Herbal Garden Beginnings

Herbal Garden

On the first day, Art cleared an area for the herb bed, relocated plants which would have been under the herb bed. He then measured, marked, and tilled the chosen area. In the background, my daylilies are beginning to sprout. Before this record cold Winter, with much snow, I had herbs planted along the wall, (which are now dead), including my huge rosemary bush.

After tilling and raking, Art cut landscape timbers, and secured them to create a bed for my herbal garden. It is my hope, by having an herbal bed, I can take measures to protect my herbs next Winter.

The bed is ready, now containing a load of topsoil, and cow manure, (sanitized and deodorized), and thoroughly mixed with the topsoil and raked. Yesterday, I planted some leaf lettuce along the wall nearest the camera, which will supply fresh lettuce as I wait for the last frost before planting herbs. Now, Art is digging a trench for lava stone around the edge of the bed, then we plan to mulch outside the stones, and place some decorative stepping stones around the bed. More photos will be posted.

This is hard work, but so much fun!

Aine

Herbal Garden

Herbal Enthusiasts...

At Last! It is time to start planning and executing plans for Herbal Gardens. Mine, thanks to Art, is underway. On the first day, he cleared a section in a large flower bed, relocated a few plants, and weeded the area. He then tilled the soil, and built the frame from landscape timbers.

Our soil is poor; therefore, Art purchased a load of topsoil and a bag of treated cow manure, and thoroughly mixed that within the walls of the frame. My herbal garden is ready, although it is too early to plant herbs in the Foothills of North Carolina. I seeded one side of the bed with two types of leaf lettuce, which will die when it gets too warm, freeing that space for herbs.

On the outside of the walls, Art will dig a small trench, and border the bed with lava rock, then around the edge of the rock, I will plant marigolds and other flowers which, hopefully, will deter rabbits. We have enough greenery in our gardens to feed them, but I would like to harvest a few herbs for our needs.

Progress, or lack thereof, will be posted.

Happy Spring Gardening!

Aine

Herbal Update

Hello Again!

We have had several frosts here in the Foothills of North Carolina, and many of my non-tender herbs are thriving beautifully and very tasty. I should have them all Winter for kitchen witchery, seasoning salads, vegetables, and soups so they pop with flavor. (For those who like meat, herbal seasoning will increase the flavor. The herbs and spices saved and prepared for storage are great, too. Such wonderful flavor added, with NO calories.

A good site for those beginning to experiment with spices in the kitchen...

Good Cooking

http://www.goodcooking.com/herspice.htm

There are many more household and medicinal uses for herbs - explore!

Aine

End of a Season

Autumn in the Herb Garden

For many of us, this time of year is always such a mix of sadness and anticipation - the vegetable garden has almost stopped producing, the trees are losing their leaves, and the flowers have mostly gone away. But, there is much work to be done and we can anticipate the excitement and pleasure of the coming Spring. .

Many herbs live through the Winter here in the Foothills - among them are chives, garlic, onions, chervil, sage, fennel, angelica, tarragon, thyme, lemon balm, lovage, oregano, anise, hyssop, sweet marjoram, and many, many more. Check with your nursery, or read the seed package for hardy herbs. Better yet - buy your very own herb book from the many selections available.

When the frosts begin, I protect whatever possible so that I can harvest into late Autumn. I pot some herbs, placing them in my kitchen, or on a basement windowsill, for use during the Winter.

Be sure to clear old growth. lifting and dividing clumps, replanting rooted plants, removing dry flowerheads or leaving them as forage for the birds.

Purchase a good herbal gardening book. I have several very old ones, and I am sure there are many new ones which have an improved approach to gardening.

Herbs make your food taste great and your home smell delightful. Plant them and use them!

Aine

Summer Herbs

After a very doubtful beginning because of too much rain, late freezes, then too little rain, my herbs have withstood everything the elements could throw at them, and have served me well for seasoning a great crop of Summer vegetables. This season, I planted a few herbs in the vegetable garden, but mostly my endeavor was container gardening. I found it difficult to keep the right amount of moisture and would prefer a garden of herbs set within a larger flower garden... but that is a thought, and a plan, for next Spring!

Here is a site I have not fully explored, which has volumes of useful information:

http://www.herbalgardens.com/

More to Come...

Aine

Essence and Enchantment of the Herbal Garden

Here in the North Carolina Foothills, planting time is almost upon us. I must clean, trim, and spruce up my herb garden for the coming season. For the past few years, we have had boiling Summers, frigid Winters, and punishing droughts; therefore, there is much chaos in my garden.

The long, cold Winter days and nights have brought on my usual attack of Spring Fever and the need to get my hands into sun-warmed soil.  My plan is to expand and improve my herb garden; therefore, other than the usual Spring cleaning, there will be inventories and intensive planning, which will include visions and angles of prospective views.  There will be spading and sowing, then the excitement and expectation of germinating seeds. Later, there will be the selection of seedlings to be transplanted into the garden, between cracks, or into containers to be placed on the balcony or decks.

An herb garden can be of formal design or a natural explosion of color, texture, and fragrance - an Enchanted Garden.  Herbs are extremely versatile and can also be enjoyed outside the herb garden. They can be utilized as borders or placed along walks or sometimes placed within the cracks and fissures of flagstone walks and terraces.  They can be mixed and mingled with flowers and vegetables, placed in containers on balconies, decks, terraces, and porches.  Plantings of popular cooking herbs are a special addition to your mailbox flower bed so that friends and neighbors, who may be out for a walk, can pluck a taste of fresh herbs.  Herbs add a special beauty and fragrance when placed inside your home, especially in your kitchen for convenience, decor, and a little kitchen magic. 

There is an abundance of magic to be discovered in the sunshine, in the grey of clouds and fog, in the gentle breeze, the crashing storm, and certainly in the moonlight.  Incorporating all the natural elements into your herbal garden will bring surprise, delight, and enchantment to all who open themselves to the magic of the herbal tradition.

Enjoy the Essence - Be Enchanted

Aine

Green Witch, Hedge Witch, Garden Witch, Herbalist Tradition

I am beginning a new journey to increase my knowledge about herbs and their limitless uses.  I will share my knowledge, (old and new), in the traditions of  the Green Witch, Hedge Witch, Garden Witch, and Herbalist.  I will be posting book titles, reviews, recipes, web sites, shops, and any information which may be of interest to those who follow the Herbalist Tradition.

If you wish to start your own herb garden and would like some ideas, here is a wonderful web site with some great designs for starting your own herb garden:  

The Celtic Herbalist's Gardens

http://www.frenchentree.com/france-lot-quercy-gardening/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=32472

When it is warm enough, and if you are in the proper planting zones for Moonflower, this beautiful night-blooming fragrant flower should be planted during the New Moon.  The flowers can be up to six inches across and the vine grows to approximately 15 feet.  The Moonflower is the perfect addition to your Moon Garden.

Dave's Garden

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/11260

Whether you live in the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere, there are things you should be doing to get ready for planting and cultivating.  Therefore...

Happy Gardening!

Aine