Plant Information & Care Sheets

Green Tip

Kermit was wrong - Being Green is Easy. Next time you’re cleaning the kitchen sink or scrubbing the bathtub, try using vinegar as a disinfectant or baking soda as a mild abrasive to scour away soap scum. And you can easily save both electricity and water by rinsing breakfast right after you use them and putting them on a drying rack instead of in the dishwasher.

[ More Green Tips ]

Recipe Tip

Bring a little bit of France into your kitchen. How? By making your own Dijon Mustard. Start by picking up some mustard powder at your local co-op (regular and hot). In a large sauce pan sauté 2 cups of shallots and 6 or more garlic cloves in a little olive oil. As they start to caramelize and turn brown, add 4 cups of dry white wine and 2 cups of apple cider vinegar. Add a healthy amount of fresh ground black pepper and about 6 cracked juniper berries. Simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes. Remove juniper berries and mix with about 12 ounces of powdered mustard. Stir in 2 tsp. salt, 1⁄2 cup olive oil, your favorite herb, and 4-6 Tbsp. honey. Continue to heat lightly or add more mustard until it is smooth and runny. As it cools the mustard will set up and become thicker. Sterilize old mustard and jelly jars for canning and age them in a cool dark place for at least one month. It’s great for that summer soiree or as a home made gift for someone special.

[ More Recipe Tips ]

• After another disappointing year growing tomatoes, I’m about to give up. Every year about mid-summer the plants begin to yellow and wither. They still produce some tomatoes, but the plants eventually die. What is going on, and how can I prevent this?

• What is the best kind of mulch to use? This year I really want to keep the weeds down, so I’m planning on applying mulch six inches deep. Is this OK?

• When we bought our house 12 years ago, the previous owners had done some landscaping, but most of that looks tired and overgrown now. Does APF do landscape design and installation? Who should we contact?

• Maryland Pesticide Network
• Beyond Pesticides
• Pesticide Action Network North America
• Master Composter
• Soil Foodweb Inc. - Info about building healthy soil
• Audubon Naturalist Society
• Chesapeake Bay Foundation
• The Greenman Show - Local environmental program
• Organica Biotech Products - Containing beneficial microorganisms
• Pharm Solutions Inc. - Organic pesticides
• Virtual Plant Tags
• DC Greenworks
• Casey Trees
• DC Urban Gardeners
• Rachel Carson Council
• Microwaves and Plastic
• Friends of Rock Creek’s Environment
• National River Cleanup
• My Organic Market
• Eco Coach