Herb Gardens

When you were a child, did you ever grow plants on the windowsill? I used to grow carrot tops, pineapple tops and sweet potato. Since having my kids, we enjoy those and have since added growing avocado and ginger root.

Do you ever grow things like that? Share with us in the Forum!

Grow Your Own Ginger Root Indoors

Are you starting to get spring fever? We certainly are!! There can't possibly be enough seed catalogs in my mailbox, to keep me from thinking about all the time I could be out digging in the dirt.

If you have always wanted to grow your own herb garden and don't know where to start, I have got you covered. Check out:

Everything Guide To Herb Gardening

Photo © OliveBishopYoung

Soothing and lovely, Eucalyptus deserves a closer look. When we had our greenhouse business, I grew a large table of eucalyptus for making topiaries. Then, when they were large enough to transfer to the form, I became so in love with brushing my hand over the flats of fragrant plants that I never did transplant them to the topiary form. Thus began my love of this deliciously scented herb.

I like to make sleep pillows for my children  when they are stuffed up, that contain the leaves. They feel like they are taking a little big of comfort to bed with them and it really does seem to help them get some rest.

All About Eucalyptus

So often, we think of herbal remedies for helping us heal from illness. I wanted to share what we  used our cough syrup for this afternoon. No illness in sight.

Today, we were moving my elderly Mother in Law to her new home. It was a warm day, and the wind was blowing. From sun up to late afternoon, we packed and unpacked all sorts of things that hadnt seen the light of day in years.

It was a happy and sad day for all of us, but the biggest effect that moving had on the kids, was that their allergies started to act up! All the dust was stirred up, and with the wind outside the house, when they ran around, it only made things worse. So by evening, everyone had scratchy throats and hoarse voices.

My remedy? An herbal cough syrup, diluted in hot water to make a sweet tasting tea. Some quiet time to regroup and these mugs of tea had everyone soothed and sleepy. I suppose what I wanted to share with you, is that your herbs can be used for many things. I am a true believer of using them to support our health, rather than just using remedies to help us become well when we are actively sick.

Here are 10 Herbs For Making Cough syrups, that you may find useful. I bet some of them are in your stash right now!

Woot! A new book-crush for me! Let me share with you, my thoughts on this fun and completely relevant book about all things Small-Space Gardening.

Book Review: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Small Space Gardening

This book was sent to me (unsolicited) by the publisher, but that just makes it an extra special Mail Day for me. In fact, it arrived on the first real snow of the season here, and helped raise my hopes of getting out there and gardening again. Check it out!

Do you have any suggestions for gardening books that I should check out? My garden shelf is full, but almost all of them are old like me. I am looking to freshen up the real estate on that shelf. Send me an email with your list of must haves: Herb Gardens Guide, and I will check them out . Thanks!

I seem to be full of them this evening. Do you ever wonder just what to do with the herbs you grow? Do you ever have to justify growing SO many? (Mr. Jeanroy, I am looking at YOU)!

Take heart! I am on a mission to bring you ideas that will impress your family at the table, and keep giving you reasons to increase the size of your herb gardens. In my house, I am eyeing the extra space on my counter, as the sales at Aerogarden keep arriving in my email. Shhh..don't tell Mr. Jeanroy.

Herbs To Make A Compound Butter

Are you suffering form the winter blues? How about growing some herbs indoors? It is easier than you think. Find out the herbs that grow well, the correct temperature and moisture needs. You can have your fix of fresh herbs in no time!

Indoor Guide To Herb Gardening

Do you already garden indoors? Show us how you do it!

If you are designing your herb garden for next summer, why not go with a theme? This Roman Cook's garden is fun and yummy - two things that any herb garden must be to keep me interested.

Roman Cook's Garden

Do you plant a themed garden? Share your design ideas in the Forum!

For Valentine's Day this year, why not use herbs to express your love and devotion? Use some simple herbs that you probably have growing in your garden or have saved in your herbal cubboard, to show how much your beloved means to you.

8 Herbs For Love and Romance

Not just for adults, don't forget that offering your sweet little Valentines a relaxing tea or bath is a wonderful way to show how much you care for them. I hope this brings inspiration to you! Enjoy.

Although I have let the blog become a little bit dusty, never fear. I have been working behind the scenes to clean up some older content and create fresh twists on the information that readers seem to be searching for. Let's take a look at some things that were added to the site this month:

5 Herbals For Your Herbal Flu Kit - It is high time for at least someone in your family to get a cold that keeps on giving. How do you provide comfort with the herbs in your stash? Check out these ideas.

Herbs For Cough Syrups - Make some tasty cough syrup for your coughing and irritated throat symptoms.

10 Herbs For A Culinary Herb Garden - Overwhelmed by the lists of potential herbs for the garden? Here are 10 Herbs For A Culinary Herb Garden, that might help you narrow down your choices.