Did you know that Cilantro and Coriander all come from the same plant? Cilantro is the leaf portion and Coriander are the seeds. Cilantro is also called Chinese parsley. Check out more information at www.tropicalpermaculture.com/growing-cilantro.html
Cilantro is an annual herb. You can collect the seeds at the end of the season and keep them for next year. This makes growing an annual herb much less expensive.
Cilantro is most commonly used in Mexican dishes. There are many benefits from using this herb. You can check out all thirteen listed at www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/13-health-benefits-of-coriander-seeds-and-cilantro-leaves.html
Three benefits listed are: good source of iron, protects against salmonella bacteria, and is an anti-inflammatory that many alleviate symptoms of arthritis.
This herb is one of three herbs that I handed out in a pot to those who came to my class this weekend. The seedlings are still small; probably too small to tell which is which. Wait for another week and you'll be able to tell which is which.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Planting for Bees and Butterflies
Even if you never pick or use any of your herbs, if you have garden crops that need pollination (zucchini, squash, pumpkins, cantaloupe, etc.), you'll benefit from planting certain kinds of herbs. Bees will be attracted to your garden. Did I see you squirm a bit? Really, bees are great to have around. With real honey bees around, you'll have less wasps. Bees don't sting you unless you act really aggressively towards them OR if you look and smell like a flower. While you and your children are outside, try not to smell too much like a flower (perfume, strong soaps, bubble bath) and don't wear bright colors. That will help.
Go to these websites for some good ideas:
http://www.ask.com/web?q=what+plants+attract+butterflies&askid=9997e180-c456-4167-8759-d7cf1acc78f3-0-us_gsb&kv=sdb&gc=0&dqi=&qsrc=999&o=2469&l=dir
http://www.ask.com/web?q=Flowers+That+Attract+Bees&o=2469&l=dir&qsrc=466
http://botanical.com/site/column_susun/susun_growgarden.html
There are some underscores in there that are hard to see, so copy and paste it to get to the right address.
I can tell you right now the wonderful varieties that have brought bees into my garden (and we love them for the great cantaloupe we get every year): Basil, Lemon Balm, Dill, Lavender, Parsley, Thyme, Sage and Mint.
Other varieties suggested are: Bee Balm, Catnip, Cornflower, Echinacea, Goldenrod, Horehound, Hyssop, and Feverfew. I don't know much about these herbs and what climates they like. I guess I have some more to learn.
Another way to attract the bees is to keep them interested and add a few annual herbs each year. By mixing it up, you in essence are adding to your restaurant's desert menu. Regular customers like that.
A third component is to keep a variety of herbs that bloom all season. That keeps the bees coming longer. There are many varieties of bees. Some like certain herbs and others like different ones.
If you plant mint, you MUST put it in a CONTAINER. Do not let that mint get roots in your regular garden area, or you might as well become a mint farmer and throw out all of the rest of your plants. It's much worse than thinking you should plant that whole package of zucchini seeds.
Go to these websites for some good ideas:
http://www.ask.com/web?q=what+plants+attract+butterflies&askid=9997e180-c456-4167-8759-d7cf1acc78f3-0-us_gsb&kv=sdb&gc=0&dqi=&qsrc=999&o=2469&l=dir
http://www.ask.com/web?q=Flowers+That+Attract+Bees&o=2469&l=dir&qsrc=466
http://botanical.com/site/column_susun/susun_growgarden.html
There are some underscores in there that are hard to see, so copy and paste it to get to the right address.
I can tell you right now the wonderful varieties that have brought bees into my garden (and we love them for the great cantaloupe we get every year): Basil, Lemon Balm, Dill, Lavender, Parsley, Thyme, Sage and Mint.
Other varieties suggested are: Bee Balm, Catnip, Cornflower, Echinacea, Goldenrod, Horehound, Hyssop, and Feverfew. I don't know much about these herbs and what climates they like. I guess I have some more to learn.
Another way to attract the bees is to keep them interested and add a few annual herbs each year. By mixing it up, you in essence are adding to your restaurant's desert menu. Regular customers like that.
A third component is to keep a variety of herbs that bloom all season. That keeps the bees coming longer. There are many varieties of bees. Some like certain herbs and others like different ones.
If you plant mint, you MUST put it in a CONTAINER. Do not let that mint get roots in your regular garden area, or you might as well become a mint farmer and throw out all of the rest of your plants. It's much worse than thinking you should plant that whole package of zucchini seeds.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Herbs that work in my Garden
Over the years, I've changed my herb garden around quite a bit. There are, however, some favorites for me. These are tried and true. Perhaps some of these will be easy for you too. The #1 best, easiest and prettiest herb I've ever used is sage. I've got three varieties of it at the moment, but have used all of these varieties successfully - Broad leaf Sage, Golden Sage, Clary Sage (green), Purple Sage, and Tricolor Sage. Another favorite is Oregano. It can be used in so many dishes. I especially like it in my recipe for Pesto. I'll share that later. Garlic Chives, English Thyme and French Lavender are other staples. Parsley and Garlic are very useful too, although they take a little more effort than the perennials.
The annual herbs I love are cilantro, purple (opal) basil, dill, and summer savory. The summer savory grows best when placed to the west of an established plant so it doesn't get the harsh sun. All of these annual herbs have the best chance if they are started 8 weeks early inside (mid-March).
The annual herbs I love are cilantro, purple (opal) basil, dill, and summer savory. The summer savory grows best when placed to the west of an established plant so it doesn't get the harsh sun. All of these annual herbs have the best chance if they are started 8 weeks early inside (mid-March).
