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Take care
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

Thanksgiving Weekend at Morikami Park

Above: My boyfriend and my daughter at Morikami Park

My boyfriend and I went to Morikami Park in Delray Beach the day after Thanksgiving. It was a quick 40 mile drive on the Turnpike from his house in Loxahatchee. My daughter lives with her father, just a few miles away from the museum and Japanese gardens, so we swung by the house to pick her up.

When my kids were younger, my ex-husband and I used to take our son and daughter to the Morikami on a regular basis. But it had been a number of years since I've been there, and my boyfriend said he never visited the park, so it was time for a road trip.

The main bridge (the James and Hazel Gates Woodruff Memorial Bridge) has been closed at the park for a number of months. They say it's undergoing repairs but it doesn't look like anything is being done to it. So instead of touring the gardens in a loop, you have to do an out and back walk along the pathways, for a total of just over 2 miles of walking. We had quite a few Thanskgiving dinner calories to burn off, and it was a nice cool day, so we welcomed the opportunity to get in a bit of exercise.

Above: the waterfall by the koi pond.

I love Morikami Park, it reminds me of walking through the woods up north, lots of streams, waterfalls, pine trees and ferns. The park officially opened in 1977 and underwent a major expansion in 2001. Admission is $12 for adults, not bad compared to some of the other parks and museums in south Florida.

Here are a few photos I took with my camera during our visit.

Above: Dr. Seuss-like trees at Morikami Park

Above: looking across the lake to Yamato Island and the original Morikami Museum building.

Above: my boyfriend and I enjoying our time at Morikami Park.

Additional Information:

Things to do at the Morikami:

• Tour the outdoor gardens
• Tour the indoor museum exhibits
• Enjoy a snack at the Cornell Cafe
• Purchase gifts at the Museum Store
• Enjoy educational classes, workshops and lecture series
• Participate in yearly events including Hatsume Fair, Oshogatsu New Year's and the Bon Festival

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
4000 Morikami Park Road
Delray Beach, FL 33446
Website: www.morikami.org

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

Backyard Diva Visits Tropical Bamboo Nursery

Above: lush vegetation at Tropical Bamboo Nursery & Gardens

The Bamboo Plant Source

My boyfriend and I recently had a chance to visit the Tropical Bamboo Nursery & Gardens. It is located just a few miles from his house, in Loxahatchee, Florida. Tropical Bamboo Nursery is a bit off the beaten path but well worth the trip. We passed a number of nursery's on our way to find Tropical Bamboo and had to ask for directions at one nursery that my boyfriend thought was the right place.

According to their brochure; Tropical Bamboo is located on 9 acres, and has the largest tropical bamboo collection in the United States. More than 160 tropical bamboo varieties can be found throughout their property, with many of them creatively placed along paths and around pavilions in their main display gardens.

Bamboo Nursery & Gardens

Tropical Bamboo also has a large bamboo nursery on site, with a variety of bamboo plants for sale. Most of the bamboo species can be purchased in a variety of sizes, from 1 gallon, up to 65 gallon size containers. The price varies according to the variety and size of the bamboo plant you purchase.

All the bamboo varieties that are available for purchase are the non-invasive clumping type of bamboo. After you walk throughout the property, viewing various bamboo in their mature growing size, you can visit the nursery area to pick out the specific bamboo plants to add to your own backyard and garden.

Above: dwarf Buddha belly bamboo.

Benefits of Growing Clumping Bamboo

1. Reliable in form - grows in a small, circular clump
2. Hurricane tolerant - flexible and strong
3. Earth friendly - bamboo sequesters more CO2 and produces more oxygen than any other plant of equal mass

Above: two story Tiki hut at Tropical Bamboo Nursery & Gardens

Tropical Gardening Paradise

Many of the different bamboo species that are available for sale are displayed throughout the landscape at Tropical Bamboo Nursery. We spent a lot of time walking the grounds, and taking photos of their beautiful landscaping and garden design. They had a couple of Tiki huts, benches and tables available for customers to sit on and chillax, while taking in the beautiful, peaceful surroundings. My boyfriend already has a list of bamboo he wants to get the next time we go there, so we will definitely be going back to Tropical Bamboo Nursery in the near future.

