These days, home cooks can buy fresh herbs at their local supermarket. Most retailers sell cilantro, flat leaf parsley, curly leaf parsley, basil and thyme. Always buy the freshest bunch. Try smelling them. Fresh herbs should have a strong, fresh aroma. The leaves should look clean, green and crisp. Once home, do not clean them right away. Water on the leaves creates a home for mold and the plant will deteriorate much faster with damp leaves. Instead, wait till just prior to use, before rinsing them – but RINSE them before consumption. Some “food writers” recommend cutting the tips of the stems off before storing them; however, I have never…
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Top 5: Prepping for Your Herb Garden
Now that it is March, it is time to start thinking about your own herb garden. First establish which zone you live in for hardy planting….see my previous post http://joannsfoodbites.com/foodie-bites/getting-your-spring-plants-ready/ Most herbs seeds can be planted outside, once the danger of frost has passed. However, horticultural expert, Doug Johnson says when dealing with herbs, it is more advantageous to plant a seedling in your garden or containers, instead of from seed. Planting from seed will require you to thin out the plant during the season. Here are his top 5 things to do, right now, to prepare for an herb garden. 5. GET AN ASSESSMENT OF YOUR SOIL QUALITY. If…
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Getting your spring plants ready…..
Planting season is almost here. Right now, you should be thinking about what food you may want to grow and where, in your landscape you will put them. First, determine which growing zone you live in…here is a chart to help you…. Determine your zone…… Once you have determined your zone, here are a few items you can consider growing…. I plan to grow a few herbs, once the chance of a frost has past. Usually this is around April 15th. If you decide to plant herbs, make sure the soil is slightly warm. I try to wait till at least five days of sunny weather…
