From the Garden to the Kitchen
Yardboy, it’s finally warming up, or should I say the snow is just starting to melt here. I wanted to give some tips on keeping herbs in the house, healthy, as we segue into what I call the “in between time” – between winter and spring. This is the time of year that you’ll see new growth barely starting to sprout on rosemary, stevia, lavender, oregano, mint, etc. Basically all those herbs that are perennial but have to be overwintered indoors in our area. Go ahead and use some of the new growth. It will be less flavorful than when it’s grown outside but will still taste good in foods. Often the leaves of older growth further down the stem, like rosemary, bay and lavender, will have turned brown and look dry. You can use those, too – just consider them naturally dried! My stevia is starting to shoot up new growth from the base of the plant. I’ll wait until it gets at least 6″ before I start using the leaves.
Go ahead and fertilize LIGHTLY – make it weaker than the label says. Water lightly, as well. Don’t overdo with either, especially water as it tends to sit around the roots deep in the pot and can do damage there. Continue to rotate the plants so that they get an even amount of light all around.
-Rita Heikenfeld, CCP / Herbalist www.abouteating.com
[Rita wants me to read a book to help enhance our relationship. It's titled "Women are from Venus and Men are Wrong." -Frank Heikenfeld]
That’s it for this Week
OBKB. That’s it for this week. Remember, be patient as we begin to move towards the spring season. Now, do yourself a favor. Go out and have the best weekend of your life. See ya. RW the Yardboy.
Come see Natorp’s Landscape at the Cincinnati Home and Garden Show – the booth is #330. Gary Sullivan and Ron Wilson will be broadcasting their annual 55KRC H&G Shows both Sundays (3/7 & 3/14) from 12-3pm at the Champion Windows Display. Stop by and say hello! Who knows – The Big Dog Tony Bender and Executive Producer extraordinaire Joe Strecker may even be there!
