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Spirited in the summertime

… And what I have been preparing to say is, that in wildness is the preservation
of the world. Every tree sends its fibres forth in search of the wild.
The cities import it at any price. Men plough and sail for it.
From the forest and wilderness come the tonics and barks which brace mankind…
– Henry David Thoreau, Walden,
or Life in the Woods, 1854
Local horticulturist and author Sally-Anne Fowles, of Spirited Gardening.

Local horticulturist and author Sally-Anne Fowles, of Spirited Gardening, shares her top tips for creating a thriving garden.

Spirited Gardening

The welcoming rapport of summer has arrived, seeing tables laden with fresh leafy and fruity salads and long-tall spritzers that quench our pallets, even on the hottest days. A hint of mint, a scattering of basil and a pop of parsley only just scratch the surface of the blessed array of herbs both sweet, savoury, medicinal and sensory that are not only a wonderful addition to our garden, but are, generally, easy to grow. And if you delve into the stories, songs, poetry and plant lore of herbs you will discover the joy of growing them on a deeper level.

Definition: herb
Noun: any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavouring food, medicine or perfume.

I present to you a few summer herbs that you may know, and others you may not:

  1. Basil – Native to India, the Middle East and some Pacific Islands, the folk name is believed to be derived from Greek for ‘kingly herb.’ Basil is a wonderful companion plant, helping to repel insect pests. A tasty one to plant with your tomatoes.
  2. Chamomile – the folk name is derived from Greek meaning ‘earth apple.’ A beautiful plant known for its calmative effects. Chamomile prefers well-drained soils and a sunny spot in your garden. A lovely one to plant in a pot.
  3. Dill – is said to come from the Anglo-Saxon dylle or Norse dilla, meaning to soothe. In the heat of summer make sure the plant is well watered to avoid it going to seed too quickly. Ensure they are sheltered from hot winds and sun. A lovely one to include in pickling gherkins.
  4. Echinacea – coming from the Greek echinos, meaning hedgehog. This plant has been used by Indigenous Americans, for thousands of years for multiple medicinal applications. Echinacea settles beautifully within a medicinally themed cottage garden.
    A lovely one to attract beneficial insects.
  5. Lovage – I love this one as its folk name is Love Parsley. Lovage is native to the Mediterranean. This hardy, herbaceous perennial is a lovely one to add to potato salads and more.
  6. Oregano – derived from the Greek oros, meaning ‘mountain’, and ganos meaning ‘joy’ and ‘beauty.’ Oregano loves a free draining, sunny site and is great in pots. A lovely one for your pizzas, pasta and tomato dishes.
  7. Rosemary – The ancient Latin name means sea-dew. This beautiful plant’s history is steeped in myth, magic, and folk medicinal uses. A lovely one for hardiness in your garden, great for pots and wonderful for culinary uses.

As I sign off now, I feel grateful to experience the expansive offerings that herbs share with us. From culinary to medicinal to historical to poetical.
From parsley, sage to rosemary and thyme. Summer blessings.

Until next time…
Sally-Anne

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