Cold Soil and Herbs

by Greenthumb February 15, 2012 Growing Herbs

Have you started any herb seeds yet? Many of your herbs will not germinate in cold soil. Try to never plant them outdoors when the garden looks like this. A few herb seeds like (and need) a cold period and are happy to winter outdoors. Echinacea (Purple coneflower) is one, but many of the Mediterranean [...]

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Herbs for Butterflies

by Greenthumb February 1, 2012 Beneficial Insects
Skipper Butterflies on Mint

Ah, beautiful butterflies! Besides being pretty, butterflies are fun to watch beneficial insects and good pollinators. Those long tongues allow them to easily pollinate as they drink from long-throated nectar filled flowers. Unlike many animals, adult butterflies and their caterpillar offspring eat completely different foods in the garden. This is good for your plants, and [...]

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Using Egg Shells in Your Garden

by Greenthumb January 21, 2012 Growing Herbs
egg shell

Did you know that egg shells are useful in your garden? They sure are! You can: Sprinkle rinsed and crushed egg shells around young plants to deter slugs and other soft bodied pests. The sharp edges aren’t very comfy to crawl across! Add rinsed egg shells to your compost pile. You can crush them but [...]

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Sage, Sausage, Kale And Butternut Squash Soup

by Greenthumb January 10, 2012 Herbal Recipes & Remedies
Sage, Butternut Squash and Kale Soup

I’m not the type of cook that measures much. I usually eyeball ingredients and toss them together and this recipe is no different. If you are a strict measurer, don’t let that scare you! All amounts are approximate, but you absolutely cannot mess this up if you have a little more or less of anything. [...]

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Super Cute Paper Seed Packets

by Greenthumb December 22, 2011 Holidays

Super cute, these puffy little packets are perfect for gift cards, candy, small gifts or SEEDS!  You’ll need:  Heavy paper – I generally use old holiday cards and card stock, but watercolor or heavy scrapbook paper and large paper grocery bags work beautifully! Glue or tape Scissors and or craft knife Here’s how to make [...]

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Why Mint Dies in Pots

by Greenthumb December 10, 2011 Growing Herbs
Pot of Orange Mint

Mint needs room to run. It really does. Anyone that has ever tried to pull mint plants out of their yard knows it has roots that travel all over the garden. When you grow mint in a pot you’ve confined those rambling roots.  Now the mint has to content itself with circling the container and [...]

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How to Dry Ginger

by Greenthumb December 1, 2011 Herbal Recipes & Remedies
Gingerbread Cookie Boy and Girl

  Gingerbread men, exotic recipes and spicy herbal tea blends. What do they have in common? Ginger! Did you know you can dry ginger at home?  Yep, it’s easy. Whether you’ve grown your own or bought it at the store you can dry and make your own ginger powder. You don’t need any special equipment, [...]

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Rooting for Pineapple Sage!

by Greenthumb November 22, 2011 Growing Herbs in Pots
Pineapple Sage in the Fall Garden

Pineapple Sage or Salvia elegans is a delicious herb. It’s bright red blooms are gorgeous and it is also a tasty herb to grow in your herb garden! Another member of the mint family Pineapple Sage is considered to be winter hardy in zones 8-11. Being a short day plant, Pineapple Sage is a late [...]

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