Summer is coming up fast, which means lots of fun in the sun and nighttime campfires. The one thing that always sends people packing back inside are mosquitoes! Keep these pests at bay by planting these 8 plants in your garden! Growing plants such as rosemary and lavender is a great and all-natural way to keep mosquitoes away. If you’re worried about harsh chemicals from sprays, going all-natural is the way to go! Take a look at our list of 8 plants below and pick out your favorite!

1. Rosemary

Not only is rosemary a great herb to use in the kitchen, it also keeps nasty mosquitoes away! Rosemary is a hardy plant that requires little water and lots of sun.

2. Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal flowers look great as a groundcover and they can also be used in the kitchen! It works well in many fish dishes if you’re looking for a special boost of flavor. Butterflies love Pennyroyal – they just can’t seem to stay away!

3. Lavender

Lavender is also an all-natural mosquito repellant! Lavender is an easy plant to grow, and requires well-draining soil and lots of sun. It also makes a great tea!

4. Basil

We all know that basil is the star in every tomato sauce, but did you know that it repels mosquitoes, too? Basil will thrive if you live in a hot and dry climate, and it needs well-draining soil and lots of sunlight.

5. Peppermint

Many bugs hate the smell of peppermint, which is great news for us since peppermint is an herb that is a must-have in any garden and kitchen! Use it to make tea, soothe mosquito bites, or add it to your lemonade!

6. Citronella

Citronella is a common ingredient in most store-bought mosquito repellants. It’s a tall grass that can grow up to 6 feet tall and works great in a climate without frost. If you live in an area with frost, you can simply plant it in a pot and bring it inside during cold weather.

7. Horsemint

Horsemint grows quickly and loves the shade. It loves sandy soil and its leaves can be used to make a delicious tea.

8. Catnip

For the cat lovers out there, planting catnip is a must! Catnip is a member of the mint family and is super easy to grow. It’s drought tolerant and not only keeps mosquitoes away, but also flies, termites, and cockroaches!

Photos: Deux Dilettantes, Wikipedia, Parfait Image, Everything Lavender, My Everyday Oils, Rawyaelgammal, Garden Guides, Img Arcade, My Medicine Woman.

This vegetarian delight is stacked high with fresh veggies, herbs, 3 kinds of cheese, baby greens, and a delicious tomato-basil sauce. Pair it with an arugula salad and a simple olive oil and balsamic dressing. This lasagna is a no-brainer to put together – it only looks complicated! Impress your guests with this lasagna that they won’t soon forget!

Stacked Vegetarian Lasagna Pie

Serves 10

Ingredients

• 14 dried lasagna noodles
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped carrots (3 medium carrots)
• 2 cups finely chopped zucchini (1 medium zucchini)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 3 cups sliced fresh mushrooms (8 ounces)
• 2 6 ounce packages baby spinach
• 2 tbsp fresh basil (or dried)
• 1 egg (beaten)
• 1 15 ounce carton ricotta cheese
• 1/3 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 26 ounce jar tomato-basil pasta sauce (about 2 1/2 cups)
• 2 cups shredded Italian Fontina or mozzarella cheese (8 ounces)
• Rosemary sprigs (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Cook your lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain noodles and rinse with cold water. Drain once more and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add in carrots, zucchini, and half of the garlic. Cook for 5 minutes, or until veggies are crisp and tender. Transfer the veggies to a bowl and add the remaining oil to the same skillet and heat again on medium-high heat. Add in mushrooms and remaining garlic. Cook for 5 minutes or until tender. Gradually add in spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes. Transfer the mushroom mixture to a bowl. Stir in basil and set aside.
3. In a bowl, stir together the egg, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
4. Spread 1/2 cup of the pasta sauce on the bottom of a 9×3 springform pan. Arrange 3-4 cooked noodles over the sauce to create 1 layer. Top the layer with half of the spinach-mushroom mixture. Add half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the spinach mixture. Add another layer of noodles. Spread over half of the remaining tomato sauce. Top with all of the vegetable mixture. Sprinkle half the Fontina cheese over the vegetable mixture. Add another layer of noodles. Layer the remaining spinach-mushroom mixture and remaining ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a layer of noodles and the rest of the sauce.
5. Place the pan on a baking sheet lined with foil. Bake for 45 minutes. When the time is up, sprinkle with the remaining Fontina cheese and bake 15 minutes more. Take the pie out and cover and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Remove the side of the pan and cut into wedges. Garnish with rosemary sprigs (optional).

