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The Rodale Herb Book: How to Use, Grow, and Buy Nature’s Miracle Plants

• ISBN13: 9780811735469
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Product Description
The leaves, stems, buds, and flowers of lavender are valuable for a variety of uses. This revised and updated edition of the best-selling guidebook gives instructions for growing and harvesting the popular aromatic herb, with ideas for using it in the garden landscape, in crafts, and in recipes. Projects are included for making potpourris, wreaths, garlands, arrangements, and even lavender-spiced chicken, halibut, potato salad, madeleines, and bread. An added section on festivals and farms offers travel opportunities for those who want to experience lavender culture. A full list of sources completes this definitive book.

Lavender: How to Grow and Use the Fragrant Herb

Detailed Information On How To Start Your Very Own Herb Garden At Home.
Grow Your Own Herb Garden.

Growing Your Own Healthy Herbs Is Easy To Do If You Know A Few Of The Tricks! This 8 Week Video Based Course Delivers The ‘how To’ In Easy To Digest Modules. Simple, Low Cost Techniques Show Beginning Gardeners How Simple Herb Growing Can Be.
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How To Grow Your Own Herbs.

Planter boxes offer a garden plot for those who live in cramped spaces. Even residents of studio apartments can grow their own fresh herbs. If you want to give herb gardening a try, you should first consider the growing requirements of herbs. If your planter boxes can expose your herbs to the proper levels of light, your experiment could succeed. Set up your planters with good drainage and soil before planting your herbs. When the time comes, harvest your herbs and enjoy the crops you’ve produced through your own nurture.
Like all plants, herbs require certain levels of sunlight and water. While herbs can be very tough plants, even withstanding drought, they can’t forgo water. Use your fingertip to gauge the dampness of the soil in your planter boxes and evaluate if you need to water. If the soil feels damp, it’s good. If the soil feels wet, you have likely overwatered. Wait until the soil dries, and use less water next time. If the soil feels dry, water your herbs (but don’t try to compensate by saturating the soil). A slightly drier soil is better than soggy soil for herbs.
In addition to some water, most herbs require full sunlight. Your planter boxes should be on a side of the house that is sunny for much of the day. Herbs probably won’t thrive in a shady area, so if your planter boxes will be in shade, use plants other than herbs.
When you prepare your planter boxes, you need to provide good drainage and good soil for your herbs. Line the bottom of each container with pebbles, which improve drainage. Use a good potting soil, as well. You can mix multiple types of herbs in the same container. If you stagger the plants instead of placing them in a straight row, you can fit more herbs in the container, plus you give the planter a pleasing look.
As your herbs grow, you will need to prune and harvest them properly. You should pinch back annual herbs and prevent them from blooming. Pinching back encourages the leaves to grow fuller. If you don’t want to actually use the parts you pinch off, you could dry them and use them later in your cooking. You shouldn’t do much heavy harvesting until you see several sets of leaves on the herb. Some say that perennial herbs taste best when they first begin to flower, but you can continue harvesting these herbs after that point.
Planting and tending an herb garden takes minimal time and care, compared to some other plants. Even when you have little space, or no ground area at all in which to garden, you can grow an herb garden in planter boxes. Ensure that your containers will receive high levels of sunlight. Herbs don’t require a lot of water, so gauge the soil to evaluate how much water to give your plants. Before you plant, remember to prepare your containers so they afford the herbs excellent drainage. Prune, when appropriate, to encourage fuller growth. When it comes time to harvest your herbs, enjoy the enhanced flavor in your cooking.

For thousands and thousands of years we have turned to plants we call herbs for flavor, dye, perfume and cosmetics. We have believed that individual herbs held the power to repel insects, evil and vampires, while others attracted the perfect lover, good luck or bees to pollinate our crops. For some, the use of herbs can cure headaches and burns. And, of course, what would fine dining be without the culinary herbs?

Here are some tips for herb gardening indoors that will simulate the conditions in an outside garden. For Herb gardening indoors the growing climates need to be pretty much the same as the conditions outside.

Make sure you have a sunny windowsill that your herbs will love. Use a container that is at least 6-12 inches deep.

Get your herb plants from a good garden center nursery who will have plenty of garden advice to help you with your inside garden. You will need some garden equipment like a small digging garden tool, garden gloves, organic fertilizer and some small gardening containers. You probably already have most of these garden supplies in your garden shed.

Soil is the most important aspect of growing herbs indoors. Use only top grade potting soil with an organic fertilizer mixed in. If you think it is too fine a soil, use a little perlite. Fertilize while potting the herbs and they should be happy until spring. If you have an herb that is not growing vigorously add a little organic liquid fertilizer to the water.

