How I Got Rid of Hashimoto’s For Good
I recently shared how I reversed my Hashimoto’s and naturally healed my thyroid, and many of you were curious how. In this post, I’m sharing a full thyroid update and walking you through my Hashimoto’s healing journey. But before we start, please keep in mind that everyone is different and what works for me may […]
Continue reading How I Got Rid of Hashimoto’s For Good…
10 Best Plants for a Bog Filter
Imagine turning your pond into a self-cleaning, crystal-clear oasis—just by letting the right plants do the work.
Crystal-clear pond water doesn’t just magically appear—it needs a balanfced ecosystem where nutrients, oxygen, and waste are all in harmony. A bog filter is one of the coolest, most natural ways to make that happen, using aquatic plants to clean the water like champs.
Unlike clunky mechanical or chemical filters, bog filters vibe with nature instead of fighting it. They lean on wetland vibes to clear out gunk with a living, breathing system.
The plants are the real MVPs here—hardworking, easy to care for, and nice to look at. But you’ve gotta pick the right ones to nail the results.
What Is a Bog Filter and How Does It Work?
A bog filter is a natural, eco-friendly filtration system for ponds that uses aquatic plants and a gravel bed to purify water, mimicking the processes of a wetland.
As mentioned above, it’s a low-maintenance, sustainable alternative to mechanical or chemical filters, working in harmony with nature to keep pond water crystal-clear.
How It Works?
Bog filters leverage nature’s own processes—plants and microbes naturally cleanse water in wetlands, and this system replicates that.
It reduces the need for frequent maintenance, cuts down on chemical use, and creates a thriving habitat for both plants and pond life. Choosing the right plants and ensuring proper water flow are key to making it effective.
- Structure: A bog filter is typically a shallow, gravel-filled basin or section of the pond (often 10-30% of the pond’s surface area) that’s separated from the main pond but connected via a pump or water flow system.
- Water Flow: Pond water is pumped or gravity-fed into the bog filter, where it slowly percolates through layers of gravel and plant roots.
- Plant Power: Aquatic plants, like watercress, pickerelweed, or cattails, are rooted in the gravel. Their roots absorb excess nutrients (like nitrates and phosphates) and trap organic waste, preventing algae growth and water cloudiness.
- Microbial Magic: Beneficial bacteria colonize the gravel and plant roots, breaking down pollutants, ammonia, and fish waste into less harmful compounds.
- Clean Water Return: The filtered water flows back into the pond, refreshed and balanced, maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
Key Components of a Bog Filter:
- Gravel bed: Acts as a medium for beneficial bacteria and root stabilization.
- Aquatic plants: Extract nutrients (nitrates, phosphates, ammonia) from the water.
- Slow water movement: Ensures maximum contact between water, plants, and microbes.
- Mechanical pre-filter (optional): Prevents large debris from clogging the bog.
How It Benefits Your Pond?
A bog filter brings a bunch of awesome benefits to your pond, making it healthier, clearer, and easier to maintain. Here’s how:
- Crystal-Clear Water: The plants and beneficial bacteria in the bog filter suck up excess nutrients like nitrates and phosphates, starving out algae and keeping your water sparkling clean.
- Low Maintenance: Unlike mechanical filters that need constant cleaning or chemical treatments, bog filters are pretty much set-it-and-forget-it once established, saving you time and hassle.
- Eco-Friendly: It’s a natural system that works with nature, not against it, so you’re not dumping chemicals into your pond or relying on energy-hungry equipment.
- Boosts Ecosystem Health: The plants and microbes create a balanced environment, breaking down fish waste and pollutants, which keeps your fish and other pond critters happy and healthy.
- Adds Beauty: Those hardworking aquatic plants like watercress or pickerelweed look gorgeous, turning your filter into a lush, natural feature that enhances your pond’s vibe.
- Cost-Effective: Once set up, bog filters are cheap to maintain—no pricey filter replacements or chemicals needed, just nature doing its thing.
10 Best Plants for a Bog Filter
These aquatic plants are the MVPs of bog filters, naturally cleaning pond water by absorbing excess nutrients and trapping waste, all while adding beauty to your setup. Pick the right ones, and your pond will stay clear and healthy with minimal effort.
1. Pickerelweed
With its upright spikes of violet-blue flowers, Pickerelweed is as functional as it is beautiful. Native to North America, this marginal aquatic plant thrives in shallow water up to 6 inches deep and blooms from summer into early fall.
Why It Works: Its roots penetrate deep into the gravel, absorbing excess nitrogen and phosphates that would otherwise feed algae. It also provides shelter for frogs and beneficial insects.
Growing Conditions:
- Sun: Full sun to partial shade
- Water depth: 1–6 inches
- Height: 2–3 feet
- Zones: 3–10
2. Water Iris (Iris pseudacorus, Iris versicolor)
Water irises add striking vertical foliage and spring blooms in shades of yellow, blue, or purple. While Iris pseudacorus (Yellow Flag) is widely used, it’s invasive in many areas—choose Iris versicolor (Blue Flag) instead for a native, safe option.
Why It Works: Irises are nitrate hogs, removing large amounts of nutrients quickly. Their dense, fibrous roots also help prevent erosion and trap debris.
Growing Conditions:
- Sun: Full sun
- Water depth: Moist soil to 4 inches
- Height: 2–4 feet
- Zones: 4–9
3. Creeping Jenny
This fast-spreading groundcover has cheerful golden foliage and small yellow blooms. It cascades beautifully over rocks and gravel, creating a lush carpet in the bog filter.
Why It Works: It smothers weeds, covers bare gravel, and absorbs nutrients quickly. It also helps reduce algae growth by shading water and minimizing exposed surfaces.
