Earthly Garden

If you grow bay leaves and rosemary you are already set, but you can also pick them up at the local farmers’ market or at the local supermarket. You will need about 50 bay leaves or more, and about 20 or more rosemary springs. You will also need a round, foam wreath form. You can pick these up at any craft store and Wal-Mart even carries then as well.

With a bit of hot glue, you can start by covering the entire foam wreath form with bay leaves. Make sure you cover any foam showing through. Then begin to layer the leaves on top of each other in one direction until you have the entire wreath covered and all the bay leaves are facing one direction. Then repeat the process. You can make the wreath as full as you want. Once your have reached the fullness you want you can then place a bit of glue on the rosemary springs and stick them under some of the leaves throughout the whole wreath.

You can use it on your door or inside your kitchen. You can even give as an herb gift.

If you don’t want to take the time to make your own you can purchase one that is already made through Organic Bouquet for about $70.

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Here’s a tip to get rid of mosquitoes, drain any standing water. With all of the home foreclosures a lot of standing water can be left and mosquitoes thrive like mad. Mosquito fish have been used in California to take care of the growing mosquito issues. You can also use bats, dragonflies and purple martins as well. To encourage natural mosquito eaters install bat houses and bird feeders throughout your landscape. Place the bat houses up high so the bats feel safe and fill birdfeeders frequently.

There are many posts here on Earthly Garden that talk about growing herbs to eat and to use any recipe, but did you know that you can grow those herbs to use in more than just your kitchen and cooking dishes. There are many herbs that you can grow that can be used for medicine and other uses for first aid and what not. Here are a few to give a hand at growing this season in your garden.

1. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum): Originated in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Known as the medicinal herb. Has soothing, diuretic properties. Strengthens the digestive system and helps alleviate stomach issues. Good source of vitamin and minerals, which include iron, potassium and vitamin C. Easy to grow. Can be grown indoors.

2. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum): Same family as the onions, scallions and garlic. Can be grown from a small bulb and have a long life. Around since the Middle Ages. Contains high vitamin C, folic acid and potassium. Tangy taste and aromatic scent. Chives can help protect against heart disease and stroke.

3. Dill (Anethum graveolens): Threadlike texture. Related to the carrot and parsley. Dill used to be used as forms of payment in ancient civilizations. Can help with intestinal problems, milk insomnia and flatulence as well. Often used to treat gastric problems in children. Nice addition to fish and poultry dishes. Most popular in pickles but can be used for potatoes and cheese as well. Easy to grow and needs a lot of sunlight with medium shade during the day. Harvest with flowers bloom a mustard colored yellow.

There are many posts here on Earthly Garden that talk about growing herbs to eat and to use any recipe, but did you know that you can grow those herbs to use in more than just your kitchen and cooking dishes. There are many herbs that you can grow that can be used for medicine and other uses for first aid and what not. Here are a few to give hand at growing this season in your garden.

• Astragalus (A. membranaceous): This herb has antibacterial properties, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties as well. It can be used to unplug the sinuses and is used in many supplements as well. Easy to grow and use in culinary and health products as well.

• Echinacea (E. spp): This is a native American herb that grows easily in many areas. It is used for bronchitis and respiratory issues in most and can help with depression as well.

• Elderberry (Sambucus nigra): This is a potent antiviral herb that helps even prevent the flu and can ward off the flu bug and help with coughs and can be added to cough syrups, extracts and even tinctures. Easy to grow and can be added to almost anything.

• Garlic (Allium sativum): This herb is a great one to add to any garden. Garlic is used in many cooking dishes, but can be used other ways as well. It helps fortify the body and aids in defense against viruses and even influenza. Add it to your garden and it will grow with ease. Use it for culinary uses as well.

You can grow your own spices and herbs to use in cooking right in your kitchen or bedroom window. There are many herbs sold in packages that you plant right into a planter for growing. I found a much easier way to do this without the chance of losing any seedlings or plants during the geminating process.