Herbs 101 part 3
Basic Requirements for growing Herbs:
Most herbs prefer well-drained soil.
Although many herbs like a lot more, they need at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight.
A good balanced fertilizer is fine.
Some can tolerate dry conditions and poor soils once they are established.
They are great companions to flowers and shrubs (depending of course on how much sun they get).
For harder soils, mix in 1/3 potting soil, 1/3 natural soil, and 1/3 manure. Mix it well and then plant.
If you notice the plants are getting too much sun, add mulch around the established plants (at least 4" high). This will decrease the water evaporation and get your plants looking much better.
Most herbs prefer well-drained soil.
Although many herbs like a lot more, they need at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight.
A good balanced fertilizer is fine.
Some can tolerate dry conditions and poor soils once they are established.
They are great companions to flowers and shrubs (depending of course on how much sun they get).
For harder soils, mix in 1/3 potting soil, 1/3 natural soil, and 1/3 manure. Mix it well and then plant.
If you notice the plants are getting too much sun, add mulch around the established plants (at least 4" high). This will decrease the water evaporation and get your plants looking much better.
Herbs 101 part 2
Getting started is always the hardest part. Once you're into a project like growing herbs, I think it's rewarding and fulfilling - even if the only thing you do is look at and smell them.
Decide on where you want to plant your herbs. Go to a local nursery and look at what is available. Many times, good nurseries will only have plants that will actually grow in your climate. Imagine that. I know, weird.
Start with some basics like Oregano, Lavender, Chives, Parsley, Sage, Basil, Thyme, Mint, Garlic. Think about what you'll actually use in cooking. Don't do more than 2 annual and 4 perennial to start with. Once you've decided on what to plant, look at how tall it will be and organize your space accordingly. You'll want the taller plants at the back so they don't shade other smaller herbs.
One warning - beware of anything in the mint family (catnip included) - it will SPREAD and takeover. The easiest thing to do with these is to keep them in a pot - even if that pot sits in the middle of your herb garden outside (mine does). This will keep those roots from going crazy on you.
Okay - you've chosen your spot, your plants and your line-up. Now, you'll want to be sure the soil is ready for your seeds or plants. See the next section (part 3) for basic growing requirements.
Decide on where you want to plant your herbs. Go to a local nursery and look at what is available. Many times, good nurseries will only have plants that will actually grow in your climate. Imagine that. I know, weird.
Start with some basics like Oregano, Lavender, Chives, Parsley, Sage, Basil, Thyme, Mint, Garlic. Think about what you'll actually use in cooking. Don't do more than 2 annual and 4 perennial to start with. Once you've decided on what to plant, look at how tall it will be and organize your space accordingly. You'll want the taller plants at the back so they don't shade other smaller herbs.
One warning - beware of anything in the mint family (catnip included) - it will SPREAD and takeover. The easiest thing to do with these is to keep them in a pot - even if that pot sits in the middle of your herb garden outside (mine does). This will keep those roots from going crazy on you.
Okay - you've chosen your spot, your plants and your line-up. Now, you'll want to be sure the soil is ready for your seeds or plants. See the next section (part 3) for basic growing requirements.
Herb Websites I Like
Two great websites I've found on herbs are:
www.culinaryherbguide.com and www.ann-mccormick.com/
The first gives you great descriptions of herbs and basic info on how to use them. The second is the home page for a lady in Texas who loves herbs and calls herself "the Herb 'n Cowgirl" - quite clever, I think. She's got books out, does a monthly e-mail newsletter (to which I subscribe), and is quite active in radio spots and newspaper columns, etc. I love her personality and no-nonsense attitude. Enjoy checking these out!
www.culinaryherbguide.com and www.ann-mccormick.com/
The first gives you great descriptions of herbs and basic info on how to use them. The second is the home page for a lady in Texas who loves herbs and calls herself "the Herb 'n Cowgirl" - quite clever, I think. She's got books out, does a monthly e-mail newsletter (to which I subscribe), and is quite active in radio spots and newspaper columns, etc. I love her personality and no-nonsense attitude. Enjoy checking these out!
Herbs 101 part 1
I've been asked to teach an herb class this weekend and so you have the benefit of getting all of the information right here too.
First of all, herbs fit right into the frugal friend category since adding herbs from your own garden is much more economical than going to the store and buying them. There are a handful of herbs that are used in many dishes we make.
Some of the herbs are annual (they last for the season and then don't come back) and others are perennial (keep coming back over and over). There are even a few that are biannual (last two years) - like parsley.
Even the annual herbs can be quite affordable, however. All you need to do is learn how to let the plant "go to seed" at the end of its life and then collect and preserve the seeds to be planted again in the spring.
The beauty of herbs is that you can have an herb garden practically anywhere that gets at least a little sun. if you don't have room in a garden, you can put them in pots and keep them on a balcony, porch, or inside.
Have I convinced you yet to get herbbie?
First of all, herbs fit right into the frugal friend category since adding herbs from your own garden is much more economical than going to the store and buying them. There are a handful of herbs that are used in many dishes we make.
Some of the herbs are annual (they last for the season and then don't come back) and others are perennial (keep coming back over and over). There are even a few that are biannual (last two years) - like parsley.
Even the annual herbs can be quite affordable, however. All you need to do is learn how to let the plant "go to seed" at the end of its life and then collect and preserve the seeds to be planted again in the spring.
The beauty of herbs is that you can have an herb garden practically anywhere that gets at least a little sun. if you don't have room in a garden, you can put them in pots and keep them on a balcony, porch, or inside.
Have I convinced you yet to get herbbie?
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