Using fresh herbs

[BarbCA]

Well, since I'm now a moderator on this forum I thought it would be fun to start an herb thread.

If you have question about using herbs this will be the place to ask and I'll try to answer.
Will post pics of my herb beds later.

[Nalani]

Sounds like a good idea, Barb.

[copper]

I, too, have an herb garden and at the end of the season I dry most of them and fill small jars. It keeps me going all winter and they are much better than those you get at the store - copper

[BarbCA]

Thanks for weighing in, Copper. The more we learn the better so far as I can see.

[BarbCA]

Yay! I finally figured out how to sticky these posts,\.

[Kellie]

Yay!

I would love to have a garden and especially herbs. But, too many stray cats wandering the property and marking their territory. So, I will live and learn through your posts.

We did plant 3 different tomato plants in barrels and put wire around the top. Hoping they are high enough and safe enough to be protected from the critters.

If it works this year, may try adding some herbs next year.

[Cynders]

Kathy you need to grow upside down tomatoes, then the critters can't get them, just do a google search to see how it's done.

The weather here is so temperate that I grow herbs year round, probably use parsley and rosemary the most.

[Kellie]

Cynders, we thought about that last year but didn't get around to it. Didn't even think about it this year. Ah well, maybe next year.

We used to have huge gardens probably 15-20 years ago. Was a lot of work and upkeep. I did a lot of canning and freezing during the week and weekends. Lived in a trailer back then with no air conditioning. Was miserable coming home from working in a very hot factory and canning veggies in an even hotter trailer.

Thank goodness for AC now.

[Cynders]

So Kathy, if critters are such a problem why not find yourself a plastic drum, put it on a base (cinder blocks? or similar) then cut some planting holes in it and do a kind of vertical herb garden? Same idea would work for an apartment balcony or a small area such as a trailer yard?

Almost forgot that I use a lot of chives and thyme as well...

[JoS]

I have planted a few herbs this year and they are grown quite well in pots. I need to know how you can tell when they are ready for use. The plants are still somewhat small so don't want to be cutting on them yet for sure.

[Deborah]

I have pots and pots of herbs, Jess has even more. We love having our own herbs during the winter.

The thing I love with basil is to chop it, mix it with water, and freeze in ice cube trays. This year I'm just going to pour it into a half sheet, freeze, then break it up into small pieces.

[Schmitty]

I don't plant herbs outside....they get so full of dirt and bugs... I have to wash and wash them... so I buy fresh herbs at the grocery store... put them in a glass of water and they last me for a long time in refrigerator.

[determined]

Kathy, you don't need to buy the "topsy turvy" planters that they are selling, was looking through an old Work Basket magazine (from probably the 1950's) and they had tomatoes planted in a 5 gallon bucket and hanging. Drill a 2-3 inch hole in the bottom of the bucket, put your tomato plants through the hole and then fill the bucket with potting soil or good dirt. It says you can then plant flowers in the top part of the bucket but you could probably plant your fresh herbs in the top and kill 2 birds with one stone. If a 5 gallon bucket is to heavy for you to lift my bet is that you could use the 3 gallon ones they sell as mop buckets.

[BarbCA]

Good idea determined. We had the tomatoes year before last and they didn't work worth a hoot for us. I think it was just too darned hot here. Since then we have just planted them in the ground. Of course this year the cold got them so we have to replant. Hope we didn't lose the Cherokee Black.

[BarbCA]

Yesterday Joy made salmon cakes. She always seasons them with basil. Delicious.