Jiffy pots make it so easy to start plants out and now they even come in cloth bags to help the transplanting process. I have started seedlings for Mint, Basil, Catnip (for Meia-my cat- to munch on in the house), Sage, Tarragon, Chives, Cilantro, Dill, Oregano, Thyme, and Parsley. I will use every one of those in some sort of dish throughout the summer and into the fall.

Below is a good way to start herbs out before planting. Place what seeds you want in the bag of dirt and then wait till they are 4-5 maybe even 6 inches out of the soil before transplanting to planter.

Getting your planter ready for the herbs is the next step. You want to combine your soil with a ratio of 50% organic to 50% potting soil (sold at home improvement stores throughout the U.S.). After your seedlings reach the 5-6 inch height, plant them in the planter.

Your seedlings that have germinated will begin to grow as the day’s progress. Just place the planter in a sunny location, like the kitchen or bedroom windowsill. I have one in the kitchen as well as the bedroom, due to the fact that I love seeing fresh things upon waking. Fresh sun, fresh flowers, it just gives me the feeling of a fresh, new day is ahead of me.

It’s a good idea to label where each herb is so that when they get fully grown you will know what and where each herb is located in the planter. Until you get familiar with what each herb looks like, this is a good practice to get into when planting herbs. So that when a recipe calls for Basil you don’t have to surf the net or even wonder where you planted Basil. If you take care of your herbs they will grow all into late summer and early fall. Growing them is not only a fun way to get natural ingredients it is also healthy to have them in your home and incorporate them into your cooking. Herbs are a natural and sustainable plant and are good for you then most of the dried herbs sold in a jar at the local supermarket.

Let’s hear it for herbs! These reliable and versatile plants have been serving mankind for centuries as medical and culinary aids, as well as for their delicate and distinctive fragrances. The word herbs can have a variety of meanings but to the gardener it usually refers to a plant or plant part that has some medical value, savory or aromatic qualities. Or perhaps a combination of all three! A recorded medicinal use of herbs goes back to the earliest Chinese civilizations, to the ancient Greeks and Romans, and up to the present day. Recently there has been a renewed interest in herbs for medical purposes.

Traditionally herbs were grown in formal gardens, and many of us can picture some of these formal estates in Europe with their extensive herb gardens. Today, herbs are grown more informally and will transform even the humblest of settings into wonderland of scents and sights. Mix herbs in your flower beds for a medley of colors, shapes, and textures. Herbs also fit very well with many vegetable gardens and by doing a little research, you will find that many herb plants in the vegetable garden can become an excellent companion plant that may help prevent certain insect and disease damage. Also many herbs have flowers that will attract bees thus helping pollination.

Herbs do not have to be confined to a permanent place. They make excellent container plants and as such, can then be moved around as needed. Try growing some culinary herbs neat the kitchen door or in a sunny kitchen window. Sweet basil would be a good choice, and having some on you patio or deck you will be able to enjoy its spicy scented leaves as well as having them close by for use in cooking.

Nearly all herbs need a sunny location. Do not plant in shade and be sure to provide a well drained soil. Plant some of the fragrant varieties along a walk or soil. Plant some of the fragrant varieties along a walk or path so you can enjoy their scent as you pass them. Some like rosemary can be carried over from year to year if given winter protection (try treating it as a house plant in the winter). Cut herbs early in the morning after the dew has dried and remember that most will be at the height of their flavor when the flowers just start to bloom on the plant itself. (MN 07)

1. ‘Siam Queen’ Thai basil: Purple bloom spikes on 14-inch plants.

2. ‘Spicy Globe’ basil: Bushy 10-inch plants have tiny, fragrant leaves.