Growing Conditions:
- Sun: Full sun to part shade
- Water depth: Moist soil to 1 inch
- Height: 2–4 inches
- Zones: 3–9
4. Marsh Marigold
One of the first pond plants to flower in spring, Marsh Marigold brightens bog filters with its shiny, buttercup-like flowers and glossy foliage. It prefers cool, wet environments and disappears in heat but returns each spring.
Why It Works: Its early-season growth kickstarts the bog’s filtration when other plants are still dormant.
Growing Conditions:
- Sun: Full sun to partial shade
- Water depth: Moist soil to 2 inches
- Height: 8–18 inches
- Zones: 3–7
5. Horsetail Rush
A prehistoric-looking plant with bamboo-like stems, Horsetail Rush is a dramatic vertical accent in bog gardens. It’s durable and spreads by underground rhizomes.
Why It Works: Its roots are efficient at trapping fine sediments and absorbing nutrients. It’s also deer-resistant and thrives in poor soil.
Growing Conditions:
- Sun: Full sun to part shade
- Water depth: Moist to 4 inches
- Height: 2–4 feet
- Zones: 4–9
Note: Can be aggressive—contain with edging or containers in the bog.
6. Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia)
This North American native features arrow-shaped leaves and tall white flower spikes. It grows in shallow water and is often found along streambanks.
Why It Works: Its broad leaves and strong roots make it a champion at filtering water. It also offers excellent habitat for pollinators and amphibians.
Growing Conditions:
- Sun: Full sun
- Water depth: 1–6 inches
- Height: 2–3 feet
- Zones: 3–10
7. Blue Flag Iris
A native iris ideal for bog filters, this species produces showy blue-purple flowers in late spring and is beloved by bees and butterflies.
Why It Works: Like other irises, Blue Flag removes heavy metals and excess nutrients while anchoring gravel with tough root systems.
Growing Conditions:
- Sun: Full sun to partial shade
- Water depth: Moist to 4 inches
- Height: 2–3 feet
- Zones: 5–9
8. Cardinal Flower
This native wildflower is famous for its fiery red blooms that attract hummingbirds. It thrives in wet soil but can handle shallow water as well.
Why It Works: Fast-growing and nutrient-hungry, it helps prevent nutrient overload while adding visual drama.
Growing Conditions:
- Sun: Full sun to partial shade
- Water depth: Moist soil to 1 inch
- Height: 2–4 feet
- Zones: 3–9
9. Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus)
Often confused with ornamental grasses, Sweet Flag has sword-like leaves and a pleasant aroma when crushed. It’s easy to grow in shallow water.
Why It Works: It oxygenates water, absorbs pollutants, and spreads gently. A fantastic filler plant in any bog.
Growing Conditions:
- Sun: Full sun to partial shade
- Water depth: Moist soil to 2 inches
- Height: 1–3 feet
- Zones: 4–11
10. Taro (Colocasia esculenta)
For a bold, tropical look, few plants match the size and impact of Taro. Its massive leaves shade the bog, helping control algae.
Why It Works: Heavy feeder that absorbs vast amounts of nutrients. Excellent at shading shallow areas to reduce evaporation.
Growing Conditions:
- Sun: Full sun to partial shade
- Water depth: Moist to 4 inches
- Height: 3–6 feet
- Zones: 8–11 (annual in cooler zones)
Planting & Maintenance Tips for Your Bog Filter
1. Use Washed Gravel
Avoid soil—it clogs water flow. Use pea gravel or expanded clay for better drainage and root penetration.
2. Plant Sparingly (at First)
Start with small transplants spaced 12–18 inches apart. Most plants will spread quickly.
3. Prune Regularly
Dead foliage can rot and release nutrients back into the water. Trim back in fall or early spring.
4. Prevent Overgrowth
Fast-spreaders like Horsetail or Creeping Jenny should be contained with edging or root barriers.
5. Balance Plant Types
Include a mix of bloomers, spreaders, and vertical plants for aesthetics and filtration coverage.
How deep should a bog filter be?
Most bogs are 6–12 inches deep. Deeper areas may reduce plant root oxygenation.
How long until the bog filter starts working?
A pump is essential for moving water through the gravel bed. Still water won’t be filtered effectively.
Conclusion
If you’re serious about water clarity and pond health, a bog filter is a game-changer—and the right plants are the key to its success. By choosing water-loving, nutrient-hungry species like Pickerelweed, Iris, and Arrowhead, you create a living, breathing water filter that not only purifies your pond but also adds unmatched beauty and biodiversity.
So go ahead—let plants do the heavy lifting, and watch your pond come alive.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting
Here’s why RFK Jr.’s shakeup of the CDC’s vaccine panel matters : Shots
A group of medical experts that advise the CDC largely determine which vaccines people should receive, what gets covered by insurance and which shots are made available free of charge to millions of low-income children.
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Until this week, it’s likely many people hadn’t heard much about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory panel.
But the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, plays a key role in determining which vaccines children and adults receive, what gets covered by insurance and which shots are made available free of charge to millions of low-income children. So the panel’s decisions ultimately affect the health of all Americans.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took the unprecedented step of dismissing all 17 members of the panel on Monday. Two days later, he announced the names of eight of the people he has chosen to replace them.
Several of Kennedy’s new selections for the panel rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they criticized government policies on school closures and lockdowns, and the mRNA vaccines. One, Vicky Pebsworth, has served on the board of the National Vaccine Information Center — an advocacy group that warns against vaccine risks.
Some immunization and infectious disease specialists worry that the newly constituted committee is skeptical of vaccines and could vote to downgrade the importance of some shots, and ultimately make it more difficult for families to get them.
“I am very concerned,” says Dr. Walter Orenstein, who served as director of the U.S. immunization program at the CDC from 1988 to 2004 and is now professor emeritus of infectious diseases at Emory University School of Medicine. “I have spent a career of more than 50 years in vaccinology, and I have never seen the names of most of those people.”
