April 30, 2020
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)is an herb garden staple in our household. A popular ingredient in cooking and so easy to grow, many varieties are also so beautiful they can be used as ornamental plants in the landscape! Basil is a warm-season, annual herb that is easy to start from seed indoors. In the coastal region, we […]
April 29, 2020
Thyme is a low-growing, perennial herb from the Mediterranean with small, oval leaves that produce a strong aroma when crushed. Thyme features clusters of lilac flowers that attract bees and butterflies. While used for cooking primarily, it also works well as an edging or groundcover because of its low height, mounding nature, and attractive flowers. […]
April 28, 2020
Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a feathery herb great for cooking and attracting pollinating insects. It tops out at around 3 feet tall with yellow umbel shaped flowers. Swallowtail butterflies use dill and other members of the carrot family (Apiaceae) to feed their young. So if you are trying to attract more butterflies to your landscape, […]
April 27, 2020
Herbs make useful and versatile additions to any garden. Culinary herbs such as mint, rosemary, and thyme are perfect for snipping into recipes and are easy to grow, thriving in patio pots and kitchen gardens. Fragrant foliage and flowers are useful in creating herbal teas and adding fragrance to potpourri, lotion, and soap. Many herbs […]
April 9, 2020
Many warm-season vegetable crops will need support as they grow. Sprawling plants such as vining cucumbers, zucchini, and tomatoes will quickly overrun our 4’x8′ raised bed if they are not corralled. To save space, I decided to build a trellis for my garden, which will allow the cucumbers and zucchini to grow vertically. Here’s how […]
April 3, 2020
Planting flowers, vegetables, and herbs from seeds is an excellent family-friendly activity. There are so many lessons to be found in the simple act of starting seeds. If you plan on growing a large garden or you prefer a wider variety than found at the garden center, starting a garden from seed can be more […]
