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Hot then Cold then Hot - Welcome to Spring weather in New England!

The high heat brings forth new growth EVERYWHERE. The seedlings in the greenhouse are straining in their small containers. 

Last Spring I transplanted my tomato seedlings during a warm spell that was followed by a lot of rain and too cold days. The plants never recovered. 

Caring for Rosemary

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Growing rosemary in eastern Massachusetts

Rosemary is drought-tolerant and can be grown in pots. The wind is the culprit here as it dries out the leaves. 

Be sure there is plenty of drainage. Rosemary does not like wet roots. In the summer you can plants it in the garden, dug it up in the fall and put in a pot with soil that will drain well. Keep on an enclosed unheated porch or in a room with no heat. It needs some sun light but does not require direct sun.

We keep ours in an unheated greenhouse and mulch with hay. The plant will bloom most of the winter there. Fertilize once a month with a good quality fertilizer like Neptune's Harvest. Trim as you need the rosemary for your recipes and to keep the plant full. 

Raspberry Hair Rinse

This collection of herbs is especially nice for dark hair. 

Use it after shampooing, to soften and add shine.

• 2 tablespoons raspberry leaves

• 1 tablespoon rosemary leaf

• 1 tablespoon sage leaf

Combine leaves. Make a strong tea (infusion) using the herbal mixture and one cup of water. Allow to steep until water reaches room temp, then strain.

Recipe from Frontier Co-op.

Frontier Co-op donated $40,000 to dig 49 wells in 38 farming villages in Madagascar. These communities provide organic vanilla through Frontier's Well Earth sustainable sourcing program.
 

Herbs are more than flavoring . . .

Oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

All easy to grow or available at farmers' markets, these herbs can be sprinkled liberally on your food. A wonderful addition to salads, meat or fish dishes and on vegetables. They are a source of analgesic, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory compounds. (Oregano alone has 32 anti-inflammatories!)

Try mixing these garden herbs in your favorite proportions for a pain-relieving tea. Pour a cup of boiling water over two teaspoons of fresh herbs or a teaspoon of dried herbs. Steep 5 to 10 minutes and strain. Sit and enjoy!

Rosemary . . .

Species/Family: Labiatae
Scientific name: Rosemarinus officinalis

With strong astringent qualities, Rosemary is used to tone skin and to aid in reducing puffiness and swelling. It is an antioxidant, antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-parasitic. Also found to benefit scalp problems and encourage hair growth.

Photo from Johnny's Seeds