Above: by the Tropical Bamboo sales hut; Timor black bamboo on the left, Graceful bamboo on the right

 Popular Bamboo Varieties

My boyfriend bought 3 bamboo varieties the day we were there. He bought a Timor black bamboo, in a 1 gallon container; a striped Buddha belly bamboo, in a 1 gallon container; and a dwarf Buddha belly bamboo, in a 3 gallon container. I think the total for the 3 bamboo plants came to around $150. He also bought a bag of bamboo fertilizer as he recently planted 5 bamboo plants on his property, that he purchased elsewhere, including a couple of Asian lemon bamboo plants and a blue bamboo.

Above: tropical paradise at Tropical Bamboo Nursery & Gardens

Common and Latin Bamboo Names

Here is a listing of some of the more popular bamboo that can be purchased at Tropical Bamboo Nursery & Gardens. I am listing the common name, followed by the Latin name in parenthesis.

• Timor black bamboo (Bambusa lako)
• Graceful bamboo (Bambusa textilis gracilis)
• Tropical blue bamboo (Bambusa chungii)
• Sunburst bamboo (Bambusa pervariabilis viridistriata)
• Dwarf Buddha's belly bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris 'Wamin')
• Angel mist bamboo (Dendrocalamus minor amoenus)
• Golden Hawaiian bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris 'Vittata')
• Yin Yang bamboo (Bambusa emeiensis viridiflavus)
• Emerald bamboo (Bambusa textilis mutabilis)
• Tropical black bamboo (Gigantochloa atroviolacia)

Above: relax and enjoy the bamboo plantings at Tropical Bamboo Nursery & Gardens

Additional Information

• Tropical Bamboo Nursery & Gardens
• 2929 G Road East
• Loxahatchee, FL 33470
• 561-784-2413
• tropicalbamboo.com

Above: friendly customer service at Tropical Bamboo Nursery & Gardens

Take care,
Lynn Smythe, AKA the Backyard Diva

About Backyard Diva

ABOVE: Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

 

Herbs & Spices Writer
A few years ago I started writing articles for publications such as BackHome magazine, The Herb Quarterly, Veggie Life, The Essential Herbal and Llewellyn Publications annual Herbal Almanac. I have been the Herbs & Spices Feature Writer for Suite101 since November, 2007.

 

Here is a little bit of information about my journey towards becoming a herbalist.

Natural Health Consultant
I am a trained Natural Health Consultant and perpetual student of herbalism. I have conducted extensive research and continue to study in the fields of alternative medicine, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy and naturopathy. My writing projects have included topics covering the history, mythology and folklore of herbs, organic gardening, butterfly gardening and cooking with herbs.

Teenage Wanderer
As a young preteen and teenager I spent many afternoons wandering the undeveloped forests of the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. In the fall I recall feasting on a variety of wild blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. At Christmas time I would help to collect pine boughs which were used to make aromatic balsam pillows and garlands that were used to decorate the house.

In later years my mother became interested in the identification and collecting of wild mushrooms. I remember her serving plates full of wild puff balls which had been sautéed with lots of sweet butter and fresh garlic. I remember seeing and avoiding the hallucinogenic fly agaric mushroom (Amanita muscaria) on many of my journeys. Although I have some experience in the proper identification of wild mushrooms I would still rather buy my mushrooms from the grocery store just to be safe!

Gardener and Cook
I have enjoyed cooking and gardening for many years. As a child I helped my mother weed her vegetable garden and always dreaded the zucchini harvest. We had so many zucchini from that garden that my mom even found a cookbook with over a 101 ways to cook zucchini including a recipe for chocolate zucchini cake. It was quite an interesting item for a young girls palate to experience but it didn’t make the zucchini disappear any faster.

When I was much older I commandeered my friends front yard and turned it into a garden which I filled with a plethora of bulbs and alpine plants. In the summer of 1991 I relocated to the south which was a bit of a shock. I went from a zone 4 garden in the Adirondack Mountains of New York to a zone 10 garden in south east, Florida.

Medicinal Herbalist
A few years ago I began to suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome and researched the many herbs such as dill, fennel, ginger, mint and chamomile that could help with various digestive problems. I began growing a multitude of herbs in order to keep a ready supply of medicinal herbs on hand for making my own tea blends. I joined my local herb society to learn what herbs grew well in the hot and humid south and began to write a monthly column for their newsletter in order to share my growing knowledge of herbs with my fellow society members.

My friends, neighbors and family members began to ask me for advice on minor ailments such as upset stomachs, insomnia and headaches. They also started to come to me whenever one of the recipes they were following called for fresh herbs or for advice on growing their own herbs and flowers. 

