Comments on: What are some good starter herbs for a beginning herbalist in Northern California? http://www.herbs-spices.net/what-are-some-good-starter-herbs-for-a-beginning-herbalist-in-northern-california.html Free herb and spice collection Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:44:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2 By: progrockgal http://www.herbs-spices.net/what-are-some-good-starter-herbs-for-a-beginning-herbalist-in-northern-california.html#comment-1370 progrockgal Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:49:41 +0000 http://www.herbs-spices.net/what-are-some-good-starter-herbs-for-a-beginning-herbalist-in-northern-california.html#comment-1370 Start with the herbs you love to cook with. Most could (and should) be contained in pots, since many herbs are invasive (they will take over your garden). Basil is very easy to grow, harvest, and is quite versatile. Flat leaf and Opal are some of my favorites. Thyme is a pretty, silvery herb that goes great in numerous dishes and looks pretty on the deck, with a nice upright habit resembling a tiny, silver pine tree. Rosemary looks similar, but is green, can be trained into a bonsai as well as weeping (trailing). Rosemary goes great with fresh game and beef, and as tea works as a cooling agent for itchy skin, and will relieve fleas on pets if used once or twice a week. Chives are a must in an herb garden. Plant in a wide, shallow planter, since one tiny seed produces one or two grass like leaves. Seed generously. Harvest when 3" or more, trimming no more than 1/3 of the total length of the chive. The more you trim, the more you get! Chives are a great mild substitue for onions, very versatile being used dried or fresh. They are also a carmative for stomach discomfort. Parsley is another must. Curly leaf is my favorite, since it cultivates well, but flat leafed is also nice. This also will produce well if trimmed and used frequently. I use parsley in everything. Just remember that fresh parsley is a bit stronger that dried, store bought. Most herbs can be brought indoors for overwintering, with the exception of dill, cilantro, borage, and chamomile. There are a few others, but start simple. One more thing, always have mint! Any kind is great in tea, just to chew on, or to brush by. But keep it in a pot always! It is highly invasive! Hope this helps! Start with the herbs you love to cook with. Most could (and should) be contained in pots, since many herbs are invasive (they will take over your garden).

Basil is very easy to grow, harvest, and is quite versatile. Flat leaf and Opal are some of my favorites. Thyme is a pretty, silvery herb that goes great in numerous dishes and looks pretty on the deck, with a nice upright habit resembling a tiny, silver pine tree. Rosemary looks similar, but is green, can be trained into a bonsai as well as weeping (trailing). Rosemary goes great with fresh game and beef, and as tea works as a cooling agent for itchy skin, and will relieve fleas on pets if used once or twice a week.

Chives are a must in an herb garden. Plant in a wide, shallow planter, since one tiny seed produces one or two grass like leaves. Seed generously. Harvest when 3″ or more, trimming no more than 1/3 of the total length of the chive. The more you trim, the more you get! Chives are a great mild substitue for onions, very versatile being used dried or fresh. They are also a carmative for stomach discomfort.

Parsley is another must. Curly leaf is my favorite, since it cultivates well, but flat leafed is also nice. This also will produce well if trimmed and used frequently. I use parsley in everything. Just remember that fresh parsley is a bit stronger that dried, store bought.

Most herbs can be brought indoors for overwintering, with the exception of dill, cilantro, borage, and chamomile. There are a few others, but start simple.

One more thing, always have mint! Any kind is great in tea, just to chew on, or to brush by. But keep it in a pot always! It is highly invasive! Hope this helps!

]]> By: Lia http://www.herbs-spices.net/what-are-some-good-starter-herbs-for-a-beginning-herbalist-in-northern-california.html#comment-1369 Lia Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:01:29 +0000 http://www.herbs-spices.net/what-are-some-good-starter-herbs-for-a-beginning-herbalist-in-northern-california.html#comment-1369 Rosemary will grow well on your deck. It is also known for it's healing and protective qualities. Sage is a must for it's spiritual and cleansing properties. Rue will do well as it doesn't like hot weather. Rue is good for healing and has an unusual aroma. Patchouli is a lovely plant and incredibly sensual. Gosh, I could go on and on. Check out the herb books by Scott Cunningham. I like "The Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs", from Llewellyn Publications. Mine is well-worn and full of bookmarks. I usually choose herbs that have a dual duty (I'm limited by time and space). I choose herbs that have spiritual significance and great smells. Have fun on your journey! Rosemary will grow well on your deck. It is also known for it’s healing and protective qualities. Sage is a must for it’s spiritual and cleansing properties. Rue will do well as it doesn’t like hot weather. Rue is good for healing and has an unusual aroma. Patchouli is a lovely plant and incredibly sensual. Gosh, I could go on and on. Check out the herb books by Scott Cunningham. I like “The Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs”, from Llewellyn Publications. Mine is well-worn and full of bookmarks. I usually choose herbs that have a dual duty (I’m limited by time and space). I choose herbs that have spiritual significance and great smells. Have fun on your journey!

]]> By: yodasan_au http://www.herbs-spices.net/what-are-some-good-starter-herbs-for-a-beginning-herbalist-in-northern-california.html#comment-1368 yodasan_au Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:36:32 +0000 http://www.herbs-spices.net/what-are-some-good-starter-herbs-for-a-beginning-herbalist-in-northern-california.html#comment-1368 Depends what you like to eat and cook. Italian? oregano and basil. Other good hearty herds are parsley, mint, chives, rosemary....... Scallions and tomatoes will also grow well in pots. Depends what you like to eat and cook. Italian? oregano and basil. Other good hearty herds are parsley, mint, chives, rosemary…….
Scallions and tomatoes will also grow well in pots.

]]> By: Lynne http://www.herbs-spices.net/what-are-some-good-starter-herbs-for-a-beginning-herbalist-in-northern-california.html#comment-1367 Lynne Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:34:48 +0000 http://www.herbs-spices.net/what-are-some-good-starter-herbs-for-a-beginning-herbalist-in-northern-california.html#comment-1367 Rosemary, Thyme, Mint, Chamomile, lemongrass are all easy to start with in posts. Also really good to cook with! LOL Check your local nursery for the best time to plant outside....some you can grow year round inside. Rosemary, Thyme, Mint, Chamomile, lemongrass are all easy to start with in posts.

Also really good to cook with! LOL Check your local nursery for the best time to plant outside….some you can grow year round inside.

]]> By: weswe http://www.herbs-spices.net/what-are-some-good-starter-herbs-for-a-beginning-herbalist-in-northern-california.html#comment-1366 weswe Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:13:05 +0000 http://www.herbs-spices.net/what-are-some-good-starter-herbs-for-a-beginning-herbalist-in-northern-california.html#comment-1366 Start with the thyme family- They smell so good and come in a great assortment of colors and scents. My favorite is lemon thyme. I don't know how to use them for cooking , but they are pretty. Start with the thyme family- They smell so good and come in a great assortment of colors and scents. My favorite is lemon thyme. I don’t know how to use them for cooking , but they are pretty.

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