• Come spring, start with nursery-grown plants. Your garden will look like a garden sooner and you’ll have an earlier harvest.
• Choose herbs you’ll use. Some easy favorites: basil, chives, dill, fennel, lemon balm, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme. Spend some time reading about each plant and learning about the way it grows. Read back through this book and make a shopping list.
Plans should be made on the ground to fit the place, and not the place made to suit some plan out of a book.
—WILLIAM ROBINSON
Read more about herb gardening:
Your Backyard Herb Garden: A Gardener’s Guide to Growing Over 50 Herbs Plus How to Use Them in Cooking, Crafts, Companion Planting and More, by Miranda Smith
China, Ruby, and the Pecan Springs gang send their very best wishes for a bright and happy New Year!
INDEX OF RECIPES
Apple-Spice Nut Bars, Jan 6
Baked Eggs with Garden Herbs, Feb 17
Banana-Yogurt Frappe, Oct 8
Basil Bocconcini, Dec 9
Basil Pesto Cheesecake, July 31
Basil Pesto, July 31
Bay Blend for Meat & Poultry, Nov 12
Berry-Minty Dessert Frappe, Oct 8
Bill’s Incendiary Salsa, July 26
Bishop’s Wine, Dec 16
Bisochito, Dec 17
Bouquet Garni, Nov 7
Boursin Basil Rollups, May 16
Boursin, May 16
Braided Herb Loaf, Aug 1
Burgundy with Thyme, Marjoram, and Parsley, Jan 22
Burnet Butter, Oct 12
Burnet Vinegar, Oct 12
Candied Angelica, Sept 29
Candied Flowers and Herbs, June 23
Carnation Vinegar, April 13
Chardonnay with Rosemary, Basil, and Garlic, Jan 22
Chocolate Pudding with Bay, June 26
Chunky Tomato Sauce, Oct 25
Cilantro-Mint Yogurt Sauce, May 7
Cranberry Cordial, Nov 23
Curry Cookies, July 9
Date-Nut Cookies, Oct 24
Deviled Eggs, July 30
Doggie Biscuits, Feb 23
Dried is Fine Herb Butter, Mar 4
Easy Twelfth Night Cake, Jan 4
Egg Soup with Lemon and Herbs, Oct 7
Elder Vinegar (1723), Nov 25
Elderberry Jelly, Nov 25
Election Cake (1800), Nov 4
Faerie Blossom Cookies, May 1
Fennel and Tomato Pesto, Sept 10
Flowerpot Herb Bread, Nov 17
Frijoles de Olla from the Indigo Café, Jan 24
Fruit Vinegars, Aug 11
Garam Marsala, Nov 14
Garden Punch, Aug 30
Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Aug 20
Ginger Beer (1841), Nov 16
Ginger-Peachy Breakfast Frappe, Oct 8
Gingery Daylily Buds with Rice, July 24
Gingery-Mint Fruit Salsa, May 29
Gingko Nut Porridge, Oct 26
Goose Stuffing (1861), Nov 24
Gourmet Mustard, Aug 7
Green Chile Eggs, April 26
Grilled Tarragon Chicken, July 19
Haroset, April 4
Hawthorn Berry Syrup, Nov 29
Hawthorn Tea, Jan 5
Headache Tea, Feb 21
Herb Biscuits, Jan 12
Herb Bread, Jan 12
Herb Jellies, Aug 8
Herb Marinade for Vegetables, June 17
Herb-Stuffed Mushrooms, Sept 30
Herb Vinegars, Sept 12
Herbal Candies, Jan 31
Herbal Honey, Sept 1
Herbal Syrup, Sept 26
Herbal Tea Blends, Jan 11
