

==========

To: herbs-digest-l@q7.com

Subject: Goodbye Bay?

From: K F Martin <kfmartin@innernet.net>

Date: Fri, 02 Jan 1998 15:06:10 -0800

--------

I have a two-year old bay overwintering on my backporch.  It is about

double it's original height.  Beginning in November it started to get

very dry-looking leaves.  Now they are falling off, getting a 'burnt'

look and some grayish spots.  I have given it the same care as in other

years, it is also in a larger pot.  Is it just not a suitable plant for

my region (PA/Z6) or does it have some sort of fungus/pest?  I have gone

over it thoroughly and am at a loss.



Also, have had some trouble getting into what had been Herbnet.  I just

get a welcome page but when I click on the Herbnet icon I don't go

anywhere.  Is this a bug, or is there only a page for Herbal business

now?  I enjoyed it so much, I would hate to see it gone.



Grace martin





==========

To: <kfmartin@innernet.net>, <herbs-digest-l@q7.com>

Subject: Re: Goodbye Bay?

From: "tjklight" <tjklight@mich.com>

Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 06:30:49 -0500

--------

I don't know about your bay but mine is small and not growing at all.

hasn't since I got it this spring. how do I get more leaves. It has 10. I

want more!!!! jan



----------

> From: K F Martin <kfmartin@innernet.net>

> To: herbs-digest-l@q7.com

> Subject: Goodbye Bay?

> Date: Friday, January 02, 1998 6:06 PM

> 

> I have a two-year old bay overwintering on my backporch.  It is about

> double it's original height.  Beginning in November it started to get

> very dry-looking leaves.  Now they are falling off, getting a 'burnt'

> look and some grayish spots.  I have given it the same care as in other

> years, it is also in a larger pot.  Is it just not a suitable plant for

> my region (PA/Z6) or does it have some sort of fungus/pest?  I have gone

> over it thoroughly and am at a loss.

> 

> Also, have had some trouble getting into what had been Herbnet.  I just

> get a welcome page but when I click on the Herbnet icon I don't go

> anywhere.  Is this a bug, or is there only a page for Herbal business

> now?  I enjoyed it so much, I would hate to see it gone.

> 

> Grace martin





==========

To: <herbs-digest-l@q7.com>

Subject: Re: Goodbye Bay?

From: "Dori Green" <funfarm@servtech.com>

Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 07:07:16 -0500

--------

Sounds like the first bay either got too dry or suffered frostbite.  Mine

has done well for almost six years in a big east-facing window.



Bay is a *very* slow grower.  Give it the same dose of fertilizer that you

would supply to any other houseplant once a month.  I like Alaska fish

emulsion -- stinks but it's organic and my plants love it.



If an inside bay gets leggy, just trim it back and enjoy the prunings. 

It'll thank you for the surgery.



Dori Green:  Writer, Farmer, Facilitator

Ash Grove Community Farm & Center for Sustainable Living

http://www.servtech.com/public/funfarm/index.html







==========

To: funfarm@servtech.com, herbs-digest-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: Goodbye Bay?

From: Kai forChi <KaiforChi@aol.com>

Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 23:01:11 EST

--------

In a message dated 98-01-03 07:20:07 EST, funfarm@servtech.com writes:



<< Mine

 has done well for almost six years in a big east-facing window.

 

 Bay is a *very* slow grower.  Give it the same dose of fertilizer that you

 would supply to any other houseplant once a month.  I like Alaska fish

 emulsion -- stinks but it's organic and my plants love it.

 

 If an inside bay gets leggy, just trim it back and enjoy the prunings. 

 It'll thank you for the surgery.

 

 Dori Green:  Writer, Farmer, Facilitator

 Ash Grove Community Farm & Center for Sustainable Living

 http://www.servtech.com/public/funfarm/index.html

 

  >>

Hi, I'm trying the "Reply to All" feature on aol. Wanted the list to get my

message and not just Dori. If this works, fine; if not, will someone let me

know? Thanks!



OK, I've had a Bay for about 8 yrs. It was a foot tall when I got it and is

still that tall! It faces East, but I've given it NO care at all. I was

considering moving it to a pot. Any hints? (aside from FINALLY giving it some

care!) I mean, slow growing is one thing, but maybe it's reached rocks in my

soil and just wont grow any more? Also, it does have a lot of shade most of

the year, despite it's east-facing situation. Perhaps that is the problem (one

of the problems).



Thanks,

kai

KaiforChi@aol.com





==========

To: "'HERBS'" <HERBS-L@q7.com>

Subject: Intro

From: Nigel Hurneyman <nhurneyman@onemeaning.com>

Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 11:12:05 -0000

--------

Hi everyone, I am a new subscriber, hopefully to the digest but I may have

screwed up through impatience so this is a test e-mail as well as an intro.



I am the black sheep of my family - their ideal plant is something with 3 foot

diameter flowers in bright orange or scarlet; in fact they hate me because I

can over-winter dahlias and they can't and yet I choose not to grow them.



Last year an elderly woman and a tiny child walked down my road looking at

the back gardens.  On the way back, the little boy asked the woman which

garden she liked the most, to which she pointed at mine and said "that one,

because there aren't any flowers in it".  At the time I was weeding a clump

of sage bushes, not a particularly good idea since they were swarming with

bees attracted to the flowers.  It is impossible for me to do much in the

garden without ending up smelling like a tart's boudoir (am I allowed to say

that?).



The reason I have suddenly leapt into this discussion group is because I am

trying to set up a UK National Collection of Rumex.  Personally I prefer the

weedy, boggy, duney type species but the NCCPG, who oversee the National

Collection scheme, are more interested in garden-worthy plants rather than

botanical collections.  The overlap with herbs comes mainly in the form of

sorrel, which seems to have a standard form R acetosa, a broad-leaved form

R rugosus and a milder, slighty lemon-flavoured form R scutatus.  I am

particularly looking for culinary or horticultural cultivars of these species; I

currently have R acetosa 'Blonde de Lyon' and 'Nobel' and I am hoping to

obtain 'De Belleville' and 'Profusion' shortly, and I have R scutatus 'Silver

Shield'.



If anyone has had any dealings (or is about to) with a nursery called 'The

Gourmet Gardener' (http://www.metrobbs.com/tgg/), please could you e-mail

me privately.



If you have read this far, thanks for your patience,



Nigel Hurneyman (nhurneyman@onemeaning.com)



PS - I caught the thread on Bay Trees - the one on my window sill at work

has done nothing for a long time, but now I have carried out ethnic cleansing

on its infestation of scale insects its buds are fattening and it is looking 

hopeful.







==========

To: HERBS-L@q7.com

Subject: Intro

From: leftyjh@juno.com

Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 14:09:25 -0600

--------

Hello I am new to this list and I am just seeing if there is anybody out

there. Since I have been on here for two days and still have not received

any messages. Let me know if his is working or if anybody is getting

this.

June 

leftyjh@juno.com





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: Intro

From: snielsen@orednet.org (Susan L. Nielsen)

Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 22:43:01 -0800

--------





Debbie T-T is having temporary server troubles, so I am posting

this one for her.



Susan Nielsen, listowner, herbs-L



    ================= Begin forwarded message =================



    To: HERBS-L@q7.com

    From: teachout@glinda.oz.net (Teachout)

    Subject: Re: Intro

    

    June: wrote:

    >Hello I am new to this list and I am just seeing if there is anybody out

    >there. Since I have been on here for two days and still have not received

    >any messages. Let me know if his is working or if anybody is getting

    >this.

    

    

    June, I read you here on Herbs. Sometimes we get quiet for awhile but with

    Spring Fever just around the corner, it should pick up real soon. Than stand

    back for the flood of emails on this list!

    

    Right now I am working on new gardens at our new home. I transplanted many

    of my herbs into  a holding bed of sorts. Now I need to make some decisions

    on if I want to incorporate many of the perennial herbs into the landscape

    or have a seperate area set aside just for the herb garden. 

    

    With the new gardens I am working on edible landscaping incorporating many

    edibles and perhaps herbs into the ornamental beds, using many for

    groundcovers, hedges. I want to make a 4 foot tall informal hedge to line a

    walkway, and maybe an herb could do it. Any ideas out there?

    

    ######################################

    Debra Teachout-Teashon

    Washington state, zone 8, Sunset zone 5

    Pacific Northwest Gardening

    There Is Life In The Winter Garden

    http://www.suite101.com/topics/page.cfm/416

    #######################################

    

    

    



--

 





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: Intro

From: stonehausfarm <stonehausfarm@cyberia.com>

Date: Sun, 25 Jan 1998 19:38:04 EST

--------

At 10:43 PM 1/21/98 -0800, you wrote:

>

>

>Debbie T-T is having temporary server troubles, so I am posting

>this one for her.

>

>Susan Nielsen, listowner, herbs-L

>

>    ================= Begin forwarded message =================

>

>    To: HERBS-L@q7.com

>    From: teachout@glinda.oz.net (Teachout)

>    Subject: Re: Intro

>    

>    June: wrote:

>    >Hello I am new to this list and I am just seeing if there is anybody out

>    >there. Since I have been on here for two days and still have not received

>    >any messages. Let me know if his is working or if anybody is getting

>    >this.

>    

>    

>    June, I read you here on Herbs. Sometimes we get quiet for awhile but with

>    Spring Fever just around the corner, it should pick up real soon. Than

stand

>    back for the flood of emails on this list!

>    

>    Right now I am working on new gardens at our new home. I transplanted many

>    of my herbs into  a holding bed of sorts. Now I need to make some decisions

>    on if I want to incorporate many of the perennial herbs into the landscape

>    or have a seperate area set aside just for the herb garden. 

>    

>    With the new gardens I am working on edible landscaping incorporating many

>    edibles and perhaps herbs into the ornamental beds, using many for

>    groundcovers, hedges. I want to make a 4 foot tall informal hedge to line a

>    walkway, and maybe an herb could do it. Any ideas out there?

>    

>    ######################################

>    Debra Teachout-Teashon

>    Washington state, zone 8, Sunset zone 5

>    Pacific Northwest Gardening

>    There Is Life In The Winter Garden

>    http://www.suite101.com/topics/page.cfm/416

>    #######################################

>    

>    

>    Hi Debra---



        I have a wonderful hedge of garden sage.  It is easy to grwo here in

South central PA...zone 6...I think...it's winter...I forget...Anyway it is

containable...very important for me.  I also have a wonderful lavernder

hedge along a stone pathway.  It is really lovely as well.  

        Good luck

        Pat @ Stone Haus

>

>--

> 

>







==========

To: "'HERBS'" <HERBS-L@q7.com>

Subject: sorrel 'redleaf'

From: Nigel Hurneyman <nhurneyman@onemeaning.com>

Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 13:34:48 -0000

--------

I was discussing the purchase of a couple of garden-worthy docks with

a nursery owner yesterday when the conversation turned to sorrel 'redleaf',

also known as Rumex acetosa ssp vineatus.  I said I would be interested

in that too, but did he differentiate between the sexes as I would need both.

He replied that he only had one clone, which would explain why it had never

set seed - he hadn't known it was dioecious.  He thought his plant was

probably female, as the outer tepals elongated into an unfertilized fruiting

valve.



Does anyone know where I might obtain a male plant?

Is this form of sorrel as edible as the traditional cultivars?



Thanks in advance for your help,

Nigel Hurneyman







==========

To: HERB@VM.EGE.EDU.TR

Subject: Toiletries List- off topic

From: Marc & Heidi Feldman <earthscents@MINDSPRING.COM>

Date: Tue, 20 Jan 1998 20:04:20 -0800

--------

Hi Everyone,



There is also a Toiletries list.  We cover soaps, melt & pours, salves, lip

balms, lotions, ointments, shampoo, conditioner, you name it we discuss it

all and have a lot of fun with it!  You can subscribe to toiletries:



Email to: Majordomo@ListService.net



In the body of the message type:



Subscribe toiletries <your e-mail address> without the brackets.



for the digest version:

Subscribe toiletries-digest <your email address> without the brackets.



Regards,

Heidi

Earth Scents From the Heart

mailto:earthscents@mindspring.com





==========

To: HERBS-L@q7.com

Subject: yes...we're still out here

From: "Susan K. Wehe" <swehe@ix.netcom.com>

Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 17:02:58 -0600

--------

The herb list gets quite slow during the winter months.  It's a shame

because in my case I have cilantro, dill, sage, rosemary, and a couple

of others still growing in their beds outside (Thank you South Texas). 

And that doesn't take into account the containerized herbs that I have. 

However gardening is a seasonal activity in most parts of the U.S.

(where most of this list's participants live) and the quiet gives me

time to catch up on other things.





Susan





==========

To: HERBS-L@q7.com

Subject: Re: yes...we're still out here

From: George Shirley <gshirley@iamerica.net>

Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 19:37:29

--------

At 05:02 PM 1/21/98 -0600, Susan K. Wehe wrote:

>The herb list gets quite slow during the winter months.  It's a shame

>because in my case I have cilantro, dill, sage, rosemary, and a couple

>of others still growing in their beds outside (Thank you South Texas). 

>And that doesn't take into account the containerized herbs that I have. 

>However gardening is a seasonal activity in most parts of the U.S.

>(where most of this list's participants live) and the quiet gives me

>time to catch up on other things.

>

>

>Susan

>

I'm in the process of designing and building a new outdoor herb bed. It

will be roughly 25 feet by 25 feet on a south facing slope behind the

carport. I plan to build two terraces with a small creek with a head pond

and a foot pond, all free form. Currently all of my herbs with the

exception of the oreganos, thymes, and sorrel are all in pots. Here in zone

9b we can pretty much grow herbs throughout the winter with no protection.

The odd ice storm as in January 1997 sometimes does us in though. Right now

I'm growing about 20 different herbs but have the seeds in the starter pots

for another 12 or 14 types.





George Shirley, Writer, Gardener, Putter-by, Baker, General N'er-do-well

DX DM 08/11/94, NIDDM

USDA Zone 9b, SW Louisiana

gshirley@iamerica.net





==========

To: HERBS-L@q7.com

Subject: Re: yes...we're still out here

From: Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc <micyn@cvtv.net>

Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 07:10:04 -0600 (CST)

--------

Hi,



I'm new to this list, too, and I was wondering about activity. Since I,

too, live in Texas, South Central area, I have lots of things growing

outdoors: rosemary, cilantro, parsley, marjoram, thymes, mints, sage...and

lots of containerized plants, too.



