A Step-by-Step Plan

"...keep Rosemary by your garden gate, plant Lavender for luck..."

Sally Owens ~ Practical Magic

Where should I plant?

     Full sun is a must, as is a location reasonably convenient to the kitchen door.

How large should the garden be?

     That's up to you,  how much time do you plan to put into your gardening, but keep it a manageable size; a 10-foot-by10-foot plot is all you really need if you are planning to grow standard veggies. I have an herb garden that measures 4-by-4 and it's a perfect size if you are just planning to grow lots of herbs. To save space and prevent disease from spreading, train space hogs like cucumbers to grow up a trellis. You can also grow additional herbs and compact veggies in containers placed around the edge of the garden or patio. Remember be honest with yourself on how much time you can devote to your garden. We have over extended ourselves several times and even though we loved the garden it was too big to manage. Some years we just grow herbs, tomatoes and flowers. Seems each year we get busier and our interests vary and have little time for a large garden. Do what ever satisfies you the most. Many Kitchen witches just grow herbs in pots on their window sills and others just shop at markets and stands.

How do you prepare the soil?

Clear away grass or weeds, of course, and add a good vegetable fertilizer and some compost or humus, especially if the soil is slow to drain.

What's the best way to water plant?

Gardens get thirsty, so keep moisture high with mulch and soaker hoses if possible. Four to six inches of organic mulch (shredded leaves, compost or even grass clippings) will smother any weed seed. You may want to consider inexpensive soaker hoses you can conceal under the mulch. They deliver water directly to plant roots with just a turn of a faucet handle.

Are some herbs easier to cultivate than others?

     Some perennials, such as lavender, rosemary and thyme come back every season without replanting. (Even some annual herbs like basil will drop their seeds and sprout next season.) Start with transplants if you like, planting seeds can take months to mature; seedlings are readily available at garden centers.

Are there perennial veggies or fruits?

     Yes! Asparagus, rhubarb and strawberries. Be sure however; to plant in separate beds where they can remain undisturbed.

Can you plant flowers, too?

     Edible flowers like nasturtium are great. Fragrant bloomers such as nicotiana and sweet pea and shrub roses for their beauty. Sow multiple-headed sunflowers and vivid cockscomb for cutting flowers.

When you plant, group varieties of the same family in different parts of the garden to discourage pests and disease. Nest planting season, rotate crops so you don't plant the same family in the same space. In this way, you wont' deplete nutrients in the soil. There's no needs to rotate herbs from year to year.

Vegetable Families

Onion Family

Shallots, bunching onions, other onion, leeks & garlic

Cabbage family

Cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale

Squash and melon Family

Cucumbers, zucchini, yellow crookneck squash, pattypan squash, pumpkins, cantaloupes, honeydews, sugar baby watermelons

greens

spinach, mustard, radicchio, endive, romaine, leaf lettuce, mesclun

Bean family

sugar snap peas, snow peas, scarlet runner beans, wax beans, pole beans

tomatoes and peppers

small and large tomato varieties, sweet and hot peppers

root crops

carrots, beets, radishes, yellow beets, turnips & parsnips

herbs

rosemary, sage, lavenders, rose scented geranium, cilantro, italian parsley, dill, mint, oregano, marjoram, chives, catnip, chamomile, basil as well as flavored varieties such as anise, cinnamon and lemon

Hints:  The finer you mince fresh herbs, the more flavor you'll get. For freshest flavor, add herbs to soups or stews during the last 45 minutes of cooking time.

Herbs That Heal

Herbs from the garden can yield natural remedies for minor ailments. Just beware: some herbs have no proven usefulness and a few can be dangerous. Here is a sample of some basic herbs that are beneficial:

The history of herbal lore is inextricably intertwined with that of modern medicine. Many drugs listed as conventional medications were originally derived from plants. Some were believed to have special meanings and power, and used for ceremony and ritual throughout every ancient culture.

Ingredients for a Natural Medicine Chest

Garlic: helps cut blood cholesterol levels, prevents the formation of dangerous blood clots and may lower high blood pressure.

Ginger: aids digestion. sprinkle grated fresh ginger in soups, stir-fried and stews.

parsley: a natural breath freshener and eases an upset stomach.

sage: makes a soothing mouthwash for canker sores or gargle for a sore throat when brewed like tea, using fresh or dried leaves.

rosemary: crushed and added to bath water may stimulate circulation.

thyme: calms coughs and may ease menstrual cramps. some gardeners rub this natural antiseptic on cuts and scrapes.