Herbed Olive Oil, Nov 30
Herbes de Provence, Aug 15
Holiday Mini-Fritatas, Dec 24
Horseradish Dip, Oct 3
Hot ’N’ Spicy Chocolate, Feb 14
Hot Lips Cookie Crisps, April 21
Hungarian Goulash, Aug 21
Iced Herb Teas, June 16
Lemon Butter, June 13
Lemon Dill Butter, Mar 4
Liberty Tea, July 4
Major Grey’s Mango Chutney, Oct 13
Maple and Balsamic Vinaigrette, Mar 10
Marigold Custard, July 22
May Wine, May 24
Mexican Garlic Soup, April 19
Mint Butter Cookies, July 9
Mint Julep, May 17
Minted Watermelon and Cucumber Salad, Sept 18
Miss Beecher’s Famous Ginger Beer (1857), Jan 13
Mulling Spice, Nov 16
Norwegian Pepper Cookies, Dec 4
Oatmeal Apple Cupcakes with Nuts and Rosemary, Nov 1
Oatmeal Gingerbread, Jan 25
Oatmeal and Lemon Peel, Drying and Candying, Nov 13
Orange-Mint Fruit Soup, Oct 7
Orange-Mint Mardi Gras Crepes, Feb 4
Orange Poppy-Seed Fruit Salad Dressing, Dec 28
Oven-Poached Pears with Cinnamon Basil Crème Fraîche, Oct 14
Parsley Butter, Mar 4
Parsnip Cakes (1732), Nov 30
Peach of a Salsa, May 29
Pedernales Chile, Oct 11
Pepper Butter, Dec 27
Pickled Broom Buds (1756), Oct 28
Pickled Nasturtium Seeds, April 24
Pickled Pink Eggs, April 27
Pickled Rosebuds (1650), Oct 4
Popcorn Sprinkles, Jan 19
Pomegranate Muffins, Oct 9
Potato Leek Soup, Mar 1
Potato Pancakes, Dec 15
Potato Soup with Plenty of Parsley, April 9
Reasonable Doubt Ginger-Mesquite Jelly, Nov 9
Rhubarb Streusel Pie, Mar 26
Rose Geranium Berry Liqueur, Jan 16
Rose Hip Syrup, Sept 2
Rose Sugar, Aug 10
Rosemary Biscuits, Feb 29
Rosemary Friendship Squares, Sept 25
Rosemary Walnuts, Dec 24
Rosemary-Garlic Potatoes, Aug 20
Saffronsbrod, Dec 13
Sage Fritters, Sept 7
Salt-Free Herb Blends, Aug 29
Sautéed Okra, Dec 26
Savory French Toast & Ham with Broiled Tomatoes, Nov 28
Slow Cooker Zuchini-Basil Bread, April 25
Smoked Salmon Dip, Mar 23
Southernwood Tea (1772), Nov 15
South-of-the-Border Stuffing, Dec 25
Spiced Cider Wassail, Jan 1
Spiced Cranberry Orange Sauce, Nov 23
Spiced Pear Liqueur, Jan 16
Split Pea Soup, Nov 5
Spring Green Sorrel Soup, Mar 24
Stewed Cucumbers (1769), June 3
Sweet Violet Syrup, Feb 15
Tansy Pudding, April 7
Tulip Cup Salad, May 13
Vanilla Extract, Sept 8
Vanilla Power Frappe, Oct 8
Waffles with Savory Herbs, Mar 25
Wattleseed Chocolate Sauce, Jan 26
INDEX OF COSMETICS, CRAFTS, AND MEDICINES
Aloe Moisturizer, June 5
Bath Salts, Feb 27
Brighid’s Candle, Feb 1
Bug-Bee-Gone, Aug 28
Catnip Mosquito Repellent, May 19
Chamomile Spa Oil, Aug 13
Clay Pots, Feb 25
Cosmetic Herbal Vinegars, Mar 13
Cucumber-Mint After-Bath Spritzer, Oct 20
Dream Pillow Blend, Jan 15
Dream Pillows, Dec 12
Energizing Eucalyptus Bath Soak, Nov 10
Eucalyptus Insect Repellent, Nov 10
Eucalyptus-Peppermint Inhalant, Nov 10
Eucalyptus-Peppermint Tea, Nov 10
