Fall weather is setting into NW PA and my gardens are winding down. At this time of year I check on my herb crops and get them ready do the winter season.
photo credit: themissiah

Many plants are annuals and will be removed from the garden. But I like fresh herbs so I will either transplant the plant into a pot and bring indoors or start a new herb plant from seed.

I grow my tender perennials  in a window. Rosemary is a tender herb in my region. And my perennial herbs are cut down (the tops will be dried for later use) and the plants will be prepared for winter. I clear any weeds from my herb patch and will cover the garden area when frost threatens. That may be any day.

If you are planning a new herb garden for next year or moving herbs indoors for an herbal window garden this you tube may be a guide on which herbs to grow.

And here is a you tube on fresh or dried herbs. I prefer fresh, but the time of year can influence if you can purchase fresh herbs.

Herbs are always in my garden and home. I use them for cooking, crafting, medicinal uses and for creating cosmetics.

They are also beneficial in the garden for controlling pests. One of my favorites for pest control and a forgotten herb in this time is Borage.

Herbs also add beauty to the gardens and yard. And for the beginning gardener, herbs are very easy to grow.

So if you haven’t grown herbs you may want to give them a try.

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The longest day of summer, summer solstice, has also been referred to as “midsummer’s day.” This is the period in the summer where daylight is the longest during the year and the duration of night, the shortest.
photo credit: gmoorenator

The sun-worshiping ancients built Stonehenge to accurately identify this time. The celebration at Stonehenge has been documented in history and held great significance to the participants.

Plants harvested on this day (mainly herbs) were believed to be imbued with special powers and healers of this time believed that herbs cut on this date would be more potent and help to heal the ill.

While gardening you may notice that the plants constantly change in color and strength during the season. If you notice this year even though the season is young for many there will be a subtle change in plants after solstice.

Before solstice, garden plants put their energy into growing roots and shoots and leaves. After the solstice, you’ll see a small change in the vegetables. The plants will shift their efforts to reproductive growth and set about developing flowers and fruit. The additional vegetative growth that was so apparent before will drop off.

For those who follow the solstice or plant and harvest by moon, these gardeners  plan for solstice and start their plants indoors not just to get a head start, but so they’ll be as large as possible by the solstice. These gardeners feel that the plants will peak on this day and want the plant to be as mature as possible.

Harvesting Herbs

Throughout history herbs have been known for their healing quality. Their prime harvesting is when the vegetative growth is most leafy.

The ancients harvested the leaves because they held the essential oils, which carry the scent and medicinal qualities. Many herbs also hold their highest oil content at this time. The heat of the summer causes the herbs oil to evaporate out of the leaves.

A cool, still midsummer morning is the traditional time to harvest herbs for drying and storage.

Herbalists try to cut the herbs all at once before the rising sun hits the leaves, to retain as much of the oil in the leaves as possible. The sun and wind can also cause oils to evaporate out of freshly cut herbs.

For this reason, you want to cut herbs and get them into the shade before sunrise. It’s better to cut some of the herbs and move them indoors, then go back out and cut more. You don’t want the herbs to wilt in the sun while you are harvesting more herbs.

It is best to cut most herbs with long stems. This makes hanging the herbs in bundles, upside down easier. You will also have a benefit of the plants being stimulated into growing more vegetation with a low, rather severe cutting.
photo credit: TheatricAL 03

You can hang herb bundles in your kitchen, which will scent the air as they dry, if they do not receive any direct sun through the window. I dry my herbs in the barn, which is dark, cool, and dry. It also has excellent air circulation, which is very important for the herbs to dry evenly.

Herbs that do not have strong stalks will dry better on an old window screen. Oregano and clover are two examples. Space herbs on the screen so there is little to no overlap. They will dry faster and will not develop a mold problem from not having adequate air.

By watching your plants in the garden you will notice the effects of the seasons on their growth and this will also help you notice any plant disease or growing problems.

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Herb gardening will add a new look to gardening areas. But herbs seem to be misunderstood plants and are often overlooked. They are either grouped as a spice or as a weed. But herbs have many uses.
photo credit: net_efekt

They are beautiful plants that are hardy and easy to care for. They have crafting purposes, medicinal purposes, or culinary purposes. Their history goes back as far as records were kept and before. So when thinking about plants to add to your garden or flower beds include the herb.

What type of herb should you add to your garden? I personally think you should add a few of each variety. That would include culinary, herbal, crafting, annual and perennial. Each of these groupings are very general and your selection would be large. I would choose your favorites if you know herbs or go with the top three to five favorite varieties to begin with.

If you haven’t grown herbs before they are very easy to grow. Most herbs require less water than other plants and seem to grow in most soils. They also tend to have less insect problems, so herb gardening is a perfect choice for the beginning gardener.
photo credit: debaird™

Culinary herbs are an easy choice. What are your favorite herbs and seasonings? Oregano, Basil, Thyme and Sweet Marjoram are a few popular culinary herbs that many gardeners grow. You can try sesame or cinnamon but they are herbs that take a different climate and need more care to grow.

Medicinal herbs are plentiful but one that is beautiful and a wonderful addition to any garden is the perennial flower, Purple Coneflower. Many people grow St. Johns Wort, a delicate small flowered plant that grows into a small shrub. The list of medical herbs is long and which you choose depends on whether you are planting for the flower or for the medicinal herb properties. One word of caution if you are using the plants for medical reason, do a lot of research.

Crafting herbs also take in a large selection. It all depends on your crafting needs. Are you making soap, homemade paper, or natural dyes? So many of today’s popular crafts have an herb in the background. I must admit I grow more crafting dyes than any other herb. Lavender, rosemary, rosehips and roses, and horsehair are a few of my favorites.

You will also find a large selection of annual herbs and perennial herbs. I tend to mix the two and I grow them indoors and outdoors. They can be in the flower garden, vegetable gardens or herb garden

And one other area often overlooked with herbs are natural wild herbs. Plantain, Yarrow, Boneset, and Dandelion are a few of my favorites. Collecting wild herbs growing on my property is one of the most relaxing ways to spend a day.

Herb gardening is rewarding and a learning experience.  They are easy to grow both indoors, outdoors and in container gardens. Between their ease to grow and their many unique uses you will find that the herb is a must in any yard and garden area.

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