Growing Herbs?

Moving Flowers From the Garden to your Plate

2008-09-19T07:19:00.000-07:00

Many flowers are not only beautiful but also edible. Before eating any flower make sure you know where it came from and if it is chemical free. Never eat flowers from the florist, nurseries, garden centers or from the roadside, as they may have been treated with pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals. I recommend only eating flowers you grow yourself to be assured of their safety.

Many herb blossoms can be used just like the herb itself. The blossoms of chives, garlic chives, basils, arugula, burnet, chervil, cilantro, dill, fennel, sorrel, marjoram, mints, oregano, sage, rosemary and thyme may be sprinkled on a salad or used in cooking like the herb itself. The flowers give a salad vibrant color that dominate eye appeal. The petals of roses, gladiolus, day lilies, hibiscus, hollyhock, nasturtiums, pansies and sunflowers can turn a plain green salad into a burst of color.

The beautiful blue star shaped blossoms of the borage plant, have a cool cucumber flavor which goes well with dips, cold soups and sorbets. It makes a beautiful garnish for gin and tonics, lemonade and punches. The blossoms can be frozen in ice cubes for a decorative touch in the glass or punch bowl.

Everyone is familiar with peas, okra, radishes, squash and pumpkins. Many people are not aware that the blossoms of these poplar garden vegetables are also edible.

The flavor of flowers can run the full spectrum from bland to tart and spicy, so do a little research and expand the flavors and the colors on your plate. No matter if you are hosting a party or serving for only a few, adding edible flowers to your food will make each meal a little more special for you and your guests.

Why Planting Perennials in the Fall is a Good Idea

2008-09-15T14:31:00.000-07:00

In the spring everyone gets into the spirit of planting but what many do not realize is that the fall is a perfect time to plant perennials. One must only make sure to allow the plants have enough time before freezing weather to establish their roots. In the north that would mean August to September and on into October for the southern states.

Planting in the fall is beneficial in a number of ways. The cooling weather does not stress the plants as much as hot weather does. There is usually more rain in the fall so it cuts down on having to water the plants as much. Perennials planted in the fall will have a head start in the spring due to an established root system. Spring planted plants have to establish roots and then try to catch up to the more vigorous fall planted ones.

So now is the time to check out perennial flowers and herbs to see what you may want to add to your garden this fall. Then in the spring you will only need add your annual flowers and herbs, filling in between the established fall perennials.

Home Remedies for Ants

2008-09-09T12:26:00.000-07:00

I believe if you asked 200 people about their home remedy for ants you would get 200 answers and everyone swears that theirs works. Here are some that I have come across over the years.

There are many items said to repel ants if put in their path. Black pepper, bay leaves, cayenne pepper, catnip, chili powder, cinnamon, cloves, cream of tarter, mint, powdered chalk, salt and talcum powder are just a few said to disperse or repel ants. The ants do not like to cross these things. Cucumber peels are supposed to send them away for a while. Comet or Ajax cleanser is also said to work, but I would be very careful of these around pets or children. Borax powder is also a natural insecticide but should be kept away from pets and children.

Borax powder can be mixed with items such as jelly, honey, sugar or peanut butter to make a bait that the ants will take to the nest. Normally these are mixed in a 50% to 50% ratio.

Care needs to be taken to keep any bait out of reach of pets and children.

There are a number of liquid sprays that can be made to spray on ants. A teaspoon of liquid dish soap mixed with a pint of water is said to make an effective spray. Fill a spray bottle with cheap white vinegar and spray the ants. Another recipe calls for 1 clove of garlic, 1 small onion and 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper to steep in a quart of hot water for about an hour. Then strain and put in a spray bottle for use.

Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. This white powder will cut through the skins of many insects and cause them to dehydrate.

Catnip, tansy, pennyroyal and many mints are said to repel ants. Planting these plants around the house and yard will be beneficial.

As when using pesticides, insects sometimes acquire an immunity to some things, after a while, so change you strategy occasionally to keep the ants at bay.