Dr. Sean O’Leary, chair of the Committee on Infectious Diseases for the American Academy of Pediatrics, calls the changes to ACIP a “disaster.”
“Imagine if you took all the air traffic controllers in the U.S. and just fired them and you replaced them with people that not only didn’t really know how to be air traffic controllers, but several of them didn’t even believe in flying,” he says.
In a statement, HHS defended Kennedy’s choices for the committee, saying they are “highly credentialed doctors, scientists, and public health experts committed to evidence-based medicine, gold standard science, and common sense.”
The statement said that the group “will demand definitive safety and efficacy data for any new vaccine recommendations,” and that they will review the current vaccine schedule.
Recommendations that affect insurance coverage
The members of ACIP meet at least three times a year to sift through the scientific data on vaccines and determine which ones are recommended for different age groups. If the CDC approves ACIP’s recommendations, that can lead to a vaccine becoming part of the official immunization schedule for children and adults.
It also means insurance has to pay for it. Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurers are required to cover all ACIP-recommended vaccines.
ACIP’s recommendations also determine which vaccines get covered by the Vaccines for Children program, a federally funded initiative that provides free access to low-income and underinsured children. Around half of all children in the U.S. are eligible for free vaccines from the program, says Orenstein.
That means any changes to the vaccines recommended by ACIP “would be a major potential barrier to access for vaccines for a substantial proportion of the children in this country if they took it from a vaccine off of the schedule,” Orenstein says.
He helped launch the Vaccines for Children program in the aftermath of a huge measles resurgence from 1989 to 1991 that resulted in tens of thousands of cases and over 120 deaths. Many of the kids who got sick had not been vaccinated because their families couldn’t afford it.
ACIP’s recommendations often help guide which immunizations are required for school entry.
Guidance that influences how doctors practice
The wording of the committee’s recommendations matters too. A routine recommendation calls for all people within a given age or risk group to get a specific vaccine, unless there is a medical reason not to. But ACIP can also choose to recommend a vaccine under what’s called shared clinical decision-making – which means a doctor and a patient decide together if it makes sense.
“Generally, we don’t really like shared clinical decision-making because it makes it less of a priority for clinicians to talk to their patients about a vaccine,” says Dr. Michelle Fiscus, a pediatrician and chief medical officer for the Association of Immunization Managers.
It also makes it harder to have a clear, direct conversation with families, says O’Leary, of the American Academy of Pediatrics, who is also a professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
“What I’ve heard anecdotally from pediatricians is, what [families will] say is, well, you guys are the experts. If you can’t figure out what the right thing to do is, you know, how do you expect us to do that in a ten-minute office visit?” O’Leary says.
That designation can also make it less likely that a medical provider will keep a vaccine in stock, he says. O’Leary notes that most pediatricians and many other health care providers in the U.S. participate in the Vaccines for Children program and are required to keep routinely recommended vaccines in stock. But that’s not the case when a vaccine is recommended under shared clinical-decision making.
“Already it’s very challenging for a lot of mostly family medicine physicians in rural areas to stock vaccines because it financially is very challenging for them,” O’Leary says.
He says recommending a vaccine under shared clinical decision-making could potentially make it less available, especially in rural areas.
The CDC’s recently changed the recommendations on COVID vaccines for children to shared clinical decision-making, and O’Leary says that has already sown confusion among parents and pediatricians alike. He worries that, if the new ACIP moves more vaccines to that designation, it will “sow distrust in the process.”
“It makes it look like these vaccines aren’t important and these vaccines are very important. They save lives every day,” he says.
How to Grow and Care for Mickey Mouse Plants
Ochna serrulata
With its glossy green foliage, cheerful yellow blossoms, and striking fruit display, the Mickey Mouse plant (Ochna serrulata) is suited to cultivation in Zones 9 to 11.
Native to South Africa, this semi-evergreen shrub is also known as bird’s eye bush, carnival ochna, and small-leaved plane.
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Why the whimsical name?
As the yellow flowers fade, they’re followed by red petal-like sepals and glossy black berries, resembling the classic cartoon character’s yellow shoes, black ears, and red pants.
Read on to learn how to grow and care for Mickey Mouse shrubs in your landscape.
O. serrulata puts on a decorative display from late spring to fall.
The shrubs have a loose, irregular growth habit. Elliptical green leaves alternate along branching stems dotted with respiratory pores called lenticels, giving the bark a spotted appearance.
Five-petaled, fragrant yellow flowers appear briefly in spring.
As the petals fall, the green sepals enlarge and turn bright red, encasing the young green drupes that mature into shiny black berries by late summer.
The shrubs are semi-evergreen and may drop some leaves at season’s end in the cooler parts of their hardiness range.
Mickey Mouse plant is a slow-growing species with the potential to become invasive and has done so in parts of Australia and New Zealand as well as Hawai’i.
The Hawai‘i-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment rates it as “High Risk,” indicating significant potential for ecological disruption.
Note also that it is toxic to people and pets if ingested.
Quick Look
Common name(s): Mickey Mouse plant, bird’s eye bush, carnival ochna, small-leaved plane
Plant type: Semi-evergreen shrub
Hardiness (USDA Zone): 9-11
Native to: South Africa
Bloom time / season: Late spring to fall
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil type: Average, well-draining loam
Soil pH: 5.5-6.5, slightly acidic
Time to maturity: 3 years
Mature size: 4-8 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
Best uses: Specimen, hedging, container
Taxonomy
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Ochnaceae
Genus: Ochna
Species: Serrulata
Other, less commonly cultivated Ochna species include O. natalitia, aka Mickey Mouse bush, and Natal or showy plane.
This species differs from O. serrulata, having larger leaves that emerge red in the spring and slightly larger yellow flowers.
Expect mature heights of four to eight feet with a spread of three to four feet.
