By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

The other day, I was reading an article about how expensive invasive species are to the environment.

Some species just become a simple nuisance while others completely take over and change an environment.

A common example of this situation occurred several hundred years ago when the first “white men” entered North America. As we do today, they wanted to bring the comforts of home.

These include spices, traditions, plants, and animals. In the beginning, the environment was able to handle these newcomers to the land. But the beauty of the land was not enough and in doing so it had to be Read the rest of this entry »

By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

Carrots have always played a unique role in my family’s history.

My son is a lover of carrots.

As a matter of fact, it goes beyond a love.

When he was 8 years old he got into a fight. The only fight he has ever been in and as a fact he will be 21 this year. Well the fight started over you guessed it carrots. His friend asked if he could have some carrots.

My son, being the loving soul he is said yes but…..The but is what started the fight. Donald said his friend could have 5 baby carrots. His friend disagreed and took 7. The fight of the century began. I have told this story to many people and they say it was just carrots but our society has started wars over less.

Since my son loves carrots I have always tried to grow them but have never had any luck. The soil in southern Indiana is not conducive for this type of root crop but I am determined to find a way.

Carrots are another wonderful vegetable Read the rest of this entry »

By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

As you know, I am a country girl at heart.

I have seen many ups and downs in my lifetime that have affected me in one-way or another.

As a child, my dad lost his job shortly after we moved to the country.

Being a proud man, he sold everything he could think of and then applied for help.

No help for us but like I have said many times, “Country people will survive.”

Then, in the 70’s I saw something that changed my life on TV. It was when farming was Read the rest of this entry »

By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

As an avid reader, I have lately been looking into books that deal with personal development and came upon a concept called feng shui.

This concept has its roots buried deep in the Chinese belief system of balance or chi.

Since this belief is over 300 years old; I felt there might be something to it.

So this year, I am going to design my vegetable garden utilizing the feng shui principles.

What I liked about this concept was that nature was looked at as a whole living organism that is full of energy or chi. To have harmony and prosperity in ones environment, these forces need to be balanced.

To balance these forces, one must first Read the rest of this entry »

By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

Pets, for many years, have been left out of the mix when it comes to gardening.

Ones pets can use many of the fresh vegetables and herbs that are grown in the vegetable garden.

A simple project can be designed to address your pet’s need for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Dogs

Dogs are natural chewers and when placed in an indoor environment can cause havoc. It is easier to provide ones dog with acceptable items to chew verses retraining. Toys are a good choice but they do not provide the fiber that your dog is looking for when they chew on plant material. To supplement their need for fiber and address their chewing habit, one can grow some simple, organic grass.

Organic grass can easily be grown in a container that is located on the floor of your dog’s indoor environment. When raising the grass though, do not use commercial fertilizer or premade soil with slow-release fertilizer. Fertilizer, that is not organic, can be toxic to ones dog.

Cats

Cats are also chewers when it comes to Read the rest of this entry »