Please enjoy yourself while visiting the Backyard Diva. Do you have questions, comments or suggestions for the Backyard Diva? She can be reached via email: info@backyard-diva.com.

 Take care,
The Backyard Diva

Raising Baby Turkeys as Pets

Above: mature red bourbon turkeys.

Raise a Baby Turkey or Two

My boyfriend started raising chickens a few months ago. He is raising them for their eggs and will be sharing the extra eggs with low income families where he works. Right now he has 6 chickens and only 1 of them has started to produce eggs.

We were at the Red Barn in Loxahatchee, buying chicken feed a few weeks ago, when he noticed they had a new flock of turkey chicks. He had been thinking about raising turkeys and he ended up purchasing two red bourbon turkey poults. Poult is the correct name for a baby turkey. The sales clerk put our poults in a large box, the bottom of which she lined with wood shavings. Dave was in his pickup truck, so I had the honor of bringing the turkeys back to his house in my mini van. They cheep, cheep, cheeped the entire ride home - noisy little buggers.

Above: this video was shot on March 31, the day we brought the turkeys home.

Turkeys Are Your Friend

A friend of mine asked me if we were raising the turkeys for our Thanksgiving dinner.

Here is my reply: "I sure hope not. I think I'll turn vegetarian. I can eat eggs from Dave's chickens but eating a turkey you raised from a chick would be like eating the family dog."

She replied back: LOL, okay. That's why I don't eat rabbit.

My reply: "We were looking at the rabbits today too. I used to have mini lops as pets growing up. I want to get another one, I miss not having any pets at my apartment. Had 2 dogs at the house when I was married. My bf has 1.25 acres in the boondocks, so far there are 6 chickens, 2 turkeys, 1 koi and 4 turtles in the pond. I'd like to add a bunny and guinea pig but he has allergies so negotiating where we wold put cage. But he said he'll build me the cage and buy me the bunny."

Above: this video was taken on April 3rd. The noise you hear in the background is Dave's 125 gallon salt water fish tank.

We Have Turkeys

Here is my posting to Facebook after we brought the turkeys home:

"We have turkeys. We'll, Dave bought them but I got to drive them to his house in my van. Noisy buggers, tweet, tweet, tweet. Guess they are too young for gobble gobble."

My mom asked if they were going to be pets, of if they were candidates for the fryer in November.

My answer to her: "I sure hope they aren't going in the fryer for Thanksgiving. I think I'll be able to eat eggs from his chickens (he has 6) but killing/eating a critter you helped raise is creepy. Turkeys will bond with their family and will become like guard turkeys for your property. I guess that means they will attack everyone else!?! All new to me."

Above: this is the most recent video I shot of our baby turkeys. The video was taken on Friday, April 13. Fly-turkey-fly! Time to make a lid out of wood scraps and wire to keep the dang turkeys from flying out of their temporary cage into the living room. Dave will eventually make them a cage and move them outside.

Congratulations, It's a Baby Turkey

I think the turkeys have bonded with me. Whenever I go to Dave's house, they know I am there. As soon as I step inside the house they start chirping very loudly. And they keep getting louder, and louder until I finally go over to their temporary cage to visit them. Cute little buggers. I pick them up and let them run around the living room for a few minutes before putting them back in their cage.

They also like it when I visit them in the living room while having a cup of coffee, I guess they can see me and it calms them down. How the heck did I become a turkey mom!?! My boyfriend thinks it's hilarious, as he's the one that bought the turkeys, but I'm the one that is spending all my time with them. He's turning me into a freaking red neck country girl - AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

Take care,
Lynn Smythe, AKA the Backyard Diva

Back Yard Diva is Back

Above: two varieties of blue bamboo, in 3 gallon pots, waiting to be transplanted into the landscaping.

Back Yard Diva Returns

After a 1 1/2 year hiatus, the Back Yard Diva blog is back. I let my domain name expire, so the old www.backyarddiva.net address is no longer available. The new URL for the blog is www.backyard-diva.com.

I started dating an old boyfriend a few months ago. He lives in the boondacks of West Palm Beach, in an area the locals refer to as the Acerage. If you look on a map, it says you are in Loxahatchee, but his official mailing address is West Palm Beach.

Above: Mr. Back Yard Diva deciding where to plant his new bamboo.

