Here are the Herb Tips that we've included in our newsletter, in reverse chronological order. Use the links below to quickly jump to the herb tip in which you are interested.

Tarragon - July/August 2005

  French Tarragon grows best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.

  French Tarragon is not a heavy feeder and not particular about soil type as long as it drains well so fertilize sparingly as excess nutrients decrease the fragrant oils. Use a 5-10-5 commercial fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. Use according to label directions.

   Being somewhat woody and fairly drought tolerant once established provide deep but less frequent watering as compared to more tender herbs like basil.  Mulching the area will discourage weeds and maintain the moisture level of the soil.

  The ideal time to harvest Tarragon and other herbs is on a sunny morning after the dew has evaporated.  Cut as many stems as needed at the time, or cut as many as you like to dry for future use.  Tie in bundles and hang upside down in a cool, dark, dry location.  This will allow the essential oils to concentrate in the leaves.

  French Tarragon plants will die to the ground in the fall and reemerge in late spring as weather warms.  They will benefit from a layer of mulch for winter protection.  Plants should be dug up and divided every 3-4 years to re-invigorate their health and growth.      

 Culinary Tips: French Tarragon has a woody stem so be sure to use just the leaves.  They can be easily removed by holding on to the tip of a sprig and with the other hand strip down the stem with your thumb and index finger.  Leaves can be added to dishes whole or chopped, and are outstanding with fish, poultry, vegetables and eggs.  

Italian and Curly Parsley - January/February 2005

•  All types of herbs grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.

•  Parsley makes a great container subject for small garden areas, and is an excellent choice along borders and pathways. Planted in the vegetable garden it can make an attractive mounding border or separation between crops.

•  Once planted, do not allow the plants to dry out completely between waterings in the garden. Water deeply at least once a week to insure the roots are receiving enough moisture during the growing season. A light mulch will help retain moisture and keep weeds to a minimum.

•  Fertilize parsley in garden beds once or twice during the growing season, using a 5-10-5 fertilizer Use according to label directions. Use a liquid fertilizer at one half the label recommended strength every 3-4 weeks for container grown plants outside and every 4-6 weeks for parsley grown indoors.

•  Harvest leafy stalk-like herbs such as parsley by snipping off the stalks close to the ground beginning with the outside stalks. New growth will be encouraged throughout the growing season if pruned in this fashion. If just the tops are cut off and the stems remain, the plant will be less productive.

•  To dry for future use cut as many stems as you like and tie in bundles and hang upside down in a warm, dry, well ventilated location. This will allow the essential oils to concentrate in the leaves. For quick drying, dry the leaves on a tray lined with foil or parchment paper in a slow oven at 100-110°F for just a few minutes. Store the dried leaves ground or whole in an air tight container away from heat sources or bright light.

•  Tips: While both Italian Parsley and Curly Parsley are flavorful, the flat leaf Italian is generally preferred in recipes while the curly makes an excellent garnish for finished dishes. When chopping either variety, don't throw away those stems! Save them in a small sealed freezer bag and just keep adding to it whenever you chop more leaves. The frozen stems are perfect for adding to soups, stews, sauce bases or for using in a bouquet garni!

Sage - Nov/Dec 2004

•  All types of herbs grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.

•  Sage plants makes great container subjects for small garden areas, and are an excellent choice along borders and pathways and particularly in rock gardens and drought tolerant gardens due to their relatively low water requirements.

•  Sage performs best in well-drained soils of average fertility in full sun. Though fairly drought tolerant, never let sage go completely dry. Give regular deep but infrequent watering. Because of similar water requirements, sage is a good companion plant to rosemary, thyme and oregano.

•  Sages are not heavy feeders and not particular about soil type as long as it drains well so fertilize sparingly as excess nutrients decrease the fragrant oils. Use a 5-10-5 commercial fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. Use according to label directions.

•  Sage will benefit from an initial feeding of an all-purpose balanced fertilizer when they are planted. Use according to label directions.

