Severe Gardening - By Nature or Committee?

In the midst of a drought one has to wonder how reactionary we become to the drought conditions or to the reaction to the drought. This is a time to look at how we are reacting to the present situation here in the Southeastern U.S.

Most plants can survive well if some preplanning goes into where the plant goes and in what conditions. One of the best ways to insure a plant lives is to amend the soil with natural organic components. This can be turkey, cow manure or the ubiquitous fallen leaves that are in abundance. Any of these organic materials provide nutrients, hold down heat at the root level, and contain moisture. The simple step of good preparation upon planting is crucial to the viability of the plant's life under drought conditions.

Political processes also can exacerbate the drought by poor planning. Why would one mandate the planting of trees, bushes, greenery in conditions that insure the plant can not survive and will deplete the water supply of other plants? You do not have planning depts. insist on placement of trees 24 inches apart, along corridors knowing the tree will grow to have a span of 24 feet. The destiny of most of those trees is death or disease and deprivation and stress to the few that can survive under those conditions. We need trees, if nothing other than air filtration, erosion resistance and oxygen production, but we need healthy trees.

When plants are first planted they absolutely have to be watered. Initial planting is very stressful to plants and the watering helps minimize that stress. The first few weeks, months for some large specimens transplanted, are crucial to the survival of those plants. Legislative bodies need to show some common sense in insuring the survival of trees, greenery that is mandated yet destroyed by policies that insure the costly mandates will fail due to other legislative mandates. It just doesn't make sense. Take the time to examine the essence of the total legislative package and not allow isolation by dept. edict to counteract another mandate. The cost is to the citizen and our environment.

We need common sense integrated into all aspects of legislation by all those who have the power to create rules and regulations.

Daily Craft Tips For Herb Crafts

We are getting several requests to have our web site add on a web sign up form for crafting with herbs. One suggestion is to have a "daily craft tip" explaining how to craft herb scented papers, strewing herb recipes, or sleep herb sachets, etc.

We presently have, and functioning, "herb recipes" as well as "herbal lore & legend" and legend programs on the site.

We have now posted to our web site a sign up sheet for this new proposed free service of "daily herb crafting tips". You can access it here.

Herb Pots/Organic Vegetables

A lot of the food that is sold in the super markets today is laden with harmful chemicals that can cause some negative reactions in our bodies. According to studies, eating chemical laden food can cause different types of diseases including several types of cancer. To avoid eating too much chemically laden food, it would be a good idea for you to utilize what small space you have in your house and grow some vegetables and herb plants organically. Organically growing your own vegetables and herb will not only ensure you a steady supply of healthy food, it will also make your home look green and beautiful.

Using Pots For Your Herb Plants
If you only have a small space available for planting, it would be wise for you to use pots for your herb plants. Not only will this method free more space for you to plant more vegetables, it will also help you make your home more organized and less cluttered. Stacking pots with the use of some iron racks will help you produce more herb plants with just a small space. Furthermore, using pots will allow to you transfer your plants every now and then if you want to. Transferring your plants to different locations at specific times of the year will help you maximize the use of available sunlight.

Choose the colors and designs of your pots well when using pots to hold your herb plants. Using decorative pots to hold your plants can make your home look more attractive especially if you put your herb plants near the front door of your home. Small decorative pots stacked neatly on a decorative rack will make an interesting front door decoration. There is really nothing more beautiful than having some greens greeting your visitors every time they visit you.

Choosing The Right Herb Plants
Plant those types of herbs that you use in your daily cooking. If you have not been using many herbs in your cooking, try to imagine which types of herb plants would be more useful for you in the kitchen. Herb plants such as rosemary, basil, chives, lemon grass and others will make your cooking more delicious so you might want to invest in these types of herb plants. You may also add some exotic herbs and spices into your collection to add some variety. When it comes to herb plants, more choices are always better since this will give you a lot of room to experiment in your cooking.

This article copied from http://www.herb.suniloza.com/herb_plants.html.

We extend this to you considering this year HerbFest will introduce it's first organic vegetables and seeds.

New HerbFest Herbal Recipes

New Recipes posted on HerbFest today. Click here to acess.

1. Lemon Balm Loaf

2. Cinnamon Basil Cookies

3. Herbal Rolls

Use the herbal tips on storage and create summer fun in December with your saved/preserved herbs.

New Vendor Application for HerbFest, 2008

Here it is.

Herb Plants Generally Drought Tolerant - HerbFest, 2008

HerbFest, 2008 will feature special emphasis on use of herbs and perennials that are drought tolerant. John Wrenn, our herb grower, has recently received his certification as a U.S.D.A. Certified Organic Grower and will be adding organic vegetable plants this year.

Due to the drought conditons being experienced along the east coast the growers for HerbFest will be concentrating on plants that need little water, which is generally most herbs, but will also add perennials such as sedums that require little water.

In keeping with the HerbFest long standing practice of being environmentally friendly we are now adjusting to the specifics of the climate of our area.

Rosemary Shampoo & Spritzer

One beneficial use for your Rosemary leaves is to take the leaves off the stem, put them into a "ball" type jar, then fill with warm water. Place the sealed jar in the refrigerator and allow the water/rosemary to steep for couple of days.



After 48 hours remove the jar, strain the water, and then mix the water with your favorite shampoo, or add to your pet's shampoo. Some brunette/brown haired folks also put the strained water in a spritzer bottle and spritz their hair in the mornings after grooming.



Essential rosemary oil is used in high end commercial shampoos because it adds a vigor, sheen to their hair. The reason for adding to your pet's shampoo is the essential oil is also a flea/tick repellent so it not only adds sheen to the pet's fur but also is a self protector against insects such as fleas and ticks.