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Herbal Wisdom:  2011 Herb Challenge  |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 09 2011 : 06:13:49 AM
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 Decided to challenge my herb growing this year. I am good at some things and bad at others. . . so I am trying to grow all the herbs I use in my kitchen on a regular basis. My challenge? Basil, it never makes it to maturity. . I either over water or something else happens to it. So this year I am bound and determined to "grow my own" !!
How about you? What herb is a challenge for you? Are you willing to give it another try? Let me know!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CountryCents
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://www.Eastwooddesigns.com "For all your Promotional Needs"
www.JoannasHomeStudio.com "Keeping traditions alive a stitch at a time" |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3305 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3305 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2011 : 08:24:40 AM
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Rosemary...I use a lot of rosemary in the kitchen and in my handcrafted soap. I would love to be able to "over-winter" it in my house, but it never does.
I broke down a few weeks ago and spent way to much on a Rosemary Topiary Tree-Not very tall-took it home and found out it was not culinary rosemary but ornamental and not for consumption. UGGH! It does smell wonderful though!
Melody
Farmgirl #525
www.lemonverbenasoap.etsy.com |
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natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2011 : 08:40:10 AM
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I have never been able to grow anyything herbal. I collect a lot of wild herbs for tea makin and stuff, but nothing grown intentionally. I am plannin to try an herb bed this year, so maybe it will work out. I have studied growth, needs, and plantin pretty intensly, so I'm gonna give it one more shot.
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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Bambitski
Farmgirl in Training
12 Posts
Bambi
Ashley
IL
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2011 : 10:36:55 AM
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I always leave my rosemary out in the front flower garden in the ground, and it never seems to die. Actually one year it took me some time to get it to finally come out of the ground. I wanted to put something in its place and it wouldn't die and it was deep rooted.
Trying to live the country dream..... |
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Colleen Easlon
Farmgirl in Training
49 Posts
Colleen
Port Orford
OR
USA
49 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2011 : 3:17:24 PM
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| My horehound & horseradish died. I have them outside since we have mild winters, but lots of rain. I think they got too much water unfortunately. This was my first year growing horseradish, and I heard it grows like a weed. So, I'm a little embarrassed that of all my plants, the 3 horseradish are the ones that didn't make it. |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
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fudsy
True Blue Farmgirl
175 Posts
Pamela
Clark Fork
Idaho
USA
175 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2011 : 05:53:42 AM
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Basil and thyme are very easy under a grow light. I have one of those too. My friend who is much older, wiser and all of her fingers are green has leaf lettuce growing 1/2 wax jugs cut long ways under her lights. I may start some of that this weekend.
I think your my collections must look a lot same. :-)
Farmgirl Sister #1599
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
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Countrysidegirl
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
Kellie
Yakima
WA
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2011 : 12:32:01 PM
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Last year I started my herb garden at my new house. Hopefully the rosemary, oregano, sage, and lemon balm will make it thru this winter. I know the mint and lavender will cause they did last year. I want to add some medicinal herbs this year, but need to research the ones that will grow in my area and over winter nicely. I dont like to baby things..in my yard. Anyone from WA know what will over winter for me in Yakima?
~Countrygirl forced to live in the city making the best of what she's got~ |
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fudsy
True Blue Farmgirl
175 Posts
Pamela
Clark Fork
Idaho
USA
175 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2011 : 1:18:37 PM
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Gosh Kellie,
The Yakima valley is pretty mild isn't it? It seems just about anything should work there.
Farmgirl Sister #1599
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2011 : 2:31:15 PM
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Glad to hear so many of you are planning on adding to your herb gardens as well. Some of my herbs do winter over, however, most don't. So next fall the goal will be to take snips of each and start new plants from them, winter them over inside and then plant outside once the ground is warmed up.
Anyone have an indoor garden going right now? If so, do you use a grow light to keep them going? Wondering since it is dark for so long during the winter.
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CountryCents
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://www.Eastwooddesigns.com "For all your Promotional Needs"
www.JoannasHomeStudio.com "Keeping traditions alive a stitch at a time" |
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Countrysidegirl
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
Kellie
Yakima
WA
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 10:03:05 AM
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I've been out here for a couple of years. I think we're classified as zone 6a and in Arkansas I was like 7b. The rosemary I planted was from a local master gardener's bush that over winters so I'm hopeful about it. Like I said, I dont baby my plants so I like to make sure they are hardy for the zone I'm in. My gardening clock is still all messed up. I'm used to planting in late April/early May and here I cant put out tomatoes until at least May 15th and then they might still need some pampering. I stay about a month ahead in my thinking on everything.
