Happy
Anniversary to EZ Herbs, Herb of the Month newsletter.
Yes, it’s been a year full of information on Nettles, Vitex, Passionflower,
Pennyroyal, Lemongrass, Motherwort, Ginger, Sage, Cinnamon, Chamomile,
Roses and Hawthorn. I am so fortunate to have most of these herbs growing in
my garden (no Hawthorn or Cinnamon). So, who says Texas is such a
tough place to maintain a garden? (probably most of us). Yes,
gardening in Central Texas is challenging with its rocky or hard clay soils,
with its extreme temperatures and torrents of rainfall. We don’t have
the sweet pleasure of New England’s rich, pliable soil, or England’s
frequent soft rains and temperate climate. I am convinced, however, that the
plants that do grow well here, are stronger, more tenacious and full of
minerals, vitamins and potent chemical constituents that make good herbal
medicines.
I thought that for my Anniversary,
instead of writing about one herb this month, I would share with you some of
the joys and benefits of growing and maintaining your own garden. Being that
I am presently writing a textbook chapter on the subject, it is foremost in
my mind, and in my heart.
March in Texas means spring
is just a few weeks away. March 15th is our last freeze
date (most often), so it is time to get out there, prepare your garden soil,
begin to start seeds, either in a greenhouse or inside, and order or buy
seeds and transplants that you want to have growing and thriving soon.
Spring is a GREAT time to garden here. It’s wise to start this early because
come May, you know, it’s going to get hot and our summer gardens are more
challenging to maintain. If you get plants started early, they have
some time to take root and begin to mature, so they can hold on during our
long, hot season.
I definitely have Spring Fever.
I think about gardening, I dream about gardening and spend every minute I
can spare outside. I am thrilled each day when I walk through my
garden noticing wildflowers popping up, roses beginning to leaf out and
discovering the plants that are beginning to reappear after their winter
rest. Yesterday I noticed my Lemongrass coming back, my Lion’s Ear and
even my new Blue Sky Vine shows some green beneath the winter mulch that’s
been keeping it warm.
Gardening is being mindful, gardening
is learning patience and gardening brings much joy and pleasures to so many.
I am so lucky to have a beautiful, new greenhouse this year and I have
started some seedlings in the last couple of weeks. What a miracle to
wake up one morning and see an entire tray of morning glory seedlings up and
green, looking healthy and strong. With this early start I’ll get them
in the ground within the next couple of weeks and have beautiful vines
adorning my seven-foot fence encircling my entire garden space (I have deer
out here, so need to protect the garden from those hungry four-leggeds).
Hopefully this newsletter will inspire
you to get outside, work with the soil, some seeds, and plants and begin or
continue to experience the many benefits of gardening. If you don’t
have a garden space, use containers for growing your herbs, flowers and even
some vegetables. Clay pots are best to use as they simulate the earth
more than plastic or other types of containers. Take time this spring
to read gardening books, seed catalogues, attend classes and talks, but most
importantly, get those hands in the dirt. You’ll love it! See
you in the garden.