Spring Snows

When heavy, wet snow comes in Spring (or in Fall) check your herbs - especially the shrubs and trees.  Extra weight from the snow can damage plants either breaking branches, permanently damaging the form, or pulling the plants out of the ground.  Plants with new leaves in the spring or those that haven't lost leaves in the fall are the most susceptible.  Gently knock snow from branches. A broom works well for this purpose.

Seed Catalogs & Garden Planning

Seed catalogs are coming in the mail.  They are so fun to explore and are a great source of information and enjoyment - especially when I can't be out working in the garden.  I can be planning my garden and yard for spring - deciding what to grow and where to grow everything.  If you haven't gardened much in the past it is good to start with a few things - what do you enjoy eating or using the most.  Do you love tomatoes and basil?  Then those could be some great things to start with.

Some of my favorite books for information whether you are experienced or a beginner:
All New Square Foot Gardening: Grow More in Less Space!
Smithsonian Handbooks: Herbs (Smithsonian Handbooks)
The Pleasure of Herbs: A Month-by-Month Guide to Growing, Using, and Enjoying Herbs
Growing & Using Herbs Successfully (Garden Way Book)

My favorite magazines include:
Herb Companion
Organic Gardening

One of my favorite sources for herb plants and seeds:
Richters

Open-pollinated and heirloom seed sources

Herb growing in fall and winter

This time of year it is possible to grow herbs in many climates in spite of the chilly weather.  I grow more tender herbs in pots which are kept outside in summer and brought in before the temperature drops to 45 F.   I also like growing herbs such as basil year round in an AeroGrow AeroGarden .

AeroGrow AeroGarden 0019-00Z Garden Starter Tray is a great way to start seeds in the spring for your garden.  You can purchase an AeroGarden with seeds for specific herbs or if you already have one you can buy a kit with seeds or buy a Master Gardener Seedpod kit and plant whatever seeds you choose.  My seeds germinate faster and more reliably with an AeroGarden than any other method I have used.  The fact that the AeroGarden monitors water, light, and nutrients automatically is a big plus also.

Herbs

Herbs - the useful plants.  Not that all plants aren't useful. Even many considered weeds are useful.  Herbs can be defined as plants that are herbaceous - soft instead of woody, usually die to the ground in colder climates.  For this blog I use the definition of herbs meaning plants which are used for culinary, medicinal, or craft purposes.  So this blog will cover woody as well as herbaceous, herbs as well as spices - some you may not have heard of before. 

I welcome questions about herb growing and use.