Friday, May 27, 2016

Herbs and Their Many Uses

I am loving my new herb garden up on my deck!

I think that was a very wise choice I made, to transplant the herbs right outside the kitchen door. 


It freed up so much space in my veggie garden, and put the herbs right where I need them. 


The chives have their own pots in the corner of the deck. 

I think I could make a living selling chives with all the chives I have now!


And the mint (for Mojitos, of course!) is in a separate planter, right next to the kitchen door. 

I read recently that mint helps keep ants away. 

We'll see. 


In the box on the left I have:

Lavender
Lemon Thyme
Pineapple Sage
Italian Oregano
French Tarragon
Purple Basil
Dill
Parsley
Scallions


And in the box on the right I have:

Rosemary
Greek Oregano
German Thyme
Garden Sage
Sweet Basil
Dill
Marjoram

The only thing I'm missing that I had last year is Chervil. I haven't found any yet. 

Via
It's very interesting to learn the medicinal properties of herbs, in addition to the culinary benefits. 

If you are interested in learning more about Herbalism, there are some terrific sites out there.  A little Google search turns up page after page. 

Buy It On Amazon
I just picked up a copy of this book to learn a little more, myself. What a fascinating subject!

This isn't an affiliate link, by the way, it's just me chatting with you about the book I just bought....like friends do!

AnniesRemedy.Com has a great page, where you can click on each herb to see the medicinal properties. 

What's planted in your herb garden? 

28 comments:

  1. What a GREAT post. My sweet little grandmother wes an herbalist and I had her book of 'receipts' for years and now I can't find it anywhere. She treated all of us with natural remedies when we were kids. There is an amazing amount of information available now but most of it ties back to what the 'old people' already knew. lol Hmmm...you need some chocolate mint, too!!!! xo Diana

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    1. Oh, Diana, that would be such a valuable book to find and cherish! I'd love to get a peek at her "receipts" - :)

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  2. I love all your special little gardens . I think the herbs right by the door is perfect. I believe one day the old ways will be back to help us. Blessings to you, your sweetie and daughters for fun holiday. xoxo, Susie

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    1. Thanks, Susie! I'm a little behind on responding....hope you had a fabulous weekend as well!

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  3. I have some mint from my grandmother's garden. I took it from my mom' house. I love that it has a history...and when I cook with it or drop it in a drink, it that always makes me smile.

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    1. That's so sweet, Kim. Is it a 'good' mint? The one that grows wild around my veggie garden isn't a nice mint at all, I don't use it. I plant fresh mint in a pot each year.

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  4. Your herbs look wonderful, Deborah. You would laugh if you saw how little my chives are. I'm growing basil (many kinds as it's my favorite), thyme & chives. My chives are so tiny they are still in the greenhouse. My parsley had an early death as something knocked over the pot in the night and it was a mess when I found it. I'll start again with it. Herbs are very interesting to learn about and that book looks very interesting. I like the idea that you are growing yours right outside your kitchen door. I will remember that when we are finally in the house and I have a porch to make use of. Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy all your hard work so far this spring. I'd say have a relaxing weekend but I'm getting to know you enough to know that won't happen. lol. Deb

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    1. Believe it or not, I did find some time to relax, Deb! I'm taking vacation time right now, so although I have a list as long as my arm of things to do, I'm also trying to find time just to chill out and be in the moment!

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  5. Oh yes, and oregano. We are a pasta-lovin' family. :)

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    1. You have to have oregano, no doubt! And I am also a pasta lover - I could eat it three nights a week easily!

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  6. I love fresh herbs! I have a bunch in various places around my house...some in pots, others in the ground. Nothing better than being able to step outside and snip whatever fresh herbs you need as you're making a meal!

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    1. So true, Melanie. I miss that in the winter. I do preserve a lot of herbs at the end of the season but it's never quite the same as fresh, is it?

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  7. Herbs are not just for cooking...the book you posted looks interesting. No cilantro? I'm wondering how you will use the pineapple sage. Lowe's, of all places, had a very good variety of herbs. We have long planters of mint that we will put next to the chicken run. Not for them to nibble but to keep some of the chickie eau du perfume down. xoxo

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    1. Oh how funny! What a great idea! No cilantro for me, I hate it! I have heard that it's very black or white - people either adore cilantro or it tastes like soap to them. I am of the latter....ick!

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  8. My chives look just like yours---those things go crazy!! I started growing herbs last spring and really enjoy it.

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  9. My chives look just like yours---those things go crazy!! I started growing herbs last spring and really enjoy it.

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    1. They must do great for you in your climate - do they grow all year? Or do they die off in the winter?

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  10. I like the idea of the herbs right by your kitchen. I have an abundance of chives this year also! Planted basil, parsley, lemon balm and honey dew melon sage. Nancy

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    1. Oooooh - honey dew melon sage???? How interesting - where did you find that????

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  11. You have a nice collection of herbs. I must admit that I don't know much about herbs. A few I do....such as Rosemary, Oregano and Basil, but just the other day I bought a Lemon Thyme plant just because I thought it was cute. HaHa! I have Lavender because I think it's pretty cute, too.

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    1. I don't cook with lavender, although some people use it in foods. I just love the way it looks and smells! I usually experiment with at least one new herb each year. This year the new herb is pineapple sage. I used it with a bunch of other herbs in a simple vinaigrette the other night for a salad - so yummy!!!!

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  12. Your herbs look so healthy and lush, Deborah. I love that they're close to the kitchen. I only have catnip, mint and rosemary in my garden. I need to get back to planting up more herbs again.

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    1. My sweetie grows catnip in his garden for his kitty cat, Lucy. He gives her a few fresh leaves every day - she loves it and follows him to the veggie garden, screaming for her catnip! Funny little Lucy Cat!

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  13. How fun and it all looks so pretty. I need to up my game on this type of gardening. We have thyme and basil...that's about all that's edible.

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    1. Hey, it's a start, Stacey! Edible gardens are amazing - there's nothing like being able to walk out your door and contribute something you grew to a wonderful meal.

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  14. I love that you have your herbs right where you need them. My chives are not doing as well as yours are but my mint is going crazy!

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  15. I love that you have your herbs right where you need them. My chives are not doing as well as yours are but my mint is going crazy!

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    1. The chives take time. I don't know how long these were in the veggie garden before I bought the house....they could be there for years! They do well in pots, though. So much less invasive that way! Just like mint. I am dealing with a nightmare of mint gone wild around my veggie garden - it's the bane of my existence at the moment!

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