•  The ideal time to harvest sage and other herbs is on a sunny morning after the dew has evaporated. Sage is often used as whole leaves in cooking so harvest individual leaves as needed, or cut off whole sprigs if desired; this will cause the plant to stay more compact and bushy. Sage is a woody herb and should never be cut back severely as it may kill the plant. If a trim is needed, try to cut back by no more than half.

Culinary Tip: For a simple, authentic northern Italian dinner, cook ravioli or gnocchi in boiling water until done. Have butter melting in a skillet with 6 or more whole fresh sage leaves. When butter is melted and sage is wilted, place drained pasta into the sage butter, add Parmesan cheese, toss and serve!

Thyme - October 2004

•  All types of Thyme grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.

•  Plants make great container subjects for small garden areas, and are an excellent choice along borders and pathways where their fragrance can be enjoyed as people stroll by.

•  Thyme is not a heavy feeder and not particular about soil type as long as it drains well so fertilize sparingly as excess nutrients decrease the fragrant oils. Use a 5-10-5 commercial fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. Use according to label directions.

•  Being somewhat woody and fairly drought tolerant once established, provide deep but less frequent watering as compared to more tender herbs like basil. Mulching the area will discourage weeds and maintain the moisture level of the soil.

•  The ideal time to harvest Thyme and other herbs is on a sunny morning after the dew has evaporated. Cut as many stems as needed at the time, or cut as many as you like to dry for future use. Tie in bundles and hang upside down in a cool, dark, dry location. This will allow the essential oils to concentrate in the leaves.

•  Culinary Tips: Thyme has a woody stem so be sure to use just the leaves. They can be easily removed by holding on to the tip of a sprig and with the other hand strip down the stem with your thumb and index finger. Leaves can be added to dishes whole or chopped. For a traditional Bouquet Garni, take a length of cotton or linen string and tie together a few sprigs of thyme, parsley and a couple of bay leaves and toss into soups, stews, or a poaching liquid like a Court Bouillon. Leave the string long enough to tie to the pot handle for easy removal at the end of cooking. Thyme flowers are edible and make a great garnish.

Basil - August 2004

•  All types of Basil grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.

•  While not a particularly heavy feeder, Basil does prefer a rich, moist soil so fertilize sparingly as excess nutrients decrease the fragrant oils. Use a balanced commercial vegetable and herb fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. Use according to label directions.

•  Basil is a relatively delicate plant and will not tolerate drying out, so be sure to water regularly and mulch around the plants to discourage weeds and maintain an even moisture level in the soil.

•  The ideal time to harvest Basil and other herbs is on a sunny morning after the dew has evaporated. It is often used as whole leaves in cooking so harvest individual leaves as needed or pinch off short sprigs if desired; this will cause the plant to stay more compact and bushy. Also be sure to pinch out flower spikes as soon as they appear – this too will create a bushier, more productive plant as well as extending the overall life.

•  Storing and Culinary Tips: Basil can often produce way more than can be used at the time so branches can be tied by the stems in a bunch and hung upside down in a warm, dark, airy location to be dried for future use. For the best fresh flavor of stored Basil in cooked dishes like pasta sauce, place several leaves in each compartment of an ice cube tray, fill with water and freeze. Individual cubes can be stored in a freezer bag or container and then added as needed to that pot of sauce in the winter! An abundance of Basil leaves can also be turned into a flavorful pesto which freezes well for up to 6 months. Use dried leaves in the beginning of a recipe to develop the base flavor and add fresh at the end for that fresh herbal kick!

Lemon Verbena - June 2004

•  All types of Verbena grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.

•  Lemon Verbena over time becomes a fairly large plant – to 4' tall and wide, so space plants a minimum of 3' apart.

•  Lemon Verbena is not a heavy feeder and not particular about soil type as long as it drains well so fertilize sparingly as excess nutrients decrease the fragrant oils. Use a balanced commercial fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. Use according to label directions.

•  Being fairly drought tolerant once established, lemon verbena prefers deep but less frequent watering as compared to more tender herbs like basil. Mulching the area will discourage weeds and maintain the moisture level of the soil.

•  The ideal time to harvest herbs is on a sunny morning after the dew has evaporated. Harvest individual leaves as needed. A woody shrub type herb, it can be cut back and pruned to keep it to the size suitable for your garden.

•  Tips: Crush a few fresh Lemon Verbena leaves in a cup with a Stevia leaf or two. Pour on some boiling water and let steep for about 5 minutes and enjoy a relaxing cup of sugar free sweet lemon tea. Around the house, crush a few leaves and toss them into the bag of your vacuum cleaner. As you vacuum you will be infusing the air with a clean fresh lemon fragrance!

Oregano - May 2004

•  All types of oregano grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.

•  Plants are in the mint family, and in the ground will spread so space about 12 inches apart.

•  Oreganos are not heavy feeders and not particular about soil type as long as it drains well so fertilize sparingly as excess nutrients decrease the fragrant oils. Use a 5-10-5 commercial fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. Use according to label directions.

•  Being fairly drought tolerant once established, oregano prefers deep but less frequent watering as compared to more tender herbs like basil. Mulching the area will discourage weeds and maintain the moisture level of the soil.

•  The ideal time to harvest oregano and other herbs is on a sunny morning after the dew has evaporated. Oregano is often used as whole leaves in cooking so harvest individual leaves as needed, or cut off whole sprigs if desired; this will cause the plant to stay more compact and bushy. Though a woody herb, if it gets out of hand a hard cutting back will not hurt the plant.

•  Culinary Tip: If chopping a lot of leaves, hold a stem by the tip and strip the leaves off towards the stem end with your other hand. Dry excess leaves for future use, and use dried leaves in the beginning of a recipe to develop the base flavor and add fresh at the end for that fresh herbal kick!

Mint Family - April 2004 —

•  All types of herbs grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.
•  Plants make great container subjects for small garden areas. Mints are an excellent container choice as they spread very easily and can take over a garden space if not contained.
•  Once planted, an initial feeding of an all purpose balanced fertilizer is beneficial. Use according to label directions.
•  All mints prefer to have regular watering and evenly moist but not soggy soil.
•  Mints can be harvested anytime and is especially nice and pungent when used fresh. To dry for future use cut as many stems as you like and tie in bundles and hang upside down in a cool, dark, dry location. This will allow the essential oils to concentrate in the leaves.
•  Tips: With all of their different flavors, mints can be used in a variety of dishes. Peppermint makes a great hot tea and is an essential ingredient in cold summer refreshers like iced tea and lemonade, or as a garnish for the adult cocktail “Peppermint Stick” made with Peppermint Schnapps, White Creme De Cacao, and Light Cream! Chocolate and pineapple mints are great for flavoring and garnishing deserts, and spearmint can be turned into that favorite jelly to use with roast lamb! Jelly is also another great way to preserve it for future use.

Catnip - March 2004

All types of herbs grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.

Catnip makes great container subjects for small garden areas. A pot also provides a way of keeping it out of the way of the cats until you want to give them some. Planted right in the garden will produce larger plants, but should probably be fenced in to prevent neighborhood cats from destroying the plant.

Once planted, an initial feeding of an all purpose balanced fertilizer is beneficial. Use according to label directions. Being a member of the mint family, catnip is not a heavy feeder.

Does best with regular waterings and evenly moist but not soggy soil.

Catnip can be harvested anytime and used fresh or dried for a cup of tea or for the cat's amusement. If allowed to flower and go to seed, it will reseed itself readily.

Tips : Harvest stems of catnip and bundle together. Hang upside down in a warm dry location and when leaves are thoroughly dry store in a tight lidded container for future use.

Italian and Curly Parsley - February 2004 -

All types of herbs grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.

Parsley makes a great container subject for small garden areas, and is an excellent choice along borders and pathways. Planted in the vegetable garden it can make an attractive mounding border or separation between crops.

Once planted, do not allow the plants to dry out completely between waterings in the garden. Water deeply at least once a week to insure the roots are receiving enough moisture during the growing season. A light mulch will help retain moisture and keep weeds to a minimum.

Fertilize parsley in garden beds once or twice during the growing season, using a 5-10-5 fertilizer. Use according to label directions. Use a liquid fertilizer at one half the label recommended strength every 3-4 weeks for container grown plants outside and every 4-6 weeks for parsley grown indoors.

Harvest leafy stalk-like herbs such as parsley by snipping off the stalks close to the ground beginning with the outside stalks. New growth will be encouraged throughout the growing season if pruned in this fashion. If just the tops are cut off and the stems remain, the plant will be less productive.

To dry for future use cut as many stems as you like and tie in bundles and hang upside down in a warm, dry, well ventilated location. This will allow the essential oils to concentrate in the leaves. For quick drying, dry the leaves on a tray lined with foil or parchment paper in a slow oven at 100-110¡F for just a few minutes. Store the dried leaves ground or whole in an air tight container away from heat sources or bright light.

Tips: While both Italian Parsley and Curly Parsley are flavorful, the flat leaf Italian is generally preferred in recipes while the curly makes an excellent garnish for finished dishes. When chopping either variety, don't throw away those stems! Save them in a small sealed freezer bag and just keep adding to it whenever you chop more leaves. The frozen stems are perfect for adding to soups, stews, sauce bases or for using in a bouquet garni!

Peppermint - December 2003 -

All types of herbs grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.

Sage plants make great container subjects for small garden areas. They also are an excellent choice along borders and pathways, particularly in rock gardens and drought tolerant gardens, due to their relatively low water requirements.

Sage performs best in well-drained soils of average fertility in full sun. Though fairly drought-tolerant, never let sage go completely dry. Give regular deep but infrequent watering. Because of similar water requirements, sage is a good companion plant to rosemary, thyme and oregano.

Sages are not heavy feeders or particular about soil type as long as it drains well. Fertilize sparingly, as excess nutrients decrease the fragrant oils. Use a 5-10-5 commercial fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. Use according to label directions.

Sage will benefit from an initial feeding of an all-purpose balanced fertilizer when they are planted. Use according to label directions.

The ideal time to harvest sage and other herbs is on a sunny morning after the dew has evaporated. Sage is often used as whole leaves in cooking, so harvest individual leaves as needed, or cut off whole sprigs if desired; this will cause the plant to stay more compact and bushy. Sage is a woody herb and should never be cut back severely as it may kill the plant. If a trim is needed, try to cut back by no more than half.

Culinary Tip: For a simple, authentic northern Italian dinner, cook ravioli or gnocchi in boiling water until done. Have butter melting in a skillet with six or more whole fresh sage leaves. When butter is melted and sage is wilted, place drained pasta into the sage butter, add Parmesan cheese, toss and serve!

Sage - November 2003

All types of herbs grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.

Sage plants make great container subjects for small garden areas. They also are an excellent choice along borders and pathways, particularly in rock gardens and drought tolerant gardens, due to their relatively low water requirements.

Sage performs best in well-drained soils of average fertility in full sun. Though fairly drought-tolerant, never let sage go completely dry. Give regular deep but infrequent watering. Because of similar water requirements, sage is a good companion plant to rosemary, thyme and oregano.

Sages are not heavy feeders or particular about soil type as long as it drains well. Fertilize sparingly, as excess nutrients decrease the fragrant oils. Use a 5-10-5 commercial fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. Use according to label directions.

Sage will benefit from an initial feeding of an all-purpose balanced fertilizer when they are planted. Use according to label directions.

The ideal time to harvest sage and other herbs is on a sunny morning after the dew has evaporated. Sage is often used as whole leaves in cooking, so harvest individual leaves as needed, or cut off whole sprigs if desired; this will cause the plant to stay more compact and bushy. Sage is a woody herb and should never be cut back severely as it may kill the plant. If a trim is needed, try to cut back by no more than half.

Culinary Tip: For a simple, authentic northern Italian dinner, cook ravioli or gnocchi in boiling water until done. Have butter melting in a skillet with six or more whole fresh sage leaves. When butter is melted and sage is wilted, place drained pasta into the sage butter, add Parmesan cheese, toss and serve!

Echinacea - October 2003

All types of herbs grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.

Echinacea plants make great container subjects for small garden areas, and are an excellent choice along borders and pathways and particularly as foundation or background plants in perennial flower or herb gardens.

Echinacea performs best in evenly moist, well-drained soils of average fertility in partial sun, but is tolerant of full sun, heat, and drought as long as a moderate amount of petal bleaching and leaf scorching is expected.

After plants have been established for a season, cut back dead stubble from the previous season's growth during late autumn, late winter, or early spring.

Echinacea will benefit from an initial feeding of an all-purpose balanced fertilizer when they are planted. Use according to label directions.

Each of the stiff flowering stalks has several flowers blooming over a month-long period in July and early August, with occasional re-bloom during late summer and early autumn, especially if deadheaded.

For medicinal purposes, you'll want to harvest some roots and some flower tops. For best quality, wait until your plants are 3 years old. Roots are harvested in the fall when the tops have gone to seed and the plants have experienced a couple of hard frosts. Tops are harvested just as the flowers start to open. Whether harvesting tops or roots, the dried herb will be good for one year. Be sure to date the jars containing the herb so you won't use it past its potency date.

Tips: Echinacea is also a great bird and butterfly attract or. For dried flower arrangements, hang the long stems upside down in a cool, dry, airy space. When completely dried, the remaining “cones” make a wonderful accent in dried arrangements. If using for medicinal purposes, always be sure to check with qualified herbalists or reliable publications before using.

Tea Herbs: Chamomile and Spearmint - September 2003 -

All types of herbs grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.

Plants make great container subjects for small garden areas, and are an excellent choice along borders and pathways where their fragrance can be enjoyed as people stroll by. Spearmint is an excellent container choice as it can spread and take over a garden space if not contained.

Once planted, be sure to leave a few flowers on the chamomile plant when harvesting as they are fairly easy free-sowers and will likely come back next year after going to seed. Both chamomile and spearmint will benefit from an initial feeding of an all-purpose balanced fertilizer when they are planted. Use according to label directions.

Both herbs prefer to have regular waterings and evenly moist soil.

The ideal time to harvest chamomile flowers (that’s the part you want to use) is when the petals are beginning to fold backwards. Older flowers will have lost their essential oils. Remove all green from the flowers and use fresh or place on a screen in the shade to dry and store for later. Spearmint can be harvested anytime and is especially nice and pungent when used fresh. To dry for future use cut as many stems as you like and tie in bundles and hang upside down in a cool, dark, dry location. This will allow the essential oils to concentrate in the leaves.

Tips: Chamomile can be used as a soothing tea, relaxing aromatic bath enhancer and as a pot pourri ingredient. Spearmint also makes a great hot tea and is an essential ingredient in cold summer refreshers like iced tea and lemonade, and for the adult crowd the Cuban rum cocktail "Mojito". Use also for flavoring and garnishing deserts and even to make a flavorful jelly, another good way to preserve it for future use.

Thyme - August 2003 -

All types of thyme grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.

Plants make great container subjects for small garden areas, and are an excellent choice along borders and pathways where their fragrance can be enjoyed as people stroll by.

Thyme is not a heavy feeder and not particular about soil type as long as it drains well, so fertilize sparingly as excess nutrients decrease the fragrant oils. Use a 5-10-5 commercial fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. Use according to label directions.

Being somewhat woody and fairly drought-tolerant once established, provide deep but less frequent watering as compared to more tender herbs like basil. Mulching the area will discourage weeds and maintain the moisture level of the soil.

The ideal time to harvest thyme and other herbs is on a sunny morning after the dew has evaporated. Cut as many stems as needed at the time, or cut as many as you like to dry for future use. Tie in bundles and hang upside down in a cool, dark, dry location. This will allow the essential oils to concentrate in the leaves.

Culinary Tips: thyme has a woody stem, so be sure to use just the leaves. They can be easily removed by holding onto the tip of a sprig and with the other hand strip down the stem with your thumb and index finger. Leaves can be added to dishes whole or chopped. For a traditional Bouquet Garni, take a length of cotton or linen string and tie together a few sprigs of thyme, parsley and a couple of bay leaves and toss into soups, stews, or a poaching liquid like a Court Bouillon. Leave the string long enough to tie to the pot handle for easy removal at the end of cooking. Thyme flowers are edible and make a great garnish.

Lavender - July 2003 -

All types of Lavenders grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.

Plants make great container subjects for small garden areas. If planted in the ground, space 15” apart, as they are vigorous growers.

Lavenders are not heavy feeders and not particular about soil type as long as it drains well so fertilize sparingly as excess nutrients decrease the fragrant oils. Use a 5-10-5 commercial fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. Use according to label directions.

Being somewhat woody and fairly drought tolerant once established, provide deep but less frequent watering as compared to more tender herbs like basil. Mulching the area will discourage weeds and maintain the moisture level of the soil.

The ideal time to harvest lavender and other herbs is on a sunny morning after the dew has evaporated. Cut long flower spikes as soon as the heads begin to color up with tiny flowers. Tie in bundles and hang upside down in a cool, dark, dry location. This will allow the essential oils to concentrate in the flower heads. Prune immediately after bloom to keep plants compact and neat.

Craft and Culinary Tips: Once dried, use entire stems in decorative wreaths or dried flower arrangements, or strip off flower heads into individual little flowers and add to your favorite sachets, potpourri, sprinkle in a hot bath, or even add to your own homemade soap. For the classic culinary use, make your own “Herbs de Provence” by combining these dried herbs: Lavender, Thyme, Rosemary, Marjoram, Oregano, Basil, Savory and Fennel. Enjoy with poultry or vegetables!

Sweet Basil - June 2003 -

All types of Basil grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.

While not a particularly heavy feeder, Basil does prefer a rich, moist soil so fertilize sparingly as excess nutrients decrease the fragrant oils. Use a balanced commercial vegetable and herb fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. Use according to label directions.

Basil is a relatively delicate plant and will not tolerate drying out, so be sure to water regularly and mulch around the plants to discourage weeds and maintain an even moisture level in the soil.

The ideal time to harvest Basil and other herbs is on a sunny morning after the dew has evaporated. It is often used as whole leaves in cooking so harvest individual leaves as needed or pinch off short sprigs if desired; this will cause the plant to stay more compact and bushy. Also be sure to pinch out flower spikes as soon as they appear – this too will create a bushier, more productive plant as well as extend the overall life.

Storing and Culinary Tips: Basil can often produce an overabundance. To compensate for this, branches can be tied by the stems in a bunch and hung upside down in a warm, dark, airy location to be dried for future use. For the fresh flavor of stored Basil in dishes like pasta sauce, place several leaves in each compartment of an ice cube tray, fill with water and freeze. Individual cubes can be stored in a freezer bag or container and then added as needed to that pot of sauce in the winter! An abundance of Basil leaves can also be turned into a flavorful pesto which freezes well for up to 6 months. Use dried leaves in the beginning of a recipe to develop the base flavor and add fresh at the end for that fresh herbal kick!

Oregano - May 2003 -

All types of oregano grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.

Plants are in the mint family, and in the ground will spread so space about 12 inches apart.

Oreganos are not heavy feeders and not particular about soil type as long as it drains well so fertilize sparingly as excess nutrients decrease the fragrant oils. Use a 5-10-5 commercial fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. Use according to label directions.

Being fairly drought tolerant once established, oregano prefers deep but less frequent watering as compared to more tender herbs like basil. Mulching the area will discourage weeds and maintain the moisture level of the soil.

The ideal time to harvest oregano and other herbs is on a sunny morning after the dew has evaporated. Oregano is often used as whole leaves in cooking so harvest individual leaves as needed, or cut off whole sprigs if desired; this will cause the plant to stay more compact and bushy. Though a woody herb, if it gets out of hand a hard cutting back will not hurt the plant.

Culinary Tip: If chopping a lot of leaves, hold a stem by the tip and strip the leaves off towards the stem end with your other hand. Dry excess leaves for future use, and use dried leaves in the beginning of a recipe to develop the base flavor and add a fresh herbal kick at the end!

Sage - April 2003 -

All types of sages grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.

Plants in the ground should be spaced about 12 inches apart.

Sages are not heavy feeders and not particular about soil type as long as it drains well; so fertilize sparingly as excess nutrients decrease the fragrant oils. Use a 5-10-5 commercial fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. Use according to label directions.

Being fairly drought tolerant once established, sages prefer deep but less frequent watering as compared to more tender herbs like basil. Mulching the area will discourage weeds and maintain the moisture level of the soil.

The ideal time to harvest sage and other herbs is on a sunny morning after the dew has evaporated. Sage is often used as whole leaves in cooking so harvest individual leaves as needed, or cut off whole sprigs if desired; this will cause the plant to stay more compact and bushy. Sage is a woody herb and should never be cut back severely as it may kill the plant. If a trim is needed, try to cut back by no more than half.

Culinary Tip: If using chopped sage, stack several leaves on top of each other and tightly roll into a cigar shape. With a sharp knife, thinly slice across the roll to create thin shreds or ribbons called a “chiffonade cut” so it will more easily incorporate into your dish!

Basil - March 2003

Basils grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. For container gardening choose sterile soil and a container with good drainage.

Plants should be spaced about 12 inches apart.

Fertilize basil sparingly as excess nutrients decrease the fragrant oils. Use a 5-10-5 commercial fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. Use according to label directions.

Water regularly, keep soil moist. Mulching the area will discourage weeds and maintain the moisture level of the soil.

Light pruning every 2-3 weeks encourages a healthy plant and maximum production. Pinch off the flower buds as soon as they begin to emerge. The ideal time to harvest basil and other herbs is on a sunny morning after the dew has evaporated. When harvesting basil, cut it back to about ¼" above a node, where leaves attach to the stem. Leave enough foliage on the plant so it can continue growing.

General Tips for Herbs

Herbs are amongst the easiest plants to grow in a garden - and the most useful. Although most popular for their role in cooking, herbs have been used medicinally and in cosmetics for centuries. In arts and crafts they lend color, fragrance and texture to potpourris, wreaths, sachets, and soaps.

There are nearly as many ways to incorporate herbs into your garden as there are varieties to choose from. Ideally you would want your culinary herbs as close to your kitchen as possible, whether on your windowsill or just outside your door. All herbs pair beautifully with other perennials and annuals, providing foliage texture and scent beyond comparison.

Herbs are generally vivacious plants that need little or no special care. Choose a site that receives at least five hours of sunlight each day. Ideally soil should be well drained - meaning that water is quickly taken into the soils' surface. Water when the top 2 inches of the soil are dry, taking care to water the ground and not the foliage of the plant.

To deter pests, a mild solution of a few drops of liquid dishwashing detergent in a spray bottle of water makes an inexpensive insecticide soap. Any application is always best done in the morning to avoid sun scorching. Also, watch for slugs and snails that come out at night to munch on plants.

Since the harvest, storage and use for each herb plant is unique, please see the back of the VIVA! Herbs® tag to ensure proper handling. Harvesting herbs, whether entirely or only part of the plant is best done early in the morning, while the sun is warming the essential oils and flavors in the plant.