Sustainable Herb Gardening: Why & How!
Sustainable Herb Gardening:Why & How!Garden Club of Weaverville, October 11, 2016Talk by Laura Ruby
Overview- Right plant, right place- Soil health for plant health- 5 ‘common’ garden herbs- 5 ‘uncommon’ garden herbs- ‘Wild’ Herbs- 12 ‘essential’ kitchen herbs- Resources
Soil & ClimateMost plant challenges are soil challengesRight plant for the right placeAmending soilFertilizers- compost, compost tea.
Mediterranean Herbs- Nutrient poor soil- Drought tolerant- Low maintenance- Perennial, mostly- Neutral soil pH
Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Lavender- Full sun- Sandy soil- Well draining soil- Good circulation- Neutral pH
Rosemary- Hardy to zones 6, 7 or 8, depending on the variety- Natural pest deterrent (mosquitos)- Evergreen in zones 8 and warmer- In colder areas, choose a hardier variety- Soothes indigestion, neutralizes bad breath, and relievingpain- Anti anxiety- Propagate with clippings; low germination rate
Thyme- Sun, part shade- Prune lightly in spring after danger of frost has passed- Encourage tender growth by regularly pinching off tips of stems- Stop harvesting one month before first expected frost.- Vitamin A, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antibiotic- Use thyme oil to help soothe and heal acne, eczema, and psoriasis- Pollinator plant- small flowers- Groundcover, discourages weeds
Oregano- Evergreen in zone 8- Use oil for respiratory maladies, digestive upset, & parasitic & fungal infections- ‘Bristol Cross’ is a good culinary variety- Stronger dried than fresh- clip for new growth- Harvest whole plant for a second late season harvest- Add fresh leaves at end of cooking time
Sage- Shrubby perennial zones 4-8, annual in high heat, humidity- Pollinator attractor- Use fresh or dried, flowers are edible, both for tea- Reduces fever, and calms anxiety from brain and nervous disorders- Propagate from cuttings or seeds- Prune back in early spring- Pinch back for more foliage growth
Lavender- Natural deterrent for mosquitoes and other flying pests- Calming- tea, essential oils for skin products, room spray, sachets- Prefers infrequent, deep watering versus shallow drinks- Amend soil with rocks, sand- try in a pot- Mulch with coarse sand, gravel or shells- not woodchips- Prune annually in mid to late winter
Lovage- 4-6 feet high, perennial, full sun/part shade- Tastes like celery but stronger- fresh, dried, frozen, seeds, too!- Flowers attract beneficial insects- Rich, moisture-laden soil, organic material- Very hardy- Grows well from seed- As a tea- relieves abdominal pains due to gastrointestinal gas
French Sorrel- Perennial, hardy, zone 4-9- Propagate from seed, split crowns- Prefers fertile, well-drained soil- Unique lemony flavor much prized in spring salads, lemon sauce and sorrel soup- Seedy, spreads in some climates- Oxalic acids
Horehound- Hardy perennial down to zone 4- Tolerates poor, disturbed soil- High in A, B, C, E vitamins- Leaves can be dried to make tea. Oil used in perfume and potpourri. Stems for atincture.- Commonly used for cough drops, candy- Propagated from seed, cuttings, division- Mint family, so treat similarly- Attracts beneficial insects
Hibiscus (roselle)- Medicinal tea- calyxes- Food coloring- Fibre use for burlap- Flowers and young leaves edible- Will not survive frosts- tropical, subtropical- Well drained soil, high organic material- calcium, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin C and iron- Diuretic, cancer treatments
Shisho- Also known as perilla, beefsteak plant, Chinese basil, purple mint- Added to condiments for coloring and adds antimicrobial agents- Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids- Well-drained, moist soil; full to partial sun- Limited seed availability; short storage- Potential for a fuel source- Readily reseeds; pinch back buds
‘Wild’ Herbs- Plantain- bites, stings, poison ivy, liver detox- Chickweed- Violets- leaves, flowers- Dandelion- Dock- curly, yellow- Self-heal- Usnea- Yarrow
Other Garden-worthy Herbs- Comfrey- dynamic accumulator, pollinator plant- Cilantro- beneficial insect attractor (parasitoid wasps, hover flies)- sweet alyssum,creeping thyme; likes tomatoes & spinach- Elecampagne- bright yellow 3-4 inch flowers on 5 foot stalks- coughs, bronchitis,chest affections- Calendula- edible flowers; salves; tea- Borage- edible flowers- Carraway
12 ‘Essential’ Culinary Herbs1. Basil2. Chives3. Cilantro4. Lemon Balm5. Lavender6. Oregano7. Parsley8. Peppermint
Books- A Kid’s Herb Book- for children of all ages! Lesley Tierra, 2005- Herbal Healing for Women Rosemary Gladstar- Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health Rosemary Gladstar- Making Plant Medicine Richo Cech- Medical Herbalism- The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine David Hoffman2003- Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers Stephen Harrod Buhner
Helpful .comwww.americanherbalistsguild.comwww.ahaherb.com (American Herb Association)www.herbs.org (Herb Research Foundation)www.plantsandhealers.org
- Herbal Healing for Women Rosemary Gladstar - Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health Rosemary Gladstar - Making Plant Medicine Richo Cech - Medical Herbalism- The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine David Hoffman 2003 - Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers Stephen Harrod Buhner. Helpful Websites www.ourherbgarden.com www.mountainroseherbs.com
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