Rain Rain & More Rain (Alternate Title: How My Garden was Destroyed by Slugs)

I know that the rain is good for the soil and for the plants and for so many other things. It even can create an opportunity for beautiful pictures. However, as you fellow Portlanders know, we have been getting an absurd amount of rain. It is not only bad for my sanity, but it is literally killing my garden.
The slugs in my yard are so incredibly bad this year. For those of you lucky enough to live in a climate that doesn't support slugs, slugs are the most active in cool wet weather. Welcome to my May and June. I literally collect at least 100 slugs each day off of plants in my front garden and deliver the tasty (or not) treat to my ducks who live in the backyard. Unfortunately, my daily slug removal has not even put a dent into stopping the slug destruction happening in my yard.
We have had 2 pepper starts completely demolished (basically overnight) by these little suckers. Not to mention that every single bean seed that I have planted (about 40) except for 1 has been destroyed by slugs the moment that it poked it's head out of the earth. And, I have not had a chance to enjoy any of our strawberries as by the time they ripen, the slugs eat a hole in them. Whine, whine.
We thought that getting ducks, who enjoy eating slugs, would solve our slugs worries, but since the ducks don't forage in the front yard (as we are afraid they will run out into the road or run away) we still have to hand collect, which obviously isn't working. We have tried surrounding the base of each plant with smashed eggshells..... I see the slugs slime right over them. I am now onto encircling each plant with pennies (copper) which seems to hold a little more promise. I now need to replant all of my beans and get new peppers, so I think I will try surrounding the new plantings with pennies. I will probably be the only person to go to the bank and ask to have a $20 changed out in pennies. Sheesh. We are reluctant to try sluggo (even though it is deemed to be safe for kids and pets), as we are a bit suspicious as to its true safety (anyone know more about this?). Plus, I know the main ingredient is phosphates, which are horrible if they make it into the water supply. And with all this rain, some of them would likely end up there.
Anyways, these are my bitter ramblings of dreary days and lifeless plants. I am hoping for some sun this weekend (or at least no rain) and maybe a chance to replant the numerous seedling we have lost. And, from the looks of this morning, it appears as if I am in luck.... I already see some sunlight creeping in through the window! Pin It Now!

This Moment...

Inspired by Soulemama
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Blueberry Cornbread Muffins

I know, I am the crazy muffin lady. We eat a lot of muffins around here, as they are a great homemade snack to grab on the go. This one is a new favorite because the cornmeal gives the muffins a heartier texture. These are really good warm from the oven with a little bit of butter on them!

What you need:
1 cup of flour
3/4 cup cornmeal
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 egg
3/4 cup milk (I use rice milk, but soy or dairy would work just as well)
1/3 cup oil
1/3 cup agave syrup (available at Trader Joe's or health food stores)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup of blueberries (fresh or frozen works)

What you do:
1. preheat oven to 350F
2. Mix eggs, milk, oil, agave syrup, vanilla and cinnamon
3. add flour, cornmeal and baking powder
4. fold in blueberries
5. pour into pre-greased (I use olive oil spray) muffin pans
6. Bake for 20-30 minutes (depending on if they are mini-muffins or regular size)
7. remove from pan and cool on rack

Makes about 24 mini muffins or 12 regular sized Pin It Now!

GMO Tips From the Center for Food Safety

Are you concerned about genetically modified food (GMOs)? Check out the Center for Food Safety website.....This website has updates on policies surrounding GMOs, action letters that you can send to your government representatives, videos by Michael Pollan and Vandana Shiva, and even a down-loadable Non-GMO Shopper's Guide. Pin It Now!

A Blanket of Love.....

This past weekend I spent some time knitting a couple of squares for a group knitting effort. Kelly, who was a brave mama to a 2 year old boy, lost her battle with breast cancer recently, and this knitting effort is a way to create something to let this little boy know that we are all thinking about him. I have never met Kelly or her family, but when I read this story on gardenmama's blog, I just couldn't stop crying. I figured that knitting a square or two was the least I could do to send some love their way. Please click the link above to read the story and to join in on the knitting project.

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Dangers of Batteries

My hubby, who is an avid reader of the NY Times, just passed along this article about the dangers of lithium batteries for young children. Thought I would pass it along to spread awareness. You can link to the article here. Pin It Now!

What's in Your Dishwasher Detergent?

You may have heard the term phosphates before, especially in relation to your laundry detergent (which is hopefully phosphate-free). Phosphates used to be very common in laundry detergents, until the word got out that they were messing up our lakes and ponds through a little thing called eutrophication.
Water bodies are typically extremely nutrient-limited and phosphates (from phosphorous) are nutrients. So, when you suddenly dump a bunch of nutrients into a nutrient-limited system, you are going to stimulate a bunch of growth. On land, this is oftentimes a good thing, but in water... not so much. In short, these nutrients cause big blooms of algae, which shades out plants at the bottom who need light to photosynthesize. Then, as some of the algae starts to die, decomposers break it down. Decomposers are our friends, but when they break down organic matter in water systems, they can use up all of the available oxygen in the process. This dissolved oxygen is vital to fish and other aquatic organisms, and without it, they die. So, in short, these nutrients result in dead zones where nothing can grow. This happens from nitrogen inputs as well, which has created a ginormous dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. Yuck-o.
So anyways, most laundry detergent no longer contains phosphates but it is still lurking in many dishwasher detergents. So look for brands labeled as phosphate-free (trader joe's brand is inexpensive and does not contain phosphate or chlorine). Or try making your own. In Green Housekeeping, Sandbeck gives a recipe for equal parts borax and washing soda that can be a substitute for store bought detergent. However do not wash aluminum or teflon with this detergent.
Also, you may be pleased to know that according to Ellen Sandbeck (Green Housekeeping) dishwashers are actually more efficient and use less water than washing dishes by hand (as long as your dishwasher is relatively new and you only run it when it is full).

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