Susan asks…
Which herbs and plants are easiest to grow for someone that is not familiar with gardening?
I live in New Orleans, Louisiana and have been wanting to grow my own herbs and small plants. I don’t have experience in gardening whatsoever and I’d like to know what I should start off with and what plants/herbs are good for this climate (hot and humid). I would like to plant something within the next month. What’s good to plant at this time of year?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Oregano is such an easy herb! The benefit is that is can be used for such a wide variety of things, and it is a perennial so it will come back every year!
Other no brainers (and I know this from my own personal experience) is lemon verbena, thyme (lemon thyme as well) rosemary, mint, and lavender, and basil.
I have had some troubles with sage, but maybe it doesn’t like Ohio weather, so the humid/hot might be good for it! Pretty much any herb is workable, just buy from a good source (preferably a farmer’s market) and read any labels. I know having them indoors vs. Outdoors makes a difference as well, so what I share is just from having outdoor herbs. (I just dug up the ground, plopped them in, and they lived!)
Good luck!
Charles asks…
How do you grow Herbs?
I love to cook and have started using fresh herbs in my dishes. The negative to that is they are expensive in the grocery store and dont last long in the refrigerator. I would like to grow my own herb garden, but i have no green thumbs. What are the best and easiest herbs to grow and how do i grow them?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Herbs are fairly easy to grow. Take a look at what spices you use in cooking and where you live. No need to grow what you won’t eat. Many herbs can be grown indoors in pots and set outside when the weather is appropriate. For the first time Gardner, I would suggest pick your favorite three herbs. Go to your local garden center or plant market and buy small plants rather than starting with seed.(Farmers markets are great places for this.) Get some small pots (appropriate size for the plants you have purchased) and some potting soil. Put a few rocks in the bottom of your pot for drainage, then put your plant in the pot and cover with dirt to just above the dirt on the plant. Give it a little water and a sunny window and wala you should have herbs. Water about once a week. This is a great starting point that should get you familiar with plants and move you on to a larger herb garden.
There are lots of great herb growing books out there to help you expand your garden. My suggestion is start with the pots, find a good book and make a plan for your garden. Many herbs such as oregano, mint, Thyme and sage, all spread, so thought needs to go into your space allotment for each. Spices like cilantro and basil are annuals in some regions and have to be brought indoors for the winter or planted new each year. So a lot to learn and think about. Hope this helps.
Michael asks…
what good information is availabe on herbs and herbal remedies?
I am looking to eventually to grow and use my own herbs. I am also looking for good reliable information on herbal remedies, safe daily doses adn potential side effects.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Tons of good sites. Here are a few I keep bookmarked for such questions. You might also check YA! For more questions like yours, I’m sure not everyone answers the same ones all the time, you might pick up a gem or two looking back at old ones.
Http://www.altnature.com/
http://www.herbs2000.com/
http://www.herbaleducator.com/index.html
http://www.vitaminstuff.com/herbs.html
http://www.localharvest.org/ (not as much about herbs, but more local network stuff, could be useful to you)
Something else to consider – you may not have to grow your own so much as locate natural sources. My favorite, and wild growing, http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mulgre63.html
You just need to find and protect the source and process properly.
My mother-in-law used to collect and process her own chamomile, and a good friend and herbalist found St. John’s Wort growing freely on her property and did that same, making salves and other products with it.
That should get you started. Best to you in a very healthful, herbal education!
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Ken asks…
Here is a picture of the Pico Gardens Housing Project in Los Angeles, Can you count the satellite dishes?
http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2010/04/jose_sanchez_la_homicide_no_77.php
GardenersCardiff answers:
This is the projects. Most of those living there are illegal aliens, provided free housing by the liberals. They have plenty of money, drive nice cars etc, However, since they are illegal, with no SSN and not paying any taxes there is no income to verify. As they have to verifiable income they are privided free housing, free food, a welfare check, free medical, etc etc etc.
