Nice email from Grace, a first year herb gardener, subscriber to Herbal Lore and Legend series
Dear Bob and Liza the Great J,
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.
Reader Comments
Just to let you know that I got a bookmark to your web page from Themelis Cuiper’s SocialGarden Biz cases : social marketing & sme
– you must be doing a superb job as he is pointing towards you.
When I purchased a sage plant from a small nursery here in Needles, CA told the seller I wanted to put it in a small container and grow it inside. Now, she told me it would be fine and happy. At the same time I bought a lavender plant. Well, the sage plant was not happy at all. What happened, was that all the leaves dried up with less than a week. I bought a grow light for it and the plant didn’t like the grow light. I watered the plant just as she told me to do. It didn’t like the water. I gave it Miracle Grow and I don’t think it liked that (bought it at the small nursery at the same time I purchased the plants). Well my caregiver and I brought the plant back to this individual and she didn’t want to know me and said that I shocked the plant by repoting it in the container – the same one she told me would be okay. She said the plant was not happy and it was my fault. I did everything she had told me to do. All this nursery person said was to take it home and I was on my own. I was very upset as anything I have purchased at Lowe’s or Home Depot carries a guarantee and they are very helpful and this is the first time I have supported a small “local” nursery and now I am on my own trying to figure out how to care for this plant. Is it dying and a lost cause – don’t know just what to do?
Hi Shirley,
Assume you are talking about the regular garden sage, salvia officianilis. That is the one you use for most recipes requiring sage leaves. Not knowing your climate but basically best choice for planting is outside, morning or partial sun, sandy soil, good drainage as it despises “wet feet”. No fertilizers at all, herbs are generally regarded as “beneficial weeds” so keep in mind what you do to weeds to make them grow. Do the same with herbs.
Repotting generally does stress a plant however if the plant was not well rooted to start with then anything will stress it. When you buy an herb look for roots coming out bottom of plant. What matters is what is under the dirt, not on top. Good root structure is the best indicator of success and the structure is found by observing the roots exiting the container.
Good luck.
Herbanite Bob