Category: organic

Be faithful to your herb garden

Perhaps you are saying, but Milly my deck and patio are full of geraniums and grilling machines. I need to/ I want to plant my herbs in the ground!

Well Okey-doke. All you need is a few feet square, but you are welcome to plant a herb garden that is as big as you like. Either way , the possibilities of grandeur are easy and wonderful!  You can plant with a few perennial (comes back year after year) and mix in a few annual herbs for adventure and fun. If you are luck the annual ones may reseed and that is one more you don’t have to buy next year!  Mix it up as it pleases you.

The requirements for you’re ‘in the ground’  herb garden are:
• About a ½ day of sun.
• Don’t forget to water regularly.
• Weed as needed.
• Thin out your plants as needed and be faithful to your herb garden in the attention you give it. In return of the favor the herbs will give you in multiple flavors for your kitchen, and beauty for your soul.

Some herbs to consider:

Arugula – a nutty flavored annual. Little pretty white flowers. In warm weather goes to seed easily. Even the flower is edible!

Tarragon – can you say stuffed chicken and not think tarragon?  Likes rich soil and keep it watered.

Thyme –  instead of saying chicken with thyme you really almost can’t say Cooking with Herbs and not say Thyme! Many varieties to choose from and easy to grow. Thyme can grow in DRY conditions, so if you tend to forget to water this may be the herb for you!  Some thyme  grow upright and some grow spread across the ground. Plant some where folks will have to step on it and smell the lovely crush of scent each time a foot goes down on it.

Oregano – can you say Pizza! This herb is little bit like a wild hair day – it wants to go just go where ever.  The difference is that here it is ok!  The more you trim this herb the bushier it will become.  Water when dry.

Basil – seems like the Must Have Herb. Aroma City and good on almost veggie there is, especially fresh tomatoes. This one grows UP and when it flowers you ought to pinch that puppy right off and keep your basil well watered.

Can you tell we are working up to tomorrow post of Fresh Herbs in the kitchen?

How’s your Container Herb garden coming along?

Earth Day Countdown…4 days! Recycle at least 4 things today!

Gardening can be like the Kitchen sink – throw it all in – but a well planed container garden for an urban dweller can be a delight and joy. A little piece of calm oasis in an urban jungle.

Milly planted her Herb seeds have you?

Herb Seeds are in!
Herb Seeds went in over the weekend!

Container gardening is a great way to have more control over your growing herbs. You can easily move the containers towards a warmer area if needed and back into the shade if the season gets too hot. Container herbs are more readily available for use when they are grouped together. You will be more apt to use them when they are right outside your kitchen door. Here are my 5 choices for a cook’s theme container garden.  1. Mint  2. Sage 3. Rosemary 4. Basil 5. Thyme. This page will take you the planting info.. http://herbgardens.about.com/od/5bestherbsforcontainers/tp/BestHerbsContainers.htm

These pages will take you to the  Herbal or Culinary goodness of each of these 5 Herbs.

http://herbgardens.about.com/od/medicinalherbs/a/Peppermint.htm

http://herbgardens.about.com/od/medicinalherbs/p/Sage.htm

 http://herbgardens.about.com/od/culinary/a/Rosemary.htm

 http://herbgardens.about.com/od/culinary/p/Basil.htm

 http://herbgardens.about.com/od/culinary/p/Thyme.htm

As promised, a great idea for Container Gardening for the Home Cook.

Start your seed/Herb Garden NOW – tips and tricks.

“Each spring, I fill an old wooden wine crate with a cluster of my favorite organic herbs. (Most high-end wine shops will give the cedar boxes away as they typically get tossed once the bottles are unpacked. Drilling a few holes on the bottom for proper drainage is easy, but keep in mind that the wood will only hold up for a few seasons.) I pinch off sprigs of thyme and rosemary for roasted veggies and use spearmint for iced tea. Purple sage adds some lovely color to the overall planting and gives me an excuse to brown butter with my eggs. Bottom line, I’m convinced that having a nice selection of fresh herbs at my finger tips has made me a little more adventurous in the kitchen. Each spring, I fill an old wooden wine crate with a cluster of my favorite organic herbs. (Most high-end wine shops will give the cedar boxes away as they typically get tossed once the bottles are unpacked. Drilling a few holes on the bottom for proper drainage is easy, but keep in mind that the wood will only hold up for a few seasons.) I pinch off sprigs of thyme and rosemary for roasted veggies and use spearmint for iced tea. Purple sage adds some lovely color to the overall planting and gives me an excuse to brown butter with my eggs. Bottom line, I’m convinced that having a nice selection of fresh herbs at my finger tips has made me a little more adventurous in the kitchen.”  Rest of Article, and find other great tips on Practically Green blog. These words from  Estelle Hayes. She lives in Silicon Valley where she blogs at www.underapinkmoon.com. She’s also published regularly on Huffington Post. Estelle’s Herb box below.

Here’s a link for ordering Organic seeds  http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/01/vegetable-garden-seed-ordering-tips/ ” When the nights are long, and the days dark and cold, gardeners seek inspiration in their online and mail order seed catalogs. Looking at the colorful pictures of vegetables and flowers stimulates optimistic ideas for the spring garden. This is a fine time of year to connect with fellow gardeners to share seed recommendations. These friends may want to order seeds together, thereby saving on shipping and handling fees and perhaps splitting large packets of seed ” Originally published on Eartheasy.com

Estelle's herbs in a recycled box
Estelle's herbs in a recycled box

Imagination and brain power – Fun Fact Friday: did you know?

Bettcha didn’t  know it was The Botanicals Birthday today! Happy Bday to the gang!

Do you know 10 Great facts about Organic Cotton?

Here are three now use your imagination and knowledge for the other 7!
Organic cotton is….wonderfully soft, saves energy, lasts longer to see the other 7 great facts about organic cotton read more here.
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