James asks…
Alan Duncan…creep & arrogant,intolerant money grabbing b!tch?
Alan Duncan claimed thousands for gardening: MPs’ expenses.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5304976/Alan-Duncan-claimed-thousands-for-gardening-MPs-expenses.html
This sniffy and creepy man is running for power in our country.
http://u.tv/News/Alan-Duncan-Miss-California-and-a-sense-of-humour-failure/096eff2e-8965-44fa-81b7-0d37d02d9cce
“If you read that Miss California has been murdered you will know it was me, won’t you.”
may seem small change but the instance of this reply shows where his mind is.
This is not someone to be in charge of my country.
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/god-and-country/2009/05/11/miss-california-to-james-dobson-satan-was-trying-to-tempt-me.html
GardenersCardiff answers:
Hes such an insincere slimeball he makes michael portillos face look like the most trustworthy face on earth, i will never understand the voter who votes the tories in for no other reason than they wish to get labour out. Its like turkeys voting for bernard matthews cos they think he’ll end christmas
Linda asks…
I want to make a website, I dont want something generic Ideas?
Ok so basically im a media graduate. I Also specialise in sociology.
I want to add something to my C.V/ resume that stands out. I have decided to make my own website. I have tried blogs and so forth however I think a website would be more professional.
I do not want a generic website something which has been done time and time again. Basically I would like something fresh. I will list my interests and maybe someone can come up with a great idea with me because right now my mind has gone blank I will appreciate it greately!
Interests
Sociology; particularly crime, prison system in america.
Capitalism
Social websites
Music- Dubstep, house, rap, rnb, and many other genres
Gardening
Photography
Arts- make-up (if you consider that an art)
Self teaching
Good eating, health and herbal remedies.
Laws
Society, human behaviour
thats all i can think of now hopefully someone will have an idea
GardenersCardiff answers:
Choose a web host providing easy 1-click installation of social networling apps, photo galleries….
Refer to:
threehosts.com/simplescripts
Hope this helps.
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Laura asks…
Australians? Question about your natural heath products?
I know this is sorta the wrong category. But I would like an Aussie’s opinion. I am asking this because I have heard this has already been passed in places like Germany and Australia.
Recently Canada has tried to pass a bill making Canada’s natural herbs & minerals only available by prescription. They are being payed off and pushed by big Pharma and its wrong.
“75% of natural health products will be
unable to obtain license for sale, therefore rendering them illegal
& discontinued”
“WITHOUT a warrant, government inspectors will be able to (all just for growing or having your own herbs, vitamins, or minerals):
– enter your private property
– take your natural products (garlic and blueberries?) and seize your bank account
– levy ‘Draconian’ fines up to 5,000,000 and/or seek 2 years in jail”
Pretty much you need a prescription for Vitamin C, Iron, Potassium, St. Johns Wort etc.
It is greedy and it makes me sick!
If you want to be able to SELL these you must purchase a license, which is costly to small business owners and apparently is hard to get.
So, if you Aussies are living by this law, what do you think? How much do you pay for a bottle of vitamins? Its about 10$ Canadian here for a bottle of iron.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Australians can buy all of the preparations you’ve named and hundreds of others in health food shops, supermarkets and many other outlets. We have no laws here that restrict the sale of natural preparations to prescriptions through parmacists and the suggestion that we could have inspectors entering properties seizing our home grown garlic and blueberries is completely ludicrous and totally inaccurate. Check your sources – they’re wrong.
Joseph asks…
Can Anyone recommend a great comprehensive book on Herbal remedies?
A book that goes into great detail on how to grow and harvest your own herbs. Also that gives reciepes and dosage info.
Thank you.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phyllis Balch.
Michael asks…
Do you grow or hunt your own food?
I have a garden on my deck, full of herbs and vegetable plants like peppers and snap peas. And sometimes I go fishing with my uncle, never catch a lot.
GardenersCardiff answers:
I have a garden and i hunt. All the time. With a bow so i dont get caught illegally
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