A Beautiful Moth.

2008-08-26T14:43:00.000-07:00

I found this moth at my house the other day ans wanted to share it's beauty.

The Hidden Cost of PVC Greenhouse Construction

2008-08-20T06:58:00.000-07:00

About five years ago I was looking for a inexpensive way to build an additional greenhouse. I decided to use regular schedule 40 PCV plumbing pipe for the arches. The pipe is flexible so it was very easy to set up the greenhouse, and very cost effective also.

I covered the greenhouse with a polyethylene film covering made for greenhouses. It was a 6 ply 4 year plastic, meaning that it should last 4 years.

This worked fine for about the first 4 years. Then I had to replace the plastic. I replaced the plastic on 2 greenhouses that were 14 foot wide and 60 feet long at a cost of around $350.00. Having done this I thought I was set for another 4 years.

Well, I was In for a surprise. In July I began to notice the plastic was splitting above every PVC arch in both greenhouses. I assumed I had gotten a bad roll of plastic, possibly one that was old.
I called my supplier whom I had purchased it from and explained what had happened. My supplier asked what the greenhouse was made out of. I explained the details to him, and he told me it was the PVC pipe that caused this.

After a short time, the PVC pipe begins to leach the ultraviolet protection out of the greenhouse plastic causing it to disintegrate at an accelerated rate. My $350.00, 4 year plastic, lasted only 6 months.

So if you are thinking of using PVC in a greenhouse as a part of the structure, take precautions. After my mistake, I found that there is a plastic that you can get to cover the PVC pipe with, keeping it from touching the greenhouse plastic. This keeps the PVC from leaching the UV protection from the greenhouse plastic.

Please don't make the same costly mistake I made.

Herbal Teas: The Basics by Sarah White

2008-08-11T05:44:00.000-07:00

For centuries, herbal teas have been used for various maladies by all different cultures. Many of these concoctions have been continuously passed from generation to generation and have therefore been forged into our cultural history. Because of this unbroken tradition, most of the bought teas today are still organically grown and hand cared for. China, India and Japan are just a few tea countries that remain constant with their age-old customs.

But you do not have to rely on the passing down of traditions to brew teas. That is the magic of it. When you experience the new flavors and intensity of homemade teas, you will never again look back at the store bought substitutes. When you make your own teas, you know exactly what goes into them and what to expect of them.

Herbal teas are an infusion made from the leaves, flowers, roots, seeds or bark of plants. They are made by steeping 1-2 teaspoons of the tea material in 6 to 8 oz of lightly boiled water for 3-5 minutes. An infusion like this will keep refrigerated for 24 hours.

Some herbs often used in herbal teas include: Lemongrass, Spearmint, Peppermint, Rose hips, Hibiscus, Angelica, Anise, Basil, Large Sweet Italian Borage, Burnet, Catnip, Chamomile, Cicely, Red Clover, Dill, Fennel, Fenugreek, Horehound, Hyssop Lavender, Vera, Mugwort, Pennyroyal, Rosemary, and Thyme.

Sometimes certain combination's of herbs sharing the same properties can help increase its' effectiveness. The following are just a few suggestions. Keep in mind that one should always read up on the herbs and talk to a professional before using them in infusions.

Upset Stomach: Peppermint, Lemon Balm, Fennel Seeds, Ginger, Cloves, Cinnamon

Monthly Cramps: Lemon Balm, Spearmint, Lemon Grass

Colds and Sore Throats: St. Johns Wort, Thyme, Sage, Fennel

Headache Relief: Anise, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Rosemary, Chamomile

Understanding the herbal properties and the ways of herbal teas can help a lot when you finally decide to make them. There is a tea for everyone, you just have to find it.