When you go to transplant the herb, go one inch up in the size of the gardening container. If the plant is in a two inch pot, go to a three inch gardening container. Leave the roots alone and be careful not to bruise the stem.

Don’t plant oreganos, mints, lemon balm or bee balm with other plants because they will overgrow everything. Pot these herbs in a garden container all their own. You may want to always plant those herbs in containers since they tend to “take over” the garden.

Some people swear that you must put garden stones in the bottom of the gardening container, but I dispute that opinion. I feel that the garden stones take valuable space away from the herb roots. You might want to place a small piece of wire screening over the hole to keep it from getting clogged.

Here are some examples of which herbs to plant together:

Allow time for your herbs to grow used to their new conditions. Once you see growth you can start using you herbs. Snip and use your herbs often to encourage them to grow full and bushy.

When it comes to light, all herbs must get 4 to 6 hours of sunlight a day on your window sill. If your window doesn’t supply that much light then purchase garden grow lights and hang them three inches above the plants. If you live in a very hot climate shade the herbs during the hottest periods. If you live in a very cold climate keep the herbs away from the cold glass panes.

When it comes to watering, don’t let the herbs dry out but don’t drown them either. Herbs do not like to sit in wet soil. An inexpensive water meter from your garden center nursery will help with this important step in growing your herbs. Always use room temperature water so as not to shock the herb’s roots.

If you follow all of these steps you will have a healthy herb garden all winter on your sunny windowsill.

Copyright © 2006 Mary Hanna All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

The humble parsley herbs have been around for centuries. The Greeks planted the parsley herb as a border for their gardens. They also used the parsley herb to crown winners at competitions and to decorate tombs. The Romans believed that the herb parsley could prevent intoxication. They used it in great quantities. It can be used as an herb parsley tea which many say is useful in curbing a stubborn cough. Parsley herbs are used to make herbal remedies.

The parsley herb is a biennial, which means it will last two years after which the parsley must be replanted. The parsley herb will produce an umbrella of small yellow flowers. The first year of the parsley herb will have a more delicate flavor.

Curly parsley, the most commonly grown, is very pretty as a border around an herb garden. Parsley produces crisp, curly, bright green leaves. Parsley is one of the most nutritious herbs around containing potassium, calcium, vitamins A and C and many other needed minerals. It is also the most widely used herb in the kitchen. It can be used in virtually every recipe, salads, meats, soups, stews, even parsley sauce or an herbal parsley tea.

The flavor of the herb parsley is mild and savory. Parsley is good at masking other harsher flavors. Parsley is said to sweeten the breath after eating garlic. The parsley herb is good for the circulation and the digestive system. The parsley plant can be used to make herbal remedies. It is a diuretic. It is thought to be an herbal remedy for the kidneys, removing excess water from the body. For this reason many think that is a slimming herb. The herb parsley is a detoxifier and helps with rheumatism, gout and arthritis. Many women believe it aides in menstrual pain and period irregularity.

To grow the herb parsley, plant the seeds gradually through the warmer months. There are two ways to speed the germination of the parsley herb. You can either soak them in warm water for 24 hours or you can pour boiling water over them just before you plan to plant the parsley herb. It will take about eight weeks before the parsley herb can be planted in the garden or in a container garden. After the seedlings have grown several leaves on it, plant them about 10 inches apart.

If you live in a tropical area it will be necessary to provide shade for the parsley herb. If you live in a colder climate, dig up the parsley and pot it for inside growth and year round harvesting. It enjoys a well drained but moist soil that has enriched with fertilizers. The parsley herb will ward off pests and disease if it is planted near roses or tomatoes. Parsley also attracts bees.

The herb parsley can be planted inside on a sunny windowsill or greenhouse. When you buy the pot for the herb parsley, be sure you have a depth of at least eight inches which will allow the roots space to grow.

The other popular variety of the herb parsley is the flat leaf or Italian parsley herb. This parsley has a slightly stronger taste. Grow both varieties for some interesting textures when using in your recipes.

You can use either fresh or dried parsley to make an herbal parsley tea. When using the parsley herb fresh, use one quarter of a cup of the herb. Pour boiling water in the cup and let steep for 5 minutes. Cover the cup to keep the steam in. Strain the tea and drink it. If using dried parsley, use two teaspoons per cup of water. Sweeten with honey. For relieving bug bites and stings, pulp the parsley and apply to afflicted are to heal and soothe.

