One of the problems we have with herbs at HerbFest is due to our numerous varieties we have herbs that do not do as well in our zones 7 A/B climates.
As an example take the common name French Tarragon, Artemisia Dracunculus, var. sativa. If you are from the New England area this plant will flourish and become a very fragrant and beautiful bush loving the cooler climate and becoming a wonderful perennial for your garden. In our zones we are lucky to get it to grow a foot and hardly ever will it become anything more than an annual due to our hot weather and humidity.
Don't despair as you don't have to forgo the pleasures of this # 1 seasoning herb of the French. We instruct our HerbFest Herbanites to create a microclimate to prolong the life of the plant for harvesting enough leaves to last the year.
This is done by planting a plant such as Colocasia esculenta or as we know it..."Elephant Ears". The elephant ears loves our heat, humidity and sun and thrives while providing shade, sun protection, and lower tempeature under it's large leaves for the French Tarragon to grow. In zone 7 A/B elephant ears is a perennial, lives all year round - but goes dormant in winter, which stays consistent with our lifestyle theme of minimal work, most enjoyment of your yard/garden. In New England the same plant is an annual due to it not being able to withstand the cold.
All our bulbs, Elephant Ears is a bulb, are direct from Holland and will outperform most bulbs you will find anywhere. HerbFest 2008 will be our first offering of Dutch bulbs and one of the main reasons for doing so is to allow you to companion plant for microclimate creation for your cool weather herbs.
When you visit HerbFest we always welcome you telling us where you live and asking for suggestions for your climate. Here in North Carolina we run the gamut due to our beautiful beaches and mountains so basically any herb does well in one of our climates.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
Drought Gardening or "Xeriscaping"
You can go to this site by Dr. Perry, from the University of Vermont, to learn more on general water conservation gardening tips.
We will add the herbs and perennials to not only save water but to grow plants that are personally usable and fun to be around.
We will add the herbs and perennials to not only save water but to grow plants that are personally usable and fun to be around.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Rosemary Stems - Let's Make 'em Useful
For those of you who have signed up for our enewsletter you received a hint at how to use rosemary as a shampoo as well as flea tick repellent for your pets. As promised now what do we do with those leftover stems we took the leaves off of.
Those stems, I'm talking the woody kind here, are perfect for skewers if you like to grill, or cue out as some prefer. Simply use the stem as your skewer and this is great with lamb or veal as the stem does have the essential oil in them and will impart that heavenly rosemary fragrance and taste into your food while cooking. Nice thing about the skewer method is the oil is being released into the middle of the meat since the wood is touching there.
Another use is to use the stems as kindling for any fireplace you may have. Collect and save so when you light up the chimney you can also add the delights of the scents to your home.
How's that for being an environmental recycler????
From one Herbanite to another.
Those stems, I'm talking the woody kind here, are perfect for skewers if you like to grill, or cue out as some prefer. Simply use the stem as your skewer and this is great with lamb or veal as the stem does have the essential oil in them and will impart that heavenly rosemary fragrance and taste into your food while cooking. Nice thing about the skewer method is the oil is being released into the middle of the meat since the wood is touching there.
Another use is to use the stems as kindling for any fireplace you may have. Collect and save so when you light up the chimney you can also add the delights of the scents to your home.
How's that for being an environmental recycler????
From one Herbanite to another.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Welcome to HerbFest 2008
We hope you can take the time to come visit our delightful spring festival held in historic downtown Wake Forest, N. C. This is our first year expanding our herb and perennial plant sales and entertainment from 3 days to 10 days.
You will enjoy our unique herbs and perennials that are unique to our sale. Our herbs are grown in a U.S.D.A. certified organic environment and feature herb plants you will find no where else. Our perennials are chosen for our climate and are hardened prior to selling so you can ensure their survival.
Franklin Academy Jazz band, Bull City Syndicate, Jessica Ray Band, are all here for your enjoyment. The live call in and immensely popular Weekend Gardener Show on WPTF radio is remote broadcast from HerbFest.
Visit our web site for more information.
You will enjoy our unique herbs and perennials that are unique to our sale. Our herbs are grown in a U.S.D.A. certified organic environment and feature herb plants you will find no where else. Our perennials are chosen for our climate and are hardened prior to selling so you can ensure their survival.
Franklin Academy Jazz band, Bull City Syndicate, Jessica Ray Band, are all here for your enjoyment. The live call in and immensely popular Weekend Gardener Show on WPTF radio is remote broadcast from HerbFest.
Visit our web site for more information.
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