One Way to Get It To Rain!

This is a photo of our front garden!  It's a wild crazy mess of flora and the fauna are around as well.  Oh, back to my story.  Yes, one way we are sure to have rain is that The Herbal Husband spends all day in 97 (He says 98) degree weather only to be chased in by lightning, thunder and RAIN!  He doesn't trust the forecasts and I have to say at times they are incorrect.  I also have to remind myself that it is only June!  I just hope it cools down to where we should be soon!  Getting chores done inside.  Hope you are having a great day.  Talk to you later.

Why I Drive For Your Safety and Mine!

The Herbal Husband was taking his car to be inspected.  He had been noticing insect action around his car.  He decided he had to see what was going on.  Voila!  Yellow jackets building a nest in the trunk of his car.  My statement:  You don't drive it enough!  His statement:  You don't let me drive! (Not really, but I thought it would be funny!)  He really said you're right!  Even funnier!  Well, we were swatting them (not recommended especially during the day) and got rid of them.  That changed what car was going into the garage and I drew the short straw again!  The garage has been almost cleaned out so his 18 year old car can go back inside.  Remember it's for your safety and mine!

Well, it is way too hot outside.  Made a sixth batch of raspberry jam.  So two boxes done!  Take it easy if you are outside in the northeast today and for the rest of the weekend.  The Lavender Festival is going to be a hot one and because of the heat, Bonnie and I have decided not to go to the Lavender Festival this year!  Hopefully next year it will be better!  Hope you are having a great day.  Talk to you later.

Neck Coolers–for keeping cool…

These neck coolers are one of the easiest ways to keep cool in really hot weather when you need to be outside, or just need to cool down quickly.  We’ve used them at outdoor shows or in the garden, and the relief is pretty amazing. 
With the heat wave that has been going on in many parts of the country, and is now heading eastward, I thought I’d share this craft.  Now, understand that these can be found for sale – very well done, nicely finished, and really worth the money.  But… it’s the kind of thing you can make a dozen of for just a little money and time (although not as nicely done), and throw into the cooler with the beverages during the upcoming holiday.  Having plenty of them will mean that they can be worn until they start to warm up, and then switched out with another, icy-cold one.
You’ll need some polyacrylamide crystals, marketed as root water crystals in the garden centers across the country, and some fairly closely woven cotton material.  Old sheets that have worn spots would be great for this purpose.

I’ve whipped one up by hand because I know not everyone has a sewing machine.  You will probably notice that I’m not terribly particular about measurements either.  The only measurements that really matter are that:
*the scarf is long enough to tie loosely about the neck
*the pocket that holds the crystals is only about 5 or 6 inches wide
*do not be tempted to use more crystals – you’ll burst the seams
Start with a strip of fabric 40” long X 5” wide.  Fold it in half lengthwise, and sew it into a tube.

Turn it inside out, and fold in half lengthwise.  From the fold, measure 2 1/2” to 3” on each side.

 
Sew ONE of those lines, widthwise.

Add one teaspoon full of the crystals.

Sew the other line, forming a packet that holds the crystals and reinforce the seam that runs lengthwise so that the crystals stay inside.

 

If you’re hand-sewing, these three seams are the most important to use very small stitches on.  The long initial seam isn’t too important, it just forms the tube.
You can then finish off the ends of the tube by turning them in and hemming.  Doing so at an angle is a nice touch. 
Submerge the neck cooler in cold water for about 15 minutes, and apply.  It will stay cool for quite a while, and when it starts to warm up, flip it over for further cooling.  Throw it back into the cold water and it’s ready to use again.  It will be about 3/4 – 1” thick in the pocket.

These are reusable until the cloth wears out!  Just allow them to dry naturally.  The crystals release the water and return to their tiny dry selves.  Until you need them again.

Like Riding a Bicycle and the First Annual Lavender Festival

This was my dining room floor this morning and my sink after finishing the third batch of raspberry jam.  I told The Herbal Husband that no matter how I thought I would feel making the first raspberry jam, I still enjoy making it.  The last year's fruit usually doesn't stack up to making jam, but this fruit is different.  I already have a box of jam done!  I mostly make the last year's fruit into vinegar.  That mild winter is helping out again.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to plug an upcoming area event in Washington, PA just south of Pittsburgh.  This coming Saturday and Sunday, June 30th and July 1st, Destiny Hill Farm will be having its first Lavender Festival.  Please click on the link above or on the photo in the right hand side of my home page.  You will find a schedule of speakers, a list of vendors and a menu of lavender inspired lunch items catered by the local golf club.  They will have lavender wand demos and you will be able to cut your own lavender.  You will need to go to Trinity High School near by to park and take a shuttle to the farm.  You will not be able to park at the farm.  My herbal companion, Bonnie and I are going.   If you are in the area, check it out.

