Category Archives: herbs

Cleave to me, or is it cleavers for me?

Posted on May 5, 2019 by carolee

  The rain has caused many weeds to thrive, and it seems impossible to keep up with their rampant growth.   As I was admiring the tulips yesterday,  it was obvious that a sprawling weed with sticky stems and leaves was … Continue reading →

Posted in garden lore, herbs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Catnip

Posted on April 4, 2019 by carolee

  Whether or not a feline is a member of your family, catnip (Nepeta cataria) can be a valuable herb to add to your garden.  Its attractive gray-green foliage has slightly scalloped leaves, and is seldom bothered by insect or … Continue reading →

Posted in herbal teas, herbs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments

Violets: An Herb To Know

Posted on March 21, 2019 by carolee

  It may be hard to believe, looking out the window at endless white snow, or long stretches of beige lawn and bare trees, but soon the grass will be green and flowers will begin to bloom.  If you are … Continue reading →

Posted in edible flowers, herbs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

Chamomile for Lawns/Yawns!

Posted on February 8, 2019 by carolee

    While there are two types of chamomile, generally the annual “German” (Matricaria recutita) chamomile is the most used.  It has tall (15-18”) stems of dainty white daisy flowers that are used for teas, culinary, and medicinal purposes.  If … Continue reading →

Posted in herbal teas, herbs, Recipes, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Parsley

Posted on February 4, 2019 by carolee

   What cook’s garden could be complete without parsley?  Without doubt one of the most used herbs in the kitchen, parsley is not only a source of lively, fresh flavor but of valuable vitamins (A, B1, B2, C and niacin, … Continue reading →

Posted in herbs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Herbal Hot Buttered Rum

Posted on November 23, 2018 by carolee

My best friend and I had a forty year-old tradition of sharing hot buttered rum to celebrate the first “real” snowfall of the season…”real” meaning enough snow to track a cat across the lawn.  Over the years, separated by geography … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertaining in the garden, herbal cocktails, herbs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Green Bridges

Posted on January 10, 2018 by carolee

  Everyone is concerned about pollinators, and rightly so.  May I make a suggestion?  The Herb Society of America sponsors a program called “Green Bridges.”  It’s primary goal is to form “bridges” of not only safe passage for pollinators, providing … Continue reading →

Posted in gardening, herbs, pollinators, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Thymes they are a-changing

Posted on May 26, 2017 by carolee

    Thyme is one of the best-loved of all herbs.  A versatile and durable perennial, its creeping branches can soften the harshest of rock walls, turn a stone into a comfortable tuffet or make a sunny bank into a fragrant … Continue reading →

Posted in gardening, herbs, kitchen gardens, Potager, Recipes, thyme, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

A Day of Firsts!

Posted on May 17, 2017 by carolee

After a long spell of cold, rainy weather it is suddenly 87 degrees and total sunshine!  The slight drawback are the 50 mph winds that are really drying things out.  I’ve had to water the flats on the outside benches … Continue reading →

Posted in chives, gardening, herbs, kitchen gardens, Potager, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Taking Stock of the Herb Pantry

Posted on February 2, 2017 by carolee

While it continues to be grey and cold, it’s a good time to take stock of the culinary herb supply.  There’s still time to make adjustments to the planting plans and increase or decrease the number of plants needed.  Starting … Continue reading →

Posted in gardening, harvest, herbs, preserving, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments