Supernatural Botanicals

With all the flower bulb and tree planting lately, my poor herb containers sat empty, waiting for me to plant new herbs.  I tackled them over the weekend.  I had such an abundance of Basil last year that I actually couldn’t use it all.  After all, how many times can you make pesto?  I decided this year to only grow things I truly loved, and things that I’m sure I’d use every last drop of. 

I ended up planting Cilantro (for homemade salsas and Pico de Gallo), Dill (for dips, fish and seafood, and appetizers) and Rosemary (the summer wouldn’t be the same without roasted Rosemary potatoes.)  I also planted garden salsa peppers, jalapenos, and pepperoncinis (for the salsa and my pepper-addicted Irishman.) 

Within a month, I anticpate the herbs to be plentiful and vibrant, bright green.  Updates to follow…as per usual. 

Freshly planted Cilantro

Dill, a very unattractive herb, but delicious

Planting extra-fragrant Rosemary

Delicious Dill...I wish it looked as good as it tastes

Cilantro. I'll need this to multiple to the extreme for all my summer cooking

Freshly planted peppers. I had the best luck with Garden Salsa peppers last year

My Ginger got acquainted with the fresh mulch. A bath followed!

Hoping for a lovely herb garden this year

Early to mid Spring is the best time to plant Stargazer Lilies and Peonies.  Both will produce enormous, super-fragrant blooms from mid to late summer.  Both prefer full sun.  Lilies and Peonies produce mounds of enormous full flowers, and are perfect for keeping fresh cut flowers in every room in your house all summer long.  If you want beautiful flowers for cutting and for fragrancing your home, Stargazer Lilies and Peonies are highly recommended.  Plant your bulbs in the next week.  You’ll have a house full of beautiful flowers in the summer to reward you. 

Reminder:  Fall is the time to plant Limelight Hydrangea bushes in your yard for next year’s growing season.

An eco-idea:  Planting mint near a downspout fills your garden with its fresh scent after every rain shower. 

I’ve been purchasing these Limelight Hydrangeas (a newer hybrid breed flower) from the farmers market every weekend.  They last all week long…even lasting up to 2 weeks in vases.  They are old-fashioned looking, romantic and girly, and just beautiful.  Not only do I use them as a centerpiece on my dining room table, I also have a small vase of them on my nightstand.  They make a room sing!  They even make outdoor rooms come to life…see above.

I’ve decided to dedicate an entire planting bed in my yard to these hydrangeas for next year’s growing season.  Optimum time for planting is fall.  To read more about limelight hydrangeas, click here. 

Bell jars make backyard gardening so easy.  Positioned on top of sunken pots of lettuces, they create a greenhouse-like effect for accelerated growth of plants, and also do double-duty by protecting young growing plants from frost.  They also look beautiful in your garden, making your backyard garden aesthetically more appealing to the eye.

I buy vintage garden bell jars any time I find them.  Although they are glass, they are made of very thick, very hard to break glass.  They are also very heavy, so you won’t have a problem with rabbits or squirrels knocking them over.  They give your garden instant “wow” factor.  It turns a backyard garden into an English garden look-a-like in seconds.  Perfect for lettuces.  Talk about a garden salad!  Super-fresh and delicious.

   If you’ve never tried the herb Dill, try it!  It’s so fresh and tart.  It’s great in dips or on seafood, fish, oven roasted potatoes, roasted carrots, cucumber sandwiches, etc.  The herb grows vigorously.  Keep it pruned back and in a nice shape as it grows.  (Dill is planted in the smaller container pictured here, shown with Italian Oregano in the larger container.)  This Dill is freshly planted, and still small.  I’m juicing it up on Miracle Grow. 

Hint:  Rub dill between your fingers after cutting garlic or onions to eliminate the harsh odor left on hands. 

This is the newest herb in my garden, Sweet Lemon Thyme.  I knew I had to have this the moment I brushed my fingers across the dainty little leaves.  My hands smelled like fresh lemons for hours afterwards.  This herb produces a strong lemon flavor.  I’ll be making perfume from this….it’s on my to-do list.  With cooking, it will be great with chicken or seafood….think shrimp scampi!  The next time you are at the garden center, look for Sweet Lemon Thyme.    You’ll be surprised how lemony it is.  Delish!