquitoes, and plantain for mosquito bites (in case I forgot the catnip).

    Reply
  22. Heather says

    May 11, 2010 at 11:51 am

    Love your tips and am going to try potato gardening in a garbage can once I get some holes drilled :)

    Heather

    Reply
  23. Martianne says

    May 11, 2010 at 11:52 am

    I would love to win your e-book and I apologize for being off topic with the carnival this week. I did not know about the carnival when I was writing my post and I am just so grateful and excited about my Mother’s Day weekend that I didn’t want to change the post. That being said, on my list of to-do’s in the coming year is greening my thumb by working on a home garden project with the kids. Plus, we are very into trying to be green with home cleaning. Lots of vinegar and whatnot for us. The kids love helping with vinegar-water spray bottle dusting and cleaning!

    Have a blessed week!

    Reply
    • Laura says

      May 11, 2010 at 12:33 pm

      No need to apologize…I was hoping everyone would post their normal Gratituesday posts as always! Thanks!

      Reply
  24. Lisa says

    May 11, 2010 at 12:02 pm

    I would love to win your e-book as I’ve been wanting to buy it but the budget is tight… Thanks for the opprotunity!

    Reply
  25. Cathy says

    May 11, 2010 at 12:14 pm

    Thanks for the chance to win the e-book! This topic is one of great importance to me as I look to improve my gardening skills and increase our organic food consumption that way.

    To Ami who asked about egg shells for tomatoes, it helps supply the calcium they need. Plenty of calcium helps prevent blossom end rot.

    Reply
  26. Shelley says

    May 11, 2010 at 12:32 pm

    Enjoyed this post very much! How do you use the cinnamon oil? Just dab it on or dilute first?

    Reply
    • Laura says

      May 11, 2010 at 12:38 pm

      Just dab it on here and there!

      Reply
  27. Jennifer says

    May 11, 2010 at 12:50 pm

    I’ve love to have your gardening e-book. We’ve had one successful year of gardening and one that basically a failure. :) I’d appreciate all the tips I can get. Plus, I’d appreciate the ideas for preserving.

    Reply
  28. Brittany says

    May 11, 2010 at 1:27 pm

    I love the cinnamon oil tip! No chemicals, and it has to smell so much better than regular insect repellent! :)

    I’d also love to win a copy of your gardening book. I’m still new to this whole gardening thing!

    Reply
  29. Amanda says

    May 11, 2010 at 1:47 pm

    I’d love to win your gardening e-book. I can’t grow a garden this year (moving), but I have overly ambitious plans for next year already.

    Reply
  30. Cheri says

    May 11, 2010 at 2:01 pm

    My first year to garden. Would love as much info as possible. Thanks!

    Reply
  31. Rebecca K says

    May 11, 2010 at 2:21 pm

    Winning a book on organic gardening sound fabulous! flea beetles (we think) have already eaten all of our raspberry plant leaves.

    I’ll have to look into the coffee grounds suggestion.

    Reply
  32. Debbie says

    May 11, 2010 at 2:22 pm

    I subscribe!!!

    Reply
  33. Lenetta says

    May 11, 2010 at 4:22 pm

    I’d love a chance at your ebook! :>)

    Reply
  34. Kari says

    May 11, 2010 at 6:04 pm

    I’m going to plant my very first garden tomorrow! So exciting!

    Reply
  35. Jennifer says

    May 11, 2010 at 7:59 pm

    Oh, yeah, another chance to win your e-book! Pick me! Pick me! Our CSA starts in two weeks, and I’m going to have a lot to can and preserve… :D

    Reply
  36. Brook says

    May 12, 2010 at 6:43 am

    Thanks for continuing to share such helpful information! I hope to get over my fear and get gardening!

    Reply
  37. mdvlist says

    May 12, 2010 at 7:16 am

    I’m going to try that borax tip– the ants moved into my kitchen a few months early this year!

    Reply
  38. Jodi says

    May 12, 2010 at 8:22 am

    I’ve done my first garden this year and would love any advice you have!

    Reply
  39. jean gill says

    May 12, 2010 at 9:13 am

    We planted our tomatoes upside down in the new containers that are sold at Walgreens, and they are hanging up.

    Reply
  40. Janelle says

    May 12, 2010 at 12:35 pm

    Last year I didn’t use any pesticides, fertilizers, etc. on my garden. It did OK. Probably wasn’t the best…but it was my first try at gardening.

    Reply
  41. Greta @ Mom Living Healthy says

    May 13, 2010 at 8:05 am

    We are planting our first garden this year, so I hope to be able to keep it organic! On another note, I’m wondering if you have any advice for getting rid of dandelions organically. We have SO many on our lawn (just moved to this house) and I’d love to get rid of them if possible.

    Reply
    • Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship says

      May 16, 2010 at 11:43 pm

      Greta,
      Two things:
      1. My friend has a manual tool that he uses to pop the dandelions out of his lawn, but I don’t know what it’s called exactly. I think he can do it while standing though.
      2. You won the giveaway! Congrats, and enjoy the eBook!
      :) Katie

      Reply
      • Greta @ Mom Living Healthy says

        May 17, 2010 at 6:44 am

        Awesome! My first giveaway win :) Thanks!

        Reply
  42. Melissa W. says

    May 15, 2010 at 5:52 pm

    We planted a garden this year and are trying to move towards being organic. We recently bought a worm farm to add “black gold” to our soil.

    Reply
  43. MomOfFour says

    May 15, 2010 at 9:07 pm

    I have been gardening for awhile, but can always use great tips. It is very important to me to keep chemical free and that can make gardening a challenge, especially as I try to enlarge my garden – it gets harder to keep up with all those bugs, especially green bean bugs and squash family bugs (not there real names).

    Also, thanks for the cinnamon oil tip. I wonder if that will work on pets….

    Reply
  44. Lisa says

    May 17, 2010 at 12:10 pm

    Did you see the study that is in the news today? Children with high levels of pesticides in their body were twice as likely to suffer from ADHD. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37156010/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

    Reply

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