Saturday, February 13, 2016

Upcoming Events

Unfortunately, I will not be at my regular Saturday market on 2/13.  I had an opportunity to get some help in the greenhouses & I just couldn't pass it up.  However, I will return to the market on Saturday, 2/20.

In addition, "if the Good Lord's willin' & the creek don't rise", I will be set up at the following events in April:

You can always call (423) 400-5301 or email me dte0853@epbfi.com.  I will respond as quickly as I can.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Landscaping With Herbs



Note: I include this information in a publication for sale. Please do not print and distribute.
Thank you.

Including herbs in your landscaping - what better way to spice up your yard and your life?

If you have adequate sunlight (minimum of 5-6 hours) and good drainage you are already half way there. Now all you have to do is figure out the plan. Consider what you want to accomplish, how you want to be able to use them, then get going.

If you're looking for sustainability in the landscape, here is how herbs can fit the bill for you:
  • They are easily incorporated into the landscape. 
  • There are many perennial varieties. 
  • There are some natives/'weeds'. 
  • They have minimal water requirements, once established. 
  • They have minimal fertilizer requirements. 
  • They have minimal soil requirements. 

Here are some suggestions for different applications in the landscape.
These lists are not all-inclusive.  Not all herbs in the lists are edible; some are poisonous. Please exercise due diligence and caution!

Herbs for Containers:
Basils, Calendula (pot marigold), Catmint, Catnip, Chive, Cilantro, Lavender, Lemon Balms, Lemon Verbena, Marjoram, Mints, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, Scented Geraniums, Thyme, and MORE. Almost all herbs can be used in containers/planters.

Herbs for Theme Gardens:
Southwestern/Mexican
- Arugula, Mexican basil, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Lemon balm, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Mexican mint marigold, Nasturtium, Oregano, Papalo, Parsley, Rose geranium, Rosemary, Sage, Spearmint, Sweet bay
Mediterranean - Arugula, Basil, Borage, Chervil, Chive, Dill, Fennel, Lovage, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Salad burnet, Sage, Spearmint, Sweet bay, Thyme, Winter savory
Western European - Basil, Chive, Curly parsley, Dill, Lavender, Lemon thyme, Nasturtium, Peppermint, Purple sage, Sage, Spearmint, Thyme
Asian - Cinnamon or Licorice Basil, Coriander, Cuban oregano, Garlic chive, Ginger, Lemongrass, Thyme, Turmeric
Herbal Tea - Anise hyssop, Bergamot, Chamomile, Hibiscus, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lemongrass, Mint, Pineapple sage, Rose, Sage, Thyme
Biblical - Costmary, Hyssop, Lavender, Lady's bedstraw, Mint, Myrrh, Rosemary, Rue, Sweet flag, St. John’s wort, Wormwood

Herbs for Foliage/Fillers/Groundcovers:
Bugleweed, Corsican mint, Creeping thymes, Curly parsley, Dwarf sage, Lady's mantle, Pennyroyal, Roman chamomile, Silver Mound artemesia, Spicy globe basil, Sweet woodruff, Thyme, Winter savory, Wooly Thyme, Yarrow

Herbs for Color:
Angelica, Bee balm, Bergamot, Borage, Burdock, Calendula, Chamomile, Chive, Clary sage, Coneflowers, Cranesbill, Evening primrose, Feverfew, Flax, Foxglove, Hollyhock, Lavender, Mallows, Milk Thistle, Mullien, Pinks, Purple sage, Red clover, Rugosa rose, Scented Geraniums, Skullcap, St. John's wort, Tansy, Valerian, White Clover, Yarrow

Herbs for Rock Gardens:
Alpine strawberry, Basil, Catmint, Chamomile, Chive/Garlic chive, Lady's mantle, Marjoram, Oregano, Pennyroyal, Rosemary, Thyme, Wild ginger, Winter savory

Herbs for Bees/Butterflies/Hummingbirds:
Bees - Angelica, Anise hyssop, Bee balm, Borage, Calendula, Catmint, Chive, Comfrey, Coneflower, Dandelion, Fennel, Horehound, Hyssop, Joe pye weed, Lavender, Lemon balm, Marjoram, Oregano, Passion flower, Purple coneflower, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Valerian
Butterflies - Borage, Catmint, Catnip, Fennel, Hyssop, Joe pye weed, Lavender, Nettle, Oregano, Parsley, Purple coneflower, Pineapple sage, Sassafras, Savory, Thyme, Verbena, Yarrow
Hummingbirds - Anise hyssop, Bergamot, Borage, Catnip, Lavender, Marsh mallow, Mints, Sages (especially Pineapple sage)

Herbs for Accents:
Topiaries - Lavender, Myrtle, Rosemary, Scented geraniums, Sweet bay
Chairs, Obelisks, Wire Garden Art - Chamomile, Marjoram, Soapwort, St. John's wort, Thyme

Herbs by Size:
Creeping - Corsican mint, Creeping thymes, Pennyroyal
Low/Edging - Blue Cushion Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Salad Burnet, Savory, Silver Mound artemesia, Sweet Woodruff
Medium Height (13-24") - Basils, Calendula, Chervil, Chive, Hyssop, Lavender, Lemon balm, Most mints, Prostrate rosemary
Tall (2-6') - Anise hyssop, Bronze fennel, French tarragon, Pineapple sage, Rosemary, Southernwood, Wormwood

Herbs That Can Tolerate Bright Shade:
Anise hyssop, Bee balm, Catnip, Cilantro, Dill, Lemon balm, Marjoram, Mints, Parsley, Sweet woodruff, Tarragon

Herbs That Require Less Water:
Calendula, Echinacea, Lavender, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, Thyme

Native Options:
Alumroot, Bee balm, Butterfly weed (Pleurisy root), Chickweed, Coneflower, Elderberry, Goldenrod, Ironweed, Joe pye weed, Milkweed, Plaintain, St. John's wort, Wild ginger, Wild strawberry, Witch hazel

This should get you started! Plant on and stay Down To Earth!




Tuesday, February 09, 2016

Master Gardeners Rock!

I always enjoy speaking to the new classes of the Hamilton County Master Gardeners.  They are always interested in learning & ask some great questions.  Thanks to Tom Stebbins for inviting me back to present the Herb segment of the classes.

In the next few days, I'll be posting information that was specifically requested during the classes.
Please bear with me until I get the time to post all of it.  I promise I will get it on here just as soon as I can!
The Down To Earth Garden Girl (a.k.a. Pat)