Mickey Mouse plants work well as ornamental specimens, naturalize readily, and make attractive informal hedges when multiple are planted together, spaced three to four feet apart.
How to Grow
Mickey Mouse plant is relatively easy to cultivate when its basic requirements are met. It thrives in warm, humid environments that mimic its native subtropical South African habitat.
Climate
This shrub flourishes in temperatures ranging between 59 and 97°F during the growing season.
It can tolerate temperatures as low as 28°F in winter but may experience leaf drop or dieback.
In areas prone to frost, consider providing protection or cultivating Mickey Mouse plant in containers that can be moved indoors during colder months.
Light
Choose a location with full sun to partial shade. In the warmest regions, an understory placement with the dappled sunlight penetrating the foliage of taller shrubs and trees can help to avoid leaf scorch.
While Mickey Mouse plant can tolerate some shade, insufficient light may lead to reduced flowering and fruiting.
Soil
The soil should be moisture-retentive, well-draining average loam. A slightly acidic to neutral pH between 5.5 and 6.5 is ideal.
Water
Maintain consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. Water Mickey Mouse plants when the top inch of soil feels dry, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged.
Once established, O. serrulata exhibits moderate drought tolerance but benefits from regular watering during prolonged dry periods.
Fertilizing
Mickey Mouse isn’t a heavy feeder, so avoid overfertilizing, which can damage roots and stems.
If your soil is poor, work in a few handfuls of compost at planting time to improve nutrition and drainage.
Each spring, you can top-dress with compost or apply a slow-release granular fertilizer with a 5-10-5 (NPK) ratio to support blooming and fruit development.
Keep the product away from the base of the shrub to avoid stem burn.
Where to Buy
Mickey Mouse plant is not commonly available through mainstream nurseries or large online retailers.
You will most likely find it in specialty nurseries in the appropriate growing zones or from plant enthusiasts.
You can find Mickey Mouse plants available from 9EzTropical via Amazon in six-inch pots.
Maintenance
Prune after fruiting to shape the specimen into a compact, multi-branching shrub or single-trunked small tree.
Avoid removing more than one-third of the total volume at any one time to avoid shock.
You can also perform light trimming during the growing season to remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches as needed.
Pluck and dispose of seedlings that pop up in unwanted places in the spring.
Propagation
You can propagate these shrubs from seeds or via stem cuttings. The easiest way to get started is to transplant a nursery start.
From Seed
Purchase seeds or collect the fruits from an existing Mickey Mouse plant when they turn black and crinkly.
You can remove the seeds from the fruits or simply scarify them by rubbing them with sandpaper or a nail file to remove some of the tough outer coating.
- Soak the seeds overnight in tepid water.
- Fill three-inch seed starter pots three-quarters full with moisture-retentive, well-draining potting soil.
- Sow one or two seeds in each pot about a third of an inch deep.
- Cover them lightly with soil.
- Water the soil so it’s evenly moist but not waterlogged.
- Set them in a location with bright, indirect sunlight.
- Maintain even moisture by watering before the potting mix dries out.
- When the seedlings have several sets of true leaves, thin them to one per pot.
The seedlings are ready for transplant when they are about four to six inches tall.
From Cuttings
To propagate from stem cuttings, wait for a flush of new foliar growth.
- Cut a six-inch length of fresh stem and tip growth just below a leaf node.
- Remove the leaves from the bottom three inches of stem.
- Prepare a six-inch pot three-quarters full of moisture-retentive, well-draining potting medium.
- Use a pencil or chopstick to make a three-inch-deep hole in the center of the soil.
- Dip the cut end of the stem into rooting hormone powder.
- Place the stem in the three-inch hole so the leafless part is below the soil.
- Tamp the soil to hold it firmly in place and water in well.
- Place the container in bright, indirect sunlight. Maintain even moisture without oversaturation.
When the cutting produces new foliage it’s ready to transplant.
Transplanting
When you have an established seedling, cutting, or nursery start, you can transplant it to the landscape in spring. In warm, frost-free regions, late winter to early spring is ideal.
Begin by watering shrub the day before to help ease transplant shock. Note its depth in the original container.
Choose a site with loamy, well-draining soil, and amend it with compost if necessary to improve texture and drainage.
Work the soil to a depth of eight to 12 inches until it is crumbly and free from debris.
Make a hole twice as wide and the same depth as the current container.
Unpot and place the root ball in the prepared hole at the same depth as in the original container, slightly above ground level.
Backfill, tamp well, and water in well.
Maintain even moisture during the establishment period, watering when the top few inches of soil dry out.
Alternatively, grow in a well-draining container three-quarters full of a moisture-retentive, well-draining potting medium.
Choose a pot that’s two to four inches wider and deeper than the root ball. Water when the top few inches of soil feel dry, and hold off on fertilizing at planting time.
Pests and Disease
While Mickey Mouse plant is not especially prone to problems with pests or disease, you may encounter them in less than ideal growing conditions.
Scale, mealybugs, and thrips are sapsucking insects that favor hot, dry conditions.
These insects feed on plant juices and can cause yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and overall decline. They may also spread disease.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to help discourage infestations, and treat outbreaks with organic neem oil.
The lenticels on the branches are open pores that can sometimes become entry points for fungal pathogens, particularly in overly wet or humid conditions.
To reduce the risk of infection, ensure the shrub receives adequate sunlight and avoid overwatering.
M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E
If you are – ahem – of a certain age, like me, you are bound to have seen one of the incarnations of the Mickey Mouse Club TV show and know that the theme song spelled out the beloved rodent’s name.
The bright red sepals and black fruits of easy-care, semi-evergreen O. serrulata make a vibrant, whimsical welcome in outdoor living spaces in the classic “Hey, there, hi there, ho there” Mickey Mouse style many gardeners fondly remember.
Do you grow Mickey Mouse plant in your landscape? Please share your tips in the comments section below.
