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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 - Mar 27 2011 : 3:03:06 PM
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 Well to answer the first question on drying your herbs, two things to keep in mind. 1: harvest your herbs just after the morning dew has dried from the herbs and before the heat of the day. . . I use 11:00 am as a rule. 2: when drying them: either bundle them a few pieces together and hang in a dim cool area with air circulation. .. even if it is a fan placed on low. If you are using a dehydrator, this takes a little practice and needs your attention until the process is done. Too long in the dehydrator will rob your herbs of everything your harvesting them for, not long enough will result in a mold situation.
So, a little practice and you will get that down to a science
For the cats, they can be a big pest for sure and fencing is about the only way to discourage them. We have feral cats and barn cats around, the fence is the only thing that has worked. For the herbs in my small garden that we don't place a fence around, I made small cages to go over the herbs. . . they look like small bird cages sitting in the garden. . it allows the sunlight and rain in and keeps the mischievous kitties out.
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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Arctic Flower
True Blue Farmgirl
85 Posts
Marjorie
Nenana
Alaska
USA
85 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2011 : 2:14:15 PM
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There is nothing like weeding in an herb garden. The smells offer aromatherapy at its finest. It great to know there is so much herb gardening going on.
Farmgirl #2416
Believe in the power of Love! |
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Fannie
True Blue Farmgirl
67 Posts
North Huntingdon
PA
USA
67 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2011 : 06:16:14 AM
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Thanks JojoNH
You have answered alot of questions. I may have more once I get started...thanks again
Fannie
Farm Girl #2746 |
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ZenGoddess
True Blue Farmgirl
613 Posts
Cindy
MO
USA
613 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2011 : 11:07:06 AM
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Hi Girls,
I simple can not make it without catmint!! Zen and I both love it and its a main stay for my tea and his treat "that means I still luvvvvvv" him. With him and the barn cats and a few strays I can't plant it out in the ground ... I wouldn't have anything left of the plants. This is what I did last year and will do it on a bigger scale this year. I planted my catnip in a hanging basket and hung it up high on the porch. When it was time to pick the leaves it was easy to take the hanging basket down harvest the leaves and then hang it back up!! I actually think I have out smarted the cats!!
The porch protected the catmint from the wind and too much sun so all-in all, this methodhas worked the best for me : )
Hugs,
ZenGoddess/Southernplum
My life goal is to Simply - Simplify my life.
http://herbalcottage.blogspot.com
http://herbalcottage.etsy.com
http://southernplum.etsy.com |
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adnama
True Blue Farmgirl
171 Posts
inge
fargo
north dakota
USA
171 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2011 : 07:48:49 AM
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| This year I am doing a lemon herb garden, any and all lemon fragrance herbs, hope I thought of all of them. I too grow catnip for both my cats and myself for tea. I find old bird cages to cover my catnip, what grows through the bars is fair game for the cats, otherwise the lay on the plant and totaly destroy it, but I find my catnip growing wild. If you have wet paper towels to wrap the roots in, they transplant to home just fine. I find that the wilders have a stronger scent then those that I had purchused in the past. |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
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ZenGoddess
True Blue Farmgirl
613 Posts
Cindy
MO
USA
613 Posts |
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CMac
True Blue Farmgirl
1074 Posts
Connie
Ashland City
TN
USA
1074 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2011 : 10:43:18 AM
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I want to grow lovage again. I grew it at my old place and have not found where it will be happy on the farm yet. I've planted twice and lost it both times. I also want to try and keep rosemary in the ground over winter. I've heard the variety "Arp" is more cold hardy. Haven't tried to find it yet. I'm thinking if I mulch well with a light weight mulch after the first frost I may keep the roots alive over winter. (Straw or pine needles) Rosemary really does not like mulch but I can't figure out what else to try. Maybe wrap the plant in burlap?
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2011 : 12:02:06 PM
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ZenGoddess, glad I am able to help.
Connie, Although the Rosemary does not like mulch, it maybe that you need to mulch at the base of the plant and maybe place a pot over the rosemary plant then pile the mulch up around the pot. Since the pot has a hole in it, there would be air circulation enough for the plant and it would be protected from the harsh winds and snow. Worth a try.
Joanna #566
JojoNH
www.countrycents.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CountryCents
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
www.JoannasHomeStudio.com "Keeping traditions alive a stitch at a time" |
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CMac
True Blue Farmgirl
1074 Posts
Connie
Ashland City
TN
USA
1074 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2011 : 12:44:12 PM
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What a good idea Joanna! I bet one of those foamy plastic pots would be perfect. I got a plan!
Thanks!
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
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Fannie
True Blue Farmgirl
67 Posts
North Huntingdon
PA
USA
67 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2011 : 03:09:39 AM
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I'm so excited...I got my herbs and I'm ready to plant. I am really looking forward to see how this goes.
Fannie
Farm Girl #2746 |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
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Fannie
True Blue Farmgirl
67 Posts
North Huntingdon
PA
USA
67 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2011 : 02:58:46 AM
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Thanks Joanna, the journal sounds like a good idea.
Fannie
Farm Girl #2746 |
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
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Bensgrandma
True Blue Farmgirl
227 Posts
Alexis
White Oak
PA
USA
227 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2011 : 06:46:18 AM
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I love herbs. This year Cilantro is new to my garden. I have chives, sweet basil, sage, oregano, parsley, celantro, lavender (SEEDS SMELL HEAVENlY) and I still need to put in rosemary. it never makes it through the winter. Sage does well and so does the oregano. Both come back year after year.
I had a lot of spearmint and now it is in the field out back.Guess I must have transferred some. Boy that smells wonderful when we hit it with the garden tractor!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HugsandStitches
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ACharmingExperience |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
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StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
1044 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2011 : 06:52:52 AM
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Chamomile is my challenge. I tried direct sowing outdoors and failed. This year I tried starting seeds inside and they are still barely big enough to hold their own when I water them. Maybe some warm weather will bring them around!
-Paula
'Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift' - Eleanor Roosevelt |
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french08
True Blue Farmgirl
89 Posts
Kim
Sharon Springs
NY
USA
89 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2011 : 07:45:53 AM
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I have lemon balm and lavender. I am thinking it's about time I step out and add some more herbs!
~~Kim French~~
Farmgirl Sister #2997
Farmgirl at Heart From The Start |
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mountainmomma
Farmgirl in Training
42 Posts
Miriam
Jonas
Pennsylvania
USA
42 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2011 : 05:44:33 AM
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This year my challenge is to put in a formal herb garden. Some of the herbs I recently purchased and others I am moving from other places around my yard. It has been slow going with all the rocks and stones I have to dig up. So far everything I've planted is doing well. I have planted: parsley, feverfew, anise, yarrow, oregano, sage, pot marigold, tarragon and hoarhound. I still have: southernwood, basil, thyme, bee balm, cilantro, chives, lavender, camomile, stevia, nasturtium and marjoram to plant.
Miriam |
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Herbal Wisdom: 2011 Herb Challenge |
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2011 Herb Challenge
