Donald asks…
I want to start growing herbs and using them in cooking?
My family has never used a lot of herbs in cooking, but I love almost every herb I’ve tried. I would love to have tips on what herbs taste good with different foods, Also, any advice on growing my own herbs indoors would be great! Thanks!
GardenersCardiff answers:
I would put them in small pots by themselves, some herbs multiply like crazy– like spearmint and cilantro. You probably don’t want them mixing all around.
Lisa asks…
How do I make my own essential oils?
I’ve been growing my own herbs like rosemary, basil, mint and catnip. So far I’ve just been drying them but I want to make my own oils. Can you explain how to do this?
GardenersCardiff answers:
I have heard that laying a bunch of the scented petals on a layer of fat (skimmed pure lard) will work very well to absorb the essence. Then you disolve this fat in alchohol for use.
Maria asks…
what are the best fresh herbs to use to cook chicken and pork chops with ?
I want to grow my own herbs but I only want to grow the ones that I will use a lot so which ones would be the easiest to grow and the best to use?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Rosemary is great and easy to grow and use, watch it it will spread and spread in the garden, I grow in a pot because of that….it’s great with poultry
sage is also easy to grow, and great with pork
parsley is easy to grow and a great herb for most everything including garnish
oregano is also a great herb for italian dishes, fairly easy to grow
all herbs need full sun!!
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Donald asks…
Which of these magazines should I choose a free 1-year subscription to?
Good Housekeeping
Esquire® Magazine
Harper’s BAZAAR® Magazine
Traditional Home
Better Homes and Gardens
Details Magazine
I’m a male in my 30s. I was thinking of choosing either Details or Esquire. However, I’ve read Better Homes & Gardens in the past, and it was actually interesting.
Uh, I guess I should’ve mentioned that these are the ONLY choices available.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Ehhh, those are kind of gay choices there sir. So I’d go with Esquire because thats the only one that isn’t.
Ruth asks…
does anyone collect the “my garden ” magazines that were published in the uk from 1930,s till late 1950,s?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Those are famous magazines. And there is still a magazine called “my garden” and the stories are funny just like the original.
Http://www.mygarden-magazine.com/resources/index.php
Betty asks…
Help with gardening please im a beginner?
I’m 23 and suffer from Alcoholism and Depression and I’m on medication but my dr also wants me to get a hobby something to focus on and I thought I love walking round my granddads garden so maybe I could start that. But I haven’t got a garden so thinking about getting a patch at an allotment. Only problem is I don’t know the first thing about gardening lol so are there any magazines or anything for beginners? Thanks 
GardenersCardiff answers:
You might consider container gardening which would make it easier to see your plants close at hand. You can go to the library and check out a book or two on how to do it-or google the type of plants you want to grow and see what their specific needs are. I just got a agrotower which I’m going to grow strawberries in-in the first couple of layers-then I’m planning on growing herbs in the next layers. I can’t wait to see the results. Gardening can be very rewarding-and it does occupy time and brain matter which certainly helps with depression! Good luck.
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Daniel asks…
What is the best way to start growing your own tea leaves (buy/plant seeds, other)?
Interested initially for personal use, but also interested in knowing if this is worth pursuing as a business, land/space requirements, any other commercial needs. Any experienced insight (for either personal or commercial pursuit) would be appreciated. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.
GardenersCardiff answers:
A certain type of Camilla bush is used for tea. I am sure one would need at least an area of 7 * 7 ft. They are slow growing. Do you have the right conditions for it–morning sun, afternoon shade? Also, you can use bay leaves or lemon grass for tea as well.
Susan asks…
Good books on growing your own herbs for brewing tea?
As the topic says. I am looking for books that explain the planning and how-to of growing your own herbs for tea.
Any suggestions then?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Any book that describes growing herbs is good. There isn’t a different procedure for growing herbs for brewing than growing them for beauty, or medicinal use, or culinary.
Which books might depend a little on your region. But unless you live in a tropical area, most herb books would work.
I suggest going to your local library, getting a stack of books on growing herbs (they’re all going to be on the same shelf, so once you find one, you find them all), and leafing through them. Probably 2 or 3 will grab your attention.
Thomas asks…
How do you grow your own tea leaves in the back yard so you can harvest your own tea .I live in sunny socal .?
Where do yopu get the seeds or seedlings and what kind do you look for? I just love too drink lipton ice tea and I also like growing a real green yard so this could be a fun project for me.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Tea comes from the young shoots of a Camellia species. You may be able to get the cultivar used for tea from mail-order nursery! Good luck.
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Betty asks…
Does growing your own herbs and veggies, save money?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Herbs sure save money by growing them especially if you use alot. Almost all are perennial or self sowing annuals/biennials. And you can sure wow your friends and family by going to the garden for fresh herbs when you are cooking for them.
I have young leaf lettuce and spinach in about 6 varieties now and will eat a nutrition packed salad a day for a couple months before it gets too hot. I take bags to friends and family. The seed cost $2.00.
Tomatoes should be grown by everyone!
If you have room small fruits are worthwhile too. Look at Heritage or Caroline raspberries, blueberries, bush cherries and blackberries.
The nutrition value of home grown veggies can be many times that found in the supermarket. Many micro nutrients in the soils the large producers grow in are depleted and not replaced.
If you are still not convinced spend a season shopping at a local growers market for your produce. The taste and nutrition should help make up your mind.
Of course you need to do some research to make sure you prepare the beds correctly and plant at the right time in your area. Good luck and bon appetite.
Susan asks…
How to Grow your own Herbs?
I’m looking to grow my own herbs and was wondering if anyone new of something i could use. I live in Boston, and its basically impossible to grow anything. Maybe something indoors? Looking to grow basil, dill, chives, cilantro, etc.. I’m tired of buying herbs from the food store and spending a fortune!
GardenersCardiff answers:
Http://theherbgardener.blogspot.com
If you type growing herbs indoors in the search box, this web site will give you the information.
This web site has some good information for growing herbs indoors.
Donald asks…
If you were to grow your own herbs/ spices at home what kind would you grow?
Can you tell me what they taste like
Are they best dried or fresh?
If dried should you keep them whole or crush or ground?
What is the best way to store them?
GardenersCardiff answers:
I grow thyme, oregano,tarragon, rosemary and chives that are all perennial plants – they come back every year, so they are incredibly low-maintenance!
Then each year I plant green basil, purple basil, cilantro, and parsley….at the end of the season, I transplant these to pots and bring them inside for the winter…usually lasts for a few months..gets me through much of the cold seasons here.
These are all the herbs that I cook with most often.
I prefer fresh herbs much more over dried, although I do dry my own, so I have some on hand at all times!
To dry, I just take a good bunch, rubberband the stems, and hang them upside down to dry for a week or so. Then I scrape the leaves off the stem and store them in containers – I like to keep the leaves whole, as opposed to crushing them.
I also keep a few “herb cubes” in my freezer..pack clean fresh herbs into ice cube trays, top with water, and freeze. Then pop em out and throw into a marked freezer bag…that way I can just toss the herbs into soups and stuff when I want to.
I hope this all helps!
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