Who grows their own herbs?

[ronone]

I've been growing my own herbs for some time.  I really don't know if they are better or not but it is nice to take the time to cut, dry and use them.  Like making tea. It isn't the drink but the ritual that slows things down a bit.

[STRAT]

Bill,

Ahhhhhh....it all makes sense now....

Strat sends...

[geejaydee]

I have a raised bed herb garden out back. It includes oregano, chives, marjoram, cilantro, lemon balm, basil, stevia and, of course, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. I just use it fresh from the garden . . . no drying. It's all quite lush out there right now!

...gjd

[EX-CG-GM]

Rosemary seems to do very well here in AZ.  We have a couple plants that are thriving.

[geejaydee]

Rosemary loves the heat, and I think it will grow just about anywhere (so long as one leaves it alone). I think it's interesting to see Rosemary plants shaped like and sold as Christmas trees.

...george

[vftb]

We have a ton of Rosemary in our yard year around.  Before we started living on the road, we used to have quite the vegetable and herb garden on my field next to the house.  We aren't going to be doing this forever and I look forward to doing the annual garden thing again 

Chief (Bill) if you want to know about herbs, we do a lot of work in the herb capital of the U.S., Humboldt County    Locals will know what I'm talking about 

[ronone]

I heard a local farm show host claim the best place to dry herbs, at least in the South, is in you car.  He recommended placing newspaper on the back seat and putting the green herbs on these.   The herbs will be dry when you leave work (after a day in the sun) and you'll get the added benefit of the aroma.  Of course, the dryed oregano will cause many to make the first turn into a pizza parlor.

Or if stopped,  you will have to say, "No, really officer, those are not those kinds of herbs."

[Chef Randy]

A Simple Diagram to Understand "What With What"

   Breads:   
                Poppy Seed    Sesame Seed    Fennel Seed         
                Anise Seed     Caraway           Dill Weed                   
                Thyme           Parsley
                     
   Vegetables:
                      Tarragon    Rosemary    Parsley   Oregano 
                      Marjoram   Sage          Garlic      Thyme
                      Dill           Anise          Basil

   Beef:   
              Tarragon   Rosemary    Dill Weed   Thyme   Bay Leaf 
              Basil        Oregano     Marjoram   Garlic                     
                 
   Poultry: 
                Tarragon    Parsley    Sage    Thyme    Rosemary
                Caraway    Oregano   Basil    Paprika  Bay Leaf 
                     
   Pork:
               Rosemary    Cumin Seed    Caraway   Parsley   
               Mustard       Fennel Seed   Thyme      Basil     
                   
Lamb:     
                  Thyme   Dill Weed    Fennel Seed   Basil   
                  Sage     Marjoram     Tarragon        Rosemary   
                  Caraway                                                           
                 

   Soups: 
                    Rosemary    Dill Weed    Caraway    Anise     
                    Parsley        Sage           Basil          Bay Leaf   
                    Oregano     Chives          Tarragon       
                 

   Fish:
               Marjoram   Tarragon    Rosemary   Bay Leaf     
               Basil           Thyme        Dill Seed    Sage 
             

   Shellfish: 
                        Oregano    Basil    Garlic Salt   Marjoram
                        Thyme       Dill       Tarragon     Turmeric
                       

   Eggs: 
                 Thyme   Garlic    Chives     Bay Leaf     Oregano
                 Dill         Basil     Parsley    Rosemary   Tarragon                             

   Cheese:
                      Anise  Seed    Thyme    Parsley   Caraway     
                      Dill Weed        Sage       Basil       Tarragon
                     

   Desserts:
                     Vanilla Bean   Anise Seed   Allspice
                   

                 Be Creative!!! 

[geejaydee]

Randy... You left out TABASCO® SAUCE! It can be used with just about all of the categories, except maybe some desserts.

  ...gjd

[Tnafbrat]

I grow mine!  I do much better with them than other types of plants.  Rosemary I have a hard time growing from seed and keeping it going during the winter, but most others I do pretty good.  Love the basils ..... and I'm liking some of the specialty types like lime, cinnimon and armenian. I've even grown stevia.

[debk]

We always have basil and sage...I'm not sure what else Michael has put in this year....

(Denise, you should see how the corn and green beans are doing..... the little suckers are about 5-6 inches tall.......and every time I go out the driveway, the rabbits are watching.. )

[JerryM]

Randy... You left out TABASCO® SAUCE! It can be used with just about all of the categories, except maybe some desserts.

  ...gjd

We got a five gallon bucket of Tabasco ice cream a couple of years ago & have been dipping into it now & then ever since. It is not something you would want every day, but really good.

[Tnafbrat]

Da bunnies better watch out! 

DAMNED SQUIRRELS .... have gone to 3 of my pots and dug up the Starfighter Lilly bulbs that I planted to EAT them. 

[debk]

ruh-roh....

 
I planted a bunch of caladiums......30 some bulbs....in that flower bed area around the trees on the right when you come down the drive....maybe 6 have come up....and no sign of the peonies....

I think I'm supporting the squirrels too.....


PETA should send me an award.....

[Tnafbrat]

They've left the ones that have already sprouted alone.  I may have to get them started indoors and not put them out until they do sprout .... though inside, I have to find a way to keep the damn cats out of them . 

I've rigged a string across a cabinet facing over my sink in my kitchen.  Then as I clip herbs to dry, I tie them upside down in bunches across that string.  I also came across some containers for loose tea that are a little vacuum sealed (they have a double lid) and they have worked great for storing my dried herbs.  I've also frozen some of the fresh stuff.