In Good Thyme - by Mariana Graham

Q: Thanks for your great article of April 4 about replacing garden chemicals. Do you know of any booklets or books that would make it easier to find and make up the natural products? Thanks for any help.

Don Conrad
A: Thank you for the compliment, Don. I'm not aware of a publication dedicated solely to creating natural garden products at home. I've seen ads for books and newsletters with instructions for formulating garden cocktails of beer, shampoo, and other household products, but I can't say how safe, effective or "organic" these concoctions are, and as a WSU Master Gardener, I can't endorse them. Personally, I find lots of solid, trustworthy information and helpful tips in Organic Gardening magazine. It's parent company, Rodale, has been a champion of natural gardening since 1930, long before most of us knew what the term "organic gardening" meant. Rodale Press offers a number of books on chemical-free gardening through its on-line bookstore. Find it at www.organicgardening.com.

MORE ON EDIBLE FLOWERS
The column that ran on May 9 on the subject of edible flowers generated many questions on exactly which flowers are edible. Ironically, a few days after the column was printed, a group of us met for dinner at a very nice local restaurant. Our platters were artistically presented with a rhododendron blossom on each plate. None of us were inclined to nibble the pretty decoration, and had we done so, eating a single rhodie blossom wouldn't have killed us. Still, it's probably not a good idea to use an inedible flower as garnish. You can't assume that people won't eat it.

So for those who have stopped me in the supermarket aisle, the deli, and the art gallery to ask whether this or that flower is safe, the blossoms listed here are non-toxic and are widely available. Flavors vary according to soil, growing environment and personal taste. This list covers blossoms only, not other parts of the plant, which may be inedible. v Never eat flowers that may have been treated with pesticides or herbicides, or those that have been raised commercially as ornamentals. If you're allergy prone, it would be prudent to leave flower-eating to the deer and rabbits. If the flower in question isn't listed here, check for toxicity before tasting; www.poison.org is a good on-line reference.

Edible flowers include: Allium, anise hyssop, apple blossom (in moderation), apricot petals, arugula, balloon flower, bachelor's button (petals only), bean blossom, bee balm, begonia (annual and tuberose varieties), borage (in moderation), calendula, carnation, chamomile, chervil, chicory, chives, chrysanthemum (blanch petals to remove bitterness); citrus blossom, clover, corn poppy, crab apple, dandelion (when young), daylily (in moderation), dianthus, dill, elderberry, English daisy.
Fennel, fuchsia, geranium, ginger, gladiolus, hibiscus, hollyhock (buds), honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica only), hosta (buds), hyacinth, impatiens, johnny jump-up (in moderation), lavender, lilac, lovage, mallow (Malva moschata, Malva sylvestris), marigold "Lemon Gem" and "Tangerine Gem", mint, monarda (same as bee balm), nasturtium. Pansy; peach, pear and plum blossoms, peony, pineapple sage, perennial (not annual) phlox; primrose, rose, rosemary, sage, scarlet runner bean, scented geranium, squash, strawberry, sunflower (best in bud stage), sweet woodruff (in moderation), thyme, tulip, violet, yucca (petals only).

PRETTY POISON
Remember studying ancient history in high school? Okay, it was a while ago, but you probably recall the description of how Socrates was murdered. It's said that he was given a lethal cocktail of poison hemlock juice. Surprisingly, poison hemlock (not related to the evergreen hemlock tree) is a common weed in the Pacific Northwest. And yes, it's just as deadly today as it was in 399 B.C. During a recent Master Gardener Plant Clinic at the Coupeville Farmers Market, a man related that he thought he might have the stuff in his garden but wasn't sure how to identify it. Unfortunately, this member of the parsley family is often allowed to grow freely and multiply because it resembles several other harmless plants.

In next Wednesday's column, we'll discuss poison hemlock; how to positively identify this attractive but lethal weed and how to destroy it.
Garden questions or comments? Call 675-6611, e-mail wnt@whidbey.net. Mariana Graham is a Master Gardener and member of Garden Writers Association of America.

MASTER GARDENER CLINICS (click on picture)
Master Gardener plant clinics are being held at various Island locations throughout the summer. On the North end, bring questions and plant samples to The Greenhouse Nursery each Saturday in July from 9 a.m. to noon, Cenex on Aug. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or the Navy Exchange Garden Shop June 30th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In Central Whidbey, it's at the Coupeville Farmers Market each Saturday through the end of July from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. South end clinics include Freeland Ace Hardware from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 23, July 28, Aug. 25 and Sept. 22. You can also find Master Gardeners at South Whidbey Tilth on July 7, Aug. 4, and Sept. 1 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Clinics are held at Bayview Farm and Garden June 30th, July 7, 14, 21, 28; Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25. Clinics may be scheduled at other locations when volunteers and resource materials are available. 'Can't make it to a plant clinic? Call the Master Gardener hotline (360) 679-7327 each Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through the end of September.