June 8th, 2009 by Geoff Marks
The rosemary herb has gotten a bad rap as a plant that is difficult to grow, but this is simply not the case. This herb can actually handle a lack of attention and care quite swimmingly if it is given the best start in life. The key to successfully growing the rosemary herb lies in its humble beginnings; if you get that part right, the rest of the growing season and a bountiful harvest are sure to follow.
The Attraction of Rosemary
The rosemary herb is known as a triple threat for gardeners, because it is ornamental, fragrant and full of delightful flavor. In warmer climates, rosemary can be grown year round, but in colder areas, this herb needs to be brought indoors during the frosty months of winter or grown as an annual. It is much more challenging to keep the rosemary herb happy indoors during the winter months …
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June 4th, 2009 by Geoff Marks
Most experts agree that organic herb gardening, with natural fertilizers, natural weed removal methods, and organic herb seeds, is preferable to non-organic gardening.
Genetically modified seeds are the opposite of organic herb seeds. When something has been genetically modified, the very nature of its being has been altered.
Some seed modifications seem to make sense, like making a plant less susceptible to disease or infestation. However, long-term effects of these genetically modified seeds are unknown, while organic herb seeds are known to be healthy. Furthermore, using genetically modified seeds reduces the variety of foods available as we lose the old heirloom seed varieties of yesteryear.
Corporations have been very successful in securing legislation that exempts genetically modified seeds from certain healthy food regulations. Without regulation, how can we trust the food producers to harvest, ship, and sell their foods with proper labels so consumers can choose healthy, organic product. Fortunately, …
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June 2nd, 2009 by Geoff Marks
Nothing works better when making when making when making North American dishes then using North American herb & spice. North American herb & spices are herbs and spices, which can be found within North America. This does not mean they all are herbs and spices, which had been brought into the country from other places but are actually needed to the North American continent.
There is a wide variety of North American herb & spice options that can add a distinctive flavor and tone to any dish. North American herb & spices can also the end in itself to providing a local and native feel to any kitchen garden. In fact, in some areas using North American herb & spices and a kitchen garden is actually recommended because there is a greater chance of these types of plants actually growing well in the environment. This is because they are native …
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May 31st, 2009 by Geoff Marks
As a culinary herb, mint is a versatile addition to any kitchen. However, every gardener dreads finding mint in their garden. Mint grows like a weed, and once it crops up in an area, it can be invasive, choking out other plants.
The advantage of the invasive quality of mint is that it is easy for beginners to grow. Mint is virtually impossible to kill. It is not frost-hardy, and it will appear to die off with the first hard frost of fall. However, the underground root system is extensive and extremely hard to kill, so tender shoots of mint will pop up again next spring, seemingly out of nowhere. Mint will grow in full sun or partial shade.
Grow Mint Herb in Pots
Because of the invasive nature of the root system of mint plants, many gardeners prefer to grow mint herbs in containers or in a small planting …
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May 29th, 2009 by Geoff Marks
There’s a feeling of loss that comes with the beginning of fall and the end of the summer vegetable and herb growing season. The sun sets early, and nights grow cooler. As leaves begin to change color, every gardener knows it’s time to put their crops to bed. Green tomatoes get picked and pickled; beans get harvested, corn is picked, and cornstalks are pulled up and set aside until Halloween, when they will be arranged on the front porch with pumpkins and other decorations.
Microwave Herb Drying
Late summer and early fall is the perfect time to preserve summer herbs, dried in your microwave oven. When herbs dry in a microwave, the essential oils of the herbs are absorbed and stored in the leaves that result from the drying process.
Just as dried tomatoes, dried grapes (raisins) and dried plums (prunes) have a more concentrated flavor than the fresh fruits, …
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May 15th, 2009 by Geoff Marks
Our society is becoming increasingly health-conscious, and with this new awareness of personal health has come a movement toward more natural health care. Instead of relying on medicines and medical interventions to heal what ails us, many of us now depend on herb supplements and alternative treatments to maintain and improve our health.
How Natural Treatments Can Benefit You
The best time to start taking herb supplements is long before you need them. Using herb supplements that promote your long-term health and immune system can reduce the frequency with which you suffer from colds and other minor illnesses.
There is widespread belief that some herb supplements can even prevent the occurrence of major illnesses such as cancer and diabetes. While these beliefs have not been confirmed by medical studies, cultures that have used natural herb supplements and treatments for centuries do have lower incidences of these diseases.
There are a …
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May 13th, 2009 by Geoff Marks
Most herb gardens – whether you buy a kit or decide to make them from scratch yourself – require you to grow herb seeds to start the whole process off. These are available in small packets from your local garden store, and sometimes other stores as well. They are very cheap to buy and you can often get a few packets of herb seeds for a cheaper price than you would if you bought them individually.
But once you have bought them you will need to plant your herb seeds to get the plants themselves to grow. And, this is where the beginner needs to make sure they follow the correct process to get the best results.
Make Sure You Read the Instructions
This might sound obvious but it is just as important when planting herb seeds as it is when you are planting bulbs or flowers. Every herb generally …
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