Getting hotter in the garden.  There is a lot blooming in the garden and I'll share that with you in future posts.  Hope you are staying cool wherever you may be.  Talk to you later. 

One of My Favorites This Time of Year!

This red bee balm is just beautiful.  Remember it is an edible flower.  The petals have that spice that the leaves have.  Delicious in a fruit salad.  Haven't seen one hummingbird yet this year.  Maybe will start to see them soon?  I hope.  There is always hope.  A delightful day in the garden.  Need to get the lawn (what's left of it) mowed.  Then pick more raspberries!  Was just dog tired yesterday from picking.  I don't know how farm hands do it!  Will be making jam tomorrow morning.  Here is an early post for my raspberry jam recipe.  Look at the date September, 2008 and it is just June!  I do get a break for a time.  These are last year's canes, but they are producing like crazy.  Mild winter, I guess.  Hope you are having a great day!  The mower is ready for me to mow.  Talk to you later.

Guest Blogging for The Herb Companion Magazine!

This is a 'Brother Cadfael' rose.  It didn't make my top five favorites, but it is definitely in the top ten!  Here is a link for my guest post for The Herb Companion magazine called Celebrating the 2012 Herb of the Year:  5 Favorite Roses.  Have been picking raspberries all afternoon and I need to pick more tomorrow!  I see raspberry jam in my future!  The berries have been magnificent!  It was a beautiful day here in the 'Burgh!  Hope you had a great one as well.  Talk to you later.

Wildcrafting VI - Resources

I hope this series on wildcrafting gives you a good start on the considerations for getting started on your own wildcrafting adventures.

This last section is a listing of resources available for further education.

But before I continue, if you've missed the earlier posts in this Wildcrafting series, you'll find them here: 

Wildcrafting Part I - Introduction
Wildcrafting Part II - Why Wildcraft?
Wildcrafting Part III - Tools of the Trade
Wildcrafting Part IV: Before you Harvest
Wildcrafting Part V: Harvesting Guidelines

Books

From Earth to Herbalist by Gregory Tilford

This book is a great resource for ethical wildcrafting. He covers almost 50 plants that are commonly found in north america.

The Forager’s Harvest: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants AND  Nature’s Garden: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants by Samuel Thayer

Sam Thayer’s books are incredibly detailed, filled with many years of person experience. The plants highlighted in his books are more specific to the east coast of the US, but also have many plants that grow all over north america.

Edible Wild Plants: Wild Foods From Dirt To Plate  by John Kallas

West coast forager John Kallas has written a beautiful and descriptive book covering 15 common plants.

Websites Resources by Herbalists

• United Plant Savers
• At Risk List from the United Plant Savers
• A pdf from Sevensong
• Ancestree Herbal Videos

These videos show specific harvesting techniques for a variety of plants.

• Wild Foods ebook by Ym-health
• Jim McDonald’s article on harvesting your own plants

Howie Brounstein has several articles on wildcrafting

• Ethics of Wildcrafting
• Wildcrafting for beginners
• Harvesting bark
• Harvesting Umbelliferaes
• Ryan Drum site that covers the following plants:

Nettle, Yarrow, Usnea, Wild Cherry Bark, Willow Bark, Dandelion, Plantain, Butterbur

• The Spiritual Dimension of Wildcrafting by Matthew Wood
• Deep As Root & Song: In Rambling Praise of Wildcrafting by Kiva Rose

Resources for Growing At Risk Plants

Horizon Herbs

It is our mission to provide certified organic seeds and medicinal herb plants directly from our farm to you. Our’s is the largest selection of medicinal herb seeds available from the US, an alive, growing collection started way back in 1985 and tended up until–today!  We know that its all about quality, and for this reason the vast majority of our seeds are grown by us, hand-picked, wind-winnowed, tested in a practical and rootsy manner, filled with love, in essence loaded with vibrant LIFE.  Every year we change out our inventory to give you only newly harvested seeds. 

