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Monday, June 18, 2007

Garden post - herbs

Many of my herbs are perennial or re-seed themselves - so those have been happily growing.


One of my staples is calendula ('marigold' in the UK). The petals are edible and medicinal both. We use them in salads and infuse oil and make tinctures for skin 'stuff' with them.


One of my new favorites - Sweet Cicely. The whole plant (leaves, stems, flowers, etc..) is edible and tastes gently of anise. It is a beautiful, ferny plant that reseeds itself happily and will grow in sun or shade.


Another fun edible flower - borage. Tastes somewhat of cucumber, and is beautifully dramatic with those long, black stamens against the bright blue star shape. Makes a lovely garnish.


I can barely keep up with my yarrow (medicinal) and lavender (culinary) - which are rapidly outgrowing the big box that they are planted in.


This is what I did this afternoon. The lavender will end up in sachets, lemonade, honey, shortbread, syrup and sugar. The yarrow will either grace dried arrangements or be drunk as tea for any number of 'what-ails-you'...

I love my herbs...

2 comments:

xxxxx said...

Your garden is an abundant one! I love the mix of flowers, berries, vegetable (they'll grow :-), and herbs. Enjoy your lavender and yarrow. I drank an infusion of lavender on several occasions and found it to be a divine brew. You might want to try...

Anonymous said...

Tara, you put lavender in honey, sugar, etc? I had no idea! Didn't know you could actually eat it! I'll have to try it.

Love, Karen