Carolee's Herb Farm

Carolee's Herb Farm

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Carolee’s June E-Newsletter    

It’s the Summer Solstice….although it has felt like summer for several weeks!  Although the frequent rains have slowed planting and mulching the gardens this year, the plants themselves are blooming much earlier than normal.  The bellflowers & hardy geraniums that normally bloom now are long gone.  Daylilies that usually bloom in mid-July are already at their peak vying for attention with phlox, lythrum, and lavenders, and that is just a tiny part of the “now-in-bloom” list that I could make.  The snow peas, spinach, and lettuces are nearly finished, having provided dozens of meals. They’ll soon be replaced with more tomatoes, peppers and basils.  We’ve already picked lots of yellow cherry tomatoes and the fruits of that darling “Tiny Tim” tomato.  Everything is growing lush with abundant rains, especially the berries.  I’ve picked more gooseberries and alpine strawberries than ever before!  Life is good!

U-Pick Lavender
The lavenders are in full bloom!  We’ve already started cutting Folgate, Tucker’s Early, Baby Blue, Royal Velvet, Fat Spike and other lavenders to hang and also to make gorgeous purple wreaths.  U-pick lavender is available while blooms last.  We have garden clubs that pick and dry lavender for their plant sales, brides that pick for wedding decorations, groups that pick to take small bouquets into nursing homes, and Red Hat groups that just love purple!  Some ladies pick bunches to make into lavender wands for Christmas gifts, wedding favors, or gifts for secret pals. 

 

“Country Thyme in the Lavender Field”
Mark your calendar for June 26 and 27th.  The Lavender Harvest is always a special event.  We’ll have lavender wand-making classes on both days and talks on “Growing Lavender Successfully,” “The Taste of Lavender,” and “Crafting with Lavender.”  On Saturday at 1:00 watch “Making Lavender Liqueurs.”  Check the complete schedule on our website: www.caroleesherbfarm.com.
    Enjoy complimentary Lavender Tea or Lavender Lemonade (pick up your colored ticket upon arrival) and lavender goodies.
     .  There are some fabulously talented vendors coming, so be sure to check out their booths of useful and decorative garden-related items.  And, artists are always welcome to come paint the blooming field or other gardens.
     You’ll want to visit the Cottage to see the new items.  We call it “Herbal Country.”  The inventory and furnishings are entirely different from what we normally carry in the Big Barn…..much more primitive country in feel and tone.  It’s so cozy you’ll want to move in!  Of course the Big Barn will be filled with the fragrance of lavender and lots of new treasures.  All remaining annuals will be 50% OFF that weekend only, including basils, colorful annuals for the garden or containers, and parsley!   This informative event is free, our gift to loyal customers and herb lovers.

 

“Herbal Choices” is HERE!
The long-awaited sequel to “Herbal Beginnings” has arrived at the farm.  Callie’s story at Joyful Heart Herb Farm continues, with two new employees, lots of new romances, and more mystery.   There are twelve herbal profiles and over 70 original recipes for the second course:  a choice of soup or salad!   Pick up your copy at the farm, and Carolee will be happy to inscribe it.  Or, order it on-line or during regular business hours to have it shipped directly to you! 

Garden Tidbits
June is a lovely time in the garden, picking bouquets and strawberries, gooseberries, blueberries and enjoying the first purple beans and zucchini.  However, to keep things happy you may want to:
1.  Hang Japanese Beetle traps…it’s time for these destructive pests to hatch.
2,  If you haven’t trimmed your iris foliage, do it NOW.  If you see small round spots on the leaves, the dreaded iris borer has laid eggs there.  When the little larvae hatch, they will eat their way leaving a streak or trail down the leaf and into the corm, where they will eat and grow into an ugly 1” long worm almost as big around as a pencil.  They will happily munch the corms all fall, destroying your beautiful irises. 
3.  Dead-head coral bells, coreopsis and other perennials to encourage the plant to produce more blooms.
4.  Continue to keep a keen eye on hollyhocks and roses.  There is a tiny, tiny worm that will skeletonize the leaves overnight.  Spraying with insecticidal soap after each rain (being sure to get the undersides of leaves) will keep them at bay.
5.  Check tall lilies (the Asiatic and Oriental types) to see if they need staking before their heavy flower heads open.
6.  Dead-head lambs ears or they will self-seed everywhere!
7.  Cut the flower buds off garlic plants now…..they are a gourmet delicacy, raw in salads or lightly sautéed as a side dish or in stir-fry.  If you don’t cut them off, the plant will use up loads of energy trying to make flowers and seeds rather than making a nice big bulb!
8.  Cut off lemon balm and put it in a sun tea jar, by itself or with other herbs and mints to make a delicious tea.  It will soon grow a new batch of foliage.  This will keep it from self-seeding everywhere.
9.  Move containers of nasturtiums, mint, violas and pansies into semi-shade to protect them from the hottest midday sun.
10.  If you used a 3 month time-released fertilizer when you planted containers in April you’ll need to start using a liquid fertilizer now.  With all the rain we’ve had, much of the fertilizer has just washed out of containers and hanging baskets.

