2024-04-18 05:25
Catnip is known by a number of names, including catswort, catmint, and even field balm. It's a perennial in the mint family that's best known for its ability to drive cats wild, but before y… Read More
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The Herb Gardener Blog
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Growing herbs is fun and easy. I'll show you how with herb profiles and simple tutorials for growing, cooking and crafting with your favorite herbs.
2024-04-15 02:35
Lavender has a long literary past. With a fine fragrance, medicinal and culinary value, and a history of favor at court, lavender waxes poetic in these memorable quotes and passages:
Culpepe… Read More
2024-04-11 05:41
Valerian in bloomAs an herb, valerian is an olfactory contradiction. It's been used as a medicinal herb for centuries, but it's most distinctive feature is its scent. You may love the way va… Read More
2024-04-11 01:07
Curry plant tea for cold symptomsCurry plant (Helichrysum italicum is an aid in the treatment of cold symptoms. There is also ongoing research into its antioxidant properties. This easy… Read More
2024-04-10 21:22
Herbs toxic to petsPlant and other food and chemical hazards that can be toxic to your dog, cat or other pet, even when exposed to or consumed in small quantities.Household Poison Dangers to… Read More
2024-04-09 21:47
Bunches of fresh herbs ready for drying and freezing
Have you ever admired folks with kitchen gardens full of culinary herbs like thyme, parsley and sage? Many of the tastiest herbs around… Read More
2024-04-09 06:36
Dill in leafDill (Anethum graveolens) is a popular pickling herb with an impressive historical pedigree. Its uses date back to the bible. That lanky, fernlike, yellow flowered plant you see… Read More
2024-04-08 20:54
Curry Tree (left) Curry Plant (right) What is the difference between curry tree and curry plant?There are two popular plants that are known by the common name “curry ____,”… Read More
2024-04-07 17:29
Spice sugar is a fall treat around our house. It's our introduction to Halloween and everything that follows.
How to Make Spice Sugar
I throw lots of spices together with sugar to make a… Read More
2024-04-07 17:18
Cardamom podsIf you aren't familiar with cardamom seed, you're missing out on a tasty sweet and savory spice that's warm and heady without being overpowering. It's the key ingredient in an o… Read More
2024-04-03 05:03
Tomato hornworm
The way you layout your garden is important for lots of reasons. Some areas of your landscape are more accessible than others, offer better sun exposure or provide greater p… Read More
2024-04-01 10:54
Herbs play well with other plants. In fact, many of them (like rue, catnip, garlic and marigold) make good companion plants for pest control with vegetables and flowers. (When you don't want… Read More
2024-03-26 00:24
Pineapple sage in bloomEvery season I take an inventory of the herb plants I want to try cultivating. This usually involves a walk around the garden to see which plants managed to overwinter… Read More
2024-03-24 18:32
You don't have to be a gardener for long to start appreciating the value of seeds. They're nature's manufacturing facilities. The whole process is pretty miraculous, actually -- when it work… Read More
2024-03-22 02:29
A cottage garden herb spiralIf you've grown herbs, you know they offer some impressive benefits but present challenges, too. Herbs can be headstrong and unpredictable. The mojito mint you re… Read More
2024-03-21 16:22
The garden is calling my name this morning, so I'll make this a quick post to share a useful recipe that may come in handy soon. If you like salmon and other fish or seafood, you probably us… Read More
2024-03-21 03:36
Curly-leaf and Italian flat-leaf parsleyIf you have leftover parsley or a fresh harvest from your garden, don't leave any of it to wilt in your vegetable drawer. There are easy ways to prese… Read More
2024-03-13 04:44
No matter how you crack it, eggs and herbs go together beautifully.Eggs are an almost perfect food. They’re inexpensive, low in calories (under 80 and around 17 in an egg white) high i… Read More
2024-03-11 23:40
Curry plant is a curious and interesting little herb that may not be in the top five or ten choices on your herb wish list but definitely deserves some consideration.Fast Facts About Curry P… Read More
2024-03-04 21:23
The WWII Victory Garden helped feed families and communities.During the Second World War, folks In the U.S. were encouraged to grow their own produce in what were dubbed Victory Gardens -- w… Read More
2024-03-02 07:06
Ingredients for a classic bouquet garniThe term bouquet garni comes from the French, meaning garnished bouquet, and was made up of sprigs of tied, fresh herbs that were used to season the st… Read More
2024-03-02 00:27
Paprika is the base for this smoky, Creole spice blend that's hot and very flavorful. Use it to spice up your meats and vegetables. For the best results, use a quality paprika. Many of the i… Read More
2024-03-01 23:34
One of the most well known of the crab seasoning blends, Old Bay Seasoning sold by McCormick & Company (and others), is a household staple in many parts of the United States.
