The Front Porch - The Herb Garden

Jan. 12, 2009

The Herb Garden

How are the garden plans coming?

I haven't had much time for real planning, yet; but I do have a few ideas floating around in my head. I love to try new things, so I'll be on the lookout for a new herb or veggie to grow this year; but my main goal for this season is to add to my medicinal herb collection.

I have a few things growing in pots now:

Pennyroyal

St. John's Wort

Peppermint

Rosemary

Thyme

Aloe Vera

Lavender

Dill

Yarrow

Lemon Verbena

That's a start, but I want to add several things when planting time is here:

Arnica

Feverfew (I killed mine)

Echinacea

Sage

Nettle

Mullein

Comfrey

Chickweed

Lemon Balm

Jewelweed (seeds that I was given by 2 generous bloggers here!)

I'm sure others will come to mind as I start plotting and planning. I think for now I'll stick to the "potted garden" as we are still in a rental situation; but some day....I'll have that permanent herb garden!

What are your must have's in the herb garden- medicinal, culinary, or "just because"??? My musts are Rosemary, Lavender, Mints, Thyme, Chives, Basil, Lemon Verbena, Lemon Balm, Dill......OK, there are lots more that I love to grow, but those are the things that I always try to have around. I also like to gather wild herbs such as dandelion, chickweed, yarrow, mullein, nettle and so forth- I plan to plant some of these "weeds" in my garden, too.

Do you start most things from seed or do you prefer to buy small plants instead? I'm impatient, so when possible I start with plants . Seeds are often much more economical though.

Last question, what is a favorite source for herb seeds or plants? For seeds, I like Seedsavers or Seeds of Change, and I like to buy my herb plants from The Natural Gardener, a fabulous organic nursery in Austin, Texas. One source that I've heard good things about but not tried yet is Horizon Herbs. Their list of herb seeds and plants is so extensive it boggles my mind.....and makes me want to order lots and lots of new things!

I can't wait to hear what herbs you are growing or planning to grow this year! Next week we'll talk veggies....or maybe fruits, but for now I have a baby to tend to (my niece, she's the cutest thing, too)!

Garden Blessings,

Catherine

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Comments

Jan. 13, 2009 - Herbs...

Posted by wannabeone

My all-year-indoor-herbs are cilantro, dill, rosemary and at times, sage.

When the frost has past and I plant in my small herb garden I like to get already established plants. I don't know what previous owners have done to the flower/garden area around our home, but my little transplants don't do very well, store-bought hartier transplants are the way I have to go, outside. For that I already have lavender, Black-eyed Susan and Echinacia (Coneflower) established. I will add cilantro, dill, rosemary, sage and there are a couple of others I'm thinking about this year.

I am also considering expanding a small kitchen garden this year, too. We'll see how the garden grows, won't we?

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

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Jan. 14, 2009 - It's -10 outside, but the catalogs keep me dreaming...

Posted by vgauthier

So this year, in the herb garden, I am going to work towards getting enough herbs in to seriously harvest for tea ~ with intent to be able to sell locally in a year or two.

I already have:

Peppermint
chocolate mint
orange mint
spearmint
bee balm
lemon balm
chammomile
elderberry (brand new plantings this past year)
quince
chives (I make vinegar with the blossoms)
marjoram
violets

I am planning to add:

a few more mints (my primary tea source)
Lemon Verbena (it's an annual this far north, I grow it every year)
Valerian
Stevia
Basil (as much and as many varieties as I can get)
dill
cilantro
alpine strawberry
low bush cranberry
wintergreen
wild ginger?
echinacea ~I dug mine up this year ~ no good roots though :-(
issai kiwi
toothache plant
maybe horehound again

I have a 14 x 22 foot area to fill, so I am sure there will be more!

I want to market herbal teas/vinegars, etc., so I am planting with that in mind (and also more a more natural herbal apothecary at home too).

As I snuggle here with my catalogs, I dream of dirt!
val

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