Think about planting the herb parsley. There are so many uses for it. It will be a healthy addition to your garden and your kitchen. Here’s a recipe for Parsley Sauce to help you use your parsley herb crop in a tasty way:
1 pint Milk, warmed
1½oz Flour
1½oz Butter
4 tbsp Parsley, chopped
Salt and Pepper
Melt the butter in a saucepan over a low heat.
Stir in the flour and cook gently for 2-3 minutes.
Remove from the heat and slowly add the milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
Bring to the boil, still stirring, simmer for about five minutes, stirring occasionally.
Once it’s smooth and creamy, remove from the heat; throw in the chopped parsley and season to taste. Serve it hot with fish, poultry or vegetables.
Here’s to Good Eating and Happy Gardening!

Copyright © 2006 Mary Hanna All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

Growing herbs has become a very popular hobby today. Not only are they decorative, but growing herbs yourself gives you an ongoing fresh supply of herbs for cooking.
A good thing about growing herbs is that they can be done indoors. This way, they can be enjoyed even if you are living in the city and do not have room for outdoor gardening space.
Helpful Tips for Growing Herbs in Containers
1. Herbs ideally thrive in the ground, but with proper choices and the right precautions, they can flourish in the indoor garden. They have to be positioned inside the house where they can grow well.
2. You can combine herbs of different colors to create an atmosphere inside your house. For example, you can get calendula or lemon thyme, herbs with sunny colors for a brighter effect.
3. Let the herbs grow together. They can create a climate among them that will further encourage their growth. They also create a fuller and healthier appearance.
4. Limit the amount of herbs you will plant in a container. It should depend on the size of your container. There should at least be an allowance of four inches square in between each type of herb.
5. Get a clean container to start with the hobby. The container must allow good drainage for the herbs. Use also the type of soil that is porous enough to let water easily go down to the roots.
6. Try to pick commercial potting mix instead of the usual garden soil. They especially contain minerals that can support the needs of your herbs in containers.
7. Check out regularly your herbs, especially if they need some watering. Different herbs will have different moisture requirements.
Just make sure that they do not get too much dry. At the same time, do not drown them either.
10 Herbs to Grow in Containers
There are many kinds of herbs to choose from for your indoor garden. It is best to choose those that can be arranged together. Here are some of them that should be in your top 10 consideration.
1. Silver Plants
Most herb growers would choose according to a color scheme. The herb containers can have an arrangement according to the hue of the plants.
There are herbs that give out silvery hues. They are best for creating an elegant look in the corner of your house and perfect for a garden to be enjoyed in the evening.
You can use artemisias, curry plants and santolinas.
2. Golden Herbs
There are also golden herbs that can add a bright attitude in your mornings. They are perfect for days when the sun shine greets you inside the house.
Your golden garden can have lemon thyme, calendula, nasturtium and even the variegated sage and lemon balm.
3. Blue Garden
If your favorite color is blue, then you can have your indoor herb garden in all blue also. Choose or combine borage, hyssop, rosemary and catmint for that blue collection.
4. Italian Choices
People who love anything Italian can make use of the Italian selection.
Sweet basil, oregano, marjoram, thyme and the Italian parsley can perfectly grow together and respond to your Italian needs anytime.
5. Salad Bar
To vegetarians out there or people who simply enjoy salads, planting herbs like garlic chives, salad burnet, celery and rocket will be a good choice. You need not go to the market to enjoy a bowl of salad.
6. Go French
People who enjoy French cooking can also tend tarragon, parsley, sage and chervil.
7. Enjoy the Scent
Some households can make use of a lovely scent to set the mood. Lavender, lemon thyme, pineapple sage and the rose scented geranium are some of the perfect choices for a pleasant garden.
8. Insect Repellent
You can also grow herbs in your container that can function as insect repellents. This is especially useful for a household with kids.
9. Culinary Herbs
It is also nice to grow and tend culinary herbs inside your house. It is like having your own kitchen needs at hand anytime you want them.
Some of these culinary herbs that can be grown in containers are rosemary, mint, chives, or sage.
These are good seasoning for most of your cooking. The lemon balm is also perfect for your barbecue afternoons.
10. Loner Herbs
There are herbs that have to be kept and maintained in their own containers. They tend to overpower other herbs if they are put in a group.
Oreganos, lemon balm or bee balm and even mints are herbs that must be on their own or else they will overtake all the plants in your indoor garden.
Conclusion
Planting herbs in containers will definitely let you enjoy the delight of growing herbs even if you do not have any space outdoors.