If you enjoyed this guide and would like to read more about growing shrubs in your landscape, we recommend the following:
DIY Postpartum Gift Basket Ideas For the Crunchy Mom
It’s really common to have a baby shower for new parents. And while baby shower gifts and a new baby are always exciting, let’s not forget about the mom to be either! A postpartum gift basket is a great way to show a new mama (or seasoned mama) some love.
If you don’t have the time/money to do a large new mom gift basket, even just an item or two can show you care. Postpartum recovery can be tough, both physically and emotionally. And if the new mama is breastfeeding or had a C-section, those come with their own challenges. A postpartum care package is a great way for moms to get a little self-care and pampering.
Gifts like a journal to process postpartum emotions, a comfy robe, or nursing-friendly pajamas are all great ideas. Throw a water bottle or even a gift card in there too! I have lots of ideas in this postpartum essentials post.
DIY Postpartum Gift Basket Ideas
Some of the most affordable and thoughtful gifts are homemade ones. And if you’ve been a reader for very long, you know I love a good natural DIY recipe! The following DIY postpartum gift basket ideas are simple to make and make a great gift for any new mom and her little one.
Some of the recipes serve double duty and are great for other family members, not just moms.
Note: Be sure to double check before adding essential oils to any of the recipes, like lotion. For example, oils like peppermint can decrease breastmilk supply. Here’s a thorough list of which essential oils breastfeeding moms should avoid.
Soothing Postpartum Home Remedies
Pregnancy is an impressive accomplishment, but it can come with stretch marks, C-section scars, and other struggles. Here are some DIY postpartum gift ideas to help mom heal faster and soothe the aches that come with postpartum life.
- Soothing Postpartum Spray – Helps calm inflammation, relieve pain, and restore damaged tissue in the peri area.
- After Birth Sitz Bath – This soothing mix of herbs helps to make mama’s sore bottom less sore. The dry mix can be brewed as a tea and added to a sitz bath or a peri bottle.
- After Birth Bath Fizzies – These bath bombs feature nourishing herbs instead of essential oils for soothing relief.
- After Birth Tincture – As any seasoned mom knows, after birth contractions can be as painful (or more) than labor itself. Soothe the after birth pains with this homemade tincture.
- Rice Heat Packs – These reusable heating pads are a lifesaver when it comes to postpartum discomfort. Customize them with your favorite fabric and add lavender for added relaxation.
- Padsicles – These are a great way to relieve pain and inflammation in the peri area. It’s basically herbal tea frozen onto a pad.
Nourishing Foods
Building a baby takes a lot out of a mom, so it’s important to focus on good nutrition. And if they’re breastfeeding, they’re burning an extra 500-700 calories a day! Traditional cultures made sure new moms were getting plenty of nutrient dense, warming, and animal-based foods.
- Pregnancy Tea – I drank herbal tea when I was expecting, but many of the same nourishing herbs are also great for postpartum. They increase the nutritional value of breastmilk and help restore mom’s nutrient stores.
- Soups and Stews – Slip a jar of some homemade soup into their gift basket (for the freezer) or drop it off on their doorstep after baby arrives. Soups and stews can be a nourishing way to replenish vitamins and minerals.
- Sauerkraut – Keep things moving in the bathroom with some homemade sauerkraut! Great for the gut microbiome and offers a big probiotic boost.
- Bone Broth – Nourishing bone broth is a staple in our home and also great for postpartum moms.
DIY Bodycare
Making homemade skincare products is a great way to opt for clean, non-toxic ingredients. Plus, they’re fun to make! Many of these recipes use essential oils, so be sure to opt for breastfeeding safe ones or omit them.
- Homemade lotion – Soothing shea butter and coconut oil combine to make this luxurious lotion. Infuse the oils with herbs like calendula and chamomile for a gentle version.
- Whipped Body Butter – Similar to a lotion but even more moisturizing. This whipped body butter features cocoa butter, shea butter, and coconut oil.
- Lotion Bars – Another one for team lotion. These portable lotion bars have all of the benefits of homemade lotion with less mess.
- Rosehip Facial Moisturizer – Pregnancy can cause skin changes, including melasma (dark patches) on the face. A face moisturizer can be a great way to help their skin bounce back better.
- Hair Growth Oil – Postpartum hair loss can be intense. Help moms take care of their locks and support stronger hair and hair growth with this DIY hair growth oil.
- Tallow Lip Balm – Tallow closely mimics our skin’s natural oils, making it a great option for moisturizing. And this tallow lip balm is simple with only 4 ingredients!
- Homemade Lip Balm – Want a more traditional Chapstick recipe? This hydrating lip balm is a great option for parched lips.
Nursing Moms Postpartum Gift Basket Ideas
If the new mom is breastfeeding, here are a few recipes to help her out. These are great whether she’s a first-time mom or a seasoned pro.
- Nursing Balm Nipple Cream – No one prepared me for how much breastfeeding could actually hurt at first! This nipple cream is safe for baby and helps soothe sore or damaged nipples.
- Nursing Mom Tea – This blend of herbs helps provide much needed nutrition and boost breastmilk supply. Plus it tastes pretty good too! Give her a jar full of dried tea mix along with a new thermos to keep it warm!
- Lactation Cookies – While nursing tea is certainly nice, who doesn’t like cookies? These lactation cookies are delicious and are a great way to naturally increase breastmilk.
Sweet, Sweet Sleep
Any mom with a newborn knows that sleep can be elusive (and sometimes non-existent). Helping baby stay healthy and supporting their nervous system (like through pediatric chiropractic care) can go a long way towards helping baby sleep at night. While a full night’s sleep isn’t always guaranteed, the following can help mom have a little more rest and relaxation.
