Herb growing

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Author Message   Greth  Posted on Sunday, February 18, 2007 - 10:19 pm EST :    Grow what you use, and use what you grow! I grow a lot of herbs and other useful plants, in fact just about everything in my garden has some purpose other than being ornamental. I use a lot of herbs in cooking, nearly everything I cook has some green bits lurking somewhere. The children of course have been brought up with green bits, and they enjoy the different flavours. Even simple dishes like toasted cheese sandwiches and scrambled eggs get a lift from a judicious herb sprinkle. Adding herbs to your cooking gives you the medicinal benefits without having to use artificial tablets or pills. They are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and work as a general tonic. DH's health has improved enormously in the few years we have been married, simply because he gets better food than his bachelor choice of steak and chips. I dry herbs to use in the winter months as well, and make up my own herb mixes to put in those winter stews and soups. It is easy to make herb oils and vinegars, another way to preserve them for winter. I collect seeds for the next season, extras are sold or given away. I also propagate plenty of material, selling at the local country markets, but they make great gifts for friends who enjoy gardening too. I really enjoy selling at markets, it is a lovely day out for the children, and they make lots of friends there. DS even got some free piano lessons yesterday! I get to talk plants all day, and come home with a bit of money for the next batch of plants and potting mix The markets I work at are very friendly, the children and I get lots of free or cheap things from the other stallholders. I give away some things too, its a two way street. My vegetable patch is still experimental at this stage, it was totally unimproved sheep paddock about 14 months ago, and I am still finding out what does well or badly there. Some things have been really successful, others disappointing, but I'm learning, and will just keep trying. Tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, onions and some herbs have been really great, my arrowroot is just topping 7 feet tall, not sure it is really meant to be that huge. I can't be bothered grinding the roots to use in cooking, but once it dies down I will divide it and sell the offshoots. Arrowroot is the best thickening agent for stews, better than flour, and without that floury taste. I will plant some more on the north side to give me a bit of summer shelter for more delicate things. I know most veggies need full sun, but our version of FULL SUN is blistering in summer, and many plants find it a bit daunting. The raspberries and strawberries are promising, but need more time yet. DH is starting to work on a big shadehouse for me, so I can grow a lot more plants, and maybe start selling from home more often. I want to build a drying shed and herb preparation area too, so that I can sell some food products. The health inspector standards are very high here, so I need a dedicated facility if I want to sell food. My kitchen is not good enough, as we have a cat which spends time indoors. If any animals frequent your kitchen, you cannot sell food products legally. I really enjoy my lifestyle, it is good to be able to stay at home with my toddler during the week, and still bring in an income from my lovely plants. I don't have to deal with work schedules, and if the plants don't sell this week, hey, we just eat them! Greth - South Australia, Zone "?"   Bearrose1954  My Favorite Photo My Weather My Garden My Time Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 - 03:57 pm EST :    Very good Greth. We have a little herb garden area and enjoy the neat look of their various foliages and blooms as well as using some of them. Stan Bearrose1954 - Colorado, Zone "5"   Malgorzata  Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 - 07:43 pm EST :    Greth, nice article! Thank you! Grow what you use, and use what you grow! How true! Parsley, chives, dill and basil are a must for me. Then I love to have refreshing tea herb mix: Chamomile (unfortunately fresh only in spring), lemon balm, lemon grass and peppermint. Angry, irritated, tired? Fresh herb tea does wonders. And it does taste good and sweet if you use more than one variety of herbs. Malgorzata - Fukuoka-Kyushu, Zone "8"   Valia  My Favorite Photo My Garden Journal My Weather My Garden My Time Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 - 11:13 pm EST :    Very interesting, Greth. When you have some time, maybe you could write an article with details on whatyou use for the oils and vinegars. Valia - WA (summer) UT (winter), Zone "5a and 9a"   Heathergirl  My Favorite Photo Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 - 05:57 am EST :    Now you have me thinking about my plans for an allotment. We are currently on a waiting list for one and I have been planning all the vegetables that I want to grow. Now I can add herbs to my list. Thanks. Heathergirl - County Durham, Zone "8"   Greth  Posted on Friday, February 23, 2007 - 10:15 pm EST :    Mint vinegar is popular of course, also thyme rosemary and basil work well, instant salad dressing. Add some garlic if you like it. all of these can also be preserved in oil. It still isn't like the real fresh thing, but it adds a bit of zing to the cooking. Do put some herbs in, Heathergirl. After all, potatoes cost not much a kilo, let some broadacre farmer do those, herbs are an offensive price at the supermarket! Greth - South Australia, Zone "?"   Growit  My Favorite Photo My Weather Posted on Monday, May 28, 2007 - 08:58 am EST :    Wonderful article Greth! Herbs are not used often enough in my opinion. People are all too ready to reach for the bottle of pills in the cupboard than use herbs. Do you mix the herbs with your Veges when planting? They are very beneficial to Veg plants. Not only for encouraging pollinators but also discouraging pests and they can strengthen your Veg plants making them more vigorous and resilient to disease. Growit - Hampshire, Zone "8/9"   Greth  Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 06:00 pm EST :    Herbs grow anywhere in my garden, as long as the situation suits them. The veggie patch is the home of some of my more delicate and rare herbs. I don't deliberately follow companion planting, but there are a few combinations I remember and use if it otherwise suits me. Greth - South Australia, Zone "?"

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