"Culinary Herbs in the Garden"

Crystal Robertson, UT Extension Agent

Whether you are looking to get into a new aspect of gardening or would like to add a little fresh zest to your plate, look no further than a culinaryherb garden.  Once you begin to use fresh herbs in your favorite recipes, you’ll never want to go back.  You can create a masterpiece with just a few fresh herbs to even the simplest yet tasty meals.  Not to mention, impress your friends with your many talents!  Fortunately herbs are relatively easy to grow, and even easier to harvest and preserve.

Growing and Harvesting Herbs
With “culinary herbs” comprised of so many plant species, you might think it would be hard to give general statements about growing requirements for herbs. Not so – most, if not all, culinary herbs thrive in sunny sites with well-drained, infertile soils. The fastest way to kill an herb is to place it in a shady, wet spot in the landscape. Herbs rarely need fertilizer. In fact, fertilize them too much and they don’t taste as good.
Herbs are either perennials or annuals in the garden. Knowing which are annuals and which are perennials is essential when planning and planting an herb garden. Perennial herbs like sage, thyme, lavender, chives and mint do not need to be replanted each year. But annuals like basil and cilantro will not survive winter – so they must be replanted each spring. To make matters more confusing, dill, fennel, and a few other annual herbs reseed each year, so they will return. Just don’t expect them to be in the same place!
The best time to harvest herbs is in the morning when the sprigs are fresh. Harvesting herbs is simple. Most herbs have the best flavor and fragrance before flowering. Harvest about one-third to one-half of the plant just as the flower buds appear. Annual herbs can be cut back more severely since they will not survive the winter and they will re-grow quickly.  After harvest, be sure to wash and dry the leaves and stems before use.

Preserving Herbs
Dehydrator drying is a fast and easy way to dry high quality herbs because temperature and air circulation can be controlled. Pre-heat dehydrator with the thermostat set to 95 °F to 115 °F. Rinse the herbs under cool running water and shake to remove moisture before dehydrating. Herbs are dry when they crumble, and stems break when bent. Check your dehydrator instruction booklet for specific details, but it should take one to four hours.
Sturdy herbs such as sage, thyme, summer savory and parsley are the easiest to air dry. They can be tied into small bundles and air-dried. Basil, tarragon, lemon balm and the mints have a high moisture content, and will mold if not dried quickly. Try hanging the tender-leaf herbs or those with seeds in a small bunch inside paper bags (with a few holes)to dry.  Place where air currents will circulate through the bag.
For most herb enthusiasts, only a few of their favorite herb plants are needed to provide all the fresh and dried material throughout the year. So, pick a few of your favorite herbs and give them a try in the garden. You might be impressed as well.

"Making a Mother's Day Memory"

By: Brandi Woodall

Positive Approach Events & Consulting

Ever stand in the flower aisle and stress over the perfect gift for Mom?  Sure it was easy when we were children; any crayon etched piece of construction paper was a masterpiece in Mom’s eyes.  But as you get older, the “what do I get my Mother” question comes up every year.  Here are some tips to help you create a wonderful Mother’s Day without breaking the bank!

• Flowers and candy are always a nice gesture.  Why not go a step further and bake or make that special family recipe like Grandma’s Chocolate Chip Cookies?  Not only will you give her something you’ve created, but you’ll also share something that is special to her as well. 

• A fun and easy memory board is a great gift for housing family photos.  Covering foam board with material and ribbon in a lattice pattern and then tucking in mementos like photos, newspaper clips, handmade cards, etc. will be something she can display year around.  Remember to leave a little space so that you can keep adding to the board.  Need a place to display?  Make the board small enough to go on the fridge and attach a magnet.  Now she’ll have a reason to smile every time she goes to the kitchen for milk and eggs!

Gifts don’t have to cost a ton of money!  Don’t get me wrong, very few women are ever going to say no to a massage or facial gift certificate.  But is that really the best we can offer… REALLY??  How about being creative and giving something that she’ll cherish forever?  Your time is a great place to start.  If you have siblings, arrange to take Mom out for brunch, or better yet, have everyone participate by cooking, decorating, and truly making the day all about her.

Give your Mother a positively memorable Mother’s Day just by giving her your time!  For more tips on planning gatherings and events please visit our blog!  www.paeventstn.com 

‘Hope you joined us for the fun and exciting ‘All about Women Expo and Craft Show’ at the Bristol Mall.  Positive Approach Events was proud to once again be the Event Coordinator for this amazing annual event!