Crimson Sage Nursery

Crimson Sage Nursery (Medicinal Plants Nursery), is a small family business nestled in the beautiful Klamath River Valley of Northwest California. We are surrounded by 5 rugged mountain ranges known as the “Klamath Knot” and our narrow, steep sided valley provides a fantastic growing climate for a large diversity of Herbs.

We offer some of the most extensive selections of rare Medicinal Plants in the country; including medicinal plants from the Chinese and Ayurvedic healing traditions, along with many rare Native American and European herbs.

Richters (Canada)

Richters has been growing and selling herbs since 1969. Our first catalogue dedicated to herbs came out in 1970. We have lived, worked and breathed herbs ever since.

Specific Plants (Web Resources)

Nome McBride and Uva Ursi

Nome McBride and Milk Thistle…

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4
• Part 5 – shows using a screen to separate the seeds from the fluff
• Part 6 – using a fan to winnow the seeds
• Part 7 – picking out the last bit


• Jessie Conaway on Usnea

 Do you know of more Wildcrafting resources? Please share in the comments! 

This series of articles was originally written for  www.herbmentor.com

Is It a Comma or a Question Mark?

This little guy or girl didn't stay around long enough for me to get a great photo!  I do know this much that it is an angled-winged butterfly.  My National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Butterflies says, "They have sharply angled, somewhat irregular wings.  When the wings are folded at rest, the drab undersides resemble leaves or pieces of bark, making them difficult to see.  The undersides tend to be somewhat brighter shades of orange and rust-brown.  This group includes angelwings, tortoiseshells, commas and question marks, as well as leafwings, snouts and daggerwings."  It is definitely this group.  I just will hope that we get another visit before the end of the growing season!  We have had some outstanding insects this season already and we have just started summer!  Finally, got our tomatoes planted!  I guess it is never too late.  Hopefully, you have had a great day.  Going to be slightly cooler tomorrow and Tuesday before the heat comes back.  Talk to you later.

A Video Tour of the Herb Garden, Sort of!

Well, I don't think I will win an Oscar, but after almost a year of owning my camera, I discovered that it is fairly easy to make videos.  I promise to do a little better job next time!  Since the batteries didn't run right out, I'll maybe focus on just one herb in the next opportunity.  I thought you would like seeing what is really going on in my herb garden instead of a static photo.  I was weeding in the back gardens and really enjoying the quiet (except for the motorcycles) and the birds singing.  The temperatures are going to cool off starting Monday.  So let me know what you think.  Probably using up a lot of photo storage!  Talk to you later.

Wildcrafting V - Harvesting

Spring beauty salad (Claytonia lanceolata)

By now you realize how much there is to think about before the actual harvest!

But before I continue, if you've missed the earlier posts in this Wildcrafting series, then here they are:

Wildcrafting Part I - Introduction
Wildcrafting Part II - Why Wildcraft?
Wildcrafting Part III - Tools of the Trade
Wildcrafting Part IV: Before you Harvest

There are no shortcuts and this article cannot cover all aspects of how to ethically harvest every plant. I will give general guidelines, but keep in mind there are ALWAYS exceptions that can be specific to the plant or the place.

To really get to know the specifics of each plant, learn about that plant as it comes into your life. In this way you can really focus on the plant and get to know it well before harvesting it. Spend time with the plant. Notice how it grows, ask other wildcrafters about their experience. Finally, once you are harvesting this plant, keep records so that you can consciously take into account how your harvesting methods are affecting that particular plant population.

Included in this section are worksheets for you to download. These will include a general questionnaire to consider before you harvest a plant and a record keeping sheet to document the areas you are harvesting from. You might fill these out completely each time you harvest or use them as a general tool to keep ethical harvesting issues in mind while out in the field.

Now for the specifics!

