On Mon, 5 Jul 1999, Jeff Owens wrote:
> Here are some herbs that have done well in our Zone 7.
For me in zone 4
>
> Perennials: Chives
Do very well. Garlic chives, not so well. I plan to get seed for both
garlic and regular chives and try to grow them in pots this fall and
winter.
> oregano
Along with mint, prolific for close to zero care here. I love fresh
oregano snipped into a salad.
> lovage
It grows well here and is very hardy, but i don't make good use of it.
One of the plants that did not like growing in a pot on the balcony.
I ended up with three pieces from my old garden. One went to the nearby
allotment and is doing very well. One went ot my far away allotment and is
struggling, but will probably pick up next year. One went into a pot on
the balcony and did not do well at all. it has been removed to make space
for other balcony plants.
> sage
It's killed down to the ground every winter, but comes back lush and
profuse. A beauty in the garden as well as being edible. I grow way more
than we need. A really bad winter here could kill sage.
> rosemary (arp)
Not hardy at all here. I've tried. I have two plants in large pots on the
balcony. They have overwintered inside for one winter. I'll bring them
in again this year, but have had poor success overwintering more mature
rosemary inside.
> horse radish
Does well here and is extremely hardy. I really enjoyed the simple
horseradish condiment I made last year. We ground the horseradish in the
food processor, then stored it in a jar of vinegar in the fridge. There
was more than we could use.
> thyme
When it gets established it does well here. Some varieties are not as
hardy as others. I've had some difficulty getting a good patch
established. It is one of my priorities for next year.
>
> the following require winter protection.
>
> savory
I've only grown summer savory. A prolific annual which does well here.
> bay
I'd love to have a place to grow a baytree inside.
> stevia
This is still on my list to try. I have to get organized to get a plant.
It sounds like it would do well on my balcony, but may have similar fussy
conditions in mind for coming in over the winter as rosemary does.
>
> annuals: parsley
Does very well here, I've never been able to get set up to let it go to
seed though. I'd really like to establish a perpetual parsley patch.
> borage
We have never found anything we like to use borage for, but I grow it
anyway for the heavenly blue to greet me and lift my spirits at my
allotment.
>
> What i like about these plants is the lack of care. Most are
> perennials and can be harvested throughout the year. The annuals
> reseed themselves and just for fun we collect the seeds and
> share with neighbors.
>
I'd add to this viola tricolur. It self seeds almost to readily, is a
beauty in the garden, and is edible. And also coriander. It readily
reseeds, and the seed is very hardy. The small white flowers attract a
multitude of beneficial insects to the garden, and the quality and
flavour of the seed produced is better beyond compare to commercially
produced seed. I routinely overplant, harvest the greens by thinning
the plants and then let a few go to seed. I always have volunteers popping
up all over the garden in the spring. Dill also behave like this. I plant
new coriander and dill every year, but also harvest many volunteers.
My lavender overwintered last year. It is marginal here so I was pleased
to see it. I missed the bud stage and it is in full flower now, so I will
let it go and harvest some leaves in the fall. I would use it for sachets,
and for a flavouring for black tea.
I've also had relatively trouble free bergamot in the past. It is a good
tea flavouring also, and hardy in this area.
sph
Sandra P. Hoffman [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.flora.org/sandra/
----------------------------
The one small garden of a free gardener was all his need and due,
not a garden swollen to a realm;
his own hands to use,
not the hands of others to command. --Sam Gamgee
