Herbal Snippets

Mints. mints, and more mints..  I just love them!

  

Signs of Spring

Yeah, I know, it's been a while.  It's been a long winter, but we're so glad to see the first arrivals of Spring... chirping birds, pussy willows, mud (yes, even the mud)  croccus, and one of my favorite garden plants.. rhubarb with which I'll be making plenty of jams, pies and chutney!

I've been busy readying all the garden beds and today I'll set some of the onions, carrots and peas.  I'm so glad I planted some greens last Autumn in the cold frame.

Happily growing at home are  peppers, tomatoes, more onions, rosemary, sage, basils, many greens,  scented geraniums and bay.  All in all, we're hopefully off to a good growing season.  Welcome Spring!

Thyme for winter

With the herbs nearly all  harvested now its time to make sure our winter medicine cabinet has all it needs. Thyme honey is one of the important parts of our medicine cabinet. It is used for colds, influenza and sore throats. Thyme has strong antiseptic properties including activity against viruses, insects, bacteria and fungus. Traditionally, thyme was used to treat bronchitis but I I find it to be useful in our house for treating winter illnesses such as colds such as the one I am fighting  now. 

One nice way to use thyme is as honey and its very easy to make. You can still pick thyme now, it should withstand a mild frost just fine. Cut stems short and put them in a glass mason jar. Cover the thyme with wildflower honey. Put the jar in a pan of water to slightly heat the honey while pushing the thyme down and adding more thyme. Once the honey is fluid, put the lid on the jar and store the honey with the thyme still in it until needed. You can use this honey to add to tea or use it straight for a sore throat.  Til next thyme!