Photo and recipe: BHG.

We love using spices and herbs! From simple oregano and basil to nutmeg and saffron, there are many to choose from. There are spices and herbs that are common in every day dishes that we use almost every day. If you’re wondering which to stock up on, read our list!

1. Oregano

Oregano is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine, and it’s mostly used on pizza, as well as tomato sauce. Due to its strong flavor, oregano is best paired with other bold flavors to keep it from dominating the dish.

2. Basil

Just like oregano, basil is a staple spice that’s added to sauces and topped on pizza. Basil goes best with tomato dishes. Basil can also be paired with meats, fish, and salads.

3. Rosemary

Just as you would with oregano, rosemary is best paired with bold flavors since it has a bold flavor itself. You can remove the leaves from the stems and just add them like that to your dish, or you can chop them up to release the oils and thus more flavor.

4. Cinnamon

Cinnamon can be used as a natural food preservative due to its ability to stop mold from growing. It can be used in savoy and sweet dishes like chili, beef brisket, or pumpkin pie.

5. Black Pepper

Black pepper is the most widely used spice in the world. Dishes with a cream sauce may require white pepper, which is a milder version than black pepper. Black pepper is usually added after the dish has been cooked.

6. Sage

Because of its minty taste, sage is often used in sauces for meant entrees like pork chops, chicken breasts, and turkey. It also goes well with squash and pumpkin.

7. Bay Leaves

Bay leaves were used by the ancient Greeks, and it’s commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine. Bay leaves can be used in soups, meat stews, seafood dishes, and vegetable dishes.

8. Paprika

Paprika is a common spice used in the Balkans, Morocco, and even South Africa. It can be used in stews such as goulash, and it is also used in preparation of sausages. Paprika also goes well with tomato dishes, and in chili.

9. Onion Powder

Onion powder is simply ground onion with salt. You can use it in pasta dishes, pizza, and on grilled chicken.

10. Nutmeg

Nutmeg goes great in stuffings and sausages. It also pairs well with lamb, veal, and pumpkin.

Photos: Wikimedia, Evo Marketplace, Gourmandistan, Rhinobutt, Jones Garden, Free Food Photos, Amoils, Gujarat, Cooks.ndtv, Your Med Guide.

We’ve decided to ditch the store-bought deodorizers in favor of natural, home-made ones. Free of any toxic chemicals, they’re completely safe for you and your pets. These natural home deodorizers can be made in almost any combination. Simply add the ingredients (cut any fruit into slices ) to a pot and fill 3/4 of the way with water. Bring to a boil, then lower the temperature down to a simmer. Leave the scent to simmer for a few hours, adding water as needed. If you like, you can use a crock pot instead of using the stove. You can also freeze the scents for future use. Remember, there are no measurements in these recipes! Experiment a little to find which scent suits you best.

Here are a few recipes to get you started:

1. Cinnamon sticks, orange rinds, apple peels, and whole cloves.

2. A few drops of vanilla and orange peels.

3. Lime, coconut oil, and vanilla.

4. Oranges, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and vanilla.

5. Rosemary, lavender, and lemon.

6. Cedar twigs.

7. Lemon, black peppercorns, and basil.

8. Earl Grey tea and vanilla extract.

9. Lemon, peppermint extract, and rosemary.

10. Orange and almond extract.

Photos: Day Break Houses, Eliza Domestica, A Joyful Dwelling.