October 2011 Picks for the Gardener

Author: Nancy Erdmann

Issue: October, 2011, Page 114

INSECT REPELLERIf you are one of those people who seems to be a bug magnet, this fragrant incense could make your time outdoors more enjoyable. Handmade with a natural insect repellent, it contains extracts of citronella, neem, eucalyptus and basil. Place the 17"H sticks in the ground or in a garden pot for burning. The set comes with four sticks and can be ordered through tenthousandvillages.com.

STYLISH SETTEE
Dressing up your patio can be as fun as picking out a favorite dress. Case in point is the Coco Chanel Navy Settee. The lacquered wrought-iron seat features white canvas Sunbrella-covered cushions and is shown here with colorful accent pillows. The settee measures 43"L and can be found at gardenhousedecor.net.

BUG ON A RUG
Brighten up a covered patio or bring the outdoors in with this pretty rug from Homefires Accents. Ladybug on Pink Sunflower was designed by artist Janis Boehm and hand-hooked with colorfast acrylic yarns. It is machine-washable, fade-resistant and durable enough to withstand use in high-traffic areas. The rug measures 34"L by 22"W, and is available at madisonatmain.com.

GARDEN FRESH
If you are looking for something other than plain-old salt and pepper to spice up your meals, look no further than Homegrown Herbs: A Complete Guide to Growing, Using, and Enjoying More Than 100 Herbs (Storey Publishing). Author Tammi Hartung shares tips for planting gardens that offer fresh culinary herbs for easy picking.

Hartung suggests starting out small by tailoring herbs to fit a particular theme, such as a cook’s garden, children’s herb patch or apothecary garden. She also includes lists of herbs most commonly grown, and harvesting and cooking tips. —LeeAnn DiSanti