Aloe Vera Gel – Keep this burn-reliever on hand in either plant form or in a bottle of the pure gel, which is available in natural food stores. If you use the bottled gel, replace after one year.

Arnica – rubbing a topical treatment of arnica on bruises and sprains will promote faster healing and reduce pain; Also stock up on the tiny arnica pellets used in homeopathy for the same purpose.

Calendula – This anti-inflammatory and immune activating herb treats scrapes, scratches, and minor cuts and burns. Look for it in a spray or salve formula that adds the soothing qualities of olive oil, aloe or Vitamin E.

Charcoal Powder – In cases of diarrhea, you’ll use this to carry toxins out of the digestive system and relieve gas and bloating.

Echinacea – Take a few drops of this infection preventative in tincture form at the fist sign of cold, sore throat or flu. Avoid it, however, if you have sunflower allergies.

Garlic Capsules – Used as vaginal suppositories, garlic capsules can help fight off yeast infections. The juice of this natural antibiotic helps treat minor skin irritations.

Ginger – Use ginger teas or capsules to prevent nausea or motion sickness.

Lavender – The essential oil of this aromatic plant promotes burn healing. When massaged into the affected area, it reduces the flow of nerve impulses, which helps soothe the area and lessen the pain.

Magnesia Phosphorica – Homeopaths recommend this remedy in liquid or pill form for abdominal pain and all types of cramps.

Nettles – Use capsules of freeze-dried extact of stinging nettle instead of antihistamines to alleviate minor hay fever symptoms.

Nux Vomica – This homeopathic remedy quickly soothes an upset stomach in cases of indigestion, nausea, vomiting, or general abdominal pain.

Peppermint – A natural stimulant, peppermint tea quells indigestion and relieves menstrual cramps. Used in capsule form, it can also help combat irritable bowel syndrome.

Rescue Remedy – Reach for this Bach Flower Remedy in cases of shock, panic or stress.

Tea Tree Oil – This disinfectant for cuts and scratches can also be used as a mosquito repellent. It comes in handy in cases of athlete’s foot and other fungal infections, too.

Witch Hazel – this liquid comes from steeping branches of the witch hazel (Hamamelis Virginiana) tree in water, then mixing the results with alcohol. Use it as an astringent for cuts and bruises, or to relieve sore muscles.

Some of the above was from The Herb Quarterly - visit them at http://www.herbquarterly.com to see more articles and features about practical herbal uses in everyday life.

-----SPROUTING INFORMATION-----

You can purchase a sprouting jar (available at most health food stores ) or you can make your own. To make your own get a 1/2 gallon clear glass container. Be sure to wash it out well. Cover the mouth with a fine screen and use a rubber band to keep it on. That's it. Really though, the purchased jars are inexpensive and are made just for the purpose.

** How to sprout seeds

1.) Place dry measured amount of seed, beans, or grain into sprouting jar. Add water and soak overnight following chart recommendations below.

2.) Pour off soak water and place jar mouth down at 45 degree angle for drainage and ventilation between rinsings, then rinse twice a day with fresh cool water.

3.) After sprouts have matured (see chart below) place them in a bowl of water. Seed hulls will float to the top and sprouts will sink. Skim hulls off with your hand and discard them. Gently remove sprouts from bowl and drip drain before storing them in a glass or plastic (closed) container or bag in the refrigerator.

4.) Place Alfalfa, Mustard, Cabbage, Clover, and Radish in indirect light for two days before harvesting to develop chlorophyll.

Use the sprouts in preparing your next meal, in salads and sandwiches.

** Sprouting tip

The ideal sprouting temperature is between 65~ and 75~. Sprouts grow best in darkness or indirect light. When sprouted too long some seeds and beans may become bitter. Grains become sweeter on the fourth and fifth day of sprouting. Start new seeds every 3 days for a continuous supply.

Sprouting Chart

                      Dry Measure of Seeds

A Gardening Story

  Several years ago while at a garden center I met a very friendly man. He shared his wife's idea with me and I followed it, the results were beautiful. I planted an area of Mamouth Sunflowers and along the outer edge I planted Morning Glories. The Morning Glories climbed the stalks of the giant sunflowers! A touch I added of my own was I assembled a small garden altar using 2 slate pieces in the middle of the sunflowers while they were still seedlings. After the sunflowers grew large it was hard to see the altar but I knew it was there. It was a wonderful meditation spot for me.