Leaves and aerial portions

Leaves are most often harvested when they are young and fresh looking, generally from spring to early summer. Some tips:

• Spread your impact throughout the stand of plants by taking a few leaves from here and there instead of taking many leaves from a single plant.
• When harvesting leaves from trees, take them from the branches but avoid taking them from the terminal (end of the branch) stem, unless you are pruning the entire branch. (More on pruning later.)
• Many herbaceous perennials can be cut back completely and re-grow again the same year. You can usually get two or three cuttings from these plants by harvesting the entire aerial portion just before the plant goes to flower. Stinging nettle (Urtica diocia) is a great example-you can continually cut off the tops of nettle and in this way get many more harvests from a stand. Kimberly Gallagher shows us how to do this here in a video about harvesting stinging nettle.
• Try to harvest leaves and aerial portions when they are completely dry. Mid-morning is probably optimal, but reality may dictate when you are able to harvest, too! Be aware that some aromatic plants lose their potency as the day wears on. One time I harvested rose petals in the evening and realized later that they had no scent. I harvested from the same stands the next morning and they were very fragrant. 

Stinging Nettle Leaves (Urtica dioica)

Flowers

Harvest flowers at full bloom or just before opening, depending on the plant. For example, I like to harvest calendula and chokecherry blossoms in full bloom (before any wilting occurs), but I harvest rosebuds and St. John’s Wort buds along with the full flowers.

Some tips:

• Flowers are very susceptible to mold, and must be harvested when dry (no dew present).

(A note about drying flowers. Plants in the asteraceae family (dandelion, arnica, etc) will turn into seed heads when dried. I prefer to let these wilt and work with them fresh. Other herbalists prefer to let them dry. If you harvest these plants in bud stage they won't turn into seed heads as readily. There is no wrong way; a good herbalist is continually experimenting to find what works best for him or her.)  

Arnica cordifolia

• Keep in mind that the flowers you harvest will not go to seed or mature into fruit. When harvesting elderflowers, I keep in mind that I like to harvest elderberries as well.
• Evening primroses are unique in that you can harvest them in the evening. Oftentimes the flowers are still vibrant in the morning but they will fade by the afternoon.

An evening primrose in the morning light.

Roots and Rhizomes

Harvesting roots and rhizomes can lead to the death of a plant. Sometimes this is necessary and can be completely ethical. However, there several things to know and consider before harvesting roots.

First, ask yourself whether you really need the roots. Many plants have the same properties in their aerial portions. For other plants, aerial portions can be combined with roots to make whole plant medicine, using less root material.

Again, it’s important to know the individual plant you are harvesting so that you can harvest it appropriately.

If harvesting the roots is your goal, then you can take other steps to keep the plant alive.

• Some roots can be divided so the plant continues living.
• The crowns of other plants can be replanted after the roots are removed. 

• Other plants can continue to grow if some of the root is left in the ground. (Comfrey and dandelion are good examples, although generally there is not as much need to proliferate these plants.)

• Rhizomes can be followed horizontally through the ground and harvested so that the plant continues to live. 

• Other plants, like yellow bells and chocolate lilies, can be propagated by harvesting the roots. 

In general, roots are harvested in the late summer and fall after the plant has gone to seed and the energy of the plant has returned to the roots. If necessary, you can also harvest roots in the spring before the plant has put its energy into the leaves.

Yellow dock roots (Rumex crispus)

Bark

Bark is best harvested in the spring, when sap is flowing through the inner cambium. Typically, the inner bark is used for medicine. Sometimes I harvest new twigs from a tree and use the entire twig; other times I may strip the bark from the twig using a knife or a vegetable peeler. 

Bark can be harvested in three ways.

1. Take a vertical strip from a growing tree. This is the least preferable method. Although it doesn’t kill a tree it can open the tree to infections.
2. Gather from a recently felled tree. A drawknife (a horizontal knife with two handles) is a great tool for harvesting bark from the main trunk of a tree.
3. Prune branches and harvest the bark of the branch

Pruning is a fabulous way to tend trees in the wild while also getting the medicine you need. Here are some simple principles:

• Have the correct size pruning shears so that you can make a clean cut.
• Keep your shears sharp!
• Prune branches that are pointing down instead of up to the sky.
• Prune branches that are rubbing together or competing for the same space on the tree.
• When pruning a tree for bark, prune off any dead limbs to help the tree avoid infestation.

Ant acrobatics on a chokecherry branch (Prunus virginiana)

For more information about pruning see the USDA’s article about pruning here: How to prune trees.

Never harvest bark in a circle around the trunk of a tree as this will certainly kill the tree by literally cutting off its supply of nutrients.

One time, some friends showed me some saplings they had planted that had died. After their third attempt at planting saplings in this area, they had concluded that the soil must be bad. On close inspection I could see the entire base of the tree had been sliced open by a weed wacker. Once they realized their mistake they were able to grow saplings there without problems.