Plant a Tree or Two

My boyfriends house is on 1.25 acres of land, and there is an empty lot next to him, which we would like to purchase if the money fairy ever comes to visit. We are tossing around the idea of starting a nursery or some sort of garden related business.

He already has a small palm tree nursery on his current property. He has started to plant a few varieties of bamboo on his property, and is interested in propagating the bamboo so he can start to sell it to consumers. There are quite a few nurseries near my boyfriends house, so we want to make sure our products are unique so as not to compete with the established landscape businesses.

Above: Hawaiian bamboo with golden yellow stalks.

Garden Art Business

I am thinking of becoming a vendor at the Wellington Green Market next season. The green market, which is just a few miles away from my apartment, runs from November 2012 through April 2013. I am still trying to decide exactly what I want to sell. I am leaning either towards garden art type of crafts or selling a variety of herb plants.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe, AKA the Backyard Diva

6th Annual Southeast Women's Herbal Conference

I received a brochure in the mail, from Red Moon Herbs, about their 6th Annual Southeast Women's Herbal Conference. The conference is a weekend dedicated to the wise women tradition, earth-based healing, local plants and deep nourishment.

Above: Southeast Women's Herbal Conference Opening Circle

Herbal Conference Details

• 6th Annual Southeast Women's Herbal Conference
• October 1st through 3rd
• Camp Rockmont at Lake Eden
• Black Mountain, North Carolina

Herbal Vendors

30 vendors will be selling their merchandise, and promoting their services, throughout the duration of the conference. Vendors include:

• Appalachian School of Holistic Herbalism
• Ceramic Song 
• Coyote Moon Herb Farm
• Goddess Ware
• Isis Trading
• Red Moon Herbs
• Useful Plants Nursery

Above: Southeast Women's Herbal Conference Organizers:
(left to right) Lee Warren, Programming
Corinna Wood, Director
Ema Carmona, Coordinator

Additional Information

Website: www.sewisewomen.com

The conference is presented by Red Moon Herbs.

PRESS RELEASE

Black Mountain, NC – Women from across the Southeast will gather at the 6^th annual Southeast Women’s Herbal Conference on October 1-3, at Lake Eden in scenic Black Mountain, NC. With over 60 classes by more than 30 teachers, the weekend focuses on herbal education, nourishing foods, wholistic sexuality, and ecology. The conference, which has grown to over 600 participants over the last five years, will host special guest author, and internationally renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar.

 

Workshops range from beginner to advanced and cover topics such as herb walks, storytelling, classic kitchen remedies, drumming, seasonal living, self-esteem.

The weekend is designed for women to learn, connect, and deepen into the Wise Woman Tradition, which organizers describe as simple living, earth-based healing, and local plants. “Women are hungry for this knowledge. The conference offers an opportunity for them to steep themselves in teachings which encourage them to take charge of their health and their lives,” says conference Director Corinna Wood.

 

Cost for the conference is $240 until August 20^th and $275 thereafter with additional costs for meals, lodging, and intensives. The conference has applied for continuing education credits for nurses. www.sewisewomen.com  877-SEWOMEN.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

Herb and Small Scale Farming Magazine Recommendations

Here are a few magazine recommendations for anyone into gardening, small scale farming or herbs. I have subscribed to most of the magazines, at some point during the past few years. My magazine subscriptions are limited to just a few magazines per year, so I usually rotate my subscriptions around each year.

I have written articles in the past for Back Home and The Herb Quarterly.

Back Home

• 6 issue per year
• Focuses on do-it-yourself information on sustainable, self reliant living, including growing and cooking with herbs.
• www.backhomemagazine.com

Hobby Farms

• 6 issues per year
• A magazine for rural enthusiasts; small farm equipment, livestock, crops
• Published by Bow Tie, Inc.
• www.hobbyfarms.com

Hobby Farm Home

• 6 issues per year
• Highlights farmhouse activities such as cooking, crafting and pet care
• Published by Bow Tie, Inc.
• www.hobbyfarms.com/hobby-farm-home.aspx

Mother Earth News

• 6 issues per year
• Focuses on herbs, gardening, small scale farming, organic foods, country living, renewable energy
• Published by Ogden Publications
• www.motherearthnews.com

Organic Gardening

• 12 issues per year
• Organic gardening, cooking, small scale farming
• Published by Rodale, Inc.
• www.organicgardening.com
  

The Herb Companion

• 6 issues per year
• Focuses on gardening and cooking with herbs
• Published by Ogden Publications
• www.herbcompanion.com

