The Recap: 3rd Annual Herb Harvest

Thanks to everyone who attended the Herb Harvest on August 7th! I'd love to share a quick recap of the herbs we featured at the event. From the classics to some medicinal herbs, our garden has a little bit of everything. Here's a peek at what we've got going on:

Culinary Herbs

Culinary herbs are fresh, flavourful plants that elevate your cooking. These herbs, such as basil, thyme, rosemary, and parsley, are brimming with natural flavours that enhance everything from soups to salads to meats. Each herb offers its own unique taste, inspiring endless culinary creations! From the bright, refreshing notes of mint to the earthy depth of sage. Our selection of culinary herbs includes:

• Lovage: its flavour is often compared to celery, and it has a savoury, slightly peppery taste.

• Salad Burnet: young leaves are used in salads, and their cucumber-like flavour adds a refreshing note. They're also used in herb butters, vinegars, and as a garnish.

• Winter Savory: it has a peppery, slightly bitter taste. It is often paired with other beans and lentils to reduce their flatulent effects.

• Tarragon: used in sauces, dressings, and to flavour chicken, fish, and eggs. Its anise-like flavour adds a distinct herbal note.

• Marjoram: often used in Mediterranean cooking, adding a sweet, mild flavour to meats, sausages, vegetables, and soups.

• Hyssop: its leaves are used in salads, as a garnish, and in herbal teas. It has a strong, minty flavour with a slightly bitter taste.

• Sage: used in stuffing, sausages, meat dishes, and Mediterranean cooking. It has a robust, earthy flavour.

• Oregano: used in tomato-based dishes, pizza, pasta, and Mediterranean cuisine. It has a strong, peppery flavour.

• Thyme: used in a wide variety of dishes, including stews, roasted meats, and Mediterranean cooking. It has a subtle, earthy flavour.

Herbs left to right: Winter Savoury and Hyssop

Perennial Vegetables

Perennial vegetables are low-maintenance, long-lasting crops that keep giving year after year. Unlike annuals, which need to be replanted each season, perennials such as asparagus, rhubarb, and kale regrow every spring, making them an excellent investment for your garden. Once established, these veggies require less upkeep, and you'll get fresh harvests season after season. These are perfect for anyone wanting to grow their own sustainable, easy-to-maintain food.

• Chive: used in salads, soups, and as a garnish. They have a mild onion flavour.

• Sorrel: has a tangy, lemony flavour and is used in soups, sauces, and salads.

• Jerusalem Artichoke: tubers are eaten raw, cooked, or used in soups. They have a nutty, sweet flavour, often compared to artichokes.

Jerusalem Artichokes

Sacred Medicines

Sacred medicinal herbs are plants that have been revered for centuries, not only for their healing properties but also for their spiritual and cultural significance. Herbs like sage, cedar, sweetgrass, and mugwort are often used in rituals, ceremonies, and holistic healing practices to promote balance, cleanse energy, and support emotional and physical well-being. These plants offer a deeper connection to nature, with many believed to help purify spaces, calm the mind, or even enhance meditation. Growing these sacred herbs in your garden can provide you with natural remedies that have been cherished for generations. Our selection includes:

• Sage: used in smudging rituals for cleansing and purifying spaces.

• Sweetgrass: often braided and burned as part of purification rituals.

 Herbs left to right: Sweetgrass and Sage

Medicinal Herbs

Medicinal herbs are plants that pack a natural healing power. They offer everything from soothing teas to remedies for common ailments. Herbs like chamomile and peppermint have been used for centuries for their calming, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties. Growing your own medicinal herbs means you can create your own natural remedies right at home. Whether it's brewing a cup of lavender tea to relax or using lemon balm to ease a stomachache. These herbs are easy to grow, and with a bit of care, they'll be ready to support your well-being year-round. Our medicinal herbs include:

• Lemon Balm: used in teas, salads, and as a garnish, with a mild lemon flavour. It is known for its calming properties and is often used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and digestive discomfort.

• Betony: used as a calming herb for anxiety and as a digestive tonic

• Costmary: Historically used for digestive issues and to ease menstrual cramps.

• Yarrow: used for wound healing, reducing inflammation, and as a digestive tonic.

• Wormwood: known for its ability to treat digestive issues, especially for parasites.

• Catnip: used in teas, especially for its calming effects. Often used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and digestive issues.

Herbs left to right: Yarrow, Catnip, Costmary

Herbal Teas

Herbal tea plants are a great way to bring both flavour and wellness to your garden. Growing herbs like chamomile, peppermint, lemongrass, and lavender means you can make your own fresh, homemade tea whenever you like.  Whether it's calming your mind, aiding digestion, or boosting your immunity, these plants are easy to grow, and each one offers unique health benefits. Plus, there's something extra satisfying about brewing a cup of tea with herbs you've picked yourself. Our selection includes:

• Peppermint: used in teas, cocktails, and desserts for its cooling, minty flavour. Known for its digestive and soothing properties.

• Chamomile: used in soothing teas. It is known for its calming, anti-inflammatory properties.

• Bee Balm/Wild Bergamot: used in teas and as a flavorful garnish. Traditionally used to treat colds, coughs, and digestive issues.

Herbs left to right: Peppermint and Chamomile

Lavender Fields

Lavender isn't just a pretty plant; it's a powerhouse in your garden! Known for its soothing scent and vibrant purple blooms, lavender is perfect for making your own herbal teas, creating calming sachets, or even adding to baked goods. This hardy plant is easy to grow and thrives in sunny spots, making it a great addition to any garden. Beyond its fragrance, lavender has natural calming properties, helping to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Whether you're looking for a natural remedy or just a beautiful plant to brighten up your space, lavender is a must-have! We have four varieties of lavender in our garden:

• Folgate: used in desserts, teas, and infused in oils. Known for its calming effects, it can help with anxiety and sleep disorders.

• Royal Purple: known for its unique floral flavour, it is often used in teas and desserts. Helps with relaxation and sleep.

• Grosso: used in syrups, teas, and as a flavouring in desserts. Often used in essential oils for stress relief.

• Provence: used in French culinary dishes like herbes de Provence. It is also used for its calming and antiseptic properties.

Lavender

Thank you again to everyone who came to our harvest event! Feel free to grab your gardening gloves and scissors to take home a few bundles of goodness! Thank you to Richters Herbs for donating catnip and chamomile to our garden!

Herbs left to right: Chamomile and Catnip