What is your favorite herb? Mine is rosemary right now. In the summer it's

fresh basil for pestos and as garnish on fresh tomatoes. Yummmm.



Cindy in TX, Z8/9









==========

To: HERBS-L@q7.com

Subject: Re: yes...we're still out here

From: "Susan K. Wehe" <swehe@ix.netcom.com>

Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 13:22:04 -0600

--------

Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc wrote:

> 

> Hi,

> 

> I'm new to this list, too, and I was wondering about activity. Since I,

> too, live in Texas, South Central area, I have lots of things growing

> outdoors: rosemary, cilantro, parsley, marjoram, thymes, mints, sage...and

> lots of containerized plants, too.

> 

> What is your favorite herb? Mine is rosemary right now. In the summer it's

> fresh basil for pestos and as garnish on fresh tomatoes. Yummmm.

> 

> Cindy in TX, Z8/9



Mine has got to be the fresh dill.  Talk about a boost for your winter

veggies!  Next would be the rosemary....nothing better than a roast in

the oven cooking with fresh sprigs.



My favorite book is Southern Herb growing by Hill and Barclay.  Might

not be perfect for all of the U.S. but it has a lot of information for

anyone interested in herbs.





Susan





==========

To: George Shirley <gshirley@iamerica.net>

Subject: Herb book recommendations?

From: Susanna Holstein <pkb00700@alpha.wvup.wvnet.edu>

Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 21:20:38 -0500

--------

George,

You mentioning you're a wroter got me to thinking--what are the favorite

books of this list? Can be culinary, or decorative uses, gardeing

how-to, whatever.



I'm always looking for new sources of information and ideas, and this is

a good time of year for me to do some reading, since in my area

gardening is very limited from Nov-Feb.



Susanna









==========

To: HERBS-L@q7.com

Subject: Re: Herb book recommendations?

From: George Shirley <gshirley@iamerica.net>

Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 10:04:20

--------

At 09:20 PM 1/21/98 -0500, Susanna Holstein wrote:

>George,

>You mentioning you're a wroter got me to thinking--what are the favorite

>books of this list? Can be culinary, or decorative uses, gardeing

>how-to, whatever.

>

>I'm always looking for new sources of information and ideas, and this is

>a good time of year for me to do some reading, since in my area

>gardening is very limited from Nov-Feb.

>

>Susanna

>

My favorite herb book is Southern Herb Growing by Madalene Hill and Gwen

Barclay. May not be suitable for everyone on the list but suits me here in

the south. Would really like to own the Encyclopedia of American Herbs put

out by the Herb Society of America but it's a bit pricey to me.



George





==========

To: HERBS-L@q7.com

Subject: Re: Herb book recommendations?

From: Dale MacMillan <dmacmill@nshpl.library.ns.ca>

Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 08:36:05 -0400

--------

Hi Susanna,



Funny you should mention that - I just returned to the library yesterday

two books that I just *have* to get.   



    Herbs : gardens, decorations, and recipes / by Emelie Tolley, c1985



The new captured harvest : creative crafts from nature / Terence Moore 

North Pomfret, Vt. : Trafalgar Square Pub, 1995



Another one that I actually own is "Grilling from the garden" it's a

wonderful cookbook on how to use what we grow  in the garden on the BBQ, my

all time favorite appliance ; )  and makes use of herbs.



I'm looking forward to hearing some of the other favorites from list members.



Dale

Zone 5 NS  



At 09:20 PM 1/21/98 -0500, you wrote:

>George,

>You mentioning you're a wroter got me to thinking--what are the favorite

>books of this list? Can be culinary, or decorative uses, gardeing

>how-to, whatever.

>

>I'm always looking for new sources of information and ideas, and this is

>a good time of year for me to do some reading, since in my area

>gardening is very limited from Nov-Feb.

>

>Susanna

>

>

>

>





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Herb book recommendations?

From: Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc <micyn@cvtv.net>

Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 07:38:02 -0600 (CST)

--------

Hi all,



One of my favorite books is `Southern Herb Growing' (1987,1997) by Madeline

Hill and Gwen Barclay. It's a must for anyone growing herbs in the lower

South. It's got some great receipes, too. The other one I like that is a

real how-to book is `Herb Gardening in Texas' by Sol Metzer of Houston, TX.

There's a new edition that came out in 1997. I'm also a fan of `Texas

Gardener Magazine', not specifically for herbs, but for growing a host of

varied plants in Texas. (Can you tell I live in Texas?)



Since we've been having such mild weather the past couple of weeks, I've

been outdoors clearing beds of winter weeds, moving and dividing

perenniels, taking herb and other cuttings for propagation, seeding

outdoors for Spring: nasturtiums, sweet peas, pot marigold, for now.

Indoors I've started lots more herbs, heirloom vegetables, greens and

brassicas.



My partner and I are putting up a greenhouse hoop kit. He's doing most of

the work, I must add! (He's so patient.) Hopefully, this coming weekend we

can actually erect the structure in place. The end walls are finished and

the site is laid out. Then there will be no stopping me......plants and

more plants......



One big project is to clean up the compost pile, rent a shredder to chop up

the big stuff, and then to keep it turned and working. And I'm redoing the

raised vegetable beds, they're too close to eachother. Can't get the

wheelbarrow through easily.



And, that's a little of what's going on here on our farm.

Cindy in TX, Z8/9









==========

To: Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc <micyn@cvtv.net>

Subject: Re: Herb book recommendations?

From: Martin Gold <martingold@postoffice.worldnet.att.net>

Date: Fri, 23 Jan 1998 11:44:10 -0500

--------

Hi, my name is marty.



I was wondering where I might find a greenhouse hoop kit like the one

Meredith wrote about. I live in Zone 6, and I thought it might give me a

jump on spring. Is it something that would be available by mail order? 



Thanks.



Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc wrote:

 

> My partner and I are putting up a greenhouse hoop kit. He's doing most of

> the work, I must add! (He's so patient.) Hopefully, this coming weekend we

> can actually erect the structure in place. The end walls are finished and

> the site is laid out. Then there will be no stopping me......plants and

> more plants......





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: Herb book recommendations?

From: "Susan K. Wehe" <swehe@ix.netcom.com>

Date: Fri, 23 Jan 1998 14:13:10 -0600

--------

Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc wrote:

> 

> Hi all,

> 

> One of my favorite books is `Southern Herb Growing' (1987,1997) by Madeline

> Hill and Gwen Barclay. It's a must for anyone growing herbs in the lower

> South. It's got some great receipes, too. The other one I like that is a

> real how-to book is `Herb Gardening in Texas' by Sol Metzer of Houston, TX.

> There's a new edition that came out in 1997. I'm also a fan of `Texas

> Gardener Magazine', not specifically for herbs, but for growing a host of

> varied plants in Texas. (Can you tell I live in Texas?)

> 

> Since we've been having such mild weather the past couple of weeks, I've

> been outdoors clearing beds of winter weeds, moving and dividing

> perenniels, taking herb and other cuttings for propagation, seeding

> outdoors for Spring: nasturtiums, sweet peas, pot marigold, for now.

> Indoors I've started lots more herbs, heirloom vegetables, greens and

> brassicas.

> 

> My partner and I are putting up a greenhouse hoop kit. He's doing most of

> the work, I must add! (He's so patient.) Hopefully, this coming weekend we

> can actually erect the structure in place. The end walls are finished and

> the site is laid out. Then there will be no stopping me......plants and

> more plants......

> 

> One big project is to clean up the compost pile, rent a shredder to chop up

> the big stuff, and then to keep it turned and working. And I'm redoing the

> raised vegetable beds, they're too close to eachother. Can't get the

> wheelbarrow through easily.

> 

> And, that's a little of what's going on here on our farm.

> Cindy in TX, Z8/9





I read Texas Gardener also and have become a fan of Howard Garrett aka

'the dirt doctor'.  He and Malcom Beck have put out some excellent book

which are great references.  The neatest part is listening in on his

show out of Dallas through the Internet. 

http://www.wbap.com/prog-275.html

The Spring Gardening show in Waco is a wonderful place to get

information, hear outstanding speakers and 'dig in' to the gardening

world.  I'd really recommend it to anyone.  For Master Gardeners this

would count toward their continuing education hours, for the regular

home grown gardener this is a great place to learn about new varieties,

new gardening tools and techniques and food preservation.  All in two

days and on a weekend too!

I'm sure that other areas offer similar programs.

My next home project is cleaning up the greenhouse, picking up used

bedding (straw and manure) from a farm and turning my garden.  I

expanded my herb beds and add some perennials.  With all this warm

weather, I'll need to use the straw to mulch the new plants since they

probably assume spring is here.  The two blooming peach trees already

have me worried enough.  However, my bees are thrilled!



Susan





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: Herb book recommendations?

From: Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc <micyn@cvtv.net>

Date: Sat, 24 Jan 1998 07:24:54 -0600 (CST)

--------

Hi Susan,



I didn't know I could listen to Howard Garrett on the Internet, thanks!



Be careful of using straw or hay for mulch. It can contain lots of seeds.

If it is true hay it shouldn't. It's just that I've made that mistake

myself and gave myself lots more weeding work.



I agree about the gardening show in Waco. It's a winner.



Cindy in TX Z8/9









==========

To: Herb list <herbs-l@q7.com>

Subject: Re: Herb book recommendations?

From: "Susan K. Wehe" <swehe@ix.netcom.com>

Date: Sun, 25 Jan 1998 09:40:48 -0600

--------

Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc wrote:

> 

> Hi Susan,

> 

> I didn't know I could listen to Howard Garrett on the Internet, thanks!

> 

> Be careful of using straw or hay for mulch. It can contain lots of seeds.

> If it is true hay it shouldn't. It's just that I've made that mistake

> myself and gave myself lots more weeding work.

> 

> I agree about the gardening show in Waco. It's a winner.

> 

> Cindy in TX Z8/9



I was a little worried about the straw but after a close examination

found little or no weeds and no seed heads.  I'm using WOW from Gardens

Alive! to keep the majority of volunteers under control.  The bottom

stuff is sweet smelling where it has already broken down beauifully.  We

picked up three loads yesterday and I'm hoping to get 3 more next

weekend.





Susan





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: Herb book recommendations?

From: George Shirley <gshirley@iamerica.net>

Date: Sun, 25 Jan 1998 22:13:49

--------

At 09:10 PM 1/25/98 EST, stonehausfarm wrote:

>At 10:04 AM 1/22/98, you wrote:

>>At 09:20 PM 1/21/98 -0500, Susanna Holstein wrote:

>>>George,

>>>You mentioning you're a wroter got me to thinking--what are the favorite

>>>books of this list? Can be culinary, or decorative uses, gardeing

>>>how-to, whatever.

>>>

>>>I'm always looking for new sources of information and ideas, and this is

>>>a good time of year for me to do some reading, since in my area

>>>gardening is very limited from Nov-Feb.

>>>

>>>Susanna

>>>

>>My favorite herb book is Southern Herb Growing by Madalene Hill and Gwen

>>Barclay. May not be suitable for everyone on the list but suits me here in

>>the south. Would really like to own the Encyclopedia of American Herbs put

>>out by the Herb Society of America but it's a bit pricey to me.

>>

>>George

>>

>

>George---I got the Encyclopedia of Herbs endorsed by the HSA and I gotta

>tell you it was a great investment.  If you have a Borders close by it is a

>little less expensive.

>

>Pat  Zone6/5

>

Books-A-Million and Waldenbooks want $40.00 plus tax for it. No one else

has it in stock and they all want list to order.



George





==========

To: HERBS-L@q7.com

Subject: herb garden was (Re: yes...we're still out here)

From: Dale MacMillan <dmacmill@nshpl.library.ns.ca>

Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 08:23:36 -0400

--------

Hi George,



Your new herb garden sounds wonderful.  I started one a little smaller than

that last year but ran out of time to finish it.  I'm looking forward to

trying again this year.  I dug out the Richters catalogue last night and as

ususal want it *all*.  Right now all we can do is dream until we get out of

this deep freeze - 17 C  today.  brrrr.  





Dale MacMillan

Zone 5

Nova Scotia 

(off to hug a cup of hot, hot coffee)







>I'm in the process of designing and building a new outdoor herb bed. It

>will be roughly 25 feet by 25 feet on a south facing slope behind the

>carport. I plan to build two terraces with a small creek with a head pond

>and a foot pond, all free form. Currently all of my herbs with the

>exception of the oreganos, thymes, and sorrel are all in pots. Here in zone

>9b we can pretty much grow herbs throughout the winter with no protection.

>The odd ice storm as in January 1997 sometimes does us in though. Right now

>I'm growing about 20 different herbs but have the seeds in the starter pots

>for another 12 or 14 types.

>

>

>George Shirley, Writer, Gardener, Putter-by, Baker, General N'er-do-well

>DX DM 08/11/94, NIDDM

>USDA Zone 9b, SW Louisiana

>gshirley@iamerica.net

>

>





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: herbs-digest-l V1 #81  Subject: Intro

From: "William M. Groth" <groth@rice.edu>

Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 08:42:53 -0600

--------

Hello June,



Welcome to the list.  It is more or less dormant right now (Winter you know) 

but the activity will pick up as Spring approaches.  Of course down here in

Houston I am not sure it has ever left.  We have had a few cold days and some

of my herbs have gone dormant, but my rosemary and thymes and my bay laurels

and my parsley, chervil, winter savory and dill (I have the dill that ate 

Cincinnati in one bed), lemon grass and even cinnamon and African Blue BASIL

are still going strong.  We have only had about 3 or 4 days when the temp. 

dropped below freezing (0 C or 32 F).  and a good frost blanket kept all my

plants happy.  Good Luck and Good Growing   BYE		BILL



At 12:47 PM 1/21/98 -0800, you wrote:

>

>Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 14:09:25 -0600

>From: leftyjh@juno.com

>S>

>Hello I am new to this list and I am just seeing if there is anybody out

>there. Since I have been on here for two days and still have not received

>any messages. Let me know if his is working or if anybody is getting

>this.

>June 

>leftyjh@juno.com

>

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

    William M. Groth

    3110 Natalias Court

    Houston, TX 77082-3476



  Call me Bill or Willinator

  Aquaria:  Life Member American Cichlid Assoc. I keep other types

  also, such as Tetras and Killiefish and Corydoras.

  Gardening: Herbs, Perennials, Edible flowers, etc. USDA Zone 9a -

  Texas Upper Gulf Coast  - Sunset Zone 28

  Genealogy -- families:  O'Bannon, Lewis, Sehorn, Patterson, Mouser,

  Sebastian, Walker, Wiggins, Moore, Crabtree, and many others.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>





==========

To: Irene.Meyers@faa.dot.gov, herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re:  Informal Hedge

From: "M. Yeutter" <yeutter@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu>

Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 08:57:14 -0600

--------

I'm very interested in putting in a couple rosa rugosa bushes for the

large hips, rather than beautiful flowers.  Does anyone know which

ones do have the large hips, and can you recommend somewhere to buy

them?  I only see one or two advertised in the mailorder catalogs but

have no idea how the different ones compare to one another.



I know they are hardier than the "cultivated" roses and are grown on

their own rootstock.  They also don't need the attention and spraying

for critters and diseases that most roses need.  



Regards,

Marguerite





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Informal Hedge

From: Irene Meyers <Irene.Meyers@faa.dot.gov>

Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 08:00:18 -0800

--------

Debra wrote:



With the new gardens I am working on edible landscaping incorporating

many edibles and perhaps herbs into the ornamental beds, using many for

groundcovers, hedges. I want to make a 4 foot tall informal hedge to

line a walkway, and maybe an herb could do it. Any ideas out there?



I have an idea, although it isn't considered a herb.  It will fit into

an edible landscape.  How about a rosa rugosa?  They are the "wild"

roses that have edible hips.  The hips are very high in vitamin C.  I am

planning on planting some this year for the same purpose.  You can make

a tea with them, or a jam, plus other things I am sure.  These roses are

supposed to be easier to care for than the ones grown just for flowers

(anyone on the list have experience with them?).



You could also grow raspberries, or another berry as a hedge.  It may

take more work trimming the canes, reining them in, etc.  The leaves of

raspberries are used medicinally, as well.



As far as an official herb, lavander or rosemary may work, depending on

your climate.



Irene





==========

To: <herbs-L@q7.com>

Subject: Thought I lost Y'all

From: "hwidner" <hwidner@fullnet.net>

Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 09:13:03 -0600

--------

I am so glad to see the stir June caused since I have received 14 msg's

from our herb friends in the last two days.  I live in Ponca City zone 6

and the clay I found in my gardens and yard 3 years ago have been a

challenge but me and Mantis are getting there.  My compost pile finally

heated last summer!!!  Just wanted to say hi and check us out on the

www.shopoklahoma.com in a few weeks because we are making a web site  under

Crafts/Festivals.  I am the coordinator of the 5th annual Ponca City Herb

Festival coming 6 Jun 98.  Hope to meet some of you there,  maybe.  I also

work with the Ambassadors at OSU learning about horticulture.  Never enough

thyme.  Helen







==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Fav. Herb

From: Irene Meyers <Irene.Meyers@faa.dot.gov>

Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 10:21:28 -0800

--------

Cindy asked:



What is your favorite herb? Mine is rosemary right now. In the summer

it's fresh basil for pestos and as garnish on fresh tomatoes. Yummmm.



This is such a tough question!  I would have to say basil, for the same

reasons as yourself.  I also love cilantro, rosemary, and everything

else!  I live in South NJ (zone 7a), and I have a few things growing. My

rosemary that is outdoors is still slowly growing.  I also have 2 pots

inside in a sunroom that are doing great (1 is even blooming for the

first time).  I had cilantro volunteers coming up at the end of the

summer, and they are slowly growing also (yes, it is a mild winter for

us!).  Inside I have a couple different scented geraniums and pineapple

sage.



I a couple of weeks, the sunroom will be full of seedlings!



Irene





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Rosa Rugosa

From: Irene Meyers <Irene.Meyers@faa.dot.gov>

Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 12:13:08 -0800

--------

Marguerite asked:

I'm very interested in putting in a couple rosa rugosa bushes for the

large hips, rather than beautiful flowers.  Does anyone know which ones

do have the large hips, and can you recommend somewhere to buy them?  I

only see one or two advertised in the mailorder catalogs but have no

idea how the different ones compare to one another.



I have a catalog that has a couple different varieties listed.  3 are

denoted as having 'big hips'.  The other 2 are the ones I've seen in

other catalogs-rosa rugosa alba (white flowers) and mixed rosa rugosa. 

These 2 also have large hips.  The catalog is Raintree Nursery, phone

360-496-6400.  They have lots of fruit trees, bushes, and vines, as well

as other stuff.  This is the first year I got this catalog, so I can't

comment on the quality, etc.  They also say these roses can be used as a

hedge.



Irene





==========

To: herbs-L@q7.com

Subject: me too!

From: Lorraine Hoag <grdnr4u@syix.com>

Date: Fri, 23 Jan 1998 14:41:59 -0800

--------

	



	

>With the new gardens I am working on edible landscaping incorporating

>many edibles and perhaps herbs into the ornamental beds, using many for

>groundcovers, hedges. I want to make a 4 foot tall informal hedge to

>line a walkway, and maybe an herb could do it. Any ideas out there?

>

>

>Oh Boy!!!! Would I like to find an herb that would serve as a low hedge. If

>anyone has a suggestion to the above person and me. Please do. What could

>be better. IN my garden a more kind of formal low hedge would be perfect

>though I would love to hear any ideas.

>L

>







==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: me too!

From: Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc <micyn@cvtv.net>

Date: Sat, 24 Jan 1998 07:26:38 -0600 (CST)

--------

>

>

>

>>With the new gardens I am working on edible landscaping incorporating

>>many edibles and perhaps herbs into the ornamental beds, using many for

>>groundcovers, hedges. I want to make a 4 foot tall informal hedge to

>>line a walkway, and maybe an herb could do it. Any ideas out there?

>>

>>

>>Oh Boy!!!! Would I like to find an herb that would serve as a low hedge. If

>>anyone has a suggestion to the above person and me. Please do. What could

>>be better. IN my garden a more kind of formal low hedge would be perfect

>>though I would love to hear any ideas.

>>L

>>



How about Germander? OR Lavender. Rosemary would be my choice. It can be

clipped, to be kept in its place.       Cindy









==========

To: Herb list <herbs-l@q7.com>

Subject: Re: me too!

From: "Susan K. Wehe" <swehe@ix.netcom.com>

Date: Sun, 25 Jan 1998 09:15:34 -0600

--------

Lorraine Hoag wrote:

> 

> 

> 

> 

> >With the new gardens I am working on edible landscaping incorporating

> >many edibles and perhaps herbs into the ornamental beds, using many for

> >groundcovers, hedges. I want to make a 4 foot tall informal hedge to

> >line a walkway, and maybe an herb could do it. Any ideas out there?

> >

> >

> >Oh Boy!!!! Would I like to find an herb that would serve as a low hedge. If

> >anyone has a suggestion to the above person and me. Please do. What could

> >be better. IN my garden a more kind of formal low hedge would be perfect

> >though I would love to hear any ideas.

> >L

> >



It would help to know what part of the country you both are in... some

of the herbs that come to mind aren't cold hardy.





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Greetings All!

From: snielsen@orednet.org (Susan L. Nielsen)

Date: Fri, 23 Jan 1998 15:25:19 -0800

--------





    ================= Begin forwarded message =================



    Date: Fri, 23 Jan 1998 18:20:21 +1000

    To: HERBS-L@q7.com

    From: Myocum Herb Farm <herbs@mullum.com.au>

    

    Well, I've been reading this list for a while now, (the low volume suits

    me) and I thought it was about time I introduced myself.

    

    My name is Mark Collinson, I live with my partner Kerry and our two

    children Tahl and Selena on 2.5 ha of deep red volcanic soil at Myocum (45

    minute cycle trip from Byron Bay) Australia ....28.32S  153.30E for anyone

    curious enough to find it in an atlas.

    

    We have a few hundred rosemary plants and a few thousand garlic that we are

    trialling at the moment. We have plans to add a variety of other carefully

    selected herbs in the future. Need to balance it with our other work as

    teachers and parents.

    

    Climate here is best described as sub tropical, most of our rain in Autumn

    (March April May) This summer has been hot and humid, great for all sorts

    of things in the garden. We are currently in the procces of organic

    certification.

    

    Is there anybody reading this that lives in Australia ? No offence to my

    North American cousins, but I have to laugh when you talk about bay trees

    not surviving winter, when I sit here in 38 degree heat. BTW our winters

    here are mild, eg a cold day for us is 18 degrees!

    

    Happy Gardening

    

    Mark

    

    

    

    

    



--

 





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: Greetings All!

From: stonehausfarm <stonehausfarm@cyberia.com>

Date: Sun, 25 Jan 1998 21:00:35 EST

--------

At 03:25 PM 1/23/98 -0800, you wrote:

>

>

>    ================= Begin forwarded message =================

>

>    Date: Fri, 23 Jan 1998 18:20:21 +1000

>    To: HERBS-L@q7.com

>    From: Myocum Herb Farm <herbs@mullum.com.au>

>    

>    Well, I've been reading this list for a while now, (the low volume suits

>    me) and I thought it was about time I introduced myself.

>    

>    My name is Mark Collinson, I live with my partner Kerry and our two

>    children Tahl and Selena on 2.5 ha of deep red volcanic soil at Myocum (45

>    minute cycle trip from Byron Bay) Australia ....28.32S  153.30E for anyone

>    curious enough to find it in an atlas.

>    

>    We have a few hundred rosemary plants and a few thousand garlic that we are

>    trialling at the moment. We have plans to add a variety of other carefully

>    selected herbs in the future. Need to balance it with our other work as

>    teachers and parents.

>    

>    Climate here is best described as sub tropical, most of our rain in Autumn

>    (March April May) This summer has been hot and humid, great for all sorts

>    of things in the garden. We are currently in the procces of organic

>    certification.

>    

>    Is there anybody reading this that lives in Australia ? No offence to my

>    North American cousins, but I have to laugh when you talk about bay trees

>    not surviving winter, when I sit here in 38 degree heat. BTW our winters

>    here are mild, eg a cold day for us is 18 degrees!

>    

>    Happy Gardening

>    

>    Mark

>    

>    

>    

>    Hey Mark---I must admit I envy your weather somedays...but then we have

a nice couple of days with a few inches of snow and I envy you no longer.  I

hate our last two winters...they have been so mild.  If I don't have snow on

my birthday 23d Jan), then my winter is a sad one.  It has been toowarm to

ski, and just warm enough for that winter annual weed we have here called

chick weed.  I have been weeding all winter...what a bummer...I am suppose

to be shoveling snow!!!   Life is not fair.



Pat    Zone 6/5

>    

>

>--

> 

>







==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: Greetings All!

From: stonehausfarm <stonehausfarm@cyberia.com>

Date: Sun, 25 Jan 1998 21:04:24 EST

--------

At 03:25 PM 1/23/98 -0800, you wrote:

>

>

>    ================= Begin forwarded message =================

>

>    Date: Fri, 23 Jan 1998 18:20:21 +1000

>    To: HERBS-L@q7.com

>    From: Myocum Herb Farm <herbs@mullum.com.au>

>    

>    Well, I've been reading this list for a while now, (the low volume suits

>    me) and I thought it was about time I introduced myself.

>    

>    My name is Mark Collinson, I live with my partner Kerry and our two

>    children Tahl and Selena on 2.5 ha of deep red volcanic soil at Myocum (45

>    minute cycle trip from Byron Bay) Australia ....28.32S  153.30E for anyone

>    curious enough to find it in an atlas.

>    

>    We have a few hundred rosemary plants and a few thousand garlic that we are

>    trialling at the moment. We have plans to add a variety of other carefully

>    selected herbs in the future. Need to balance it with our other work as

>    teachers and parents.

>    

>    Climate here is best described as sub tropical, most of our rain in Autumn

>    (March April May) This summer has been hot and humid, great for all sorts

>    of things in the garden. We are currently in the procces of organic

>    certification.

>    

>    Is there anybody reading this that lives in Australia ? No offence to my

>    North American cousins, but I have to laugh when you talk about bay trees

>    not surviving winter, when I sit here in 38 degree heat. BTW our winters

>    here are mild, eg a cold day for us is 18 degrees!

>    

>    Happy Gardening

>    

>    Mark

>    

>    

>   Hey Mark---sorry I forgot to ask you...I hearsd that in Australia some

people are using sheep's wool that is unsalable...unspinable as composting

and mulching.  Have you heard anything about this?  It doesn't sound like

you need the mulching part, tho'.  I am i my second year of trying this and

it has seemed to protect my lavender altho' the winters have been milder.  I

lost no lavender last year.



Pat 

>    

>    

>

>--

> 

>







==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Hoop House Greenhouse

From: Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc <micyn@cvtv.net>

Date: Sat, 24 Jan 1998 07:21:03 -0600 (CST)

--------

>Hi, my name is marty.

>

>I was wondering where I might find a greenhouse hoop kit like the one

>Meredith wrote about. I live in Zone 6, and I thought it might give me a

>jump on spring. Is it something that would be available by mail order?

>



Hi Marty,



My hoophouse kit came from the manufacturer called Hoop House. They are on

the Web. Their address is: http:www.//cms.net/hoophouse/.

Their phone # is: 800/760-5192.

There are other kits out there. Check gardening magazine ads. Also

Mellingers has a good one, more money, though it is wider.

Mellingers: http:www//mellingers.com/

Another place that sells a kit and components is A.M. Leonard.

http:www//amleonard.com/.  (I think.)



Hope this helps. By the way, when I got home from work yesterday, the hoops

were standing and the ridge pole was in place. It looks like it'll be

completed over the weekend. Hooray!



Cindy in TX, Z8/9









==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: Hoop House Greenhouse

From: Susanna Holstein <pkb00700@alpha.wvup.wvnet.edu>

Date: Sun, 25 Jan 1998 13:29:30 -0500

--------

Cindy,

thank you for the addresses for hoop greenhouses. I've seen a few and

have been thinking abouto one. currently i use a pole-and-plastic

greenhouse which is covered with lattice so it's not too unsightly when

the plastic is taken off. It has worked very well for me for over ten

years, and has been a very inexpensive way to start my own plants.