The Herb Quarterly

• 4 issues per year
• Focuses on growing herbs, cooking with herbs, medicinal herbs, folklore of herbs
• Published by EGW Publishing Company
• www.herbquarterly.com

Urban Farm

• 4 issues per year
• Focuses on sustainable city living, local food movement, urban farming
• Available at newsstands only, not available by subscription
• Published by Fancy Publications

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

How-to Make Homemade Facial Treatments

Image:  [John Feeney]/Saudi Aramco World/PADIA

Facials
A facial refers to any type of cosmetic treatment meant to be used on the face such as a facial steam or scrub. Facials help to improve the appearance of your skin by removing dirt and debris from your pores.

Steam facial:

1. Fill a large bowl with boiling water.
2. Add 2-4 drops of essential oil to the water.
3. Place your face a few inches above the water then cover your head with a towel to keep the steam from escaping.
4. If you get too hot lift the towel to get some fresh air.
5. Place the towel back over your head and continue steaming and venting until the water cools down and has stopped steaming.
6. At the conclusion of the facial splash your face with cool water then pat dry with a soft towel.
7. You may want to apply a toner to your face at the conclusion of the facial to help close the pores of your skin.
8. If you have dry skin, you may want to apply a light lotion to your face after completing the facial.

Essential oils to use for oily skin:

Lemon, peppermint, rose geranium, rosemary, tea tree, ylang ylang

Essential oils to use for dry skin:

Lemon, orange, rosemary, lavender, rose, sandalwood

Floral Facial scrub:

• 2 tablespoons dried lavender petals
• 2 tablespoons dried rose petals
• 2 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers
• ½ cup oatmeal
• 1/3 cup uncooked brown rice

Directions for Floral Facial Scrub

1. Place the flowers and oatmeal into a coffee grinder and grind to a medium fine consistency, then pour out into a bowl.
2. Add the rice to the coffee grinder and grind to a find consistency.
3. Pour the ground rice into the ground oatmeal and herb mixture and stir until well blended.
4. To store this mixture pour it into a container with a tight fitting lid.
5. To use as a facial place 2 tablespoons of the scrub into a small muslin bag.
6. Tie the bag closed with a piece of string.
7. Briefly soak the bag in warm water to thoroughly wet the mixture then use it to scrub all over your face.
8. Rinse your face a final time with cool water then pat dry with a soft cloth.
9. This is a great way to help slough off dead, dry skin cells and will impart a more radiant and youthful glow to your complexion.
10. This recipe may also be used as a body scrub while taking a bath or shower.

Gels

Gels can be used as a general facial tonic to help moisturize and sooth your skin. Gels are gentle enough to be used on the delicate skin around your neck and chest area.

Moisturizing gel:

• 1 tablespoon slippery elm powder
• 5 ounces rose water or plain water
• 10 drops rose geranium essential oil

Directions for Moisturizing Gel

1. Mix the slippery elm powder with the rose water or plain water and place in an enamel or glass pan.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes stirring continuously while the gel thickens.
3. Remove the pan from the heat and pour the gel into a glass bowl.
4. Let the gel cool down to room temperature, which will take approximately 30 minutes, then stir in the essential oil.
5. Apply the gel to your face and neck area.
6. Let the gel remain in place for 5-10 minutes then rinse off with water and a soft washcloth.
7. Store any leftover gel in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

How-to Make a Facial Toner

Toners
Toners are meant for external use only and have the consistency of water. Witch hazel is a common ingredient to use when making your own toners. It can be found in pharmacies in one pint bottles as a mixture of 86% witch hazel extract and 14% alcohol and is for external use only. Use witch hazel as a skin astringent, facial cleanser and for the relief of minor skin irritations due to insect bites, minor cuts and minor scrapes.

Floral toner:

• ½ cup rose infusion
• ½ cup witch hazel
• 5 drops lavender essential oil

Mix all the ingredients together and pour into a glass or plastic bottle. Apply the toner to your face using a cotton ball. Toners can be used to help remove makeup and gently cleanse the skin of your face.

Cooling Toner:

Mix ½ cup of a strong peppermint infusion with ½ cup of witch hazel. Place the resulting liquid into a small spray bottle. Place this toner in the refrigerator and use it to spray all over your body to help cool you down whenever you come inside after being in the hot summer sun. Shake the bottle well before using and be sure to avoid spraying near your eyes.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva