THE OPTIMISTIC FARMER-March 2025
- theoptimisticfarme
- Mar 1
- 4 min read
2025 March Edition
Tall and (Small) Tales from the Great Basin of Northeast Nevada
Well, we did it, we made it to March, and it is time to do the jig! Not only because we celebrate the Irish this month, but also because it is time to get serious about the gardening season ahead. This edition delves into garden cleanup tips, plants that repel mosquitoes, and the benefits of tallow.
News from the garden
Usually in March we start having some nice days and the itch to get out and clean up the yard and flower beds shows itself! However, cleaning up your yard and garden areas too early may be detrimental to the bees and other beneficial pollinators. It is recommended to wait until spring to do any major cleanup instead of the fall, the guidance is to wait until the temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees F to allow bees, butterflies, and other microbes to do their thing, so they can help when the time is right for pollination.
Innovations and Ideas
Sort of veering off the gardening path in this editions Innovation and Ideas section, today we are discussing tallow. Tallow is made from rendered animal fat that is cooked down slowly to remove impurities. If you want to get away from lotions and potions that are filled with chemicals and artificial perfumes, consider tallow for your skin care needs. Tallow can also be used when cooking, instead of seed oils, tallow is known to have a high smoke point which means the temperature at which an oil starts to burn, smoke and lose many of its nutritional benefits. Below is a link to tallow skincare products made right here in the Great Basin!
Inner Work
We all know it, there are people in the world that like a plan, structure, and clear direction, then there are those that prefer to wing it. Gardeners usually fall into the same sort of categories. Like when assembling new furniture, instructions can be useful and are usually worth the time spent reading them to prevent rework down the road. That being said, seeds left to nature are usually not as precise as what is recommended on the back of a seed packet. So, you do you, and learn along the way, Finding the balance between precision and freestyle is half the fun anyway!
NEW FEATURE!!
Dear Optimistic Farmer:
To submit questions to The Optimistic Farmer, click here: theoptimisticfarmer@outlook.com
Inquisitive Reader: What are the best space-saving techniques for urban gardens?
The Optimistic Farmer:
Urban gardening is the practice of growing plants, fruits and vegetables in urban settings. Examples include community gardens, rooftop or patio gardens, vertical gardens and container gardens. Vertical gardening as mentioned in last month's blog, THE OPTIMISTIC FARMER-February 2025, is probably the best space-saving technique for the aspiring urban gardener. Vertical gardening can include wall mounted planters, trellises, hanging baskets and stackable containers. Ladder shelves can also work well. Start small utilizing plants such as tomatoes, cucumbers, beans that love to grow up. Herbs are also a must for most patio gardens, as you can walk right out and snip off fresh herbs to add to your meals or drinks.
Plants in Science:
We all know the importance of pollinators when it comes to gardening and now scientists are researching whether plants actually give off and receive electrical signals from pollinators! Wait, what?? Plants and pollinators communicating with each other through electrical signals? Research is showing that the flower may actually act as a giant antenna. Researchers in the link below have found that bees may carry a positive charge, while flowers carry a negative one. As a bee approaches some plants may be become more charged and actually increase their scent production, which in turn entices the bee to the flower for nature to take its course. Research continues on whether bees and other pollinators are attracted to flower through electrical vibes or simply by the beautiful colors, it is really important that they get on the same wavelength!
Last, but Not Least: Plants for repelling mosquitoes!
It may be too cold for mosquitoes to make their annual appearance, but it is not too early to start thinking about what plants can be used to repel the little buggers! Thinking about the areas in your yard that you like to hang out in during the summer, make plans to plant a few of the recommendations below to help keep the pesky biters at bay. We all know the citronella plant is a common plant used for repelling mosquitoes, but did you know that oregano, lavender, petunias, peppermint, and lemongrass may also do the trick? You can create a cool container or two with a mix of a few of these plants near your BBQ area or on your picnic table. Also, if the plants get going you can cut off some oregano for your spaghetti or some peppermint to add to your mojito, all while saying goodbye to the mosquito!
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