It’s Spring– it’s time to think about gardening! It’s time to think about growing your own herbs. Perhaps you are already growing herbs. If you aren’t, here are some very compelling reasons for getting started.

Herbs are useful in cooking, in medicines, in cosmetics and as aroma therapy. They are beautiful to look at as individual plants or as landscape elements. And in addition to all that herbs smell great and typically have very interesting histories. Of all the plants one can grow, herbs provide more overall benefit than any others.

Herbs stimulate our senses– they look good, smell good and feel good. The foliage color of herbs ranges from silver-grey of artemesia through deep green of Sweet Basil. In addition to attractive foliage, herbs also have beautiful flowers: purple spires of Munstead Lavender, tiny white and yellow flowers of chamomile, deep red of pineapple sage, dark blue of borage and bright yellow of “moonshine” yarrow.

The aroma of herbs ranges from the pungent scent of sage to the floral scent of lavender. Herbs smell great when growing in the garden but to really release a herb’s aroma, just crush a fresh leaf between your fingers. When used in skin-care products, herbs impart not only their appealing scent but also their skin-enhancing properties. Skin-care items that use herbs are soaps, massage oils, hand creams and body scrubs. In addition to scenting our bodies, the burning of a sage smudge or heating of essential oils can also provide our homes with pleasing and calming aromas.

From a culinary perspective, herbs are unequaled for adding appealing flavor and color to foods. Some very common uses of herbs are basil in tomato-based dishes; onion or garlic chives on salads or to add flavor to cottage cheese; cilantro in salsa; dill in potato salad and in homemade pickles; mint, chamomile or lemon balm in tea; oregano in Italian dishes; rosemary in roasted potatoes; sage in poultry stuffing; tarragon to flavor homemade vinegar; thyme in soups and stews; parsley and basil in pesto; savory in bean dishes; and on and on and on.

Herbs can help prevent and cure illness. Mint is often used to comfort an upset stomach and a gargle of sage, cider vinegar and honey is a natural and common remedy to soothe a sore throat. Herbs have been used by our ancestors for untold generations for physical, mental and spiritual wellness. Prior to modern medicine, they provided a natural approach to healing and healthcare.

Herbs are relatively easy to grow and are environmentally friendly because they require very little water and fertilizer. Most herbs can also be grown in fairly poor soil. Herbs are relatively inexpensive; many can be grown from seeds, cuttings, or divisions of other plants. Many herbs are perennials that can be enjoyed year-after-year. Herbs are very low maintenance and are typically immune to pests and diseases. Many herbs act as a natural garden pest repellent while others attract bees and other beneficial insects.

Herbs give us pleasure and satisfaction in planting, harvesting and using. Whether we use our herb harvest to season our meals, drink as a tea, scent our home, soothe our bodies or rejuvenate our spirit- we will be rekindling a bond with the earth and our ancestors.

Wow, what a group of plants; easy to grow, provides a multitude of benefits, are ecologically sound, relatively inexpensive and are fun and satisfying to grow and use. So, what herbs are you going to plant this year?

Upcoming Classes

Prairies- The Beauty, Benefit and How-to's
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
6:00-8:00 pm
UW- Madison Union Mini Course
Madison, WI

A Dozen Herbs to Grow in Your Backyard
Saturday, May 6, 2006
9:00-11:00 am
Meriter Hospital
Madison, WI
608.267.5900

Garden Spirit
Herbal Bath and Skincare Products
New Glarus, WI
608.527.3149