In Conclusion

This article is meant as a stepping stone for beginning wildcrafters to learn the basics of harvesting plants ethically and sustainably.

You will learn the most by venturing into the habitats around you, being aware of your impact on an area, and continually evolving your relationship with the ecosystem.

Much information about ethical harvesting has been lost to us in North America. The only way we can regain it is by developing these skills on our own.

Wildcrafting is so much more than the harvesting of plants. It’s the connection to the world around us and a growing responsibility of our own role in keeping an area vibrant and healthy.

It is my hope that with the rise of herbalism we will also see a rise of ethical wildcrafters tending to ecosystems with care and consciousness.  By regularly stepping out of our homes and into the world we can be aware of changes, both good and bad, to the areas we depend on for food and medicine. In so doing we can be the voice of the forests, parks, and beaches, and play a part in creating a world where our grandchildren’s grandchildren can safely harvest the bounty of the earth.

• DOWNLOAD PDF of the Wildcrafting Harvest Checklist
• DOWNLOAD PDF of the Wildcrafting Harvest Record

The redwoods in northern California

This series of articles was originally written for  www.herbmentor.com

Wilcrafting Part VI: Resources

Fruit popsicles

We eat a wide variety of fruits here, but lately the addition of our own berries in the yard and those from our CSA share have challenged even us to keep up.  Today I found myself with a counter full of small containers of black raspberries and gooseberries, a couple of rapidly browning bananas, a couple of limes, and some frozen organic strawberries.  Our first real heat wave had me thinking of smoothies, but then I remembered the popsicle mold that came home a couple of months ago…

Years ago, working in a factory that had no air-conditioning, I discovered that fruit can make a huge difference in extreme heat.  Later when we worked long days in costume at a renaissance festival, strawberry and banana smoothies saved us on many afternoons. 

There have been a lot of pictures and recipes for fresh fruit popsicles showing up on the various social media sites lately, but the thought of whole chunks of frozen fruit molded into a solid form, while beautiful, in reality seems like it would be messy.  I got out the blender instead.

The basic “recipe” was 2 small bananas, a generous handful of frozen strawberries, an equally generous handful of mixed wild berries, and about 1/4 lime (rind and all).  About 1/4 cup of water was added to help the blender, but that probably wasn’t necessary.  It was good, though.

The resulting fruity goop was naturally sweet and thick.  It poured easily into the molds.  The part that didn’t fit into the mold was delicious, and the tiny chunks of lime rind were really a nice addition – as were the tiny fruit seeds.

Into the freezer for a few hours, and the popsicles were ready.  Delicious! 

This is definitely something I’ll be doing all summer, but the popsicle molds probably won’t be a part of it.  Reusable lidded cups would work much better for us.  We’re all adults, and it is murder getting those molds to let go without pulling the stick out.

Peaches will soon be ready, and all of the luscious summer fruits – melons, berries, nectarines, pineapple… I can’t think of a fruit that wouldn’t work.  Herbs could be added too, but for the most part concentrated infusions in place of the water used above seem that they’d be best.  Give it a try if you find you have leftover fruit.  The banana gives it a creamier texture without overwhelming the flavor of the other fruits.

LVL's Pesto Recipe and Remembering Jekka!

Well, you knew I had to give a recipe of mine since The Herbal Husband gave up his guacamole recipe.  So I was just thinking that it has been a year since Jekka made it across the pond to visit us for the Herb Society Conference.   I loved having her at my home and the adventures we had together were fun.   Here is a link to a post I did for The Herb Companion called The Herb Channeler's Adventures with Jekka McVicar.  I made her arugula pesto recipe from her cookbook last year.  This year I toned it down just a bit.  So here is my version and maybe you're thinking a bit of lemon verbena in it!  I actually did think about it and maybe will try in later in the season.  This is a link to my post in 2009 with my very favorite Pesto recipe from the Washington Post.  We are at 94 degrees today, but luckily we are going back down from here and may even be in the 70's next week!