- Relaxing Pillow Spray – This pillow spray uses calming and stress relieving essential oils like lavender and bergamot. While all of the essential oils used here are considered safe to diffuse around babies, use caution if using directly near co-sleeping babies sleep space.
- Sleep Lotion – Help relax and calm with soothing lavender and cedarwood lotion.
- Magnesium Body Butter – Most of us are magnesium deficient, and magnesium lotion can be a great way to relax and soothe tired muscles. I like applying this on the legs and bottoms of my feet before bed.
- Buckwheat Eye Mask – Make a DIY buckwheat pillow eye mask with added herbs.
What are some of your favorite items to have on hand postpartum? Leave a comment and let us know!
Lila’s Azaleas in Washington – Fine Gardening
Hi GPODers!
Last week we got a springtime update from Lila Johnson in Mill Creek, Wash. (Spring Greens and Purples in the PNW). Her photos focused on the fresh green foliage and pops of purple flowers in her spring garden, but she did mention that some azaleas and rhododendrons add little pockets of pink to the mix as well. Thankfully, she did not leave us to only imagine the fabulous flowering shrubs, and followed her first batch of photos with a submission featuring these bright spring flowers.
Hi again—since I made mention of azaleas and rhododendrons in my previous emails, I thought I should send some pictures. It is past their prime blooming, but they still add color to our spring green garden. I LOVE rosy pink, as you can probably tell.
I have no idea what the names are on these plants! Sorry. The large rhodies are on a berm under several cedar trees. They are not hardy bloomers in this morning-sun-only location, but they give us a natural privacy screen from several homes/yards behind us. They’ve been there for more than 25 years. 🙂
This photo [of Lila’s large rhododendron underneath cedar trees] was taken in early May. The others were taken today, May 24.
A “berm” photo to give you an idea of the size of the rhododendrons. I’m sure they would bloom more if they were in a sunnier location, but they provide lovely foliage and natural privacy.
Lila’s azaleas are much smaller but get absolutely covered in these brilliantly bright blooms.
This photo gives a better sense of their size—also tucked into the shade of Lila’s cedar trees and rhododendron but providing a pop of bright pink among her glorious tapestry of green.
A beautiful green glass flower adds a bit of sparkle and shine to this shady but colorful scene.
A photo from another perspective shows how the bright pink is a fantastic accent to all Lila’s green spring foliage, as well as the purple clematis climbing up her arbor and the shiny blue pot on her patio.
And one final close-up of those beautiful, bright blooms!
Thank you so much for another look at your spring garden, Lila! Your gorgeous sea of green is made sublime with these beautiful pops of bright pink blooms.
What are the boldest blooms in your spring garden? Does a rainbow of bulbs make way for more subtle blooms at the peak of the season, or do irises and other spring stars heat up the garden just before summer displays take over? Consider sharing your spring color palette with Garden Photo of the Day! Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
We want to see YOUR garden!
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!
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Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Plant Covers Freeze Protection 10 ft x 30 ft Floating Row Cover 0.9oz/yd²
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Lightweight and Breathable MATERIAL Good for protecting Plant: the plant frost cover material is 0.74 oz/sq non-woven polypropylene fabric, which is lightweight, breathable, and durable. The plant blanket frost protection allows sunlight reach the plants, perfect for protecting plants from the damage of freeze or frost. Wide Application In your Garden Work. The plant row cover not only can work as a barrier against frost, but also can be a great tool for germination and good for rapid seedling growth. By using the fabric plant covers over your plant, you can start the plant earlier in the spring and extending the growing season of your plants. How to Use the Plant Covers: you can cover the plant covers for freeze over your the plants loosely directly and then secure the plant frost blanket with soil, stones or staples. You can also support the floating row covers with a hoop, make enough room for plants to breath and grow. You could also cut the plant covers into different sizes for different purposes.
Ho-Mi Digger – Korean Triangle Blade
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Versatile Tool: The Easy Digger Korean Triangle Blade Ho Mi Ho-mi is a versatile gardening tool designed for leveling and digging in home and garden settings. Efficient Design: Its unique triangular blade shape allows for easy soil penetration and efficient leveling of garden beds or landscaping areas. Durable Construction: Crafted with sturdy materials, this tool ensures long-lasting performance and reliability.
Ergonomic Handle: The comfortable handle provides a secure grip, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Compact Size: Its compact design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces and store when not in use.
Gardener’s Log Book from NYBG
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
This weatherproof five-year log book includes the following features:
· Sturdy waterproof cover to protect pages from rain and muddy soil
· Lined pages and gridded paper for plotting beds
· Five years of 12-month bloom and harvest grids for recording what you planted and when
· Authoritative appendices on composting, pruning, pest and disease control, and container gardening
· Useful reminders by season on fertilizing, mulching, and transplanting
· Space for listing your favorite sources and suppliers.
What’s at stake for Obamacare in Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ : Shots
Republican Senate leaders met with President Donald Trump to discuss Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” on June 4. Majority Leader Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. (center), speaks alongside Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., (left) and Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, outside of the West Wing of the White House.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
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Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Major changes could be in store for the more than 24 million people with health coverage under the Affordable Care Act, including how and when they can enroll, the paperwork required, and, crucially, the premiums they pay.
A driver behind these changes is the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the name given to spending and tax legislation designed to advance the policy agenda of President Donald Trump. It passed the House on May 22 and is pending in the Senate.
The changes also would come from regulations the Trump administration proposed in March and the potential expiration of larger premium subsidies put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Millions of people might drop or lose coverage by 2034 as a result, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
Combined, the moves by Trump and his allies could “devastate access” to ACA plans, said Katie Keith, director of the Center for Health Policy and the Law at the O’Neill Institute, a health policy research group at Georgetown University.
States that run their own Obamacare marketplaces and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners have also raised concerns about added costs and reduced access. But House Republicans and some conservative think tanks say the ACA needs revamping to rein in fraud, part of which they pin on certain Biden administration changes the measures would undo.