Did you say how big your greenhouse will be? Mine is only about 10x12,

but I manage to produce most of the plants I need.



Another question: Are there any hints out there for successfully

starting herbs? i have great luck with vegetables and flowers, but herbs

seem to be very difficult, and often I damp them off. I would like to be

able to start more, and try every year, usually succedding in getting a

few plants, but not what I'd like.



Any suggestions would be most welcome.



Susanna









==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: re: Hoop House Greenhouse

From: snielsen@orednet.org (Susan L. Nielsen)

Date: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 16:12:18 -0800

--------





    ================= Begin forwarded message =================



    From: teachout@glinda.oz.net (Teachout)

    Subject: re: Hoop House Greenhouse

    

    Marty, This is not a kit but how to easily build one at a low cost:

    

    I am not a builder of things but this one I can do!

    

    http://www.suite101.com/userfiles/715/hoophouse.html

    ######################################

    Debra Teachout-Teashon

    Washington state, zone 8, Sunset zone 5

    Pacific Northwest Gardening

    There Is Life In A Winter Garden

    http://www.suite101.com/topics/page.cfm/416

    #######################################

    

    

    



--

 





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: part of the country

From: Susanna Holstein <pkb00700@alpha.wvup.wvnet.edu>

Date: Sun, 25 Jan 1998 13:15:31 -0500

--------

I agree with Susan--it seems that many members of this list are in the

south and that quite a few are in Texas--or maybe these are the only

ones talking :)



But it is helpful when plant recommendations are given to know what part

of the country you are from, so we can determine hardiness, etc in our

areas.



Where I am located we can have extremes of temperature within a 24-hour

period, 60-70 in the daytime, below freezing at night, which causes a

lot of problems with frost. We also have sandy, well-draining soil with

a lot of clay in some areas. This means that enough moisture can be a

problem. We also have high humidity, with accompanying molds, mildews,

etc. So what works for me here will probably be quite different for what

works in Georgia or texas--and i must say I envy you your long seasons

and ability to continue gardening even at this time of year!



So please try to say where you are from, or give conditions for your

area when you recommend a plant. For example, Rosemary, which i love,

will not overwinter in my area, so there is no hope of developing a

hedge from it. But what a picture you created in my mind with that

suggestion!



susanna







==========

To: herbs-digest-l@q7.com

Subject: California

From: Lorraine Hoag <grdnr4u@syix.com>

Date: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 07:02:17 -0800

--------

California...I am in California where it is raining right now. This is

good. We are always grateful for rain and the water-shed. My zone is Sunset

8 in Northern California. The suggestions for a low growing herb hedge are

all good. Thank you. For the Rosemary though, I find if you prune it down

as low as I need it, it looks woody. But I love it. Lavender grows too

tall. I love it too. So I think I will have to abandon the herb plan, at

least for a low, low hedge and just plant them in the middle:-)

Lorraine Hoag, U.C.Master Gardener, Coordinator, Sutter/Yuba counties

Northern California

Sacramento valley





==========

To: HERBS-L@q7.com

Subject: Thank You

From: leftyjh@juno.com

Date: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 14:26:19 -0600

--------

Thanks to all who responded, I greatly appreciated it. To Granny Sue, I

understand about the mix up I belong to a Spina Bifida list as well and

it is getting kind a confusing, 

I live in South Central Texas (San Antonio) and we seem to have a longer

growing seasons. Right now I am just starting this herb stuff. I am

really interested in the medicinal properties but cooking with herbs and

growing them can help too. Anyway, I just wanted to say Hello and Thanks

to all who responded.



June



_____________________________________________________________________

You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.

Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com

Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]







==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Herb seeds

From: Irene Meyers <Irene.Meyers@faa.dot.gov>

Date: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 13:23:25 -0800

--------

Suzanna asked:

Another question: Are there any hints out there for successfully

starting herbs? i have great luck with vegetables and flowers, but herbs

seem to be very difficult, and often I damp them off. I would like to be

able to start more, and try every year, usually succedding in getting a

few plants, but not what I'd like.



I don't start alot of herbs from seeds (inside).  Some are very hard to

start, and don't have great germination.  Others aren't always true by

seed.  If you are getting dampening off, then try running a fan all day

along with the lights.  Also, a soilless seed starting medium should

help.  Another preventive for dampening off is spraying with diluted

chamomile tea.  Once you see a problem, it is probably too late to start

spraying.



What types are you trying to start indoors?  I had great luck starting

lemon balm.  Most seeds I just sow outside at the appropriate time

(basil, dill, borage, etc).  



Also, some seeds benefit from a chill period.  Some also benefit from

being soaked in water overnight (parsley, I did this last year and got

great results).  



Maybe if you could tell us(the list) exacly what seeds you are trying to

start, we can be more helpful!



Irene

South NJ, zone 7a





==========

To: Irene Meyers <Irene.Meyers@faa.dot.gov>

Subject: Re: Herb seeds

From: Susanna Holstein <pkb00700@alpha.wvup.wvnet.edu>

Date: Mon, 09 Feb 1998 21:32:53 -0500

--------

Irene Meyers wrote:

> 

> I don't start alot of herbs from seeds (inside).  Some are very hard to

> start, and don't have great germination.  Others aren't always true by

> seed.  If you are getting dampening off, then try running a fan all day

> along with the lights.  Also, a soilless seed starting medium should

> help.  Another preventive for dampening off is spraying with diluted

> chamomile tea.  Once you see a problem, it is probably too late to start

> spraying.

> 

> What types are you trying to start indoors?  I had great luck starting

> lemon balm.  Most seeds I just sow outside at the appropriate time

> (basil, dill, borage, etc).

> 

> Also, some seeds benefit from a chill period.  Some also benefit from

> being soaked in water overnight (parsley, I did this last year and got

> great results).

> 

> Maybe if you could tell us(the list) exacly what seeds you are trying to

> start, we can be more helpful!

> 

Irene and all,

I'm sorry I haven't replied sooner, as i am really interested in your

thoughts on this.



I have tried to start lavendar, rosemary, thyme, several kinds of basil.

tarragon, sage and several others. One year I had amazing luck with

lavendar--life got very difficult at that time, and I ignored the

greenhouse, and ended up with about 200 lavendar plants! Unfornately ny

personal life was so bad at that point that most of them died or were

given away, the least of my worries at the time being the garden.

Figures! Since then I have been able to get two or three plants out of a

package of seeds, but not more. 



Same with the others--if I'm lucky enough to get anything at all. I do

start many outside, but the past few years chipmunks have been a real

problem, digging up my seeds and eating them, I guess. So the greenhouse

is an option I'd like to use.



mine is a very unsophisticated greenhouse, so i can make very few

differences in the treatment the various flats get. I've been thinking I

need to differentiate the way i treat herb seedlings somehow.



so, any advice? I'm willing to listen to any ideas you may have.



thanks,

susanna









==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Low-growing hedge idea

From: Irene Meyers <Irene.Meyers@faa.dot.gov>

Date: Tue, 27 Jan 1998 06:24:41 -0800

--------

Lorraine said:

So I think I will have to abandon the herb plan, at least for a low, low

hedge and just plant them in the middle:-)



Lorraine-

If you are looking for a low-growing hedge herb- how about the small

basils?  I am thinking of 'Spicy Globe Basil' in particular, but I think

there are others that are small.  I think this would make a great small

hedge.  In my herb garden by the house, I use nasturtiums as an edge

plant.  You can use the flowers in salads, and the butterflies like

them.  You can get them in many colors, and some have speckled leaves,

too.  Another border plant I use is curled parsley. 



How is that for some ideas?  (Can you tell I'm in the process of

planning my herb garden as well :) )



Irene

South NJ, Zone 7a





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: Low-growing hedge idea

From: "Catharine Vinson" <cvinson@cris.com>

Date: Tue, 27 Jan 1998 09:23:33 +0000

--------

Irene said



> If you are looking for a low-growing hedge herb- how about the small

> basils?  I am thinking of 'Spicy Globe Basil' in particular, but I think

> there are others that are small. 



'Spicy Globe' is a good variety. 'Greek Columnar' is even more ideal for 

use as a low hedge, since it a) grows straight up (and evenly) to about 

24"h x 10"w if you don't pinch/prune, b) it does not flower and set seed, 

so will produce leaves throughout the season (it will overwinter in 

frost-free climates), c) it has a small, tidy leaf and a good flavor, so 

it's an asset for cooking, too. 



Many of the germanders make a nice evergreen hedge, too.



Catharine, Atlanta/zone 7b







==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Good morning

From: "DesRivieres, Lynne" <DesriL@parl.gc.ca>

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 1998 10:56:58 -0500

--------

	Hello,



	I thought I'd plunge in and introduce myself.  I'm an avid

"indoor" gardener, though I extended my interest to herbs a few years

ago.  I love the fresh taste -- and find it difficult to go back to the

dried stuff.  I have managed to keep quite a lot in the house even

through winter.  Bay, parsley, basil, chives, and thym did well, now

that there is more sunlight, there's real activity!



	I have planted my greenhouse a few days ago and shoots have

already appeared!   The ice storm has taken its toll on a few people, so

I became the plant babysitter for those poor souls that went without

electricity and glad to report that all the plants are back to their

respective homes now.



I  am catching up on the herb archives and look forward to learning from

other gardeners.	













Lynne







==========

To: herbs-digest-l@q7.com

Subject: hedge/border

From: Lorraine Hoag <grdnr4u@syix.com>

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 1998 10:57:42 -0800

--------

Thanks everyone for the suggestions for a low herbal hedge. I think now

that I should have used the word "border" rather than hedge. But thank

goodness you all knew what I mean't. 

thanks again.

L





==========

To: herbs-digest-l@q7.com

Subject: perilla

From: SaraAnneC@aol.com

Date: Sat, 31 Jan 1998 15:26:50 EST

--------

Hi herb folks; 



Although a silent member of this list for many a moon now, I don't often have

much to say.... however, I am curious at the moment to know what kind of

information any of you might have about a plant we here in the lower mdwest

know commonly as "perilla."



I am asking because of an article that appeared in the Washington Post

newspaper a week or two back, by a writer named Adrian Cook (she is not on

staff there, but rather is a correspondent, else I'd call her at the Post

myself), Cook suggests in her article  that perilla has wonderful culinary

applications. She goes so far as to suggest it will be the next "fad" herb

like basil was a few seasons back. She says the Japanese call it "shishu" and

use the leaves to wrap sushi... that it has a bright lemony flavor, etc.



Well now. The perilla I know about is indeed a square-stemmed plant, making it

a member of the mint family, and the purple variety can be mistaken for

ruffled opal basil at a distance, but I have never known it to be any more

than an attractive but very invasive landscape or garden accent plant. None of

my local herb friends seem to be aware of any culinary uses for it.



I am very curious about this: is there a Latin name for perilla that might

separate a culinary plant from the common plant we have around here? Or, if we

are all on the same track,  can anyone provide me with more details about

perilla (green versus opal or bronze varieties) and, better yet, some culinary

uses? (I don't need growing tips -- it is really quite a weed in this climate)



I would be deeply, deeply appreciative of any help I can get on what right now

is my herbal mystery of the season. Answer to me directly if you wish, and if

I can solve this mystery before planting time, I will post an essay on what I

have learned for all to share



thanks in advance



Sara Anne Corrigan

Evansville, Indiana





==========

To: Herb list <herbs-l@q7.com>

Subject: Re: perilla

From: "Susan K. Wehe" <swehe@ix.netcom.com>

Date: Sat, 31 Jan 1998 16:35:01 -0600

--------

SaraAnneC@AOL.COM wrote:

> 

> Hi herb folks;

> 

> Although a silent member of this list for many a moon now, I don't often have

> much to say.... however, I am curious at the moment to know what kind of

> information any of you might have about a plant we here in the lower mdwest

> know commonly as "perilla."

> 

> I am asking because of an article that appeared in the Washington Post

> newspaper a week or two back, by a writer named Adrian Cook (she is not on

> staff there, but rather is a correspondent, else I'd call her at the Post

> myself), Cook suggests in her article  that perilla has wonderful culinary

> applications. She goes so far as to suggest it will be the next "fad" herb

> like basil was a few seasons back. She says the Japanese call it "shishu" and

> use the leaves to wrap sushi... that it has a bright lemony flavor, etc.

> 

> Well now. The perilla I know about is indeed a square-stemmed plant, making it

> a member of the mint family, and the purple variety can be mistaken for

> ruffled opal basil at a distance, but I have never known it to be any more

> than an attractive but very invasive landscape or garden accent plant. None of

> my local herb friends seem to be aware of any culinary uses for it.

> 

> I am very curious about this: is there a Latin name for perilla that might

> separate a culinary plant from the common plant we have around here? Or, if we

> are all on the same track,  can anyone provide me with more details about

> perilla (green versus opal or bronze varieties) and, better yet, some culinary

> uses? (I don't need growing tips -- it is really quite a weed in this climate)

> 

> I would be deeply, deeply appreciative of any help I can get on what right now

> is my herbal mystery of the season. Answer to me directly if you wish, and if

> I can solve this mystery before planting time, I will post an essay on what I

> have learned for all to share

> 

> thanks in advance

> 

> Sara Anne Corrigan

> Evansville, Indiana



Hi Sara,

	I checked with Richters about Perilla.  Their description reads: a

decorative green or purple foliage reminiscent of coleus. 

Cinnamon-scented leaves are popular in Japan for flavouring raw fish,

bean curd, pickles and tempura.  Also used to give scarlet colour to

pickled plums and preserved ginger.  

	They offer the green and purple varieties.  The scientific name is

Perilla frutescens but they do not include it with the mints nor does it

start with Mentha (mint family) however they may not have included the

full name in their catalog.     

	Most mints (assuming it might be one) don't have the quality if started

from seed than that of the cultivated varieties, however this plant is

offer in seed form only.  You might want to visit the Richter's online

catalog http://www.richters.com or e-mail them to ask about your plant.



Hope this helps!

Susan





==========

To: herbs-digest-l@q7.com

Subject: perilla

From: Ron <rwilliams@rica.net>

Date: Sat, 31 Jan 1998 19:04:26 -0500

--------

Sara, 

The scientific name of Perilla is Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton

Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) 

Three other Perilla species are recognized by some authorities, but the

distinctions are ambiguous, and a taxonomic revision

is needed.

Try punching in perilla ina search. There is a lot of info out there.

Hope this helps





Ron Williams



Shenandoah Growers

<http://www.freshherbs.com>





==========

To: "'HERBS'" <HERBS-L@q7.com>

Subject: Organic Control of Scale Insects

From: Nigel Hurneyman <nhurneyman@onemeaning.com>

Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 09:54:26 -0000

--------

I have managed ethnic cleansing of scale insects from my little bay tree using the

point of a pencil.  However some of the  ******s have escaped onto my lime tree

which is big enough to make manual eradication too time-consuming.  Can anyone

suggest an alternative means of controlling them to systemic insecticide, as I don't

want pesticide residues accumulating in the fruit.



(I know lime trees are not normally considered herbs, but since the leaves are used

in Thai cuisine much as we use bay leaves I think this is an acceptable divergence).



Thanks, NigelH 







==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: Organic Control of Scale Insects

From: snielsen@orednet.org (Susan L. Nielsen)

Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 13:40:50 -0800

--------





    ================= Begin forwarded message =================



    From: Myocum Herb Farm <herbs@mullum.com.au>

    Subject: Re: Organic Control of Scale Insects

    

    At 7:54 PM +1000 5/02/98, Nigel Hurneyman wrote:

    >I have managed ethnic cleansing of scale insects from my little bay tree

    >using the

    >point of a pencil.  However some of the  ******s have escaped onto my lime

    >tree

    >which is big enough to make manual eradication too time-consuming.  Can anyone

    >suggest an alternative means of controlling them to systemic insecticide,

    >as I don't

    >want pesticide residues accumulating in the fruit.

    >

    >(I know lime trees are not normally considered herbs, but since the leaves

    >are used

    >in Thai cuisine much as we use bay leaves I think this is an acceptable

    >divergence).

    >

    >Thanks, NigelH

    

    We use olive oil with a little bit of washing detergent, in a hand sprayer

    with great success on all of our citrus trees. Try a little water mixed in

    to thin it out if the sprayer gets clogged. What kind of lime do you have?

    

    Mark

    

    

    

    

    



--

 





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: Organic Control of Scale Insects

From: stonehausfarm <stonehausfarm@cyberia.com>

Date: Tue, 10 Feb 1998 20:08:16 -0500

--------

At 01:40 PM 2/6/98 -0800, you wrote:

>

>

>    ================= Begin forwarded message =================

>

>    From: Myocum Herb Farm <herbs@mullum.com.au>

>    Subject: Re: Organic Control of Scale Insects

>    

>    At 7:54 PM +1000 5/02/98, Nigel Hurneyman wrote:

>    >I have managed ethnic cleansing of scale insects from my little bay tree

>    >using the

>    >point of a pencil.  However some of the  ******s have escaped onto my

lime

>    >tree

>    >which is big enough to make manual eradication too time-consuming.

Can anyone

>    >suggest an alternative means of controlling them to systemic

insecticide,

>    >as I don't

>    >want pesticide residues accumulating in the fruit.

>    >

>    >(I know lime trees are not normally considered herbs, but since the

leaves

>    >are used

>    >in Thai cuisine much as we use bay leaves I think this is an acceptable

>    >divergence).

>    >

>    >Thanks, NigelH

>    

>    We use olive oil with a little bit of washing detergent, in a hand

sprayer

>    with great success on all of our citrus trees. Try a little water

mixed in

>    to thin it out if the sprayer gets clogged. What kind of lime do you

have?

>    

>    Mark

>    

>    Nigel---

	I also use olive oil but use a little liquid Ivory soap in the water.

Ihave tried harsher detergents and "did the plant in".



Pat 

>    

>    

>    

>

>--

> 

>







==========

To: "'HERBS'" <HERBS-L@q7.com>

Subject: RE: Organic Control of Scale Insects

From: Nigel Hurneyman <nhurneyman@onemeaning.com>

Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998 13:21:31 -0000

--------

Thank you everyone who answered my plea for help.



The most popular suggestions were soap solution (or mild detergent) and a light oil

(such as olive oil), either separately or in combination.  Other suggestions included

a soap and alcohol (rubbing alcohol) solution, a natural insecticide based on

pyrethrins (extracted from a poisonous member of the daisy family) and a natural

predator cryptolaemus montrouzieri (although not sold as such turns its attention to

scale insects after polishing off mealy bug).



A quick scan of the internet shows that there are natural predators of scale insects,

lady beetles (harmonia or hippodamia), braconid wasps and metaphycus.  It also

reveals that contact chemicals such as soap, pyrethrins, oils etc are only likely to

be effective against the larval insects, the adults being adequately protected by their

outer casing.



NigelH







==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Lime Leaf

From: Irene Meyers <Irene.Meyers@faa.dot.gov>

Date: Tue, 10 Feb 1998 09:49:12 -0800

--------

NigelH says:

(I know lime trees are not normally considered herbs, but since the

leaves are used

in Thai cuisine much as we use bay leaves I think this is an acceptable

divergence).



NigelH-

Are you growing Kaffir Lime Leaf?  I absolutely LOVE Thai cuisine, and I

just got a vegetarian Thai cookbook.  There are many recipes that call

for this, and I can't find it anywhere.  I'd love to grow it, if I could

find it in a catalog.  Do you are anyone else know where I could buy a

small tree (or bush, or whatever it is?).  I'd be forever grateful...



As for your insect problem, I don't know what could help.  We have many

ladybugs overwintering in our home this year, and I have had no problems

with any kind of insect (other than ladybugs flying into me, our food,

etc :) ).  We do have a few rooms that are very cool, I think they don't

like really warm houses.  These are the asian ladybugs by the way

(brownish colored, rather than red).  We have both outside in the

summer.



Irene

South NJ





==========

To: "'HERBS'" <HERBS-L@q7.com>

Subject: Hoophouse, Starting Herbs

From: Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc <micyn@cvtv.net>

Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 08:27:46 -0600 (CST)

--------

Hi Everyone, esp. Susanna,



My hoophouse is 10' X 32'. We just got the plastic on and the benches in

over last weekend. It is working great. Yesterday we had a serious wind and

rain storm, about 50 to 60 mph winds and the structure and the covering

held up just fine. I was most suprised, to tell the truth.



About starting herbs in flats or what have you. I start most my herbs in

flats or seed cells for the ones that are hard to transplant when really

small. I have good germination rates and very little trouble with damping

off, although another mail list I am on is discussing using grit on top of

the medium to avoid damping off. It sounds like a good idea and I shall try

it.



Are you using fresh seed? Or if older seed, how is it being stored? Cool

and dry is best, although I store mine in a freezer and have good

longevity. (It's very humid here in South Central Texas and there is no

cool and dry in our house most of the year....no air conditioning, thank

you.)



Where are you located? What time of year are you trying to start seeds?

What's the temp of the air or growing medium? Many herbs will not germinate

until the soil medium is about 70 deg. F, like basil, for one. If you plant

it earlier it can rot in the soil before germination. Although, I always

have basil reseeding outside. (Why don't those seeds rot over the winter, I

wonder?)



Tarragon, the French, culinary variety is never started from seed, only

cuttings or divisions from an existing plant in the Spring. Rosemary is

much hardier started from cuttings. It is very slow from seed. And the best

cultivars will only come true from cuttings.  Sage needs light to

germinate, so only press the seeds into the medium or cover them very

lightly.



I hope some of this info is helpful.



Cindy in TX Z8/9









==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Starting Herb Seeds

From: Irene Meyers <Irene.Meyers@faa.dot.gov>

Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 08:38:26 -0800

--------

Susanna said: 



I have tried to start lavendar, rosemary, thyme, several kinds of basil.

tarragon, sage and several others. One year I had amazing luck with

lavendar--life got very difficult at that time, and I ignored the

greenhouse, and ended up with about 200 lavendar plants! Unfornately ny

personal life was so bad at that point that most of them died or were

given away, the least of my worries at the time being the garden.

Figures! Since then I have been able to get two or three plants out of a

package of seeds, but not more.



Susanna-

Most of the plants that you mentions I propagate by cuttings.  Mostly

they are perennials that do not always produce true to seed.  For

instance, if you want true French Tarragon, you will not get this from

seed.  The only way to get it is to buy a plant, then propagate it.  (I

propagate my Fr. Tarragon by division).  You can get russian tarragon

from seed, but it doesn't have nearly the flavor of the French. 

Rosemary, thyme, and sage I propagate from cuttings or division (thyme

by division or cuttings).  Go to a good nursery and find a few plants

you like (there are many varieties of each), and then work on

propagating them that way.  Like I said, sometimes the best varieties

just can't be propagated by seed.



Basil, on the other hand, I always start from seed.  I don't start them

in cell packs, I just put them right in the garden on or after the frost

free date.  To start them inside, I would sow them in packs, lightly

cover with soil (i use seed starting mix), make sure the mix is evenly

moist, cover with plastic wrap, and put on a heating pad until

germination.  Basil really likes warm weather, so the heating pad should

make a difference (I use heating pads from the drug store, not the

expensive 'propagation mats' sold in the catalogs for $$).  Once the

seedlings start to pop up, put the whole tray/pack/whatever under

florescent lights, with the lights close to the seedlings.  The lights

will need to be adjusted as they grow.  This process should work with

most annual herb seeds, maybe some perennial ones as well.



Now, if you want my not-so exact method for raising cuttings, just ask! 

This is the best way to propagate most perennial, and tender perennial

herbs (such as scented geraniums, pineapple sage, and of the ones you

mention, etc.)



Irene

South NJ



PS- The best time to take cuttings is spring/early summer from new

growth.





==========

To: Irene.Meyers@faa.dot.gov

Subject: Re: Starting Herb Seeds

From: "Mitra, Mancha & Mo" <coolmot@flinet.com>

Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 10:11:09 +0000

--------

Irene,

	I enjoyed you very informative post of propagation. Could you elaborate

on the usage of the heating pad?  Is there any problem with the use of

electricity in the vacinity of high moisture?

Thanks....Mo





==========

To: "'HERBS'" <HERBS-L@q7.com>

Subject: Scale Insects and Lime Trees

From: Nigel Hurneyman <nhurneyman@onemeaning.com>

Date: Thu, 12 Feb 1998 17:54:59 -0000

--------

Thanks to everyone who replied to me.  There are still occasional replies arriving; because

so many people have asked for info about scale insects I will submit a summary of replies

to the list in a few days.



I have learnt something new about lime trees - there are several different types and mine

is cultivated for the fruit rather than the leaves.



Citrus aurantifolia is the large-scale commercial fruit crop.

Citrus latifolia is also grown for fruit - this is the one I have and is commonly known as

the Persian or Tahiti lime.

Citrus limenioides comes from South America and is known as sweet lime.

Citrus histrix is grown for the culinary use of its leaves in Thai cooking and is known as

Kaffir Lime.



A couple of replies asked whether I had a Kaffir Lime and did I know of any suppliers.

The answer to the latter is no, but if anyone knows of a supplier within the European

Union I would be interested too.



Regards, NigelH









==========

To: herbs-digest-l@q7.com

Subject: Lime leaves

From: "Peggy Malecki" <Peggy_Malecki@mw.3com.com>

Date: Thu, 12 Feb 1998 12:23:30 -0600

--------

Hi,



ABout the kaffir lime leaves....



Bay leaves are absolutely nothing like lime leaves.



I have never seen that particular plant advertised anywhere. My favorite

Thai restaurant has a tree growing there, but it is a rather slow grower.

You'd probably have an easier time finding a good Asian market. They sell

leaves as fresh, dried, or frozen. I know there are also some good mail

order sources of Asian ingredients, but I can't think of a one right now.

If you have a good Asian market in your area and they carry fresh leaves,

you may want to ask where they get them. They might be able to point you to

a grower who would sell you a plant.



I have had excellent luck growing lemongrass. I'm in zone 5, and I bring it

in the house in the winter and keep it well watered. I got lemon grass from

Papa Genos (www.papagenos.com). Who knows? They might be able to point you

to a kaffir lime plant supplier!



Good luck!



Peggy









==========

To: "Peggy Malecki" <Peggy_Malecki@mw.3com.com>, herbs-digest-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: Lime leaves

From: Carolyn Taylor <ctaylor@bmi.net>

Date: Thu, 12 Feb 1998 10:34:32

--------

I've had rather good luck rooting citrus cuttings, so you might try that if

you can get a slip.



Carolyn





At 12:23 PM 2/12/98 -0600, Peggy Malecki wrote:

>Hi,

>

>ABout the kaffir lime leaves....

>

>Bay leaves are absolutely nothing like lime leaves.

>

>I have never seen that particular plant advertised anywhere. My favorite

>Thai restaurant has a tree growing there, but it is a rather slow grower.

>You'd probably have an easier time finding a good Asian market. They sell

>leaves as fresh, dried, or frozen. I know there are also some good mail

>order sources of Asian ingredients, but I can't think of a one right now.

>If you have a good Asian market in your area and they carry fresh leaves,

>you may want to ask where they get them. They might be able to point you to

>a grower who would sell you a plant.

>

>I have had excellent luck growing lemongrass. I'm in zone 5, and I bring it

>in the house in the winter and keep it well watered. I got lemon grass from

>Papa Genos (www.papagenos.com). Who knows? They might be able to point you

>to a kaffir lime plant supplier!

>

>Good luck!

>

>Peggy

>

>

>





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: Lime leaves

From: Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc <micyn@cvtv.net>

Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 07:03:13 -0600 (CST)

--------

Hi,

The Herb Society of America has a listing for "Citrus hyptrix", Split leaf

lime. Their info says it is a culinary variety with white flowers used in

Thai, Vietnamese and southeast Asian cooking.



Their address is:  	The Herb Society of America

		9019 Kirtland-Chardon Road

		Kirtland, OH  44094



Cindy in TX









==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Heating Pad use

From: Irene Meyers <Irene.Meyers@faa.dot.gov>

Date: Thu, 12 Feb 1998 15:21:28 -0800

--------

Mo asked:

I enjoyed you very informative post of propagation. Could you elaborate

on the usage of the heating pad?  Is there any problem with the use of

electricity in the vacinity of high moisture?



