
Herbs


2018 Herb of the Year!
Hops Humulus ssp
Common hops is primarily used in the brewing industry. The ripe, female, inflorescences are added to beer, to flavor, clarify and preserve it. Hop tea is a nerve tonic, a mild sedative and a muscle relaxant. Hops should be avoided during periods of depression.
Here are some past winners!

1995 - Fennel
1996 - Monarda
1997 - Thyme
1998 - Mint
1999 - Lavender
2000 - Rosemary
2001 - Sage
2002 - Echinacea

2003 - Basil
2004 - Garlic
2005 - Oregano & Margoram
2006 - Scented Geraniums
2007 - Lemon Balm
2008 - Calendula
2009 - Bay Laurel
2010 - Dill

2011 - Horseradish
2012 - Rose
2013 - Elderberry
2014 - Artemisia spp.
2015 - Savory
2016 - Capsicum spp.
2017 - Coriander/Cilantro
The Herb of the Year is chosen by members of the International Herb Association. Their Horticultural Committee evaluates possible choices based on them being outstanding in at least two of the three major categories: medicinal, culinary, or decorative.
The Herb Garden

Herbs to Grow from Seed
Basil (Ocimun basilicum)
Borage (Borago officinalis)
Catmint (Nepta x faassenii)
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium)
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Dill (Anethum graveolens)*
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)*
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenum)
Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lovage (Levisticum officinalle)
Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Herbs to Buy as Plants
Bergamot (Monardia didyma)
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
Lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylia)
Mint (Mentha spp.)
Oregano (Organum vulgare)
Rosemary (Rosmartinus officinalis)
Sage (Salvia spp.)
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
Thyme (Thymus spp.)

Herbs for Cooking

Poultry & Game

Fish

Tea & Beverages

Salsa

Pesto

Cakes, Cookies, & Breads

Fruit

Soups

Bay, Basil, Chervil, Garlic, Chives, Lemon Balm, Parsley, Rosemary, Savory, Sorrel, Tarragon, Thyme.
Peas

Cole Crops

Eggs

Salads

Edible Flowers

- Eat only flowers that have not been exposed to pesticides.
- Pick them early in the day and refrigerate the blooms between damp layers of paper towels.
- Shake blooms to remove any unwanted guests.
- Wash your flowers gently, as they can tear easily.
- Eat blossoms in moderation.

Herbs for a Salt-Free Diet
For Soup: Basil, Lovage, Parsley, Savory, Thyme, Marjoram, Bay
For Beef: Basil, Lovage, Parsley, Thyme, Marjoram, Savory, Sage, Rosemary, Lemon or Orange Zest, Garlic
Herbs for Fragrance
Scented Geraniums

Medicinal Herbs
Herbs have for centuries been used to treat ailments, and herbal remedies are still popular today. Many plants have healing capabilities when used properly but there is also the danger of misuse. Only trained herbalists and physicians should prescribe herbal remedies. Do not assume that herbs are harmless or underestimate the dangers of self-medication.

- Use in cut bouquets, table centerpieces and tussie-mussies as a natural ''air freshener."
- Add to potpourri, sachet pillows for sheets and clothing after air drying the leaves.
- Steep a few leaves in one quart boiling water for 15 minutes and add to a bath.
- Place leaves in mineral or almond oil for a week in a warm place. Remove leaves & repeat until the air has acquired the fragrance.
- Many scented geraniums are used in making cosmetics and perfumes.
- Add a leaf to your purse for a refreshing fragrance.

These plants are a zone 10 tender perennial. They will not take temperatures below 45-50F at night so bring them indoors or take cuttings in August. Place your scented geranium in a sunny south, east or west window. Give them good air circulation and allow the soil to dry down 1" before watering. Fertilizer is not necessary during the winter months. During the growing season you may fertilize with a 5-10-5 or 15-30-15 water soluble fertilizer at 1/2 strength, every two weeks. They are heavy users of magnesium so use 1 teaspoon of epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) to 1 gallon of water every 2 months during the spring & summer. Pinch or trim the plant as needed remembering to cut, not tear, the leaves from the plant.
Lavender


Lavender Varieties | Common Name | Notes |
Lavandula angustifolia
|
English lavender
|
'Hidcote,' 'Munstead,' good varieties, blooms June/July, produces finest oil, winter hardy
|
L. latifolia
|
|
More tender than angustifolia, blooms July/August
|
L. x intermedia
|
Lavandin
|
'Grosso,' 'Provence,' good varieties; cross between angustifolia & latifolia, produces most oil but not as fine as angustifolia
|
L. viridis
|
Yellow-Flowering Lavender
|
blooms April thru summer
|
L. dentata
|
French lavender
|
'French Grey,' 'French Variegated,' good varieties
|
L. stoechas
|
Spanish lavender
|
early bloomer
|
Lavandula pterostachy
|
|
very little fragrance
|
L. canariensis
|
Canary Islands lavender
|
deep blue flowers
|
L. multifida
|
|
divided leaves
|
L. pinnata Buchii
|
jagged lavender
|
similar to multifida
|
L. x allardii
|
Mitchum lavender
|
good for sub-tropical areas
|
L. heterophylla
|
|
|
L. lanata
|
Wooly lavender
|
wooly leaves, good for rock gardens
|
L. angustifolia x lanata
|
Silver Frost
|
'Kathleen Elizabeth' good variety
|
Growing Lavender

(above: L. stoechas, subsp. pendunculata, opposite: lavender oil)
Pruning & Harvesting

Herb Garden Inspiration