3. Bay laurel: Slow-growing shrub is superb in large container; move it inside for the winter.

4. Calendula: Annual, 1-to 2-foot plants bear colorful, daisy-like blooms.

5. Chives: Spiky leaves, 6 to 10-inches tall, topped with pink blooms.

6. Dill: Dwarf ‘Fern leaf’ grows 18-inches tall; needs good drainage and a pot at least 10-inches deep.

7. Germander: Slow growing, 14-inch plants with aromatic foliage and rosy flowers.

8. Heliotrope: 12-to-24-inch plants bear fragrant violet-blue to deep purple blooms.

9. Horseradish: Vigorous plant with large, big leaves needs a big pot and rich, moist soil; harvest pungent roots in fall.

10. Hyssop: Dark green glossy leaves and showy, 14-inch spikes of deep blue flowers.

11. Lavender: All types excellent for pots; 8 to 30-inch plants bear fragrant blue or white blooms in midsummer.

12. Lemon verbena: Tender shrub prized for its lemon-flavored leaves; move inside for winter.

13. Lemon balm: Bright green, lemon-flavored leaves; ‘Aurea’ has gold markings.

14. Licorice plant: (Helichrysum petiolare)-Trailing, tender perennial with gray woolly leaves makes a beautiful edger.

15. Mint: All thrive in containers; standouts include ‘Banana’; ‘Chocolate’, ginger and orange mints.

16. Oregano: Recommended culinary varieties include Greek and Italian; decorative types are ‘Herrenhausen’, ‘Hopley’s Purple’ and dittany of Crete.

17. Parsley: Both Italian flat-leaf and curly parsley thrive in pots.

18. Rosemary: All kinds suitable for pots; drought-tolerant plants have fragrant, needlelike leaves and blue, pink or white blooms.

19. Sage: Both culinary and ornamental varieties are attractive alone or in mixed plantings.

20. Scented geraniums: (Pelargonium spp.)-Fragrant or ornamental; try ‘Almond’, ‘Ginger’, ‘Maple Grey’ and ‘Prince of Orange’; trailers include ‘Coconut’, ‘Green Apple’, ‘Nutmeg’ and ‘Round-Leaf Rose’

21. Thyme: Low-growing and drought tolerant; for culinary use, try English thyme, ‘Narrow-Leaf French’ and ‘Wedgwood English’, cascades include woolly and nutmeg thymes.

You’re pretty safe with herbs such as garlic, ginger, nettles, dandelions, shiitake mushrooms, nettles, burdock root, and rosehips. Also culinary herbs like thyme, oregano, turmeric, and cayenne are safe.

But some people can have an allergic reaction to cayenne, garlic and mints so be leery of these for sure if you are using them or growing them. Also pharmaceutical drugs may have an effect with some herbs so do your research before using them in certain foods and even growing them in your garden.

Babies younger than the age of 6 months should not take herbs internally. Small amounts of gently herbs can be applies to an infant’s skin via salves, oils and even in their baths, but young children should never eat herbs right from your garden and use caution if you are pregnant or nursing.

Some herbal products from Asia, India, and the Middle East are reportedly being altered with undesirable plants and can be contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides and toxins so be cautions of those as well.

Always educate yourself before growing herbs and using herbs. If you are familiar with a certain herb, by all means grow it and use it as often as you can. If you are wanting to find out more about a certain herb than read all you can about it and then grow it as much as you can. The more you read about a particular herb you may end up finding out more on other herbs as well that are just as safe to use everyday. Growing herbs and even a garden is very rewarding. When you get to use what you have grown in more ways than one that is where the real reward is.

If you enjoy growing herbs, but are sad that the winter months take away from the joy of growing them, consider growing them indoors. Here are some easy guidelines to have great herbs all year long inside.

1. Get Ahead of the Frost: Dig up and pot your herb at least 2 weeks before the first frost hits.

2. Choosing the Right Pot: Choose a container slightly larger than the toot ball of the herb. Plastic pots are lighter and more portable than a terracotta pot and they also help retain water better than an unglazed pot does. And your herb will need less water in the winter months too.

