Chives

Chives in my garden are like weed now: they pop here and there. Volunteers... Delicious volunteers! Nothing like chives on a baking potato with sour cream or butter. Yummy!

Thanks for dropping by,

Luiza

Spring preparation

Around October, I planted some California Poppies. I want to have them ready to be planted in the yard in early spring. In the beginning of December they were doing quite well in my mini-greenhouse.

When I look at them, I decided not to procrastinate any longer. It is definitely time to plant in individual containers.

They sure look much happier. I use a good soil mix (Miracle Grow mix), and they are doing great. Can't wait to move them to the yard. In the meantime, I am keeping them safe in the mini-greenhouse.

I also started some herb "babies". A friend asked me for some thyme and rosemary. Here they are. I hope that at least one of each will make it.

If none makes it... well, nothing to be sad: I will start them again!!! Very simple to start: I just grab some pieces from the "mother" plants, and stick to the dirt. I do not use the powder that most books recommend.

Thanks for looking,

Luiza

Herbs, herbs, and herbs - Oregano

I started my Oregano from seeds. I tried to grow for several years, but I never succeed. Finally, this spring I could get at least two plants. This time, like the tarragon, I did not use much heat during the day for the seeds to sprout, only if it was very cold outside, for Silicon Valley standards (I do not get a very cold winter here). It seems that was the trick.

As with all my other seedlings, I moved them as soon as the seedling showed the first two leaves (not the true leaves) to the outside mini green house. I made sure the plastic curtain was closed during the night, and I only opened during the day if it was very sunny, and the green house started to heat up a bit.

I planted in a pot when the plant was quite mature, close to my kitchen door. I use this herb in tomato sauce. Again, I only put on my plate.

Do you use fresh oregano? It is so good...

Luiza 

Herbs, herbs, and herbs - Lavender

I also did not grow Lavender from seed. This plants is one of the babies of the "mother plant". The mother plant was killed last year by my ex-gardener (I think you can guess why I let him eventually go). This plant can really handle a lot: not very fussy at trimming, does not need much water, etc... However, anything very radical will kill it, and it did :-)

I do not use lavender as an herb, as I do not know exactly where to use. However, I love the plant, and the flowers. I am about to trim the flowers, and a little of the height. I will also check if I can find some "soft" wood parts so I can start new babies (you never know when you will "need" another one.

One thing about Lavender that you should be aware is this plant attracts bees. For me, that is a plus, as my fruit trees are near by the Lavender plants. However, if it was close to where I have to go through, I would not choose this plant.

Do you cook with Lavender? What do you make? How do you use it?

Luiza

Herbs, herbs, and herbs - Rosemary

Here in California, Rosemary grows like weed. I did not grow this plant from seed. Several years ago, I bought a small pot of Rosemary. Since then, I started 2-3 plants by taking a piece from the "mother" plant, sticking it in a pot, and waiting for the roots to grow.

I planted the new "babies" in several places in my yard, but found out that Rosemary is one of the few plants that survive the little hill I have in  my backyard. Nothing grows in that hill. The builder compacted the hill to ensure that we would not have any slide. Needless to say that, even today, it is hard to make even a little hole to plant anything in the hill.

Rosemary survived there, and thrives, as you can see.

I love to put Rosemary on grilled chicken. A little goes a long way....

How do you use Rosemary?

Luiza

Herbs, herbs, and herbs - French Tarragon

This herb is called French Tarragon. For several years, I could not grow them from seeds. In the last two years, I was able to grow. It might be because of the way I am growing seeds nowadays. I use to put the heat mat all the time. The reality is it is not necessary where I live. I only turn on the mat at night.

This is one of the herbs that I grow in pots. It tends to die during the winter (several other herbs do not die in this area). I know I planted several seeds. I have now three pots growing them.

They are delicious in chicken stew!!! The anise taste is wonderful. I never had them set seeds so I can  collect some. However, from what I read, it seems to be the norm.

Do you use Tarragon in your cooking?

Luiza

Herbs, herbs, and herbs - Basil

Some of you might know that I like to cook. Nothing like having fresh herbs at your fingertips. I will share some of the herbs that I have in my yard.

I will start with Basil. I plant Basil every year. I start them from seeds. It is one of the easiest thing to grow from seeds. Sometimes, they sprout in 3 days!!!! I tried several types, but I like the ones with medium leaves, known as sweet basil, the very large leaves, known as Genovese, and the purple leaves.

I've tried several other types. The Greek Basil: very cute, and very easy to throw in a salad . The Cinnamon Basil: very good, but we did not use much. The Lemon Basil: same reason.

As you can see, I planted them, but I did not use much, as my children will not eat it. Even only planting just a few of them, I still did not eat much, only a few times I made pesto, and ate it by myself. Sometimes I put in the Tomato Sauce, but only on my plate, so the kids do not complain. However, I still love the way it looks in my yard.

My yard has a great number of slugs and snails. Two years ago, I decided to plant the Basil, and other things, in pots, closer to the kitchen. The idea is that I might be solving two problems: get to the plant easier, and have a more controlled environment to protect the plants from the slug-snails. It was a success. That is how I plant several of my herbs now.

Below is a picture of the "Purple" basil that I planted this year. I think these seeds  were mislabelled. However, you can still see that the "flowers" are purple, and the leaves have some purple traces.

Here is the Genovese.

Even not eating the Basil that much, I will keep planting them. I love the way they look in the pots.

Now, it is your turn: what do you cook with Basil?

Luiza