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Calendula and borage add color to your herb garden
throughout summer with a succession of long-lasting
blooms. These are two of the prettiest herbs you
can grow, and they are relatively carefree. Both
are annuals, but once they are established in your
garden they are eager reseeders.
BORAGE
I bought my first packet of borage seeds many years
ago, and grew the plants as a companion to
tomatoes. Borage actually helps to improve the
flavor of tomatoes when grown nearby. I was mislead
by an error on the seed packet that said that the
plant should not be consumed because it is
poisonous, and grew the plant only for it's
properties as a companion and it's appearance.
In truth, borage is not poisonous. The leaves have
a refreshing cucumber taste, and can be used in
salads and chopped up for herb butters and dips.
Borage greens are a little too plain-tasting when
cooked alone, but when combined with other greens,
particularly cabbage, they add a unique flavor. The
flowers can be used as a garnish or candied to
decorate pastries.
CALENDULA
Calendula is also called pot marigold, but don't
confuse this plant with the marigolds grown in your
annual bed (Tagetes). Pot marigolds are smaller and
more delicate in appearance than the more familiar
Tagetes, and they have a number of medicinal
uses.
Calendula is said to encourage healing, aid
digestion, fight fungal infections and cure diaper
rash. These properties alone are enough to make the
plant an essential addition to your herb garden,
but it also has a number of cosmetic uses.
Calendula petals can be used to make a nourishing
skin cream or cleanser (see recipe below,) and a
strong infusion made from marigold petals can be
used to lighten hair.
Creamy Marigold Cleanser
4 tablespoons olive or almond oil
2 tablespoons dried pot marigold flowers
few drops of violet, orange blossom or rose water
Warm the oil in a bowl placed over a saucepan of hot water. Stir in the
dried flowers and continue to heat gently for 30 minutes. Remove from heat,
allow to cool, and stir in the flower water.
About the Author:
Jackie
Carroll
GardenGuides
- A growing resource for
gardeners.
Recommended Reading
New Herb Bible : Growing and Knowing Your Herbs - And How to Use Them
by Caroline Foley, Jill Nice, Marcus A. Webb, Carol Foley
New Herb Bible,
full of the most up-to-date and comprehensive information, offers sound advice
on how to grow herbs easily, for both decorative and practical purposes-almost
anywhere from windowsills to flower pots to beds and borders. It covers every
stage from preparing and planting to harvesting and drying. A full directory of
the best known and most popular herbs explains which are best for culinary use,
which relieve common complaints or cosmetic problems, and which delight the senses
with their lasting aroma. Included are recipes and remedies, a complete guide to
cooking with herbs, and a special medicinal section by an expert in the field.
Each herb is photographed in full color for easy identification, rendering
New
Herb Bible as beautiful as it is informative-ideal for both the longtime
enthusiast and anyone who, intrigued by their increasing popularity, longs to
be initiated.
(courtesy: Amazon)
Create My Own Soup
Children's meals have to be easy, delicious and nutritious. Getting kids to eat vegetables is a major task.
Finding a way to get vegetables into the mouths of kids is easy if they are part of the fun. Creating ways to
get kids to help with the preparation and the cooking of kids' recipes is part of the fun.