Senate Republicans must now weigh whether to include the House’s proposals in their own bill, with the aim of getting it through the chamber by July 4.
Here are four key ways Trump’s policies could undermine Obamacare enrollment and coverage.
Automatic re-enrollment could end
The House-passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which runs more than 1,000 pages, would create paperwork requirements that could delay access to tax credits for some enrollees, potentially raising the cost of their insurance.
More than 90% of ACA enrollees receive tax credits to defray monthly premiums for their coverage. There are two key provisions for them to watch.
One would end automatic reenrollment for most ACA policyholders each year. More than 10 million people were automatically reenrolled in their coverage for the 2025 plan year, with their eligibility for tax credits confirmed via a system that allows ACA marketplaces to check government or other data sources.
The House bill would instead require every new or returning policyholder each year to provide information on income, household size, immigration status, and other factors, starting in 2028. If they don’t, they won’t get a premium tax credit, which could put the price of coverage out of reach.
“Everyone who wants to either purchase or renew a marketplace plan will have to come with a shoebox filled with documents, scan in and upload them or mail them in, and sit and wait while someone reviews and confirms them,” said Sabrina Corlette, a research professor and co-director of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University.
She and other policy experts fear that many consumers will become uninsured because they don’t understand the requirements or find them burdensome. If too many young and healthy people, for example, decide it’s not worth the hassle, that could leave more older and sicker people for ACA insurers to cover — potentially raising premiums for everyone.
But supporters of the House bill say the current approach needs changing because it is vulnerable to waste, fraud, and abuse.
“This would ensure that enrollees need to return to the exchange to update their information and obtain an updated eligibility determination for a subsidy — best protecting the public against excess subsidies paid to insurers that can never be recovered,” the conservative Paragon Institute wrote in an April letter to top Department of Health and Human Services officials.
Having a baby? Getting married? Expect coverage delays
Today, people who experience life changes — losing a job, getting married or divorced, or having a baby, for instance — are considered provisionally eligible for tax credits to reduce their premiums if they sign up or change their ACA plans. That means they would be eligible to receive these subsidies for at least 90 days while their applications are checked against government data or other sources, or marketplaces follow up with requests for additional information.
The House bill would end that, requiring documentation before receiving tax credits. That could create particular hardship for new parents, who can’t confirm that babies are eligible for premium subsidies until they receive Social Security numbers weeks after they’re born.
Policy experts following the debate “did not expect the end to provisional eligibility,” Corlette said. “I don’t know what the reaction in the Senate will be, as I’m not sure everyone understands the full implications of these provisions because they are so new.”
It can take up to six weeks for the Social Security Administration to process a number for a newborn, and an additional two weeks for parents to get the card, according to a white paper that analyzed provisions of the House bill and was co-authored by Jason Levitis, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute, and Christen Linke Young, a visiting fellow with Brookings’ Center on Health Policy.
Without a Social Security number, any application to add a newborn to an ACA policy would automatically generate a hold on premium tax credits for that family, they wrote — increasing their out-of-pocket costs, at least temporarily.
“It puts consumers on the hook for any delays the marketplace is taking,” while the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which administers the ACA marketplaces, “is cutting staff and adding a lot more paperwork to burden the staff they have,” Levitis said.
Provisions in the House bill that would require ACA enrollees to provide information each year that they reenroll — or when seeking to add or change a policy due to a life circumstance — would increase the number of people without health insurance by 700,000 in 2034, according to the latest CBO estimate.
A shorter open enrollment period
The House bill would turn into law a Trump proposal to shorten the ACA open enrollment period. The start date would continue to be Nov. 1. But the window would be shortened by about a month, with an end date of Dec. 15. This affects people in states that use the federal marketplace as well as the 19 states and the District of Columbia that run their own, most of which offer open enrollment into at least mid-January.
Also, as soon as the end of this year, a special enrollment period the Biden administration created would be done away with. It allowed people with lower incomes — those who earn up to 1.5 times the 2024 federal poverty level, or about $38,730 for a family of three — to sign up anytime during the year.
Critics, including the Paragon Institute, argue that this enrollment opening led to fraud, partly blaming it for a steep increase last year in instances of insurance agents seeking commissions by enrolling or switching consumers into plans without their consent, or fudging their incomes to qualify them for tax credits so large they paid no monthly premiums at all.
But supporters — including some states that run their own ACA exchange — say there are other ways to address fraud.
“We anticipate that much of the improper activity can be prevented by security and integrity upgrades to the federal marketplace, which we understand the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is implementing,” the National Association of Insurance Commissioners wrote in a May 29 letter to congressional leaders.
Premiums and out-of-pocket costs likely to increase
The reason? Enhanced tax credits created during the pandemic expire at the end of the year. The House bill doesn’t extend them. Those more generous payments are credited with helping double ACA enrollment since 2020.
The CBO estimates that extending the subsidies would cost $335 billion over 10 years. The House bill instead funds an extension of Trump’s tax cuts, which largely benefit wealthier families.
If the enhanced credits are allowed to expire, not only would premium subsidies be smaller for many people, but there would also be an abrupt eligibility cutoff — an income cliff — for households above four times the federal poverty rate, or about $103,280 for a family of three for this plan year.
Taking into account the smaller subsidies and the cliff, KFF estimates a national average premium increase of 75% for enrollees if the enhanced subsidies expire. The CBO expects that about 4.2 million more people will be uninsured in 2034 as a result.
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF.
What’s the Best Type of Mulch for Tomato Plants? 7 Top Options
Are you wondering whether or not you should mulch your tomatoes and if so, what material to use?
There’s no shortage of mulch options out there for your garden beds, but finding the right one for your tomatoes can make all the difference between a struggling crop and a bountiful harvest.
Mulching your tomatoes can serve a variety of different purposes. It keeps the soil warm when the weather turns cool and cool when the sun beats down.