And the winner is…….
     The winner of the $10 gift certificate for the May drawing is Carol Flores, Yorktown, IN…..  Congratulations!
     There were many interesting stories, comments, and comparisons of eating styles & gardening styles.  Thanks to everyone who contributed.  There DOES seem to be a correlation!

June’s Contest:
     “When. I go into my garden before anyone is awake, I go for the time being into perfect happiness The fair face of every flower salutes me with a silent joy that fills me with infinite content.”  Celia Thaxter
     There are dozens of famous gardening quotes that touch my soul.  This month’s survey question is:  “What is your favorite garden-related saying, poem, or quote?”  All submissions will be placed into a bucket and the name drawn will win next month’s $10 gift certificate.

 Always learning…….
     One of the best things about the HSA conference is the specialty used book booth.  Even though I have hundreds of herb and gardening books, I always manage to find several that I really, really need!?!?!  A recent bout of back trouble gave me some unexpected hours to read and I learned these tidbits from a book by Leslie Bremness, whose home I visited when my daughter lived in Norfolk, England.  Maybe you already knew this, but it was new to me!
     Sea Holly (Eryngium maritimum) which I have always grown for butterflies and as an ornamental drying flower for wreaths has been a popular flavoring since Saxon times in Britain since it apparently is quite sweet!   The root is harvested in autumn, washed, parboiled, peeled and candied! 
     Elecampane (Inula helenium) which is also called Elf Dock, also has a sweet, starchy root that has been crystallized since the Middle Ages.  It was made into small, sugary cakes that were sucked as a remedy for asthma, indigestion, and foul breath.  When first dug, it smells slightly of ripe bananas, but when dried, has a violet scent.  The dried root was often thrown on embers to scent a room, or added to potpourri and sweet bags.
    Bluebell bulbs (Endymion nonscriptus) were grown to be used as a strong glue for paper in early book production.  The bulbs were scraped, causing a thick sticky slime that is used immediately since it dries quickly.
    The root of Agrimony (Agrimony eupatoria) which I have always grown as a dye plant is said to have a pleasant fruity scent like green apples when dried, and was often added to potpourri and sweet bags.
    The root of Rhubarb was the strongest, natural hair-blonding agent in olden days, and can still be used today.  Each use lightens the hair more, and it is enhanced by drying the hair in the sun.  Use 4 T. finely chopped root to 3 c. water, simmering 20 min. and then steeping for several hours before straining.  Wear gloves when chopping…rhubarb stains.

June’s Recipe
     My zucchini are already 4” long so they’ll be ready to harvest in a day or two in this hot, humid weather!  Here’s a recipe I demonstrated on Basil Day….it’s especially good with lemon basil, but it’s equally delicious with a regular sweet or Genovese basil.
     Cook 1 lb. bowtie or penne pasta according to directions while you are cooking. 
     Heat in a large skillet:  3 T. olive oil.  Add ½ c. diced mild onions and ½ c. diced green garlic scapes (or 3 cloves garlic, minced) and sauté until tender, but not browned.  Add 8 oz. sliced baby portabella mushrooms, stir and cook for about 3 min.  Add 3-6 or 7” zucchini, sliced into matchsticks and cook until it softens, about 3-4 min. stirring gently.  Add 1 c. white wine and 1 c. lemon basil, coarsely chopped.  Cook 3-4 min.  Add ¼-1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese.  Cook just until cheese melts.  Toss with cooked, drained pasta.  Garnish with additional cheese, lemon slices, and basil leaves.  Serves 4.

Upcoming Events:  “Country Thyme in the Lavender Field”---June 26 & 27, 10-4
                                Daylily Dig---July 17                                

**********************Carolee’s Plant E-Coupon***************************
Buy one-get one free on all vegetable plants.  Choose from heirloom tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, eggplant, squashes, cukes, onions, and more.  Cannot be combined with other discounts. Valid through July 20th, 2010 or while supplies last

**************************Carolee’s Barn E-Coupon************************
20% off any “Time & Again” for the gardener.  Choose hand therapy cream, nail & cuticle cream, shea butter, or salt scrub.  Cannot be combined with other discounts. Valid through July 20th, 2010

***********************Carolee’s Cottage E-Coupon*************************
10% off any framed artwork in the Cottage.  Cannot be combined with other discounts.  Valid through July 20th, 2010.