Herbs are one of the best ways to add flavor and individuality to any dish, whether you’re preparing spirits, or sweet, savory, or spicy food. The abundant availability of homegrown edibles is one of the few things I enjoy about the sticky summer heat.
I grew up eating fresh veggies from a manually-tilled, individually planted, and hand picked garden that required consistent grooming and attention from my dad.
I remember grabbing hold of the tilling machine and trying to control the motorized monster and keep it going in a straight line to prepare the soil for planting.
But at ten years old I was better with the hoe and forming the rows. With one of dad's fingers, which was equal to two of mine, we'd make individual holes to drop butterbean seeds into. Caging and staking tomato plants, weeding, fertilizing, and harvesting made for a rigerous daily garden routine.
Due to space my focus now is mostly on herbs, flowers, and one tomato plant. It's exciting to see these living things germinate and it's rewarding to play a part in the propagation of fresh foilage that you can turn into scrumptious everyday meals and gifts for your friends, family, and even clients.
I’m not a green thumbs gardening guru but I love digging in and getting hands-on with every aspect of propagating my herb garden. From shopping, buying, planting, watering, harvesting, and the best part…experimenting in cooking, cocktails, and culinary crafts like oils, vinegars, and edible garnishes.
I enjoy taking care of them and am amazed that the slightest touch to the tender leaves releases their aromatic oils into the air.
Cultivating your own herbs is an ongoing process that, depending on how many you have, requires a pungent effort, an explorer’s curiosity to experiment, and a willingness to learn from those who have grown before you.
Here’s the collection of plants that are showing up in and around the dishes on my chef’s table.
In this blog category I'll share recipes you can create from herbs you cultivate right in your own backyard, along with other tips to help you enjoy the healthy and delicious rewards from having such a bounty of natural flavor enhancers.
One of the first pieces of advice I’d offer is to find a smaller local company that sells herbs and fresh seasonal produce.
They’ve lived with and cared for their plants for a long time so they have a wealth of knowledge, can provide individual attention, and are personally invested in your gardening success.
Stoney’s Produce in Virginia Beach has been a wonderful resource in helping me get my plants up and growing. Whenever I have questions such as, What’s eating my purple basil? Should I fertilize my herbs? and, Can I harvest part of my pineapple sage for cooking and leave some to bloom for the hummingbirds? Stoney’s is always there with a solution.
Having a produce partner for my fragrant little fields makes a huge difference!
Harvesting makes them thrive so it’s fun to develop new recipe ideas that add fresh flair to your dining and drinking fare, like this Papaya Apple Mintini
"No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden...But though an old man, I am but a young gardener." - Thomas Jefferson
I can see why people say gardening is relaxing.
It is refreshing to take in the fresh air (when it's not 100 degrees), listen to the birds sing, and watch the squirrels frolick around, while watering, weeding, and talking to the plants that are growing in your herbal oasis! Yes, talking to...it works, really :) They are living, breathing, creatures after all, and need encouragement to flourish!
There's nothing better than a meal you prepared straight from the garden to your plate. What's growing in your garden? Any tasty herbal or veggie fare you'd like to share?
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