Mo-

No moisture actually gets on the heating pad.  I have the cell packs in

a solid bottomed tray.  The heating pads are vinyl-coated (or something

similar to that), if it were cloth (like an elec. blanket) I would

certainly be more cautious.  I think I set the heat at meduim or so, you

want the temp. to be about 70.  



The mats they sell in the catalogs, have a wire thingy holding them

above the mat.  I suppose you could use cooling racks (you know-those

things you use to cool down choc. chip cookies fresh out of the oven :)

) to keep the seed tray off the mat, if you are really worried about

it.  Then I would put the temp. at high.



Irene





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Where is everybody?

From: Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc <micyn@cvtv.net>

Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 17:35:58 -0600

--------

Hi folks,



Is everybody snowed in or being washed away? Here in South Central Texas

we're having late cold weather, but the hardy herbs are loving it. My

parsley, chervil, salad burnet, sages and mints are performing like champs.

Chamomile is blooming all over the place, being self seeded from last year.

Volonteer basils are popping up under everything.



In the greenhouse, seedlings are thriving. Cuttings of rosemary, marjoram,

sage and mints are taking root. Scented geranium cuttings are growing.

Lemon scented geranium is covered with lovely two-toned pink blossoms and

the Aroma scented has little white blooms.



I love Spring. The wildflowers are starting to show themselves and the

grass in the pastures is greening up. As I write this, the evening news is

showing possible serious crop damage from late cold in the South. Spring

certainly is a double-edged sword.



Happy Gardening.  Cindy in TX.









==========

To: HERBS-L@q7.com

Subject: Re: Where is everybody?

From: Sibyl Smirl <polycarpa@ckt.net>

Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 00:13:26 -0600

--------

This one of everybody is in Southeast Kansas being disgusted.  I had green

mint all winter, lots of things showing new growth, I had mowed one patch of

grass already, and divided a clump of broadleaf comfrey last week, with

visions of having a solid wall of it along the walk.  Now we have a prediction

of 0-5 degrees tonight, 16 last time I checked, and I'll bet all the little

injured comfrey sprouts are dead under their cut-off milk bottles.  I should

have known better than to trust March, especially since warm January &

February and a late very cold snap has been the pattern for the last several

years.  I just pray that not too many things are belatedly winter-killed

because THEY were too optimistic.   {:-{   Sibyl





==========

To: Sibyl Smirl <polycarpa@ckt.net>

Subject: Re: Where is everybody?

From: Amy Knutson <aknutson@PEAK.ORG>

Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 11:15:59 -0800 (PST)

--------

I've been busy worrying over my sages getting soaked from the rains. Every

winter and early spring I worry about them: they start to look so droopy

by the end of February. Of course, they always recover but next year I

think I'm going to provide them with some cover just to ease my mind. Been

also busy taking cuttings but still limited on the amount because the

plants are still pretty small.

	I just had to spray the peppermint in a container by the back door

because it was covered with aphids, ugh! I really love it. I put it in a

large wooden container and it grows up and then flows over the edges. It's

wonderful to brush by as you go in and out of the house or just to sit

next to it on the steps munching away.

	Sunshine and warm spring rains are finally here!

-Amy K.

Corvallis, OR







==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: Where is everybody?

From: snielsen@orednet.org (Susan L. Nielsen)

Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 23:10:42 -0800 (PST)

--------





    ================= Begin forwarded message =================



    Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 16:07:49 +1000

    From: Myocum Herb Farm <herbs@mullum.com.au>

    Subject: Re: Where is everybody?

    

    

    I'm still here and wondering the same thing?

    Here a t Myocum, fall is upon us, the weeds are slowing down ,and the

    nights are cooling off. The garlic is in the ground, and the rosemary is

    thriving. Our wet season looks like it may be late coz we havn't had any

    yet. The Kaffir limes are growing at a rate of 3 inches per week, and the

    hens are laying well.

    

    We are planting Ginko in the shadehouse to see how it goes. Yes I know its

    a medicinal, but in China the seeds are eaten as a delicacy.

    

    All for now.

    

    Happy Gardening

    

    Mark

    

    At 9:35 AM +1000 12/03/98, Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc wrote:

    >Hi folks,

    >

    >Is everybody snowed in or being washed away? Here in South Central Texas

    >we're having late cold weather, but the hardy herbs are loving it. My

    >parsley, chervil, salad burnet, sages and mints are performing like champs.

    >Chamomile is blooming all over the place, being self seeded from last year.

    >Volonteer basils are popping up under everything.

    >

    >In the greenhouse, seedlings are thriving. Cuttings of rosemary, marjoram,

    >sage and mints are taking root. Scented geranium cuttings are growing.

    >Lemon scented geranium is covered with lovely two-toned pink blossoms and

    >the Aroma scented has little white blooms.

    >

    >I love Spring. The wildflowers are starting to show themselves and the

    >grass in the pastures is greening up. As I write this, the evening news is

    >showing possible serious crop damage from late cold in the South. Spring

    >certainly is a double-edged sword.

    >

    >Happy Gardening.  Cindy in TX.

    

    

    __________________________________________________________________________

    Myocum Herb Farm				herbs@mullum.com.au

    Myocum Australia				28.32S 153.30E

    __________________________________________________________________________

    

    

    

    



--

 





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: Where is everybody?

From: Gail Titcomb <gailt19@idt.net>

Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 19:37:04 -0500

--------

At 2:10 AM -0500 3/12/98, Susan L. Nielsen wrote:

>    ================= Begin forwarded message =================

>

>    Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 16:07:49 +1000

>    From: Myocum Herb Farm <herbs@mullum.com.au>

>    Subject: Re: Where is everybody?

>

>

>    We are planting Ginko in the shadehouse to see how it goes. Yes I know its

>    a medicinal, but in China the seeds are eaten as a delicacy.

>

>    All for now.

>

>    Happy Gardening

>

>    Mark

>



Hi Mark!  Have you ever SMELLED ginko fruits??  : )  They are not pleasant

at all. I know the seeds are eaten as a delicacy-wonder how people get past

the aroma to clean them!  <vbg!>



Gail



gail Titcomb

gailt19@idt.net









==========

To: "'herbs-l@q7.com'" <herbs-l@q7.com>

Subject: RE: Where is everybody?

From: Nigel Hurneyman <nhurneyman@onemeaning.com>

Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 11:12:13 -0000

--------

Hi everyone,



Off-topic again, my Impatiens repens is flowering at the moment.  Not exactly

profuse but very eyecatching.  The botanic garden who sold me the original

cutting claim it is commercially important - is it the source of medicinal balsam?

Pandering to my secret perversion for yellow-flowered Busy-Lizzies, does

anyone from North America know where I might obtain seed of I ecalcarata?



The strange weather is affecting my sorrel seedlings - they are growing very

rapidly and looking very lush.  But I daren't put them out without protection

because we are still getting the occasional hard frost.



NigelH







==========

To: HERBS-L@q7.com

Subject: RE:  Where is everybody??

From: Nathan Hammer <mknhamme@ihc.com>

Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 07:51:50 -0700

--------

Hi Herb-philes:



Here in northern Utah, Spring is here...at least until it snows.

 This winter has acted like spring but then snowing to remind

us that winter is not yet over.



I have grown herbs in kitchen windows for years, we are now

in our own home and last year was my first year having them

in my Garden...it was wonderful.  I must confess my

ignorance.  I dug up most of my herbs in the fall to till my

garden, some I took inside in a terra cotta pot...I didn't

realize that most of my herbs were perrenials.  So I will start

over again this year.   I have started most of my Herbs for

this year already.  They are growing in my basement where I

have a good southern window.  I built a cold frame to transfer

my seedlings into as the weather warms.  I removed some

beveled glass shower doors from my mother's house last

year and have been saving them to use with my cold frame, I

think it looks like they will work great.



I am interested in doing a formal culinary herb garden in a

12X12 section of my garden.  If anyone has any advice or

ideas, I would love to hear them!  



My favorite herbs to grow and use are Basil (I tried a purple

variety called Queen Siam last year...had an interesting

Anise flavor), Rosemary and Sage.  I have tried to grow

Cilantro with poor results, I think it might be too dry for us

here.  So, if anyone has great success with Cilantro, please

e-mail me and teach me!



I'm new to the list so I appreciated the few that posted what

is happening in their parts of the world.



Happy growing and cooking!



Nathan Hammer

http://users.pdqnet.net/brigham/nhammer



p.s.  I have a small cooking/recipe link if you click on the bay

window on the picture of my house at the bottom of my web

page.





==========

To: HERBS-L@q7.com

Subject: RE:  Where is everybody??

From: Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc <micyn@cvtv.net>

Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 18:57:10 -0600

--------

 So, if anyone has great success with Cilantro, please

>e-mail me and teach me!





Hi Nathan,



I live in South Central Texas and grow cilantro every year. If I leave

seeds on the plants they will reseed themselves and come up during our mild

winters. Otherwise, I plant them in the fall or early spring. They grow

well with average water in full sun as long as the weather stays cool.

About June the plants start bolting like crazy and it's time for coriander

and seeds for next season.



There are lots of good books on designing herb gardens. For a formal look,

you want things symmetrical and to keep the plants clipped and tended

looking. I've used spicy globe basil as a neat looking hedge. Also, parsley

makes good edging. A traditional edging is germander because it can be

clipped into a neat shape. It's only ornamental, though, as far as I know.



Good luck with your project.               Cindy in TX

>I'm new to the list so I appreciated the few that posted what

>is happening in their parts of the world.

>

>Happy growing and cooking!

>

>Nathan Hammer

>http://users.pdqnet.net/brigham/nhammer

>

>p.s.  I have a small cooking/recipe link if you click on the bay

>window on the picture of my house at the bottom of my web

>page.











==========

To: "'HERBS'" <HERBS-L@q7.com>

Subject: Hoop Houses Again

From: Nigel Hurneyman <nhurneyman@onemeaning.com>

Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 10:07:31 -0000

--------

I followed the thread on hoop houses some time ago - are they what we Brits call

polytunnels?  I have been reading about the merits of double-skin polytunnels,

with two layers of polythene separated by air normally in conjunction with a small

fan to keep the two layers apart.  However I also seem to remember something

called a 'thermal' greenhouse which is a polytunnel covered with a UV-stabilised

form of bubble plastic.  I haven't been able to find any details of the latter, or

details of any suppliers.  Can anyone on this list help?



Thanks, NigelH







==========

To: "'HERBS'" <HERBS-L@q7.com>

Subject: Re: Hoop Houses Again

From: Martin Gold <martingold@worldnet.att.net>

Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 09:32:29 -0500

--------

Nigel Hurneyman wrote:

> 

> I followed the thread on hoop houses some time ago - are they what we Brits call

> polytunnels?  I have been reading about the merits of double-skin polytunnels,

> with two layers of polythene separated by air normally in conjunction with a small

> fan to keep the two layers apart.  However I also seem to remember something

> called a 'thermal' greenhouse which is a polytunnel covered with a UV-stabilised

> form of bubble plastic.  I haven't been able to find any details of the latter, or

> details of any suppliers.  Can anyone on this list help?

> 

> Thanks, NigelH



I have included some of the responses I received when I was looking for

additional information on this subject.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"My hoophouse kit came from the manufacturer called Hoop House. They are

on

the Web. Their address is: http:www.//cms.net/hoophouse/.

Their phone # is: 800/760-5192.

There are other kits out there. Check gardening magazine ads. Also

Mellingers has a good one, more money, though it is wider.

Mellingers: http:www//mellingers.com/

Another place that sells a kit and components is A.M. Leonard.

http:www//amleonard.com/.  (I think.)



Hope this helps. By the way, when I got home from work yesterday, the

hoops

were standing and the ridge pole was in place. It looks like it'll be

completed over the weekend. Hooray!



Cindy in TX, Z8/9"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Marty, This is not a kit but how to easily build one at a low cost:

    

    I am not a builder of things but this one I can do!

    

    http://www.suite101.com/userfiles/715/hoophouse.html

    ######################################

    Debra Teachout-Teashon

    Washington state, zone 8, Sunset zone 5

    Pacific Northwest Gardening

    There Is Life In A Winter Garden

    http://www.suite101.com/topics/page.cfm/416"





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: where is everyone?

From: "Peggy Malecki"<Peggy_Malecki@mw.3com.com>

Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 09:09:40 -0600

--------



Hi,



Well here in Chicago, I am waiting for the thaw. All of my crocus,

snowdrops, Siberian iris, and other early bulbs were blooming, and my

daffodils had big fat buds. Chives were up. Perennials were coming up. Lots

of volunteer flowers were also appearing. Then, well, you know....WHAM!

Snow, ice, then temps of 5 degrees. Last Sunday in the puoring, I covered

everything I could with straw. The snow is now pil;ed on the straw -

hopefully keeping the little plants insulated.



Sigh. I wonder where that robin went that I saw in mid February?



peggy









==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Spanish Lavender & Roses

From: "William M. Groth" <groth@rice.edu>

Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 09:47:42 -0600

--------

Hello, Culinary Herbarians



I just got a Spanish Lavendar (Lavendula steochas .....) Does anyone know

about this (hopefully) more heat tollerant Lavendar species? It was

advertised as heat tollerant and drought resistant. My question will probably

be what does it think about HUMIDITY? 



I got a lot of good answers to the above and I thought I would expand.



I have the Lavendula steochas pedunculata 'Otto Quast' or quastii.  My

question

for you is what do you consider to be "Georgia humidity".  I will tell you

that

here in Houston, TX we see days where the relative humidity is 95% to 100%

(Yes

that is not a typo I did say 100% relative humidity).  We call those wet rag 

days where it is in the mid 90's F range with 100% humidity and you feel like 

when you come out the door that someone slapped you in the face with a warm 

wet rag!!!  So now do you think the humidity might effect my Spanish Lavendar?



Also looking at the descriptions I found on the web I was wondering if you 

think it would do well in a pot say 15" to 18" diameter.  This would actually

give me the flexibility to bring it in the house or move it to either a

sunnier

or shadier location.  I can also control to an extent the feeding, watering

and

constituents of the soil mix I use in the pot.  Do I have any suggestions?



My last question is regarding the culinary uses of lavendar most especially

the

Spanish Lavendar that I have?  I believe it fits as an edible flower.



