Practical Magic for Home & Garden

The Conservatory from the set of Practical Magic

"There's a little magic in every woman"

It's early April, Spring is here and the garden beckons us outside.  Have you considered what compels you to venture outdoors in the messy Spring weather to begin working the soil?  What about the joy and peace to be found rummaging around on your hands and knees, wrecking your manicure in the digging and planting?  What's that all about?  

In my book, gardening and home keeping are spiritual acts of a practical nature, with a magical outcome.

I believe in the practical magic of flora and fauna and I love garden lore!  I try to plant by the phase of the moon.  I embrace fairies too, I mean if you're gonna go the magic route...add a few fairy rings etc. 

I just wish they would weed and mow.

fairy entrance

Practical magic comes in many shapes and forms, this woman creates her own garden magic with just 66 sq. feet!  

66 Square Feet

She lives in Brooklyn and gardens on a rooftop (see Martha Stewart Gardening 2012 Issue & Facebook).  Her garden is soulful, creative and sustains her in many ways, a beautiful example of humble means, making magic.  Inspiring!  I love reading about the trials and successes of her unique challenges.  I mean, can you imagine...66 sq ft!  

"But, whether nature obeys the Creator, or human hands, acting by inspired science, try to improve on nature, the processes from first to last, from base to summit, are honourable and romantic".  Mary Hampden

--garden lore--

...

"keep rosemary at your garden gate"

I've always done this, with my own twist.  Two pots of rosemary on my front porch.  According to the ancients, rosemary keeps the peace with both those who have passed on and those who reside in the home.  Darn handy to have around when you're making roasted carrots too.

"plant lavender for luck"

--herbal crafting--

Rosemary and Lavender Calming Spray

Every parent, teacher, grandparent, student etc. needs this.  Rosemary has a revitalizing effect (relieving headaches and tension) and lavender is proven to reduce stress and anxiety.  20 drops each of essential oil and the rest water.   No need to refrigerate, won't spoil.

--practical magic in the garden--

Tasha Tudor the artist and naturalist offered a tip in one of her books, The Private World of Tasha Tudor, how to grow spectacular foxglove.  She makes a fertilizer of compost tea by steeping compost wrapped tightly in muslin in a bucket of water for a day or two.  Not only will this fertilize and produce amazing foxglove plants, it also benefits all the surrounding flora and fauna because it's organic and yummy to bugs, bees and birds!

Welcome catmint into your garden and you will welcome bees!  Catmint is my absolute favorite perennial.  The magic of catmint are the purple spires that bloom all summer long, I'm not joking...all summer!  With bees on the decline, everyone should plant this perennial to lure the bees back into your garden.  We need them.

Thank you for being such a great audience!  I really enjoy your input and appreciation.  Feel free to suggest any ideas that you would like to know about pertaining to home and garden...I'd love to know!


XOXO!


Rebecca