Herbs of the Worlds Cuisines

2008-03-09T11:57:00.000-07:00

Say you find a recipe for authentic Thai curry. While shopping for the ingredients, you find the store only has regular basil, the recipe calls for Thai basil. Well that should be fine right? No, not if you want authentic Thai curry. This is one of the many reasons to grow your own herbs. Growing your own herbs allows you to have access to the herbs that are needed for the type cuisine that appeals to you. Sure you can substitute but subtle differences in the flavor of substitutes can alter the final outcome. It may never taste quite as good as it did when fixed with the original ingredient.

Here we will cover some of the herbs, seasonings, and ingredients for different cuisines. Keep in mind these are only some of the main ingredients, not all.

Italian Cuisine
The following are herbs stand out as essential in Italian cuisine; basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme. These are the foundation of Italian cooking.

Thai Cuisine
The essential ingredients for Thai cooking are lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, Fish sauce, garlic, Thai Chile peppers, Coconut milk, Galanga ‘a type of ginger’, palm sugar, Thai basil, and Jasmine rice.

Mexican Cuisine
The herbs and spices used in Mexican cooking are anise, bay leaf, cilantro, cinnamon, clove, cumin, epazote, marjoram, Mexican saffron, spearmint, sweet basil, thyme, watercress. There are also many peppers that are used.

Indian Cuisine
The herbs and spices for Indian Cuisine are; black pepper, cardamom, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, green or red chilies, Tamarind and turmeric. The classic Indian curry often contains a combination of some of these ingredients.

Moroccan Cuisine
The following herbs and spices are among the most commonly used in Moroccan cooking; anise seed, basil, black pepper, cayenne, cinnamon, coriander leaves, cumin, garlic, ginger, marjoram, paprika, parsley, sesame seed and turmeric. Allspice, caraway, cloves, coriander seeds and licorice are used to a lesser degree.

French Cuisine
In France all recipes for herbs de Provence include thyme, oregano, marjoram and rosemary. Then each chef may add basil, chives, chervil, fennel, lavender, mints or tarragon to mix their own special blend.

Spanish Cuisine
Two main ingredients of Spanish food are olive oil and garlic but onions and herbs such as oregano, rosemary and thyme may be used also.

Wormwood for the Ages

2008-02-19T15:04:00.000-08:00

Wormwood for the Ages

Used as a cure for worms in ancient Egypt, and to repel pests in Medieval times, wormwood has been known of and used throughout the ages. Originally, the Artemisia family derived its name from the Greek Goddess Artemis, therefore noting the relationship with both the Greeks and Romans for the Goddess Diana.

In myth, it is said that Artemis gave it to the centaur Chiron, the healer of the gods, who uses it as one of his most potent healing herbs. It is also a sacred Druid herb and very holy to all Moon deities. It’s earliest recorded uses are by the Assyrians in 600 B.C. It was also a very religious herb for the Hebrews and Greeks. The women of Mexico find it very important in their festival to the Goddess of Salt where they wear garlands of it on top of their heads.

Wormwood is well known for its use in the famous liquor Absinth, which is outlawed in most countries because of it potency. It has been used by many famous people such as Baudelaire and Van Gogh who was said to be under the influence of it when cutting off his ear and sending to a woman. It is also used to flavor many other liquors such as Vermouth.

Medicinally, wormwood can help stomach problems, anemia, menstrual cramps and problems, intestinal worms and inflammation, digestive problems, and liver disease. In large quantities this herb is toxic but its bitter taste helps to keep it in portion. In small doses, this herb can have a very calming effect, almost like a mild sedative. Externally, it is used to help in the healing process for small cuts and abrasions. Not only is it an insect repellant, but it also helps in the insect bites themselves. (As a side note, wormwood is to be taken in small doses. If you are not sure about the dosing, contact a professional.)