3. Make a Good Mix: Use good quality potting soil. Or you could use homemade compost mix as well. Never use garden soil. You may bring in with your garden soil unwanted insects and disease. Always wet down the mix before adding your plant to it too.

4. Get Rid of the Insects: No one wants to bring in insects into their home knowingly so spray them thoroughly with a soap mix. Regular mild dish soap that is eco-friendly and tap water work great on a lot of different insects. And they won’t harm your herbs either.

5. Trim off the Unneeded: Trim back the top third of your herb before bringing it indoors. This will help with new growth and also help the herb grow back healthier.

6. Get the Herb used To the Indoors: If you can bring your herb in during the evening and over night then place it in the sun light outdoors during the day for a few weeks this will allow it to harden off and adjust to the change.

7. Face it South: Choose a south facing window for your indoor plant and herb. Never place your herb directly from a heat source, this can dry it out and even cause stress on the plant and it could die.

On Monday I tried to whet your appetite for growing a few medicinal herbs in your home garden.  Today we are going to take a look at two of my personal favorites:

Chamomile
The flowers of this delicate plant have long been used both for their relaxing qualities and as a natural anti-inflammatory.  As a tea, chamomile works well as a mild sedative, but because it contains coumadin, extra care should be taken when being used by people on anticoagulants such as Warfarin.

I’ve enjoyed chamomile tea for years!

Feverfew
For years, feverfew was used to treat - what else - fevers.  In more recent times however, the leaves of this plant have found use in the treatment and prevention of migraine headaches and as a sufferer of migraines I can personally attest that feverfew can and does help me.  On the downside, coming off of feverfew can cause what is known as rebound headaches so be aware of that before you start taking it.  Like chamomile, it should not be used by people on anticoagulants, or by those taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

DISCLAIMER:  This is part 1 of a 2 part series on medicinal herbs that you can easily grow at home to treat a variety of common ailments and symptoms.  It should be said that if you are taking any medication or have any serious medical condition you should consult with your doctor or medical professional prior to taking any medication - prescription, over the counter or herbal - to avoid possible complications due to drug interactions.  This article should not be taken as medical advice; medical advice can only be dispensed by a licensed medical professional.

A recent article over at Mother Earth News by Harvey Ussery talks about the benefits of planting medicinal herbs at home and I thought it warranted a mention here at our very own Earthly Garden.

Lavender is easy to grow, beautiful & good for your health

If you think about it for a minute, it makes such perfect sense that I was wondering why I hadn’t done it sooner.  Many herbal medicine plants produce colorful flowers that will serve not only to beautify your home garden but also to keep your health in check without ever having to leave the house for a trip to the pharmacy.

Ussery rightly points out in his piece that one of the biggest obstacles in most people’s minds when it comes to herbal remedies is that the majority of people equate such things with old fashioned folklore and don’t take herbal medicine seriously.  While there is a degree of folklore attached, the fact is that the home herbalist has known for centuries the power of the plant and has been reaping the benefits quietly as the world makes expensive purchases of over-the-counter chemical this and synthesized that.

Before I continue, let me point something out that may (or should be) obvious.  What do you think the basis - the origin, if you will - of medicine is?  The Father of Modern Medicine himself Hippocrates used a powder made from willow bark and leaves as a pain reliever for headaches, body aches and fever.  In a roundabout way, it was this discovery that led to the creation of aspirin (patented in 1900 by Bayer).

Chamomile, blackberry, willow… the truth is that a lot of people are already growing medicinal plants and don’t even know it.  For my entries this week we are going to take a second look at some of these plants to find out what you can do with what you already have.  You might even find a few herbs you want to start growing in the process!

Never underestimate the power of your Earthly Garden!

Tags: medicinal herbs herbology herbalist herbal medicine home remedy

*apologies for the lack of posts the last couple of days-I had to have some dental work and it laid me low. Now back to gardening!

Last time we talked about how to start an indoor herb garden. Today I’m going to share with you some herbs that do great indoors!

