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Cornell University : Cornell Cooperative Extension
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| Yates Association |
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Five Fabulous Favorite Herbs |
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November 7, 2001 The garden outside has been put to bed, but a few flowers give lingering pleasure: a pink rose "The Fairy", yellow and orange Calendulas, purplechives, white feverfew and purple salvia. Pink snapdragons and white alyssum bloom on next to the west side of the greenhouse. In the past weekbits of the garden have been potted up and brought inside. By a sunny kitchen window hot pink geranium "Freckles" bloom with pots of thyme spilling over its feet. In the sunroom Rosemary trails in front of pots of Basil and Calendulas. Rosemary is for remembrance, as anyone who has touched it will remember its strong sweet piney scent. In our northern climate this Mediterranean native is grown inside for the winter. Rosemary "Arp" will grow in areas with minimum winter temperatures above minus 10 degrees F. Rosemary must be potted in a very course soil mix to provide good drainage. The plant is kept on the dry side. Leaves are coated with volatile aromatic oils which limits the plant's moisture lost in warm climates. It is good to give Rosemary a light misting only when the sun shines on the leaves. Rosemary, a plant of many virtues, contains rosmaric acid, which is found in many species of mint, and has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties. Rosemary is reputed to improve memory. It is widely used in cooking. A teaspoon of Rosemary added to a biscuit recipe is delightful. Rosemary used with chicken is especially nice. Basil is one of the most popular herbs and has been named "Kingly" from the Greek word Basilkon. Ocimum basilicum is the Latin botanical name for basil. The first name, Okimum, comes from the Greek word meaning smell. The cause of basil scent are essential oils contained in tiny sacks on the leaves. When the plant or brushed or chewed and the sacks erupt releasing the fragrant chemicals. There are numerous cultivated varieties. Basil is native to Africa, Asia, Carribean, and South America. Many ancient civilizations considered basil to be sacred. Basil is high in vitamins A, C, calcium and iron. It contains about 14 percent protein. Basil is a most useful cooking herb, excellent with tomato dishes, carrots, green beans, red meats, chicken and fish. Chopped fresh leaves for salads and soups adds an extra zip of flavor. Basil vinegar may be made by adding one leaf to your favorite apple cider or wine vinegar. Basil likes a warm sunny spot, average soil, and spring plants started indoors can be planted outside the same time as pepper plants when the soil temperature is above 50 degrees F. It can be potted up and brought inside before first frost and grown inside in a warm sunny location. If frost has taken yours already, simply start a flat of seeds indoors for winter use. Basil is very easy to grow from seed and can be started now indoors. Calendulas are loved for their bright cheerful countenance. An old garden favorite very hardy known as pot marigold flowers freely with bright yellow to orange blooms that are easy to grow. An annual native to Europe, Calendulas will do best in a sunny spot with average soil. They are called pot marigolds because they were grown in greenhouses to bloom in winter. My Calendulas were potted up a week ago and some are still blooming in the herb garden. Seeds are easily started in flats or planted outside in early spring. Simple ointments made from Calendulas flowers help heal cuts, insect bites and other skin wounds. A salve made from the flowers was used during the Civil War. The Shakers grew Calendulas and made an ointment for sale. The petals are colorful addition to salads and may be used fresh or dried to give color to soups and custards. It can take the place of expensive saffron. Scented Geraniums make exquisite house plants. John Tradescant, botanist and plant hunter brought the Geraniums from South Africa to England in the early 1700's. People took to them at once. Most Geraniums are of South African origin with some represented from Australia and Asia Minor. By 1859, 163 varieties were listed. Geraniums prefer a firm sandy soil and a sunny location with only occasional fertilization. Watering once a week is usually sufficient with an occasional leaf misting. Cuttings are easily rooted by removing lower leaves from a slip and placing them in glass of water in a sunny window. It is always amazing to me so many leaves have so many different scents. Some of the prize varieties are: Attar of Roses, Lemon Scented Mabel Gray, and Dr. Livingston. There are fruity apple, apricot, cinnamon, ginger, lime, nutmeg, orange, and strawberry scented Geraniums. Peppermint and a pungent scented Pretty Polly are nice. New varieties appear every year. For more information about Geraniums, read the book "The Joy of Geraniums" by Helen VanPelt Wilson. Thyme grows wild on the hillsides of Greece. It now includes a genus of over 400 species. Sumerians used it as a medicinal ingredient around 3000 BC. The Egyptians included it among the herbs and spices used in mummification. Thyme comes from the Greek word "to fumigate". It was put in wardrobes to repel moths. Greeks used Thyme as a temple incense and praised it for its healing virtues. During the Middle Ages, Thyme was considered a symbol of courage. Knights riding into battle wore scarves in which their ladies embroidered sprigs of the herb. Thyme bees and honey have always gone together to make a most excellent honey. All Thymes require full sun and fairly light well-drained soil. Thyme potted up for inside use needs to be placed in a sunny window and be clipped as needed. Thyme is a well-known culinary herb superb with soupsa, poultry stuffing, meats and vegetables. Leaves contain vitamin A, Niacin, Potasium, Phoporus, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, and Zinc. Though Thyme is better known as a kitchen herb, its medicinal value is noteworthy. Thymol, a powerful antiseptic, is the key ingredient in Oil of Thyme. It is currently an ingredient in many over-the-counter products in eardrops, disinfectant, and mouth care products such as Listerine and in temporary dental fillings. You might want to take a little "thyme" to look up more about this amazing herb. Is it too late to dig up a pot of herbs from the garden, you can always visit a greenhouse to cheer your day and buy Rosemary, Thyme, or Geraniums. The Basil and Calendulas you will probably have to grow from seed. So brighten up a sunny window with a bit of garden, a delight of sight, scents, and a wealth of health. There
are many resources available about herbs not only for spring, but
also for fall. These resources, along with other information, are
available from Master Gardeners at Cornell Cooperative Extension.
If you have any questions about gardening, please call the Master
Gardeners on at 315-536-5123. Cornell
Cooperative Extension Yates Association |
