February 8, 2010
Garlic Chives
chives second time around
newly planted garlic clove
The welcomed stink
When I get near the garlic chives they smell exactly like garlic but they taste very mild. I picked through the entire bunch toward the end of fall last year. Cut back the entire bunch like cutting grass. It’ll come back hearty and strong. This is a 3 week growth.
Garlic is extremely easy to grow as you might have discovered. I lost a clove behind a flour tin and within a week it had started a strong green shoot. All the myths and old wives tales about sprouted garlic are untrue. In fact, the sprouted part is pretty tasty. Or you can plant in some dirt, clove side down, medium drainage and let the soil dry completely between waterings and get a bunch in 3 months time when the leaves start to fade and wilt.
Again, it’s strange here in the southern west coast. You don’t have to wait till spring.
January 16, 2010
Natural Gift
herbs in paper basket
Parsely Rosemary and Thyme
It’s a blessing to live in Southern California because you can grow herbs year round. Although you can bring herb plants in for the winter in colder regions of the country, it just makes it easier to have a plot of dirt outside with the sun shining on your back while you care for your garden.
Around the winter holidays, I picked handfuls of herbs from the garden and wrapped them in a brown paper bag. The rosemary, parsley, and thyme were prolific and I had more than plenty to share. The climbing roses were in full bloom so I used them to add color to my humble gifts.