Dill- This fragrant herb has attractive, feathery foliage and does well in a sunny window. Look for the compact “Fernleaf” variety. Dill is delicious when used in egg, fish or chicken dishes, dips, and of course, pickles. Both the leaves and the seeds can be used.

Oregano-This is another fragrant and popular herb. Choose the Greek variety, which forms an 8 to 12 inch mound. Oregano is fantastic in a wide variety of Italian and Mexican dishes.

Lavender-This herb is treasured for its beautiful and relaxing scent. The leaves can be dried and used in sachets and potpourri. Look for compact varieties such as Spanish Lavender.

Chives- This herb’s grass like foliage adds a mild onion flavor to many dishes. It’s especially good with potatoes, baked or mashed.

Parsley-This herb is the world’s most popular garnish and is also good for freshening breath after a spicy meal. Try varieties, the common “Curly Leaf” and the Italian version, known as “Flat Leaf” or Cilantro. Cilantro is a key ingredient in salsas and other Mexican dishes.

Chamomile-This herb makes a wonderful tea and is also good for sachets and potpourri. It’s known for its soothing, relaxing fragrance. It looks like grass until the small daisy like flowers appear.

Mints- Peppermint and Spearmint both make great windowsill plants. In fact, if grown in the ground they will quickly take over the garden! They make great teas and are a popular flavoring for all kinds of beverages, baked goods, and even meats like lamb.

Basil- This herb is a staple in Italian cooking. Look for the “Spicy Globe” variety as it stays nice and compact.

gardening, indoor herb garden, houseplants, windowsill garden

Here is a great article about setting up an indoor herb garden for the winter. Tommorow I’ll share with you the best herbs for indoor growing and how to succeed with each one!

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ — Just because the days are growing cooler and the leaves are starting to turn, doesn’t mean the end of fresh herbs and the garden’s bounty. Container herb gardening is a great way to spice up your winter cooking with fresh, tasty herbs all winter long.

Gardeners at all levels can enjoy fresh herbs this winter with these five simple tips from Dr. Calvin Finch, horticultural educator and one of the country’s leading master gardener program directors.

Contain It. Selecting the right container is key. Choices range from standard flower pots and planter boxes to wooden barrels, hanging baskets and larger pots. Be sure to choose a durable container that has adequate drainage. For most herbs, mid-size containers are large enough to ensure the root area stays moist and is unrestricted. Line the base of the container with newspaper to prevent soil loss.

Move It In. It’s relatively simple to cut a portion of an outdoor plant — such as chives, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage and thyme and plant it indoors. Get as many roots as possible when you remove the clump. You can also take a stem cutting by snipping a six-inch section of stem and removing the lower leaves before planting. Some plants, though, including basil and dill, will work best from seeding.

Choose Your Medium. Commercially prepared “soil-less” mixtures work well because they drain quickly and are free from soil-borne diseases and weed seeds. You can also purchase a good quality soil potting mixture, which generally consists of one part loam or topsoil, one part peat moss, leafmold or compost, and one part vermiculite or perlite. Regardless of the medium, make sure it is nutrient-rich to help plants reach their peak. Local soil alone won’t include the right balance of nutrients.

Let the Sunshine In,Your garden will require at least five hours of direct sunlight daily. Place plants in a south- or west-facing window. If good window light isn’t an option, fluorescent lighting can work as well.

Feed the Beast. Container plants can run out of “food” quickly since their roots can’t expand to find nutrients. At the time of planting, mix controlled-release fertilizer granules into the soil mix. Then, to maintain the nutrient supply, use a soluble liquid fertilizer with every other watering. Be sure to learn about the nutrient needs of your herbs, because requirements can vary substantially between plants. And be careful not to over-water. Check with your finger about one-third of the way into the pot to see if the soil is dry and needs watering.