I have now added to my gardens a total of 25 rose bushes and have plans to add

more.  Remembering that my climate is not conducive to growing gallica's it

does preclude me getting an Apothecary's Rose.  So anyway here is what I have 

and I throw it out to the group as to which variety they think will be good 

for the various herbal uses. 



Swamp Rose, 3 China Roses (Mutabilis, Louis Philippe, Cramoisi Superieur),

Dortmund (a Kordes hybrid), a hybrid rugosa (C.F. Grootendorst) and a

floribunda 

(Iceberg), a found rose (Katy Road Pink) and 17 miniature varieties.  Some

of the

miniatures are very fragrant others just very pretty.



So what does everyone think?

______________________________________________________________________



       William M. Groth

       groth@ruf.rice.edu

       Senior Staff Auditor

       Internal Audit Department

       phone: (713) 527-8101 ext.3759

	fax:  (713) 285-5927

_____________________________________________________________________





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: Spanish Lavender & Roses

From: Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc <micyn@cvtv.net>

Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 07:09:01 -0600

--------

William wrote:



>Hello, Culinary Herbarians

>

>I just got a Spanish Lavendar (Lavendula steochas .....) Does anyone know

>about this (hopefully) more heat tollerant Lavendar species? It was

>advertised as heat tollerant and drought resistant. My question will probably

>be what does it think about HUMIDITY?

>

>I got a lot of good answers to the above and I thought I would expand.

>

>I have the Lavendula steochas pedunculata 'Otto Quast' or quastii.  My

>question

>for you is what do you consider to be "Georgia humidity".  I will tell you

>that

>here in Houston, TX we see days where the relative humidity is 95% to 100%

>(Yes

>that is not a typo I did say 100% relative humidity).  We call those wet rag

>days where it is in the mid 90's F range with 100% humidity and you feel like

>when you come out the door that someone slapped you in the face with a warm

>wet rag!!!  So now do you think the humidity might effect my Spanish Lavendar?



Hello William,



Lavender is a Mediterranean native. Growing it in Houston, or anywhere on

the Gulf Coast, is a challenge. I would consider Houston to be "Georgia

humidity". I had two lavenders, one a Spanish variety, succumb to the

summer conditions last year. They were not well established in my garden,

however.



The main thing we can do to provide optimal conditions for Mediterranean

plants like lavenders and sages, here in South Texas is grow them in full

sun and be sure there is plenty of air flow. Don't crowd the plants. I've

recently read that Madelaine Hill (the Texas Herb guru) reccomends putting

limestone or granite gravel on top of the soil around the plant to add some

alkalinity. The acid soils of many peat-based planting mixes is too acidic

for the lavenders. And your Houston soil, if the plant is in the ground, is

very acidic, too.  You can mix some limestone into the soil as well at

planting time. Good drainage is also a must whether the plant is in a pot

or in the ground. Lavenders do very well in pots, by the way. And all

lavenders have edible flowers.



>Also looking at the descriptions I found on the web I was wondering if you

>think it would do well in a pot say 15" to 18" diameter.  This would actually

>give me the flexibility to bring it in the house or move it to either a

>sunnier

>or shadier location.  I can also control to an extent the feeding, watering

>and

>constituents of the soil mix I use in the pot.  Do I have any suggestions?

>

>My last question is regarding the culinary uses of lavendar most especially

>the

>Spanish Lavendar that I have?  I believe it fits as an edible flower.

>

>I have now added to my gardens a total of 25 rose bushes and have plans to add

>more.  Remembering that my climate is not conducive to growing gallica's it

>does preclude me getting an Apothecary's Rose.  So anyway here is what I have

>and I throw it out to the group as to which variety they think will be good

>for the various herbal uses.

>

>Swamp Rose, 3 China Roses (Mutabilis, Louis Philippe, Cramoisi Superieur),

>Dortmund (a Kordes hybrid), a hybrid rugosa (C.F. Grootendorst) and a

>floribunda

>(Iceberg), a found rose (Katy Road Pink) and 17 miniature varieties.  Some

>of the

>miniatures are very fragrant others just very pretty.

>

>So what does everyone think?



Most rugosas produce very good hips. And the Katy Road Pink might too. I

have a found rose in my yard that produces large hips. The petals of any

rose, not sprayed with chemicals, of course, are useful for many items:

jelly, potpourri, making rose water, etc.



I hope this info helps.    Good Gardening, Cindy in Lavaca County, TX



>______________________________________________________________________

>

>       William M. Groth

>       groth@ruf.rice.edu

>       Senior Staff Auditor

>       Internal Audit Department

>       phone: (713) 527-8101 ext.3759

>	fax:  (713) 285-5927

>_____________________________________________________________________











==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: I'm here!

From: Irene Meyers <Irene.Meyers@faa.dot.gov>

Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 08:29:01 -0800

--------

Nathan states:



My favorite herbs to grow and use are Basil (I tried a purple variety

called Queen Siam last year...had an interesting Anise flavor), Rosemary

and Sage.  I have tried to grow

Cilantro with poor results, I think it might be too dry for us here. 

So, if anyone has great success with Cilantro, please e-mail me and

teach me!





Hello Nathan, and everyone.  I am in zone 7a, in South New Jersey.  We

are in a real cold snap right now.  After this mild winter, we were very

spoiled.  My outside rosemary was blooming last week (it may still be, I

mulched it pretty heavy when the weather turned).



I also grew the Siam Queen Thai Basil.  I love the flavor and used it in

some of my thai recipes.  I knew I had to have it when I ate at a Thai

restaurant.  You know it is basil, yet it also has this lovely spicy,

exotic taste.  I grow cilantro also.  It seems to do best in the spring

and fall.  The heat of summer makes it bolt pretty quickly.  Get the

variety that is bred for the leaves, not the seeds.  (it still goes to

seed, it just takes a little longer).  During the summer, try sowing it

where it will get afternoon shade.



I just bought a house last year, so I have been very busy planning my

gardens.  I want to stay here a long time, so I am putting alot of

thought into where I want to put things.



Irene





==========

To: HERBS-L@q7.com

Subject: Hoop Houses - Green house plans

From: Nathan Hammer <mknhamme@ihc.com>

Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 09:31:21 -0700

--------

Here is a list of materials for building a small greenhouse

(12X14x6 1/2) from PVC pipe and plastic.  The web address

will give you a link back to the main page showing you how

this is to be done...I haven't built one but am hoping to this

year.  The article said you could do it under $200



http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/bae/programs/extension/publicat/postharv/green/greenbill.html





 Bill of Materials



----------------------------------------------------------------------------



Item  Quantity  Description

1.       16     3/4" PVC pipe, schedule 80, 10 feet long

2.       6      3/4" PVC crosses, schedule 80

3.       2      3/4" PVC tees, schedule 80

4.       32     3/4" galvanized electrical metallic tubing (EMT)

straps

5.       2      2"x6"x14' treated No. 2 pine boards

6.       2      2"x6"x12' treated No. 2 pine boards

7.       4      2"x4"x7' treated No. 2 pine boards

8.       4      2"x6"x6' treated No. 2 pine boards

9.       4      4"x4"x2' treated No. 2 pine boards

10.      2      2"x4"x3' treated No. 2 pine boards

11.      2      1"x4"x12' treated No. 2 pine boards (to be cut

up for door parts)

12.      1      Set of door hinges

13.      1      Sheet of plastic, 24'x20', 4 mil

14.      1      Can of PVC cleaner

15.      1      Can of PVC cement

16.      1      1/2"x10' galvanized electrical metallic tubing

(EMT)

17.             Miscellaneous nails, screws, and staples





Nathan Hammer





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Wow -- Arugula!

From: sherry@gorge.net (Sherry Rose)

Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 19:49:43 -0800

--------

Hi all,



I don't know if arugula would count as an herb or just as a green.  It's

certainly flavorful enough to be an herb!



Anyway, my arugula bolted too quickly, so a couple of years ago I switched

to growing Shepherd's "rustic arugula."  It hangs in there all summer.



Our winter this year was milder than most, still the temperature got down

to only a few degrees above zero a time or two.  The arugula died, of

course, but now I notice green leaves growning from the bases of the old

plants.  These are clearly not seedlings but rather the plants themselves

regenerating.  It's already big enough to add sparingly to salads -- my

alltime favorite green : )



Sherry in Orygun







==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: RE:  Spanish Lavender

From: carole@viewdesigns.com (Carole Palmer)

Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 01:22:17 -0700 (MST)

--------

In regards to William M. Groth's questions on Spanish Lavender, I cannot

speak to the humidity. I'm in Phoenix, Arizona (Zone 9) and that's not a

problem for us!



However, Spanish Lavendar is definitely a heat-tolerant, drought-tolerant

plant. Mine is now about 3-1/2 feet in circumference and at least as high -

quite the bush and about 3-1/2 years old. It blooms most of the year,

except November & December. The bees love it (and so do I)!



It is in the ground but is planted in a raised mound for better drainage. I

do not fertilize and the plant is in full Arizona sun for most of the day.

I do deep water 2-3 times a week during the hotter months and try to put

down extra mulch before summer. I have not officially watered the plant

since about November, because we've actually had quite a bit of rain this

winter.



When the plant was small, I put light-colored rocks under it to keep it

from mildewing from below (which lavenders are wont to do). The sun will

then reflect light into the base of the plant and keep it dry. Now that my

plant is  large, I just try to keep the underside clear of dead foliage. I

think humidity would affect the tendency of the plant to mildew, so I would

watch that carefully.



I have not cooked with this lavender yet, but am planning on giving it a

whirl this year. I will probably start with a "Lavender Pepper" grilling

mix. Spanish Lavender is a bit more "medicine-y" smelling, which might not

appeal to some people. The buds are a bit different, too - looser than

other varieties.



There are many interesting culinary dishes that can be made with lavender,

although I've used the "store-bought" bulk buds for these. One of my

favorites is lavender lemonade. The chemical reaction between the lavender

infusion and the lemon juice makes a pink drink - no other coloring

required. If anyone is interested, I know of at least one little cookbook

devoted to lavender recipes that can probably be mail-ordered. I bought my

copy in California.



Enough for now. Happy herbing!



Carole Palmer

Zone 9 - Phoenix, Arizona









==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: RE:  Spanish Lavender

From: Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc <micyn@cvtv.net>

Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 07:13:12 -0600

--------

If anyone is interested, I know of at least one little cookbook

>devoted to lavender recipes that can probably be mail-ordered. I bought my

>copy in California.

>

>Enough for now. Happy herbing!

>

>Carole Palmer

>Zone 9 - Phoenix, Arizona



Hello Carole,

I'd be very interested in the cookbook you've mentioned. What is the title

and author, please?

Your comment on the rocks beneath the lavender is right on. The reflective

properties of the stones really helps the plants.

Thanks.     Cindy in TX









==========

To: herbs-digest-l@q7.com

Subject: Is it Ditney of Crete?

From: "William M. Groth" <groth@rice.edu>

Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 12:06:30 -0600

--------

Hello all,



I recently found a wonderful little plant with succulent type leaves.  The

leaves

are only about 3/4 inch in diameter and they are somewhat green and fuzzy.

The

people at the local nursery said they believed it was a Kalanchoe but I

wonder.

The leaves are very aromatic with a spicy-minty aroma and they said it is

called

"Menthol" in the trade.  I also have a thriving Ditney of Crete and these two

plants look almost identical.  The newer one has a more upright character

at the

moment and the leaves on the older plant are a little shinier.  Otherwise they

are virtually identical.  Is there a dwarf type Kalanchoe which is aromatic?

Is there a possibility that Ditney of Crete would be considered a succulent?

What are your thoughts?

______________________________________________________________________



       William M. Groth

       groth@ruf.rice.edu

       Senior Staff Auditor

       Internal Audit Department

       phone: (713) 527-8101 ext.3759

	fax:  (713) 285-5927

_____________________________________________________________________





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Herb Education Day - Atlanta

From: "Catharine Vinson" <cvinson@cris.com>

Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 18:33:47 +0000

--------

If anybody's in the Atlanta area, they might want to mark April 25th in 

their calendars. The Herb Society of America holds an annual plant sale at 

Atlanta Botanical Garden and this year's will be on the 25th (it's a 

Saturday). It's a really good place to get hard-to-find and rare cultivars 

at very good prices. I have a list of the plants they will have this year, 

so if anyone is interested, drop me a note and I can send it along.



Catharine, Atlanta, zone 7b









==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: coldframe use

From: Nathan Hammer <mknhamme@ihc.com>

Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 13:22:26 -0700

--------

Does anyone have any suggestions about using coldframes

for early spring?  I live in Northern Utah, we still have cold

nights and are getting some warm days (it snowed yesterday

and was 60+degrees the day before)  The warmer days I

have opened the lid so the plants dont bake.  I heard if you

have a layer of manure underneath the plants it helps to

generate heat.  I started the plants from seed in my

basement and left them in the plastic pony packs I started

them in when I moved them outside.



Any suggestions?  We had a cold snap yesterday and they

don't look to good, will they recover?



Thanks for any advice.



Nathan Hammer

http://users.pdqnet.net/brigham/nhammer





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: FROM THE LISTOWNER: On the road again...

From: snielsen@orednet.org (Susan L. Nielsen)

Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 23:33:46 -0800 (PST)

--------





Dear Herbies --



It's time to pack our cyber-bags again. Herbs-L will be moving

to a new home soon. We've been through this before, so I am

confident we can do it one more time. 



Joey@q7.com has been more than generous as the sysop who gave

us a free nesting site when we most needed one. It's time now

to move on, and give him back the portion of his system we have

usurped for quite a number of months. Herbs-L has been a kept

woman during this time, and I am most grateful for his hospitality.



This message is a heads-up for you all. I will be sending you

the specifics of the move as soon as I have a confirmation from our 

new system managers. I hope that will be within the next week. I will

provide you with exact instructions at that time. I think we can

make this shift without the loss of subscribers. Some of you have

done this a couple of times now; I hope this will be the last time

we have to do it.



There have been a number of new subscriptions to Herbs-L in the

last couple of weeks. To these new folks, particularly, I apologize

for any confusion this change may cause you. You don't have much

feel for the character of the list yet, but I hope you will stick

with us. Anyone, new or vintage, who has questions about the move,

please write to me personally at snielsen@orednet.org



Joey has kindly offered to forward to me any messages from lost or

straying Herbies during the first weeks after the change, so it will

be a little like the Spring Roundup on the Ranch.