It locks in moisture, keeps weeds in check, improves soil quality, and even helps prevent disease.
But not all mulch is created equal – and some options might be better suited for your growing conditions or gardening goals than others.
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In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best mulch options for tomatoes so you can pick the right one for your setup.
If you need a refresher about cultivating these nightshades in your veggie garden, check out our guide to growing tomatoes.
Now here’s a look at our list of the seven best mulches for your plants:
7 of the Best Mulches for Tomatoes
1. Compost
Compost offers many of the same benefits as the black plastic that’s sometimes used to cover the ground – without introducing microplastics into your soil.
The dark color helps absorb sunlight and warm the soil, which can be especially useful early in the growing season.
In areas where temperatures cool off at night, compost retains heat absorbed during the day, keeping the soil warmer overnight.
However, be aware that in hot summer weather that same dark color can intensify the heat. If that’s a concern, consider switching to a lighter material as the weather heats up.
You can buy compost or make your own. If you’re not composting yet, this might be the perfect time to start. Our guide to getting started with compost can help you out.
For gardeners who prefer to purchase, compost is often available from local municipalities, nurseries, garden centers, or online.
Need an online option?
Pick up a one-cubic foot bag of Tank’s Organic Compost available at Arbico Organics.
2. Grass Clippings
If you are a creative and thrifty gardener who favors reuse over buying new, you may be wondering if you can use grass clippings from the lawn to mulch tomatoes?
You can indeed!
Just be sure to apply the clippings in a thin layer. A thick pile can form a dense mat that prevents water and air from reaching the soil.
But more critical than how much you use is where those clippings came from.
If your lawn has been treated with broadleaf herbicides, skip this option entirely – the residues can damage or kill tomato plants.
If you have access to unsprayed grass clippings, they will make an excellent ground covering that will biodegrade over winter, becoming a source of organic matter in your garden soil.
But if grass clippings aren’t going to work in your garden, there are other solutions.
3. Living Mulch
Have you considered growing other plants as a ground cover instead of spreading organical material under your tomatoes?
Low-growing flowering plants can be used as living mulches for your tomato crop – and this is one of the many benefits of companion planting.
In addition to covering the soil, living mulch provides food and habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators.
There aren’t any major downsides to this strategy, as long as you choose your ground cover wisely.
Make sure to pick plants that thrive in the same growing conditions as tomatoes and stay low to the ground, options include sweet alyssum or nasturtiums.
‘Tiny Tim’ is a low-growing sweet alyssum with white flowers, perfect for use as a ground cover under your nightshades.
You can find packets of ‘Tiny Tim’ sweet alyssum seeds from Botanical Interests.
Perennials like thyme also work well. Thyme helps to repel pests and forms a dense mat beneath your tomatoes, serving double duty as mulch and companion plant.
You can find packets of thyme seeds in a variety of sizes available from High Mowing Organic Seeds.
4. Pine Straw
Pine straw isn’t just for flower beds and natural areas – if you have an abundance on hand, it can also serve as mulch for tomato plants.
Before buying a bale expressly for this purpose, keep in mind that pine straw breaks down more slowly than many other mulches.
You’ll likely need to rake it aside when prepping the garden again next season.
Also, pine straw has an acidic pH, making it ideal for acid-loving plants like blueberries. But if your garden soil is already on the acidic side, you might prefer to reach for another option.
5. Leaf Litter
When trees drop their leaves in autumn, these add humus to the forest floor and provide habitat for overwintering insects. As they decompose, the leaves add nutrients to the soil.
Maybe you’re already doing your part by letting those fallen leaves stay put through the winter to support the ecosystem.
If so, pat yourself on the back – and then keep an eye out for the bags your neighbors set out after raking.
Leaves are one of the easiest to source and cheapest materials you can use to cover the soil.
Simply gather and save them in the fall, then apply as a mulch in the spring or early summer when your tomatoes are in the ground.
There’s no need to shred them first, but as with grass clippings, be sure to apply them in a thin layer to avoid creating a thick mat on the surface of the soil.
Unlike pine straw, leaf litter can break down in place, gradually adding organic matter to your soil.
Learn more about using leaves for compost and mulch.
6. Straw
Straw is a lightweight, easy-to-spread mulch option for mulching tomatoes.
Since it’s light in color it will reflect the sun, helping to protect your crop from excessive heat during the height of summer.
You’ll need to apply a thicker layer of straw than you would with leaf litter or grass clippings to ensure it doesn’t blow away at the first gust of wind.
Also, be aware of potential biocide contamination. If the straw has been treated with herbicides or other chemicals, it could harm your plants.
Choose organic straw when possible, or ask whether it’s been sprayed or not before use.
Our guide to mulching with straw has more information.
7. Wood Chips
Finally, if you’re wondering if a bag of pine bark would work to cover the soil, here’s a better option: wood chips.
They’re more economical and environmentally friendly than bagged bark, especially if you make them yourself from tree and shrub trimmings using a chipper.
Or talk to a local arborist – many are happy to drop off a truckload of wood chips at no cost.
Smaller wood chips will biodegrade and become part of the organic matter in your soil, while larger chunks that don’t break down over winter may need to be pushed aside before planting the following spring.
As always, if the wood chips aren’t coming from your own property, ask whether the material has been treated with herbicides or pesticides.
Avoiding pesticide residues is just as important as steering clear of herbicides – after all, bees help pollinate tomato flowers!
Which Mulch for Your ‘Maters?
You now have seven different mulches to choose from for your tomato crop.
Make your choice based on your locally available resources, budget, climate needs, and personal preferences.
Which type are you using? Do you have a go-to mulch that we didn’t cover here? Drop your questions and tips into the comments section below!
And if you need more advice about growing a delicious harvest of tomatoes, have a read of these guides next: