Free on-line seminars re herb gardening

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[Richter's Herbs has been presenting seminars for some time now. Just recently the company has started an on-line series based on "live" seminars. Note June 6 and 27 presentations.]

http://www.richters.com/newdisplay.cgi?page=./LECTURES/lecture99.html&&cart_id=7327123.13710

Online Seminar!

SUCCESS WITH SEEDING, with Sandra Henry, Richters Herbs, Originally presented at Richters Herbs on March 7, 1999

[Following are "live" presentations which should make it on-line shortly after the live performance]

Upcoming Greenhouse Seminars!

Mar 28, CONTAINER HERB GARDENS, with Sandra Henry, Richters

April 11, LANDSCAPING WITH HERBS, with Bruce Scott, Casa Loma April 18, LIVING WITH HERBS, with Jo Ann Gardner, renowned author and herb gardener June 6, MEDICINES FROM THE GARDEN, with Virginia Richardson, Herbalist June 13, FOR THE LOVE OF LAVENDER, with Cathy Bartolic, Perennial Petals

June 27, HERBS AND HEALTH DAY, with herbalists and other professionals

Come and join us 'Just for the Health of It!'

Pat Crocker Christine Devai Shakya Dorje July 11 HEALTHY COOKING USING HERBS with Heather & Keith Begley, H Kitchen July 25 HERB TOPIARY, INSIDE & OUT with Rowland Cave-Browne-Cave, Horticulturally Yours, Inc. Aug 8 GROWING GREAT GARLIC with Cathy Bartolic, Perennial Petals Aug 15 PRESERVING YOUR HERB HARVEST with Karen Kurg, Thornbrook Herbs Aug 22

The Third Annual...

THE HERBS OF GRAYMALKIN FARM with Jean Degruchy, author, journalist, broadcaster and herb gardener Sept 12 BRINGING HERBS INDOORS with Sandra Henry, Richters

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), March 28, 1999

Answers

Old Git: Do you have an herb garden and if so, what herbs do you have? I subscribe to a magazine called "The Herb Companion," which is an excellent magazine for those interested in growing herbs and the benefical uses of herbs. I'm in the process of constructing raised beds for my herbs and will look further into your post. Thanks for the info.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), March 28, 1999.

THANK YOU! for posting this. I ordered from Richter's last year...am just now getting around to planting the seeds....but their catalog (hard copy) is wonderful...they sell plants as well as seeds, and also herb materials, books etc...they have species and varieties I haven't seen anywhere else. The shipment was prompt, and best of all, the Canadian /US exchange rate is favorable! (Standard disclaimers.) Mary

-- Mary (CAgdma@home.com), March 28, 1999.

Bardou, I have an herb garden of sorts. The soil here in Durham is, according to the Extension Service, "one of the worst in the world." It's heavy clay of a type you can't even begin to imagine. Some herbs will grow in certain parts of the yard, depending on their preferences, but most have to be grown on little hills of imported soil. The Mediterranean herbs usually have to be grown in pots--the clay is far too alien for them. I also grow mints, lemon balm and oregano in pots, otherwise they take over the whole yard--even this awful soil won't stop them from spreading (although it does slow them down a bit).

One of my treasures is a rosemary named "Arp," which will grow quite well in Zone 7 (most are Zone 8 and above, but might grow in a sheltered southern spot in Zone 7). But I put a big container over it when the temp goes below 20F.

I've always loved lavender--it reminds me very much of home. Most English gardens contain at least a few plants, if not a small, low hedge of the stuff. My mother always used it to strew in the linen cupboard. I put the flowerheads in snack baggies perforated with a large needle and slip them in the linen and lingerie, and--very important!--in my pillow. Love to smell that stuff before I go to sleep!

Although it doesn't smell that much, I'm fond of the Spanish lavender (which we call French in England) because it has those great flowerheads with two "rabbit ear" petals. It's a bit messy and tends to sprawl--don't feed it whatever you do. Kids love its ears.

I've got all sorts of different thymes, lovage, epazote (of course!), and must replace my sage plants. Sage, besides being essential for many poultry dishes, is a very attractive plant, but doesn't like clay! I also grow lots of tansy (its idea, not mine), which is supposed to ward off ants and insects but I don't think it does. Stil, it's a nice ferny plant. But cut the flowers off, otherwise you'll have the stuff all over. Speaking of all over, that lovely artemisia, Valerie Finnis, si a menace! If you're seduced by it, put it in a pot. I'm thinking I'll have to get a contract with the Mob to kill the damn stuff--it's all among my perovskia (another herb) and I've been trying to pull it up for three years now.

There are loads of other herbs out there, mostly decorative, like santolina (green and silver) and ajuga--which will grow just about anywhere, very useful ground cover, as is vinca minor. I need to sit down and think about more useful herbs, though, and have started a list. I can't do it this year because we've got the house on the market right now, but I do intend to order the seeds for next year.

If you're new to gardening, I'd say go with herb plants this year, do the seeds next year. Read about them on the Net, give them the conditions they like, and don't baby them. They're so easy to grow, most are pest- and disease-resistant, often extremely decorative and/or useful. Oh, speaking of useful--parsley. If the packet doesn't mention it, be sure to soak the seeds in water overnight, otherwise you'll get low germination.

I dry my herbs by hanging them in bunches, out of direct light and humidity. Some people use an attic but mine's far too hot.

One last hint--we put a sprig or two of mint in with boiled potatoes, as well as peas. Try it, gives a nice fresh taste, not overpowering.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), March 29, 1999.


All vegetables are considered herbs and are in the herb family!

-- smitty (smitty@sandiego.com), March 29, 1999.

thanks for the tip about the on line lectures, Old Git.....

here's a neat site i came across awhile back :

A Modern Herbal Home Page-----

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/ mgmh/mgmh.html

-- andrea (mebsmebs@hotmail.com), March 29, 1999.



Thanks Old Git,

Are you collecting the forum URL's to the other threads you've posted on herbs?

Also love and subscribe to the "The Herb Companion," bardou. It's a wonderful publication.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), March 29, 1999.


Up, up and away!

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), June 26, 1999.

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