Lemon Verbena Lady's Pesto

1 c. of arugula (stems removed)
1 c. of parsley (stems removed)
1 c. of mixed basil (leaves from removing flowers)
1 T. lemon juice
1 t. lemon zest
1 clove of garlic
2 T. pine nuts (or other nuts you may have on hand)
3 T. Parmesan cheese
1/2 c. of olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Using a food processor or blender, add clove of garlic while machine is running.  Then add arugula, parsley and basil, lemon juice, zest and pine nuts.  Pulse to chop.  Then add olive oil while machine is running until mixture is paste consistency.  Add the cheese, salt and pepper and give it one or two final pulses and a final taste.

The parsley and basil cut the peppery flavor of the arugula.  I loved Jekka's original version and since I had some parsley in the freezer I needed to use and the extra basil leaves, I thought I would try something different.  BTW, I forgot to mention I tried a bit of pesto on some boiled potatoes and it was delish!  Hope you like it.  It is just terribly hot here.  The sunflower seeds I just planted are already coming up!  I'm going to have at least 11 giant sunflowers!  So stay cool if you are in this heat wave and hope you are having a great day as well.  Talk to you later.

The Herbal Husband's Guacamole Recipe!

Get out the scoops and dig in!  Oh, sorry.  You need to make it first!   I'm here to share The Herbal Husband's Guacamole recipe.  Now he says please make it your own if there is something that he has left out.

The Herbal Husband's Guacamole
Feeds 2 Hungry Gardeners at Lunch or 4 Normal People as an Appetizer.


2 ripe avocados, mashed
2 small tomatoes or 1 medium tomato, diced
A couple of sprigs of parsley, chopped
A bit (1 sprig)  of cilantro, chopped
A bunch (4 or 5) of green tops from scallions, chopped
Olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Mash avocados with big fork, add salt and pepper to taste and one teaspoon of olive oil (maybe less).  Mix it, taste it and then add the scallion tops (and if you want more onion flavor, add the bottoms).  Then add the chopped parsley and cilantro (and again, add more of each if you like it).  I do like cooked cilantro better than raw so he doesn't put in as much as he could if I weren't around!  Mix together and add the tomatoes at the end.

The Herbal Husband has added a squeeze or two of lemon or lime juice, but I think it is very good just the way it is.  I like it better without the lemon or lime juice.  You may like it better with.  So hope you enjoy it.

We really have the stickies and ickies.  We got a couple of sunflower beds planted and I finally got seeds from last year's gift from Miss C planted.  I'll get photos of both beds so you can see the seedlings (hopefully) popping UP!  Hope you are having a great day.  Hope to add to The Herbal Husband's Recipes category from previous posts.  I did find a recipe for Causa and Lomo Saltado which are two of my favorite dishes from Peru so I added it to Herbal Husband Recipes.  I found a quick lunch idea of chicken salad in an avocado half as well.  We may have a cookbook before he is done!  Talk to you later.

The Tale of A Boxwood named 'Morris Midget'!

Once upon a time there were nine boxwood bushes that Lemon Verbena Lady wanted to use to make a knot garden.  She had always dreamed of having a small knot like in Medieval days.   She went to one of her favorite herb farms in Ohio called Mulberry Creek Herb Farm and found the perfect size boxwood, called 'Morris Midget'.

Her knot looked like an herbal quilt.  Sadly, though by the end of the season, 'Morris Midget' had been buried by the sages!  Seems no matter how Lemon Verbena Lady plants her herb garden, there is always an herb that overachieves!

The next season there was a radical departure from the knot garden and Lemon Verbena Lady moved the boxwoods to their own garden overlooking the herb garden.

There were room for just eight boxwoods and the ninth boxwood had to be "plunked" into its own space far away from the others.

This winter wasn't a harsh winter for any plants in the herb garden, but Lemon Verbena Lady was sad to see that her beloved boxwoods in their very own garden did not do so well.

In fact, Lemon Verbena Lady may have to make a road trip back to her favorite herb farm (Too bad, not really!), Mulberry Creek Herb Farm to get a couple of replacements!  Just when you thought there might be a sad ending to this tale, Lemon Verbena Lady looked to find the 'Morris Midget' that was placed in a separate bed on its own to be thriving!

There is the space where 'Morris Midget' was and here 'Morris' is in its own 12" container!

So the morale of this tale is no matter where you are planted in a garden, you can be an herbal overachiever!  The End!

We have the sticky ickies back.  We are going to be off the charts for the first day of summer later this week.  90's for the next three days.  Almost have everything planted.  Finally.  Some years it takes weeks to get everything planted.  Hope you are having a great day.  Talk to you later.