This herb also has many “eye opening” qualities such as expanding psychic awareness, charging the third eye chakara, protection, binding, evocation, and used in some love spells. It is a very important sacred herb for Samhain, along with many other herbs. Burned as an incense, it is used to increase psychic abilities when divining and used to draw spirits when evocating. According to some folklore, if it is burned in a cemetery, the spirits of the dead will rise and speak. In other legends it says that if certain spirits of the dead smell the wormwood smoke, they will be released from this plane and can finally find eternal peace. When hung from the rear view mirror in a vehicle, it prevents motor accidents. Wormwood leaves are worn to protect a person from harm, both physically and metaphysically. This magnificent herb is also said to vent anger and to cease violent acts, fights, arguments, and negativity in general. It is often used with such herbs as mugwort, sandalwood, myrrh, and frankincense.

With so many uses in so many facets of life, one must be able to find a use to suit one’s needs. Even if it is just to have this beautiful silver shrub in one’s yard for decorative purposes or as an insect repellant, everyone can find wormwood to suit their many needs.

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is also known as Absinthium, Absinthe Wormwood, Wormwood or Grand Wormwood. It is a herbaceous perennial plant. The pungent foliage of wormwood is an effective insect repellent when rubbed on the skin or placed in pantries and drawers. It is an ingredient in the liquor absinthe and also used for flavoring in some other spirits and wines, such as vermouth. It is also used medically as a tonic.

Wormwood grows naturally on uncultivated, arid ground, on rocky slopes, and at the edge of footpaths and fields. Use wormwood in rock gardens, herb gardens, and in flower beds and borders. The attractive silvery gray foliage makes an excellent backdrop for bright-colored or delicate flowers. In a border, use wormwood as a separator for more colorful plants. In the bright sun, masses of wormwood are especially attractive in their own right. Prune in spring to encourage branching and suppress legginess.

Wormwood is a semi-woody, sub-shrub with silvery gray, strongly aromatic foliage. It is well branched and gets about 3 ft. tall and 2 ft. across. The leaves are divided into oblong fingerlike segments and both stems and leaves have silky, silvery hairs. Its flowers are pale yellow, tubular, and clustered in spherical bent-down heads that droop in leafy clusters.

Wormwood is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe and Asia where it grows in dry, rocky waste places. It has become naturalized in other temperate areas, including the Northeast United States and Canada. It can easily be cultivated in dry soil. It should be planted under bright exposure in fertile, mid-weight soil. It prefers soil rich in nitrogen.

The plant's characteristic odor can make it useful for making a plant spray against pests. Not only is it an insect repellant, but it also helps when applied to insect bites themselves. It can be useful to repel insect larvae but it need only be planted on the edge of the area of cultivation. It has also been used to repel fleas and moths, indoors.

As a companion plant, because of the secretions of its roots, it exerts an inhibiting effect on the growth of surrounding plants, thus weeds.

Medicinally, wormwood can help stomach problems, anemia, menstrual cramps and problems, intestinal worms and inflammation, digestive problems, and liver disease. In small doses, this herb can have a very calming effect, almost like a mild sedative. In large quantities this herb is toxic but its bitter taste helps to keep it in portion. Externally, it is used to help in the healing process for small cuts and abrasions. "Absinthium" means "without sweetness", and this is a truly bitter plant. The bitterness apparently stimulates stomach acid and bile production, and it has been prescribed for stomach aches and those with underactive digestive systems. It was once prescribed to kill intestinal parasitic worms, and other species of artemisia still are used in Asia to treat intestinal worms.

Wormwood needs very well drained soil but makes few other demands.

Light: Wormwood does well in full sun to partial shade.

Moisture: Wormwood is quite drought tolerant. During rainy, humid summers it may deteriorate and rot out in the center. It is not well adapted to humid climates such as found in Florida and the Gulf Coast. It can be expected to be short lived in such areas.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 4 - 9.

Propagation: Propagate wormwood from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late summer or autumn. It also can be propagated by dividing the roots in autumn.

Terry the Plant ManPaula's Herbs and Plants

Where can I grow herbs?