Most Common Container Gardening Mistakes

Appropriate amount of light. Many plants that work well in containers indoors do not require full sun but many perform best with some light. Gardeners who are most successful research the light needs of their plants and seek locations that provide adequate light.

Over watering.Container plants require adequate water but the soil should not be soggy. Let the surface dry out between watering. It is usually best to water enough to have it run through into the saucer and then to empty the saucer. It’s much easier to kill herbs by overwatering than underwatering.

Sufficient nutrients.Fertilizers are critical in container gardening, but shouldn’t be used as a cure-all. Provide a controlled release fertilizer at planting and a soluble fertilizer every second watering for most plants, but don’t add extra fertilizer every time a leaf yellows. If you’re fertilizing properly, then consider water and light if your plants aren’t at peak health.

SOURCE Nutrients For Life Foundation

indoor gardening, herbs, growing herbs indoors, windowsill gardening, herb gardens

Good Morning!

The dill I planted about a week and a half ago is finally starting to sprout! I love dill, it’s such a versatile herb! You can use the seeds and the leaves, and it is delicious in egg dishes, with fish, and of course, with pickles! It also makes a great dip. I’m growing pickle sized cukes in the garden and can’t wait to make some homemade pickles! If you’d like to trying growing dill yourself, look for the more compact varieties and put in a sunny window. Keep moist, and you’ll have your own crop of this fragrant, attractive, and delicious herb!

Gardening Pic of the Day:

gardens, gardening, herbs, growing herbs, dill, dillweed

gardens, gardening, herbs, growing herbs, dill, dillweed

I’m sitting gazing out the window to my garden, and am happy to see that my little swarm of wild bees are back! They disappeared for a few months, and I was worried about them. I have no idea where they live, but a beekeeper friend identified them for me soon after they appeared here a few years ago…turns out they are honeybees! He told me he’ll help me capture them and put them into a hive, but I’m not sure I want the responsibility of tending a beehive. The bees seem to be doing fine on their own.

One surprise…they LOVE rosemary! My rosemary plants bloom off and on year-round here, and I never thought about that being a good source of pollen, or nectar. Apparently the bees think otherwise. I see a handful of them swarming the plant this morning, but last August there were thousands out there. The idea of rosemary-flavored honey is intriguing, I will admit.

I was glad to see the bees in the garden because they help the plants with pollination. One reason I have a totally organic garden is so that the beneficial insects can thrive in it and aren’t killed off by pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Too many of our native pollinators are disappearing because of widespread spraying of crops. For me, that’s reason enough to go organic.

Until tomorrow….dig it!

bobbi c.

insects, herbs, rosemary, bees, honeybees, beekeeping, pollination, native bees, native pollinators, nectar, organic gardening

This morning it’s 27-degrees and all thoughts about early planting of spring tomatoes have been replaced by worries that I might lose my little lime tree that’s been living in a pot on the porch since last year at this time. Actually, I’m surprised it has lived this long. This winter has been harsh here for us in many ways–more icy storms and colder temperatures. Maybe it will be a blessing in disguise, and will kill off some of the grasshopper eggs I know are lurking underneath the cedar mulch that covers my garden paths…nature’s way of dealing with bugs!

My new grow light stand (a late Christmas gift) I ordered finally got here, and even though it’s a bit late for us, I’ll be starting tomato, pepper and herb seedlings myself this year. It will be nice not to be tied to the small inventory of hybrid varieties that the local garden center sells, and I can space the timing out instead of buying them all at once. I’ll be starting some Brandywine tomatoes, a popular, tasty heirloom. I always grow cherry tomatoes, too, for salads, and those do well in pots as long as they are fed some fish emulsion or liquid seaweed.

I’ve been going through all my garden photos, and will be posting more of those as I find them.

Happy Valentine’s Day, all!

Dig it!

bobbi c.
All photos and text Copyright©2005-2007 by Bobbi A. Chukran

insects in garden, grow light stand, antique rose, white heirloom rose, lime tree in container