Good Comes From Cool Summer Weather!

The Herbal Husband was shocked the other day when we were cleaning up for Sunday. We found these delicious snow peas. You forget about the spring veggies when you are worrying about the summer ones. I see a wok dish in our future or just steamed with a little herb butter. 'Oregon Giant' is the variety and they were growing under the radar during the cool wet summer. I really know how Seattle feels in the summer this year! See you later!

It's Travel Thursday--An Herbal Gem in Ohio!

This is the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Last year the Piccadilly Herb Club took a trip to see the garden and the Western Reserve Unit's Herb Garden and I tagged along. It is said to be one of the finest public herb gardens in the country. I would agree. It is in its 40th year of existence. Here is a plaque detailing the garden.

This is a thyme lawn with millstones for a path. On my wish list! Don't tell The Herbal Husband!


This is the culinary garden.

Finally, the English knot garden. It is said to be one of the largest English knots in the world! It was an herbal work of art!

If you are thinking about joining a unit of The Herb Society of America, please do so! They have groups all over the country and are always looking for new members. You can also join as a member at large and just be a part of the national organization as I do. The Western Reserve Unit has a wonderful herbal festival in October. You can find the exact date and time through the link for the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Hope you can visit this herbal gem soon! It is a real herbal treasure!

Busy on the Coneflower!

We are starting to get butterflies on flowers, but it has been a struggle with the weather. I think everyone including butterflies likes it warm and sunny. It has been sunny, but not as warm as it should be. This swallowtail opened up for me to get a decent photo! Off to the garden to keep cleaning up! Talk to you soon!

Fresh is Best!

It starts with the perfect carrot and then you add some new potatoes and purple beans and snow peas and a jar of canned tomatoes. All from our garden. It turns into this delicious stew. The Herbal Husband loves his stews! Not unlike the American casserole. He eats his stew with rice on the side. I have to have my stew on top of the rice. It was all good. Every time The Herbal Husband says it is too much work to plant and grow a garden, I think of favorite salads or meals like this. He will be growing vegetables for a while longer!

They're Baaack!

My favorite bird is back. It's the hummingbird! If you click on the image, you will see her! The hummers have been more feisty this year. I actually saw a male for the first time also. He almost flew into my car the other day! We usually have females around here. Here are some more photos and the last is one of her resting on the string! Too cute!

Late Bloomers!

Too late for the master gardeners to see, but the nasturtiums we grew from seeds from Holland are finally blooming! One flower whoo hoo! Then this morning The Herbal Husband came in and said that I had to take a picture of the blooming sunflower before the squirrel gets it! I don't make this up really! The irony is that the chipmunk planted the sunflower seeds that grew these plants! It will be just in time for the library tour next Sunday. Whoo hoo!

A Favorite Hasn't Bloomed! Ever!

I discovered this rose several years ago when I spoke at the PA Lavender Festival. This is Rosa rugosa 'Alba'. It has the most beautiful white blossom and it is absolutely delicious. I think because this one has been moved multiple times, it hasn't gotten established. Every time we move it, it ends up in the shade! I just hope that some day soon, I will be able to taste it!

Well the Forecast was Right, but We Survived!

It poured buckets, but the skies cleared and we were able to get out to see the gardens. I never take enough pictures when I'm in the middle of the excitement! Here are the master gardeners in our garden. I think they really enjoyed themselves. We certainly enjoyed having them! If you have the opportunity to become a master gardener, do it! It is a very rewarding experience.

Tie Up a Loose End!

Well, Leslie from Comfrey Cottages here is your kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix). It was literally down to one leaf. The Herbal Husband brought it back from the dead. Would not eat this leaf. It is similar to the bay laurel. It is very fiberous and is tough to chew! Really hope the weather forecast is dead wrong tonight! Start praying! Off to help get set up for the master gardeners! Talk to you later!