It is less… Read More
2024-03-01 19:53
Sloppy Joe Night
I like to make sloppy Joes in fall and winter. It's a classic comfort food at our house. This recipe is the result of quite a bit of trial and error over the years. I lik… Read More
2024-02-29 18:24
Bay SaplingBay or sweet bay (Laurus nobilis) is the leaf from a tree in the Laurel family. It's an evergreen that originated in the Mediterranean, where it grows to a height of 40 feet. Bay… Read More
2024-02-29 03:17
Archived Victory Garden Poster - Get in the spirit!
During the Second World War, folks were encouraged to grow their own produce in what were dubbed Victory Gardens -- working gardens that… Read More
2024-02-29 00:17
Sage butterThere are a couple of ways to make sage butter. One is actually a melted sage butter (brown) sauce that's pretty delicious with chicken (we'll get to that before Thanksgiving). Th… Read More
2024-02-24 00:02
Every year, I prepare a list of mail-order/online seed retailers who provide free garden seed catalogs for herb, vegetable, and flower enthusiasts. The practice of offering a hard-copy… Read More
2024-02-23 21:03
White willow showing light underside of a leaf.White willow bark has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years and has chemical properties that are being tested for their immune b… Read More
2024-02-19 20:48
Every year, I prepare a list of mail-order retailers who provide free garden seed catalogs for herb, vegetable, and flower enthusiasts. The practice of offering a hard-copy catalog may be fa… Read More
2024-02-11 21:32
Below is a roundup of free herb catalogs for 2024. The list contains offerings for popular herbs, regional favorites, medicinal, and hard-to-find varieties. A few suppliers specialize in her… Read More
2023-12-21 08:45
The most common herb conversion in a recipe is from fresh to dried or dried to fresh. Using an equal amount in the swap may seem logical, but let's look a little deeper. Once the moist… Read More
2023-12-20 06:19
The most common herb substitution in a recipe is from fresh to dried or dried to fresh. Using an equal amount in the swap may seem logical, but let's look a little deeper. Once the moi… Read More
2023-12-05 08:44
Appetizing Edible Flowers Aren't Just for Decoration
I have to say I'm a proponent of the more practical aspects of gardening: You know, eat what you grow; stick with plant varieties that a… Read More
2023-12-04 20:06
Lime Balm (Melissa officinalis) makes a light, refreshing tea. Like its cousin, lemon balm, it can help reduce stress and treat indigestion. It also helps promote sleep. Although it isn't as… Read More
2023-12-02 00:13
Those petite rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Christmas trees you see at the home improvement store, in the market and at your local nursery are charming to look at, but can be a bear to ma… Read More
2023-11-23 05:03
I've put together a list of perennial herbs and their respective hardiness zones. If you don't know your hardiness zone, follow the link to find out. Armed with that information, the list wi… Read More
2023-11-23 04:14
If you want to convert the herb ratio in one of your recipes to suit what you have on hand, the most common conversion is from fresh to dried or dried to fresh. Once the moisture has been re… Read More
2023-11-06 02:41
Making an herb wreath is one fall weekend activity you’ll really
enjoy. It’s a satisfying way to preserve
a bit of summer bounty over the winter months. I grow lots of… Read More
2017-10-14 16:57
As herbs go, you could do worse than decide to keep an aloe vera plant or two around. What this succulent lacks in beauty, it makes up for in usefulness. Among other things, the juice… Read More
2017-01-05 19:25