Stay tuned. The growing season (and the discussion season) is just

around the corner of the calendar, and we ought to have fun this

spring. 



Susan Nielsen, listowner, Herbs-L



--

 





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: selling herbs-legal?

From: snielsen@orednet.org (Susan L. Nielsen)

Date: Mon, 23 Mar 1998 11:32:02 -0800 (PST)

--------





    ================= Begin forwarded message =================

    

    Hi all

    

    I've had an herb garden for a few years now and this last Christmas was

    the first one that I didn't give herbs or herb mixes as gifts. I had a

    lot of herbs laying around so I packaged them up in small bags, put

    labels on them with the types of dishes to use them with and put them

    for sale in my sister-in-law's beauty shop.

    

    I just did this Saturday so I don't know if anyone bought any yet - but

    I was thinking about whether or not this is legal (herbs are considered

    a food, aren't they). Does anyone on this list sell their herbs? Who

    should I contact about this - the Board of Health - the FDA? Any idea?

    

    All help is appreciated. Thanks

    

    Karen

    

    



--

 





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: selling herbs-legal?

From: Margaret Lauterbach <mlaute@micron.net>

Date: Mon, 23 Mar 1998 13:28:47 -0700

--------

At 11:32 AM 3/23/98 -0800, you wrote:

>

>

>    ================= Begin forwarded message =================

>    

>    Hi all

>    

>    I've had an herb garden for a few years now and this last Christmas was

>    the first one that I didn't give herbs or herb mixes as gifts. I had a

>    lot of herbs laying around so I packaged them up in small bags, put

>    labels on them with the types of dishes to use them with and put them

>    for sale in my sister-in-law's beauty shop.

>    

>    I just did this Saturday so I don't know if anyone bought any yet - but

>    I was thinking about whether or not this is legal (herbs are considered

>    a food, aren't they). Does anyone on this list sell their herbs? Who

>    should I contact about this - the Board of Health - the FDA? Any idea?

>    

>    All help is appreciated. Thanks

>    

>    Karen

>    

This is probably a county by county law.  Call your county board of health.

 I think in our county in Idaho they have to be packaged in an inspected

and approved kitchen.  Margaret







==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: selling herbs-legal?

From: Art&Pat Sweetman <stonehausfarm@cyberia.com>

Date: Mon, 23 Mar 1998 18:25:42 -0500

--------

At 11:32 AM 3/23/98 -0800, you wrote:

>

>

>    ================= Begin forwarded message =================

>    

>    Hi all

>    

>    I've had an herb garden for a few years now and this last Christmas was

>    the first one that I didn't give herbs or herb mixes as gifts. I had a

>    lot of herbs laying around so I packaged them up in small bags, put

>    labels on them with the types of dishes to use them with and put them

>    for sale in my sister-in-law's beauty shop.

>    

>    I just did this Saturday so I don't know if anyone bought any yet - but

>    I was thinking about whether or not this is legal (herbs are considered

>    a food, aren't they). Does anyone on this list sell their herbs? Who

>    should I contact about this - the Board of Health - the FDA? Any idea?

>    

>    All help is appreciated. Thanks

>    

>    Karen

>    

>    You are right ...Board of health.  If your kitchen does not pass

inspection...formica counters, solid floor etc you can't sell.

Pat>

>--

> 

>







==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: selling herbs-legal?

From: Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc <micyn@cvtv.net>

Date: Mon, 23 Mar 1998 17:54:56 -0600

--------

>    ================= Begin forwarded message =================

>

>    Hi all

>

>    I've had an herb garden for a few years now and this last Christmas was

>    the first one that I didn't give herbs or herb mixes as gifts. I had a

>    lot of herbs laying around so I packaged them up in small bags, put

>    labels on them with the types of dishes to use them with and put them

>    for sale in my sister-in-law's beauty shop.

>

>    I just did this Saturday so I don't know if anyone bought any yet - but

>    I was thinking about whether or not this is legal (herbs are considered

>    a food, aren't they). Does anyone on this list sell their herbs? Who

>    should I contact about this - the Board of Health - the FDA? Any idea?

>

>    All help is appreciated. Thanks

>

>    Karen

>

Hi Karen,

This is likely a state issue. Most health laws are regulated by the state.

Check out your State Health Dept.

















==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Re: selling herbs-legal?

From: Ann McCormick <ann@creativeseasoning.com>

Date: Mon, 23 Mar 1998 21:56:14 -0500

--------

At 11:32 AM 03/23/98 -0800, you wrote:



>    

>    I've had an herb garden for a few years now and this last Christmas was

>    the first one that I didn't give herbs or herb mixes as gifts. I had a

>    lot of herbs laying around so I packaged them up in small bags, put

>    labels on them with the types of dishes to use them with and put them

>    for sale in my sister-in-law's beauty shop.

>    

>    I just did this Saturday so I don't know if anyone bought any yet - but

>    I was thinking about whether or not this is legal (herbs are considered

>    a food, aren't they). Does anyone on this list sell their herbs? Who

>    should I contact about this - the Board of Health - the FDA? Any idea?

>    

You should also be aware that the Food and Drug Administration has a list

of herbs that can be freely sold as food (i.e. NOT drugs or medicinals).

This list is known as the Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) List. This list

is in their published list  of Code of Federal Regulations, which can be

purchased from the FDA for (as I recall) $22 for the 1" thick book. Contact

me off-list if you want more details.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ann McCormick -- Creative Seasoning Network

Dedicated to cooking & gardening with herbs & spices

http://www.creativeseasoning.com

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -





==========

To: HERBS-L@q7.com

Subject: Lavendar cuttings

From: Nathan Hammer <mknhamme@ihc.com>

Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 07:28:48 -0700

--------

Hello everyone.



I was reading about propegating lavendar via cuttings.  I read

this should be done in the spring.  I am going to get cuttings

from my sister but was wondering if it is still to early.  Her

lavender hasn't begun to come out from winter (no green yet

appearing).  



I purchased some rooting hormone but don't know if I need to

wait or if I can begin propegating it now...Help! :)



Anyone with advice, please let me know.



Last night I purchased some Rosemary seed...anyone ever

started this from seed?  I have had the plants before, but for

the price of one start, I got a whole package of seed.  Any

advice?



One last question...does anyone know of any web sites with

hints on building a wood fence?



Thank you...



Nathan Hammer



(Warm & Rainy in Utah)





==========

To: HERBS-L@q7.com

Subject: Re: Lavendar cuttings

From: Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc <micyn@cvtv.net>

Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 17:34:25 -0600

--------

>Hello everyone.

>

>I was reading about propegating lavendar via cuttings.  I read

>this should be done in the spring.  I am going to get cuttings

>from my sister but was wondering if it is still to early.  Her

>lavender hasn't begun to come out from winter (no green yet

>appearing).

>

>I purchased some rooting hormone but don't know if I need to

>wait or if I can begin propegating it now...Help! :)

>

>Anyone with advice, please let me know.

>

>Last night I purchased some Rosemary seed...anyone ever

>started this from seed?  I have had the plants before, but for

>the price of one start, I got a whole package of seed.  Any

>advice?

>

>One last question...does anyone know of any web sites with

>hints on building a wood fence?

>

>Thank you...

>

>Nathan Hammer

>

>(Warm & Rainy in Utah)



Nathan,



Having leaves on cuttings helps gather energy, etc. so the plants can set

roots. I have good luck with lavender cuttngs after the plants have leafed

out, but before the hot weather sets in. If there are flower heads

starting, I cut them off when I set the cuttings.



Rosemary is very slow from seed and usually not as strong and hardy a plant

as one started from cuttings. The cost may be higher for a vegetatively

started plant, but I believe you get a better product. You also get a true

cultivar, if you want that.



I am a devotee of seed starting, so this advice is not sour grapes, or

anything like that.



Happy Gardening,

Cindy in TX









==========

To: "HERBS-L@q7.com" <HERBS-L@q7.com>

Subject: RE: Lavendar cuttings

From: "Nigel Hurneyman" <nhurneyman@onemeaning.com>

Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 09:41:28 -0000

--------

I would like to echo Cindy's advice about lavendar cuttings, but I think it applies

to soft cuttings taken in Spring.  I think in the UK it is more usual to take semi-

ripe cuttings in Autumn, and plant in well drained medium in a cold frame.



I grew my rosemary from seed, and it doesn't seem very hardy - it always

suffers badly from scorching during the winter.



NigelH







==========

To: <HERBS-L@q7.com>

Subject: RE: Lavendar cuttings

From: Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc <micyn@cvtv.net>

Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 07:46:10 -0600

--------

>I grew my rosemary from seed, and it doesn't seem very hardy - it always

>suffers badly from scorching during the winter.

>

>NigelH



Exactly what I would expect from seed-grown rosemary. If this is true,

however, how did the first rosemary get started and be strong enough to

survive? Just a thought--one of many oddities that float around in my head

from time to time.



Cindy in TX









==========

To: "HERBS-L@q7.com" <HERBS-L@q7.com>

Subject: rosemary/lavender

From: Robertson <wanrob@hiwaay.net>

Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 08:06:52 -0600

--------

I have not started rosemary from seed, but have rooted cuttings with

some success by removing the leaves about 2 inches from the bottom and

placing them in a damp potting mix.  I have had very little success

rooting cuttings in just water.

I have started some lavender from seed this year for the first time.

They are at the 4-leaf stage, and are looking very good at this point.

Cuttings need a lot of green leaves in order to photosynthesize enough

energy to survive.  You should wait until the lavender has a lot of new

growth before taking the cuttings.



Wanda, from toasty Alabama, thankful that spring has finally arrived!







==========

To: <HERBS-L@q7.com>

Subject: Re: rosemary/lavender

From: Cindy Meredith & Mike Szwarc <micyn@cvtv.net>

Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 07:46:10 -0600

--------

>I have not started rosemary from seed, but have rooted cuttings with

>some success by removing the leaves about 2 inches from the bottom and

>placing them in a damp potting mix.  I have had very little success

>rooting cuttings in just water.

>I have started some lavender from seed this year for the first time.

>They are at the 4-leaf stage, and are looking very good at this point.

>Cuttings need a lot of green leaves in order to photosynthesize enough

>energy to survive.  You should wait until the lavender has a lot of new

>growth before taking the cuttings.

>

>Wanda, from toasty Alabama, thankful that spring has finally arrived!



Wanda,

What variety of Lavender are you starting from seed? I also have some

started from seed. It's ________. It germinated ok, but now seems stuck at

a small size. How did you do yours?



Cindy in TX









==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Cuttings

From: Irene Meyers <Irene.Meyers@faa.dot.gov>

Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 08:16:21 -0800

--------

Nathan asks:



Hello everyone.



Hi Nathan, and everyone else.  Hope your spring has been happy so far. 

We are finally slated to get some spring weather this weekend (I am in

South NJ).



I was reading about propegating lavendar via cuttings.  I read this

should be done in the spring.  I am going to get cuttings from my sister

but was wondering if it is still to early.  Her lavender hasn't begun to

come out from winter (no green yet appearing).



While I have never taken cuttings from lavender, I have done it for

other plants (Rosemary, thyme, sage, etc).  The new growth of spring is

the best and you will get the best results with it.  If there is no

green appearing yet, you have nothing to take cuttings from.  Once some

new growth starts appearing, cut off the top 3" or so.  Stick the

cutting in moist vermiculite, seed starting mix, or similar, and mist it

daily.  In about a week or 2, you should see new growth.  Oh, the part

of the cutting you stick in the mix needs the leaves removed.  I only

leave about 2 leaves on the cutting, the rest I bury in the mix.  Make

sure it stays moist.



I purchased some rooting hormone but don't know if I need to wait or if

I can begin propegating it now...Help! :)



I have never used rooting hormone.  The above technique gives me about a

75% success rate, at least.



Anyone with advice, please let me know.



Last night I purchased some Rosemary seed...anyone ever started this

from seed?  I have had the plants before, but for the price of one

start, I got a whole package of seed.  Any advice?



I have never started Rosemary from seed.  I hear it can be difficult,

with spotty germination and slow growth.  I like to pick out a nice,

fragrant plant from a nursery and propagate it.  This way I know I will

like the flavor.  Plus it is quite easy to take cuttings.  Give the

seeds a try and tell me how it goes.



One last question...does anyone know of any web sites with hints on

building a wood fence?



No, but I would be interested in this as well.  Especially a fence that

can be built from scavanged wood (from the woods).



Thank you...



Nathan Hammer



Your welcome!

Irene





==========

To: herbs-l@q7.com

Subject: Lavender cuttings

From: snielsen@orednet.org (Susan L. Nielsen)

Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 10:08:30 -0800 (PST)

--------





    ================= Begin forwarded message =================



    From: Teachout-Teashon <teachout@glinda.oz.net>

    Subject: RE: Lavendar cuttings

    

    At 09:41 AM 3/26/98 -0000, you wrote:

    >I would like to echo Cindy's advice about lavendar cuttings, but I think

    it applies

    >to soft cuttings taken in Spring.  I think in the UK it is more usual to

    take semi-

    >ripe cuttings in Autumn, and plant in well drained medium in a cold frame.

    

    I agree with Nathan and Cindy :)

    

    I take cuttings in Spring and Autumn, I don't use any hormones, and get

    about an 80% success rate. I winter over the cuttings in the greenhouse now

    but have done it in a cold frame also. Layering lavender is another good

    way to go.

    

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Debra Teachout-Teashon

    Washington state

    USDA zone 8, Sunset zone 5

    http://www.suite101.com/topics/page.cfm/416

    Edible Landscape -- Shrubs To Munch On

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    

    



--

 





==========

To: "HERBS-L@q7.com" <HERBS-L@q7.com>

Subject: lavender

From: Robertson <wanrob@hiwaay.net>

Date: Sat, 28 Mar 1998 15:18:39 -0600

--------

Hi Cindy and everyone;  I don't remember the kind of lavender seeds I

planted; they were Burpee seeds that I bought at WalMart.    They are

doing fine at the 6 leaf stage now.  I have transplanted some and they

look okay.  Mine are grown in a temperature

controlled greenhouse.

Wanda