~Countrygirl forced to live in the city making the best of what she's got~ |
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fudsy
True Blue Farmgirl
175 Posts
Pamela
Clark Fork
Idaho
USA
175 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 10:25:36 AM
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May 15th. I wish I could plant tomatoes outside that early LOL. For us here in North Idaho not until June at that they have to be protected we have been known to have 45' on the 4th of July. LOL
Farmgirl Sister #1599
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 12:06:23 PM
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Same here, June 15th is the planting date and the last two years we had snow on the 15th! Our spring is very short, along with our summers. they kind of blend together into one season! LOL!
This year I will make a "make do" green house if I have to. I liked the idea from this issue in MJF for a Pallet Barn. . . why not a green house? So, as you can imagine, I will be collecting pallets soon enough.
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CountryCents
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://www.Eastwooddesigns.com "For all your Promotional Needs"
www.JoannasHomeStudio.com "Keeping traditions alive a stitch at a time" |
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Countrysidegirl
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
Kellie
Yakima
WA
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 12:53:03 PM
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Yes, I'm really hoping to get some new "beds" put in and I want to cover them with black cloth to help heat them up and then maybe plant early with row covers.
~Countrygirl forced to live in the city making the best of what she's got~ |
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earthmamaT
True Blue Farmgirl
96 Posts
Tammy
portola
California
96 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 1:20:29 PM
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My challange is now growing at almost 5000 ft! I have never lived at this high of an elevation ( I am in Nor CA near Lake Tahoe). I always have an extensive herb garden so this should be interesting. I know that I will used raised beds. With this beds I should be able to creat growing tunnels attached to the beds...
Tammy ~
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Gandhi |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
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earthmamaT
True Blue Farmgirl
96 Posts
Tammy
portola
California
96 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2011 : 09:20:20 AM
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Jojo~ I do start my herbs indoors. The growing season here is pretty short so i will be starting almost all of my plants indoors this year. As a matter of fact my DH is in the process of finishing my seedling shelves. I should have everything started within the next couple of weeks. Any extra plants I have I sell at the farmers markets. This helps recoup any out of pocket expenses for the garden.
Tammy ~
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Gandhi |
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HookAngel
True Blue Farmgirl
253 Posts
Bren
CA
USA
253 Posts |
Posted - Jan 18 2011 : 12:57:20 PM
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This year I am limited to a very limited space container garden on our patio. And it gets only a wee little bit of sunlight. I suppose there are many herbs that will do well in shade and partial shade.
I am pondering ways to mount a few window type boxes on top of the brick wall on the patio to get some full sun... not sure how I will do it but I have my thinking cap on...lol. |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
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kathyjane
True Blue Farmgirl
66 Posts
Kathy
Doniphan
MO
USA
66 Posts |
Posted - Jan 21 2011 : 09:28:00 AM
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| Lavender is my Achilles! I can never get it to overwinter. I live in zone 6B so you wouldn't think it would be a problem. I tried a little trick with my Rosemary this year that so far is working wonderfully, I left it in the garden and put a dark plastic pot over it with a few small drain holes in the bottom. It gets moisture,just enough light, and plenty of warmth. bThink I'll try it with my lavender next winter. |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2011 : 06:19:48 AM
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Hi Kathy,
Sounds like a great idea, wish I had thought of it!!
My number one problem with wintering over herbs indoors is lack of sunlight. It is so dark here, snows just about every day, so what little sunlight we get is not enough to sustain growth for the herbs. I need to look for a grow light and give that a try. . . hoping that will remedy at least that issue!!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CountryCents
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://www.Eastwooddesigns.com "For all your Promotional Needs"
www.JoannasHomeStudio.com "Keeping traditions alive a stitch at a time" |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
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Vintage Sue
True Blue Farmgirl
70 Posts
Sue
Woodbine
Maryland
USA
70 Posts |
Posted - Feb 05 2011 : 12:52:28 PM
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My goal is not so much planting new herbs as using regularly the ones I have! In addition to using them in cooking, I want to try my hand at incorporating herbs into soaps and balms this year. I want to plant campandula and can't forget Lemon Verbena - there's just nothing else that comes close to it's yummy scent and flavor!
"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun" - Katharine Hepburn
www.mymotherspearls.me |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - Feb 05 2011 : 1:27:36 PM
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I agree, Lemon Verbena is one of my favorites too! My goal is to triple the size of my herb garden. . I know, a big challenge considering where I live. . . and to winter over as much as I can, start new plants from clippings in late summer early fall. The goal is to get a real herb farm growing. . . so I can sell fresh and dried herbs and all the wonderful things we can do with them too!
You mentioned making balms and soaps, do you make them to sell or for personal use only?
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CountryCents
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://www.Eastwooddesigns.com "For all your Promotional Needs"
www.JoannasHomeStudio.com "Keeping traditions alive a stitch at a time" |
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Herbal Wisdom: 2011 Herb Challenge |
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2011 Herb Challenge
