The Gardener's Rake » herb gardening

Using and caring for Herbs

Denise — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:45:30 +0000

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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Herbs and Summer Solstice in the garden

Denise — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:56:37 +0000

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

Denise — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 04:54:07 +0000

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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Terrific, unusual and easy to grow herbs. Part Two

Denise — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 17:46:42 +0000

Herbs are probably one of my favorite things to grow. They are usually easy to take care of and have so many different uses. I plant them in all the gardens. They look just as nice in the vegetable gardens as in a cutting garden. Echinacea, Evening Primerose, Bee Balm, Saffron and Anise hyssop are five of the herbs I always have growing on the property somewhere and here are another terrific and unusual group of must have herbs that complete the ten terrific herbs group.

photo credit: Allmightymo

6. Garlic Chives
This herb has chive type stems with delicate, pretty white flowers that dry well but remain fragile. It grows from a bulb and is a hardy perennial. While it prefers sun, Garlic Chives will still grow in some shade. Flowers are edible with a mild garlic flavor and the stems can be used like chives. Garlic Chives will disappear in the winter, so remember where you planted them. I usually have garlic chives growing on my windowsill in the winter.

7. Pineapple Sage
The beautiful, red spiky flower has a delicate presence in the garden and dries well for ornamental use. It is a tender perennial that will not make it through most winters unless moved indoors or protected. It will grow two to three feet tall and the leaves can be used in the same way as mint.

Tip: Pinch back the growth on the Pineapple Sage at times to retain a bushy look.

8. Lamb’s Ears
This is a hardy one to two foot tall perennial that will grow nearly anywhere. The soft, wooly gray to white leaves are elegant and beautiful and dry very well, and are the main reason this plant is grown. It is best not to water this plant from overhead or rust may develop. In a mild winter it will continue to grow, but it may become necessary to cut back unsightly long stems, which incidentally will flower and are very interesting as dried ornaments.

9. Borage
This large stemmed plant is one to three feet tall and adorned with lovely star shaped flowers. It will grow in the sun. If you wish for it to stay smaller, grow in a pot in partial shade. Borage will self seed and return each year in many areas. The flowers may be frozen in ice cubes for drink garnishes or sprinkled on salads or treated as any other garnish. Borage will continue to bloom well into the season if the dead flowers are removed.

Borage used to be grown in all gardens many years ago. It was used to help keep bugs out of the garden. It was also candies with sugar and used for cake decorations.

10. Ginkgo Biloba
This is a hardy and attractive deciduous tree with interesting leaves and is very attractive in the yard. It is important to buy male trees only. They can grow up to 70 feet and are a nice highlight and conversation piece wherever they are grown. The trees can be grown in a tub, but they do not like to be crowded, so give the roots plenty of room.

This information came of the J. G. Jance and Company website

For some reason Lambs ear is my favorite herb out of this group. It accents cut flowers so well, dries fast and has many crafting uses. It does spread thought so make sure you keep this herb contained.

I also really like the pineapple sage but in my area I have to grow it in pots and overwinter it in a greenhouse. So it’s more work…. but it’s a fun plant!

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Terrific, unusual, uncommon and easy to grow herbs. Part One

Denise — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:20:42 +0000

There are many unusual herbs that are easy and fun to grow. They may have medicinal uses, crafting uses or be great for cutting flowers. What I like most about herbs is that they are usually very easy to care for and compliment other flowers so well. It’s that wild look they have that adds texture to the landscape.
photo credit: Alyzande

Herb Tip: Make sure your soil is well drained if you want successful plants.

1. Echinacea: This beautiful perennial will tolerate both light and shade, and is also known as the Coneflower. There are several varieties, all of which are a nice addition to your herb or flower garden. Echinacea can easily be grown from seeds or plants. Fertilizing in the summer with a low nitrogen fertilizer (-0- Nitrogen) will encourage bloom. The seed heads are quite ornamental for dried arrangements.

