My dad’s five acres in the California foothills looks to be a tangle of overgrowth, dotted here and there with an abandoned beehive or garden tool. If may not look like much, but just say “herb walk” to local naturalists and watch their eyes light up! For years, Dad has led herb walks up and down his gnarled pathways and through the out-of-control weeds. (“You only call them weeds because you don’t know their purpose,” my dad chides me.)
Dad is filled with tales of the healing powers of herbs. And considering the fact that he’s an active 91 years old, I can’t argue with him.
After following my father around, I know a lot more about herbs than I used to. I know that peppermint is a good settler of stomaches, for instance, and that it eases muscles cramps. I know that lemon balm calms anxiety and lifts one’s mood, and that sage helps a sore throat. I know that rosemary reduces joint pain and–oh yes–boosts the memory. I know that valerian soothes the body and quiets the soul, and is a better sleep aid than a glass of warm milk.
No one need visit my house and expect an herb walk. But I do love having an herb garden. It’s really quite easy. Most nurseries have a variety of plants available, and you can grow them in pots. Just be sure to choose a sunny spot. During your herbs’ growing season, cut the plants back frequently, as that encourages them to keep on growing. Oh, and keep them moist, especially in the heat of summer.
So how do you get the herbs from your garden and into you? My favorite way is a cup of tea. Just pour a cup of boiling water over six or so leaves, and steep for five minutes, then strain. (For valerian tea, chop up 1-2 tablespoons of root in place of the leaves.)
My dad has lots more herbs than that, but I can’t remember the specifics. Maybe I should make myself a cup of rosemary tea. I could use the memory boost!
God Almighty first planted a garden.
Francis Bacon, Of Gardens
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p.s. I dropped your name on Gina's post, Barb. ;)
thank you so much Lisa, that helps a lot. I know he tried to blame me for so much stuff, but like I told all of his family and mine none of that added up to a divorce. I do realize it's his needs, it just hurts so bad to think how many years he's
I think I’d rather grow herbs than almost anything else. I grow them in pots on the porch of my apartment. I dry them and use them all year long. There is something about walking out there in the morning and breathing in all those wonderful smells. I think lavendar is my favorite. I know a lady who makes wonderful house and body sprays with them. Now in the dead of winter when everything is all shut up with the heat on, I can spray it around and my senses think it’s spring again.
How do you dry them? For how long? In the sun? I wonder how the lady makes house and body sprays with them? Which ones does she use?
Yes, yes! I forgot lavender! That’s a favorite of mine, too.
Thre is so much I don’t know! Can you answer these questions, Flower Bear?
Please send some ideas of how I can start growing herbs and also more on the lady who makes the house and body sprays.
Calling you, Flower Bear! (Or anyone else with expertise.) I’m a novice myself, and would also like to learn.
I love this post. Years ago I planted some on my balcony. Last night I googled Windowsill Gardening. Love it.
I think I’ll do it.
Thanks for this great post.
Good for you! I wonder what all you will choose to plant?
My current favorite is basil in everything. I mix 2 parts basil with 2 parts water and 1 parts sugar, mint and green tea and steep to drink iced. Toast a slice of good bread, drizzle with olive oil, add avocado, basil and prosciutto. Before the summer is up I will make pesto for the freezer and this year I’m going to try and grow basil all year long. I keep several cuttings in water in the kitchen and dining room for the scent. I like mint and will try and grow that inside as well. My best garden was on a balcony because it was so manageable, NanaCatharine.
Yum! I’m going to try that basil tea today!
This in my opinion is the best way to dry herbs!
http://gardening.about.com/od/vegetablepatch/a/DryingHerbs.htm
In my opinion, this is the best way to dry herbs:
http://gardening.about.com/od/vegetablepatch/a/DryingHerbs.htm
Perfect! Thanks for the info.
I grw herbs outside in the summer but I’ll bring them in for winter and put them on my kitcken window sill. It’s perfect and i can smell the basil all the time!!
I’d also like to know how she makes sprays and drys her herbs???
Mmmmmm, I love that fresh growing herb fragrance.