A homesteader is only as powerful as the garden they tend and a chef is only as mighty as their herb garden. Herbs are the finesse, that depth of flavor and final touch that transforms a good dish into a great meal. Here at home, we keep a large vegetable garden, but the herb garden is my favorite, my powerhouse, my absolute obsession.
My Culinary Herb Garden….
includes the classics: tarragon, thyme, sage, chives, basil, mint, rosemary, and Syrian oregano (zaatar).
These herbs are the base for endless salads, roast chicken and meats, roasted vegetables, soups, pickling liquids, and more. Herbs are easy to grow and can be kept in your garden or in pots on your patio.
My Edible Flower & Tea Garden…
including marigolds, calendula, chamomile, borage, and wild bergamot and culinary lavender and chive blossoms.
Fresh, edible flowers are so versatile! They add a wispy touch to a green salad, sprinkled over ice cream or dessert, or on a cheese board. Press edible flowers into butter for a brunch with guests. You can also dry these flowers and jar them up for tea or for oil infusions.
What is Calendula?
Calendula is a beautiful flower whose petals can be dried and used in salves and oil infusions. Calendula is wonderful for your skin and is often added to face lotions. Calendula has powerful healing properties for bruises, burns, and cuts and good for many dermatological issues.
My favorite herbs and flowers for teas…..
Chamomile blended with dried lemon balm is soothing and delicious. It’s soothing for an upset stomach or just a lovely nighttime cuppa.
Lavender tea is wonderful if you have trouble falling asleep and fabulous for easing menstrual cramps. The tea turns a lovely shade of pink. Add a slice of lemon and a dab of honey for an extra luxurious experience. (Lavender is perfect for adding to your homemade salves. Lavender helps sooth skin from mosquito bites, helps burns, and rejuvenate skin from scars)
Mint tea is classic. Have it at the end of a meal to aid digestion or just enjoy in general.
How to dry your herbs and flowers:
The easiest way to dry your flowers and herbs is by spreading them out on an old (clean) window screen and let them air dry until their leaves are crumbly. Old window screens make great drying racks for your herbs because they allow airflow and the screen mesh is fine enough to keep them together. Add a package of dried desiccant wrapped in a paper towel to your jar to keep your flowers extra fresh and moisture free.
Another easy way to dry herbs is to tie the ends together tightly with kitchen twine and hang upside down in a well ventilated, cool environment. When the herbs are crumbly dry, remove the leaves from the stems and store them in jars. Add a package of dried desiccant wrapped in a paper towel to your jar to keep your flowers extra fresh and moisture free.
Drop a comment below on what herbs and edible flowers you grow!
Leave a Reply