If you have herbs in your garden -- or want to -- the idea of keeping them in a tidy bed all to themselves, and close to your kitchen, probably has big appeal. Easy access means you're… Read More
2016-12-15 16:55
Chive butter is one of the most versatile savory butters you can make at home. It has a mild oniony, garlicky flavor that's somewhat sweet and never bitter. It improves the taste of most veg… Read More
2016-12-14 16:20
Herb and other flavored butters are popular around holidays like Christmas and Easter. They're delicious, and show a little extra attention to detail that doesn't take a culinary or decorati… Read More
2016-12-13 15:36
My skin tends to dry out over the winter, especially my feet and knees. To help combat the flakes, I make a rosemary body scrub that uses a mild sugar abrasive and light oil moisturizer. Thi… Read More
2016-12-12 17:14
If you've purchased an adorable rosemary Christmas tree and are now experiencing some problems, you're in good company. Fragrant and aggressively trimmed tabletop rosemary trees can be pesky… Read More
2016-12-11 21:33
I have to admit I'm an eggnog-aholic. I watch the grocery shelves every year, waiting for the newest batch of eggnog to arrive. I've tried making my own, but somehow it isn't nearly as satis… Read More
2016-12-10 18:03
The aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg and other exotic spices are always an important part of fall and winter for me. If I'm not feeling the holiday spirit yet, a batch of spicy hot apple cider is a… Read More
2016-12-06 19:26
When I crunch my way through frozen grass to the mailbox, I know it's time to stock up on hot toddy mix (also known as spicy hot buttered rum). If you think a hot beverage on a fall or winte… Read More
2016-07-08 21:13
Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) don't get the publicity they deserve. They're a success story. They can spell Armageddon for some of the most popular plant varieties maintained in backy… Read More
2016-05-20 23:27
Fresh young basil
Italian food is one of the top three regional cuisines Americans enjoy most. It can also be one of the easiest to prepare. The secret to creating any authentic dish, wheth… Read More
2016-04-29 18:19
When you garden, there are so many ways to get it right, and even more ways to get it so wrong. Here are a few tips that will help you get more out of your garden this season -- just in time… Read More
2016-04-02 22:41
You already know saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world. It's used in cooking -- although when shelling out that kind of money for a seasoning agent, we should probably cal… Read More
2016-03-26 20:59
The first time I saw a strawflower arrangement, I thought the blossoms were some type of ritzy silk flower constructed from bale straw, flax, corn husks or cotton byproducts. When I realized… Read More
2016-01-06 23:56
It's that time again. There's something pretty satisfying about
investing in garden seed. It's like making a deposit on the future. A little strategic planning may
be in order, though. … Read More
2016-01-05 17:26
Since garden chores may be waning somewhat for many of us in favor of canning, drying and other harvesting activities, let's take a look at a few interesting gardening statistics. &hell…Read More
2015-09-24 21:10
In spring, the first questions readers ask are about how to plant herbs in the garden or cultivate seeds and seedlings. After those carefully pampered herbs are up and growing, the next grou… Read More
2015-09-24 16:26
Herb gardening mistakes, at least a few, are inevitable. Pointing out how we fail rather than how we succeed has always seemed a little counter-productive to me. Better to just be enthusiast… Read More
2015-09-24 16:14
Sure, everything looks great in the beginning. . .
