Growing Moss on Garden Pots

I've already written about my love for repurposing objects like bowls, pots and pans as plant containers. One way to integrate these finds into the garden is to encourage a natural layer of moss to grow on them. This always works best where you have a shady spot to keep the pot once it's sporting a nice mossy finish.

Recipe for Adding Moss to Pots

1/2 cup of garden moss (This acts like a seed starter.)
1 container plain yogurt
12 oz. can of beer
2 tsp granulated sugar
1 cup buttermilk

Moss Pots - Directions

Combine ingredients and use a blender to incorporate. You want a soupy texture.

Brush the mixture on with a soft bristle brush or sponge brush. Be generous.

I find that highly textured pots work best.

Keep your freshly "painted" pot moist. One good way is to place it in the shade and spritz it with a pump sprayer filled with water (or the garden hose) a couple of times a day until you get the desired effect. You can also do this with statuary or anything else you want to look like a long time garden survivor.

Herbed Tilapia Recipe

This is a fast and easy summer dish. If you'd prefer, you can cook it on the grill instead of in the oven; just coat the fish with a little olive oil and butter, and clean/oil the grill.

Baked Tilapia Ingredients

6 Tilapia fillets
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon red pepper
Juice of 1/2 lime
Salt
Black pepper
2 tablespoon fresh chopped chives

Fish Cold Sauce Ingredients

1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1-1/2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped lime thyme or fresh lime juice

Herbed Tilapia Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Season tilapia fillets on both sides with paprika, marjoram, red pepper, salt, and pepper.

Place the seasoned fillets in a single layer on a greased baking dish.

Sprinkle or spray lime juice over fillets.

Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes or until fish flakes when prodded with a fork.

Cold Fish Sauce Directions

While the fish is baking, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic powder, lime thyme (or lime juice) and dill in a small bowl. Serve with prepared tilapia.

Plate fillets with wedges of lemon and sprinkle fresh chives over the top.

Serves 4

Weekend Thoughts

A few thoughts for this warm weekend.

How to Treat Mosquito Bites
Mosquitoes are coming out in force around my house. To help reduce the irritation of a mosquito bite, rub any of these household, garden or medicine cabinet substances on the bite: aloe vera, baking soda, a piece of sliced onion, vinegar, salt, or witch hazel. I've heard that toothpaste and bleach work too. Just use a little, and rub gently. The effectiveness of these remedies will vary from person to person, so if one method isn't getting the results you want, try another.

Rhubarb: Trifling, Tipsy, Fool
If you have a moment, head over to All Things Considered at NPR and check out their piece on rhubarb. They have some interesting background on a few common and not so common dessert terms, like tipsy, parson, trifle and fool. It almost sounds like a song title. There's a rhubarb, berry and cream dessert recipe that looks tasty too: A Dessert for Spring: Rhubarb, Berries and Cream

Growing a Plant Fort For the Kids
The folks at the San Francisco Chronicle have some great instructions on how to grow a sunflower fort for the kids at: How to Grow a Sunflower House

How to Cut Down on Weeds in Your Herb Garden
If you're having some trouble sleeping in the heat, turn your insomnia into fewer weeds by weeding your garden after dark. Turning the soil when the sun isn't shining cuts down on weed germination, so strap a pen light to your hoe and get to work.

Happy gardening.