Should herbs be harvested….before they turn to seed, or cut the part off that is turning to seed?  Example…cilantro!   It was growing so great then went to seed and killed the cilantro…that was there…it seemed.  Now I just have a lot going to seed…!!! what to do?

Answer:

Type in “cilantro” on herbfest “search” for articles specific to cilantro that will help.

Basically herbs are live plants, leaves, sometimes stem or roots.  Spices are seeds of plants.  Cilantro is the leaf ( herb) , coriander is the seed ( spice).

Cilantro did as will always do so, for us -Zone 7,  the best plant is Culantro, not cilantro as culantro loves the heat and does not bolt ( go to seed) like cilantro does.

Wanted to let you know that I have enjoyed getting the newsletter, it has been very informative. We were unable to get to HerbFest this year, as it is a bit of a hike for us (we’re in Burlington), and we didn’t find out about it until it was here! I do appreciate the info, and I know I should spend more time browsing the website.

Last year was the first year we really started doing herb gardening, and we have enjoyed it. This year has been interesting since we have already had to do a lot of “death and destruction” on some things that got out of control. Last year I cut my sage bush back to about a foot high (and dried 2 quarts of it!), and it’s already 4 feet high and growing. I planted some Roman chamomile last summer and thought it had died. Well, I’ve already had to dig up half, twice and none of my friends want anymore!

Our big excitement last year was some jellies that we made from herbs. We made a mint jelly from chocolate mint and also some jelly from lemon balm. We entered them in the NC State Fair and won blue ribbons! The lemon balm is behaving itself this year, but the chocolate mint has spread all over the box it’s in, and will have to be disciplined come fall! New this year is French tarragon and anise. So many things came back from last year that we are overwhelmed: oregano, marjoram, and fennel are HUGE already, even after the winter that we had!

We have a funny little “farm” out here in Green Level (just northeast of Burlington). Besides herbs, we grow vegetables and are starting some little fruit things. For insect control we have a flock of 12 guineas, who also double as continuous entertainment and provide eggs when they’re in the mood. We have about an acre and a half, but most of it is just lawn (for now). Give us time we’ve only been here a few years!

We do have an incubator full of guinea eggs that should start hatching next weekend or so. If you know anyone who wants any, have them contact us:

Spence & Grace 336-567-0026 or by email at mom_witham5@yahoo.com. If they call, have them leave a message if no one answers. We are very bad about answering the phone as we’re usually outside whenever possible!

Thanks for the email and all the information!

Grace

Note: Grace is new subscriber to herbal lore and legend free eherb tips.

In humans, who eat minimally processed whole foods that are predominantly (over 90%) vegetable/fruits and leaves, the body gases are not “odorous”. And whenever there is some *odor* present, there should be some attention to diet and to health status.

Similarly you will easily demonstrate that this is true in other animals as well. When your cats are appropriately fed, their litter box contributions do not cause people to leave the house. If you are feeding your cats *kibble* to ANY DEGREE, the litter boxes are thoroughly offensive. But just change those cats to an all meat, raw food diet and their stool will NO LONGER SMELL anything like the litter box of a poor kibble-fed cat.

To complete the picture, the litter box should be using a carbonaceous source to balance the nitrogenous components in their stool and urine. But the change in the cats’ litter box contributions is dramatic, and the realization is the proof that diet and nutritional medicine are linked to the odor problems and should not be just covered over by a nice stronger odor.

We have used a thermophilic composting unit in our home for a few years now and the key to keeping the bio-remediation bucket nice smelling is that carbonaceous additive (shredded paper and similar carbon sources) that users toss over their “stuff”, just like well naturalized cats do. Any sign of even the slightest odor means that the chemistry needs balancing with more paper/carbon. Not a cover up. The chemistry is almost immediately effective.

Of course if you still engage in that disgusting official practice of creating SEWAGE IN YOUR HOME then maybe the chemistry isn’t quite so nice to your well being. After using the thermophilic system for this amount of time, it is just unbelievable that we EVER tolerated the government’s mandated creation of sewage in our home.

And btw, we did convert our litter box design to accommodate these composting practices by creating an undertray (with drilled holes in the cat’s standing area) where we place the newspaper to balance the cat’s urine. The cat’s stool is scooped (just like you do to walk a pet) and dumped (and covered) into the bio-remediation bucket. No odor, at all. Clearly we would be averse to the use of scents to mask the early warning clues of health problems.

Hope that helps.
MJ R——, PhD

Hi David,

That’s a very good question and one we need to pay attention to. Would you do me big favor? I’m in midst of getting ready for Herbfest for next 2 weeks and if you can resend this to me after April 26 then hopefully can give you a better answer since it is a great question.

I’m not specifically addressing your question BUT..

• Foxglove is the plant from which digitalis is derived. Heart starter when have heart attack.

• Often it’s not the herbs that really help your heart as much as it is by using herbs as seasoning agents you eliminate the often fatty, non heart friendly seasonings such as adding salt to already high sodium foods, especially prepared foods, fats such as lards, butter, etc.

• Herbs add flavor to healthy food items and great example is tomatoes which are good for you and by themselves but greatly enhanced with fresh basil. By adding the basil you delete use of salt.

• Stevia is another additive used in place of sugar and often stevia is very good for diabetics to replace sugar and diagnosis of diabetes also is heart harming as disease progresses.

This just a beginning of discussion and back to you after Herbfest but remind me please.

Thanks.

Herbanite Bob

Legend of The Cold Shoulder