2008-02-08T05:11:00.000-08:00

Herbs can be grown just about anywhere from formal herb gardens to pots on a patio. The only limits are the amount of space and your imagination. Some people like a formal garden with neat little trimmed hedges with different sections for each type of herb. Other people like to mix their herbs in with the other flowers and vegetables they grow. Nowadays many people live in apartments; they can still grow herbs in pots on a patio or balcony.

Most herbs like 5 to 6 hours of sunlight daily, preferably morning sun. Some like basil, chives and the mints can tolerate partial shade. Average to fertile soil with a good organic matter content, and good drainage is perfect for herbs. If the soil is clay or sandy, adding organic matter will be beneficial. A soil pH of 6.5 to7.0 is prefect for herbs. If the pH of your soil is to low, adding lime will raise it, while adding sulfur will lower it.

There are three basic types of herbs, annuals, perennials and biennials. An annual reaches maturity and usually dies within one year, killed by the cold of winter. Some hardy annuals may survive in the warmer geographical areas. Some perennials are evergreen while others die back during the winter and come back in the spring. Perennials last many years. The life cycle of a biennial is two years.

Terry the Plant Man

Paula's Herbs and Plants

THE OTHER SIDE OF SAGE

2008-01-31T14:26:00.000-08:00

Here is an article by my daughter, I hope you enjoy it.

THE OTHER SIDE OF SAGE

By Sarah

Used for centuries for culinary and medicinal needs, sage is a very universal herb. Many cultures use it’s peppery flavor to season foods as well as aiding in the digestion of really fatty meats. Sage is also used to treat the itchiness of many skin conditions as well as dandruff and eczema when made as a strong tea and poured over the scalp. The Greeks used sage to cure many ills and the Egyptians used it to fend off the plague. The Chinese made teas out of the herb to help sore throats and laryngitis.

The Romans explored the more metaphysical side of sage, finding that it provided longevity and using it as a sacred herb for many religious ceremonies. They also believed it to enhance fertility and to be one of the ingredients in the ‘elixir of life’. The Native Americans also used it in religious practices to cleanse, consecrate, and banish negative energies from ritual places. It is often the main herb used in smudging and cleansing ceremonies. Many cultures also believed it to open the mind’s awareness as well as enhance wisdom.

Many properties of sage include enhancing wisdom, achieving wishes and prosperity, longevity, healing, self-purification, helping with grieving, protection, and health. Sage is often used in spells involving wishes or the healing of others. Carrying sage is said to provide protection, both physically and metaphysically, as well as maintain the three kinds of health (Mental, Physical, and Emotional). Tying three sprigs together with a white ribbon and placed under a bed is said to prevent nightmares and fend off negative energies.

In the end, sage is such a remarkable herb with many useful elements. It is just up to you on how to use it to fit your needs.

Terry the Plant Man

Paula's Herbs and Plants

Why Grow Your Own Herbs?

2008-01-30T16:53:00.000-08:00

There are many reasons for growing your own fresh herbs. While I was growing up in South Georgia the only seasoning used was salt and pepper. I can tell you from experience that herbs enhance the flavor of many dishes. A baked chicken with salt and pepper is good, but add garlic and rosemary and it is unbelievable. If you are using dried herbs from the store, just try fresh from your own garden and you will be amazed at the difference. If you smoke meats or fish put green herbs on the coals to help flavor the meats. Herbs can be used to make herbal teas, oils, vinegars and homemade soaps, shampoos, or cosmetics. People have long relied on herbs for ingredients for home remedies. So, if you have not tried the joy of growing your own herbs, you are missing out on a world of flavors and experiences.

Some of the many uses for herbs:
Cooking and Flavoring Foods
Vinegars and Oils
Teas and Tisanes
Aromatherapy
Bath and Skin Care Products
Medical Properties
Garden Aesthetics
Attract Butterflies
Flower Arrangements
Pot-Pourri
Repel Insects

In this blog I will be bringing you all kinds of information about herbs hopefully on a weekly basis if time permits.

Terry the Plant Man
Paula's Herbs and Plants Blog