2. Evening Primrose: The Evening Primrose, with its one to three foot tall, brilliant golden yellow flowers and spreading habit, makes a statement in the flower or herb garden. This perennial likes the sun and seems to thrive with little care once established. It likes room and “plantlets” will spring up if you allow the flowers to seed, however they are not difficult to remove when small.

3. Bee Balm: Striking flowers, from red to purple to white, this plant is very ornamental and a member of the mint family. This is a hardy perennial and will grow from two to five feet tall, and is loved by bees and butterflies. If you have no room for the “plantlets”, they pull out easily. Bee Balm prefers light shade, but will grow in the sun, and the flowers are unusually beautiful and dry well. You may find powdery mildew a problem, but a baking soda/water mixture or a commercial product will help. To help prevent the problem from ever starting, avoid overhead watering.

4. Saffron: Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, and YOU can grow it. Some sources say it is difficult to grow, but that is not necessarily true. Saffron is a hardy perennial bulb and blooms in the fall. Be sure to plant your bulbs in the fall, and in harsh climates, mulch in the winter. The plant is a four to six inch tall lavender crocus type flower with orange stigmas (the saffron part). Mark the spot where they are planted for they will disappear in the winter. For harvesting, carefully and patiently pick the stigmas as soon as the flower is in full bloom and dry them on a paper towel. Store in glass. Saffron will multiply similar to other spring bulbs so be sure to divide to prevent crowding. Remember: Leaves appear in the spring and disappear in the summer, and the flower blooms in early fall.

5. Anise Hyssop: This is an easily grown licorice flavored plant. It likes partial shade and will send out “plantlets” for the next year. The unique spikes of lavender or white flower clusters dry easily. It grows three to five feet tall and is very attractive in the garden if it is growing with perennial white alyssum or other spring flowers. Anise Hyssop blooms in the summer.

This information came of the J. G. Jance and Company website

I have grown all of these herbs. I have either used them in teas or as dried or cut flowers. They all all top herbs and a welcome addition to any garden in my opinion. A few of these like to spread. I just make sure I have a break barrier and plant them by theirselves off to the side of the herb or perennial garden to help control spread.

Check out the next 5 unusual herbs for you herb gardens.

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Growing Thyme, Starting thyme indoors or outdoors

Denise — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:57:31 +0000

I find Thyme to be a fascinating herb and beautiful plant. There are so many different varieties and they have such a variety of aromas and foliage. It makes growing them an adventure. Richter’s seed catalog is carrying 22 different varieties this year. Add Thyme to your herb gardening plants this year.
photo credit: jjramos

You can plant Thyme seeds directly into your garden but I find starting them indoors is easier and I have more control over the plants. I plant too much on purpose and trade my additional plants for other herbs and flowers.

Indoor herb seed planting

I usually plant several seeds in each pot, water well and cover with plastic. It’s not necessary to use plastic but I find my plants germinate quicker and I water less often.
photo credit: libraryrachel

Choose a sunny southern for your pots to set and sit back and wait. Once the thyme had germinated remove the plastic. Thin out the healthiest plants when the seedlings have two true leaves. Water when the plants are dry

Outdoor herb seed planting

Choose a spot with full sun exposure. Thyme grows best in light, relatively dry soils. I mix my soil with additional sand to get a drier soil for the plants.

Plant your thyme seeds according to the packets directions. It will take about a week for the seedling to appear. When the plants have two true leaves thin out the plants leaving eight to 12 inches between the seedlings.

I mix thyme in with my drought resistant flowers to emphasis the flowers brilliant colors. I also grow them in the front of my house where the sun beats down heavily all day and most flowers don’t do well. Thyme also grows well and look great in hanging baskets.

Thyme is native to arid regions and will grow best with very little maintenance. It’s important not to over water them and they actually thrive with little attention. I usually only water my thyme if I am having a drought in the summer and then only once a week.

Thyme is used as a seasoning and also has many medicinal properties. It’s one of my favorite herbs to dry and I make my own tea blends with several different thyme varieties.

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