I have lots of gardening stratagems and a freight of old and new superstitions that seem to bubble up during the winter months when I le… Read More
2015-08-06 13:42
Have you ever forgotten why you headed into the kitchen or made a beeline for the linen closet? Forgetfulness is usually an inconvenience, but it can also be a symptom of mental decline -- a… Read More
2015-07-30 23:10
I thought I'd drop in and encourage you to take a look at Friday's blue moon. A blue moon is the second full moon in any calendar month. The term has been around for over 400 years, so peopl… Read More
2015-07-30 15:02
Roasted chicken, garlic mashed potatoes and fiddlehead fern
So, you have a cut up fryer (which you don't intend to fry), a family pack of split breasts or some boneless chicken thighs… Read More
2015-07-26 17:35
By the time high summer arrives, most gardeners have had a chance to reap some of the rewards and contemplate some of the failures of the gardening experience. This is often the time we star… Read More
2015-07-26 12:26
Flowering Herbs Like Lavender Can Brighten Up Any Landscape
I like flowers, but I love herbs. I've always felt that way. I was chatting with a work friend years ago when she asked if I gard… Read More
2015-06-28 22:12
Propagating herbs from cuttings is part of the fun of growing them in the first place, and many herbs are very easy to reproduce. Most articles on herb propagation recommend placing cuttings… Read More
2015-06-27 21:33
You want herbs for your garden that look good, and taste good, and have extra medicinal benefits -- but what about smell? Herbal fragrances have enriched perfumes, cosmetics and comestibles… Read More
2015-05-25 17:35
Chive Blossoms
If you grow chives in your garden, now's the time to harvest some of those beautiful lavender blossoms to prepare chive vinegar. As a culinary herb project, this one's easy a… Read More
2015-05-25 17:33
Chive Vinegar Ready to Strain (Yes, that color is realistic.)
Last time I posted a simple chive vinegar recipe and instructions using chive blossoms. Making this simple but flavorful vinega… Read More
2015-05-23 18:52
Harvesting is one of the most enjoyable aspects of keeping herbs. It's the big payoff -- that may arrive in your backyard sooner than you think. Some herbs, like cilantro and dill, ten… Read More
2015-05-20 18:06
If you have an achy back or inflammation from arthritis, dandelion oil may be able to help with pain control. When applied topically, it can reduce inflammation and joint pain. Although ther… Read More
2015-05-17 22:33
Planting lavender is a nice way to start an herb garden. Lavender is one of those magical herbs that seem to invoke images of a more gracious time. Think of ladies walking through cottage ga… Read More
2015-04-18 16:47
I over-winter my aloe vera plants indoors. They can't survive a frost, so I make them "commuter" plants that enjoy the outdoors during spring, summer and early fall, and come back inside bef… Read More
2015-03-22 14:00
Catnip emerging after a few warm days
I'm tending indoor seedlings and laying out the garden -- in my head -- this weekend. It's pretty amazing how nature managed to surrender itself… Read More
2015-03-17 20:05
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale or the Symphytum uplandica x.) has received bad press in recent years, but it can still be an herbal secret weapon. The trick is in using it with care, so… Read More
2015-03-15 15:30
Have you heard of microgreens? They're a little larger than sprouts but not full-fledged seedlings, or what growers call baby greens. When harvested after developing their first true leaves… Read More
2015-02-21 15:30
Pundits say every season has its advantages, but I have my doubts. I like a brisk morning as much as the next person, but when I can't get the back door open because of snow drifts, and the… Read More
2015-02-17 02:16
Fresh cut aloe vera leaf
Medicinal herbs can be pretty useful once you get your head wrapped around the idea of looking for your medicines in the garden instead of at the pharmacy. Growing… Read More
2015-02-03 20:50
Growing beans vertically
Vegetable and herb gardening is on the rise in the U.S., and it doesn't take a horticulturalist to see the benefits of turning a corner of your yard, deck or patio… Read More
2015-01-10 19:34
Every year I prepare a list of mail order retailers who provide free seed catalogs for herb, vegetable and flower enthusiasts. The practice of offering a hard-copy catalog may be fading fast… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
If you spend much time in your garden, you know where the wind blows the hardest during a storm, where the sheltered areas are and where the soil tends to stay boggy or dry. Those choice or… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
Although many herbs are hearty and pretty indestructible, they do need water -- and regular watering will help them perform better -- whether you're after leaves, seeds or flowers. If you're… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
Lambs Ears
Planting drought tolerant herbs can make life easier in the garden. If you live in an arid location, even intermittently, choosing water loving plants for your garden means extra… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
Tea Camellia
If you like growing herbs, chances are you already have a nice sage specimen or patch of mint on your property somewhere. You probably also have a little thyme plant, a bit of… Read More
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