Home Town Garden

July 9, 2008

Growing Your Own Herbs

Filed under: Edible Flowers — webmaster @ 10:38 pm


Growing Your Own Herbs

 

          Hi everybody and welcome! I think one of the greatest thrills is to be able to pick and use your own herbs right from your garden. Many herbs can be easily grown either in the ground or in small containers on a windowsill right in your kitchen. Let’s explore some of those possibilities.

The first thing you will need to decide is whether you will dedicate an area outside for your garden or if you want to plant in containers inside or on your porch. Your next step is to decide what types of herbs you want to grow. Basil is by far one of the most sought after herbs out there but many people also like to grow oregano, thyme, sage, mint and lavender.

The best way to grow your own herbs is to plant them from seed. Depending on the type of herbs you plant, most seed germinate in about 7 to 10 days.

The first herb we will talk about is basil. (Ocimum basilicum) Basil is probably one of the easiest herbs out there to grow. Use a good quality potting mix such as Miracle Gro if you plant in containers or high quality topsoil such as Hyponex if you sow your seeds in the ground. Basil seeds will take about 10 days to germinate and you can use the small peat pots to start them out if you prefer. Since they are easily transplanted, you can start them out wherever it is most convenient for you. The “Dark Opal” variety has deep red foliage and boasts pink flowers. This variety can also be used for decorative purposes as an accent plant!

If you decided to plant in the ground, space your plants about 12 inches apart to allow room for the plants to grow and mature.

Basil has many uses but is most commonly used in Italian dishes and as a seasoning in sauces.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is another common herb that is used for flavoring soups and sauces. Since thyme needs a very rich soil, be sure to opt for the best. I always prefer Miracle Gro since it already has a small amount of fertilizer already added to the soil and it is loose enough for easily starting seeds. Unlike basil, thyme will take almost 30 days for germination to occur and it will grow very slow at first. Thyme can also be grown in containers but since it is more of a shrub like plant, be sure to use a container that is at least 12 inches in diameter. If you plant in the ground, space your plants at least 8 inches apart.

            Once your herbs have grown and matured, you might want to dry them out for use at a future date. This is easily done and is actually a lot of fun to do. Simply cut off the tops of the leafy varieties and wash them in cold water. Hang them in an area indoors just long enough for the water to evaporate from the leaves. You can then tie the stems together with twist ties designed for gardening. Place the plants in a paper bag, leafy side first. Secure the end of the bag with a rubber band and hang the bags indoors for about 3 weeks. You can now remove the dried leaves and crumble them in a shallow baking pan. Dry them out for a short time in your oven at the lowest setting. (About 100 degrees) That’s it! You can now store your herbs in glass jars or containers and enjoy them whenever you need them for a recipe.

Edible Flowers and Plants

Filed under: Edible Flowers — webmaster @ 10:31 pm


Edible Flowers and Plants

 

Hi everybody and welcome! A couple weeks ago I talked about plants that were poisonous in your yard. This week we are going to talk about some amazing flowers that are edible. But first, my disclaimer: Although these flowers are known to be edible, you experiment at your own risk as some people may have adverse reactions if you are allergic to the plant or flower.

Edible flowers are the new rage in fashionable cooking. You can use edible flowers for garnishing and to add color and BAMM to your meals. If you really think about it, cauliflower, broccoli and artichokes are all flowers and they are common foods that we eat every day. You must remember that not all flowers are edible and eating the wrong flower can make you very sick. Also, never use flowers that have been treated with any pesticides or chemicals. One more point is to use these flowers sparingly as large consumption can sometimes cause digestive upset.

The first flower I am going to talk about is probably one of the most common found in almost every backyard in America: Roses. All roses are edible however the flavor will depend on type, color and soil conditions they were grown under. Many people have described the flavor as a taste similar to strawberries with some varieties having a taste similar to green apples. Smaller varieties of roses can be used to garnish ice cream or desserts. The larger petals can be used in desserts and as a garnish in salads. Another great idea is to freeze the petals in ice cubes and use them in your favorite drinks. This adds a dash of color that your guest will surly enjoy.

Many people use pansies during the cooler months to add color to their yards but did you know you can use them to add color to your salads? That’s right, the flowers of the pansy are edible. They have a slightly sweet, grassy flavor that is very mild. You can also float the petals in soups to add color to your masterpiece.

If you ever enter somebody’s yard on a spring day that has this plant, the aroma is so wonderful it just invites you to take as deep a breath as you can so you can savor the fragrance. The flower I am referring to is the Gardenia. Although not condoned for eating, it is recommended they be used as a decorative garnish on almost any dish. These cream colored blossoms can add a real zing to your favorite platter.

If you ever had a vegetable garden and grew broccoli as one of your garden choices, you know that when the vegetable is left out too long that a yellow flower starts to grow out of the vegetable. These yellow flowers are called Florets. These small yellow flowers have a mild but spicy taste and are great if used in salads or perhaps even stir-fry. You can also steam them with your other vegetables for a distinctive taste treat!

We all know that basil makes a great taste treat for many recipes. The flowers that the basil plant produces are also edible and can add a great taste treat to your favorite salads or pasta. The flavor is mild but very similar to the leaves of the plant. The flowers can also add a festive look to your favorite dish.

That’s all for this weeks column and I hope you enjoyed it. I will see yopu again next week with more great garden tips and ideas.