Facial Mask, Jan 10
Fairy Garden, April 30
Four Thieves Vinegar (1860), July 29
Ginger and Lemon Tea for Colds and Flu, Dec 1
Gingerbread Tree Decorations, Dec 6
Herb Topiary, Aug 24
; Herbal Bath Oils and Milk Bath Bags, Dec 30
Herbal Doggie Shampoo, July 1
Herbal First-Aid Kit, Feb 22
Herbal Mouth Rinse, Feb 9
Herbal Oils and Salves, June 25
Herbal Shampoo, Jan 28
Herbal Soap, Dec 2
Herbal Tinctures, June 4
Herbal Vinegar Housekeeping Tips, July 29
Herbarium Project, May 15
Herbs & Flowers Paper Project, May 10-11
Holly Wreath, Dec 3
Hydrosol Mists, June 18
Insect-Repellent Tea, May 27
Just-for-Birds Pudding, Jan 17
Lavender Bubble Bath, Jan 8
Lavender Ink, Jan 23
Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme Tea for Headaches, Dec 1
Living Ivy Wreath, Sept 28
Mint Soap, July 13
Mint Toothpaste, Nov 8
Moth Foolers, April 28
Nettle Garden Fertilizer and Spray, Mar 3
Nettle Hair Rinse, Mar 3
Oak Gall-Iron Ink (17th century), Jan 23
Pastel Easter Eggs, April 10
Plant Printing, Sept 5
Pomander, Dec 10
Potpourri for Sharing, Nov 24
Potpourri, Sept 9
Pressed Flower Gifts and Cards, Dec 20
Pressed flowers, Sept 11
Red Clover Remedy for Chapped Lips, July 21
Red Clover Tea, July 21
Rose Beads, May 20
Rose Oil, Aug 10
Rose Potpourri, May 2
Rose Rustling, June 24
Rose Water, Aug 10
Rosemary and Egg Conditioner, Feb 16
Rosemary Jojoba Conditioner, Feb 16
Sleepy-time Teas, June 30
Stovetop Potpourri, Dec 19
Strewing Herbs, June 29
Sweet Annie Wreath, Sept 20
Thyme, Sage, and Peppermint Tea for Coughs and Fever, Dec 1
Tussie-Mussie, June 6
Walnut Hull Ink, Jan 23
Willow Rooting Stimulant, July 3
Wintertime Treats for Birds, Jan 17
Yule Log, Dec 23
SPECIAL FEATURES
ABOUT CHINA’S BOOKS:
Thyme of Death and Witches’ Bane, Jan 18, 20
Bleeding Hearts, Feb 8, 41
Rosemary Remembered, Feb 29, 62
Rueful Death, Mar 8, 70
Love Lies Bleeding, April 21, 117
Hangman’s Root, May 18, 144
A Dilly of a Death, May 28, 154
Bloodroot, June 15, 172
Chile Death, July 26, 216
Lavender Lies, Aug 9, 230
Indigo Dying, Aug 17, 238
Dead Man’s Bones, Sept 19, 270
Mistletoe Man, Dec 14, 359
FROM SUSAN’S JOURNAL:
Just for the Birds, Jan 17, 19
A Green Life, Feb 26, 59
Mesquite Spring, Mar 22, 84
Mustard Greens Are Sacred, Mar 28, 90
Good Beginnings, April 15, 111
A Desirable Dock, May 25, 151
Prickly Pear, May 26, 152
Spanish Dagger, June 11, 168
Milkweed and Monarchs, July 12, 202
Time Is Still A-Flying, Aug 13, 234
Elderberry-Sumac Rob, Oct 2, 286
Hedge Apples, Oct 27, 311
Outside-In, Dec 7, 352
THE MYRA MERRYWEATHER HERB GUILD
All About the Myra Merryweather Herb Guild, Jan 9, 11
An Excerpt from Happy Thymes: A Calendula of Herbal Dillies, Feb 27, 60
The Merryweathers Dip Their Chips, Mar 23, 85
The Merryweathers Do Mint, May 7, 133
Herb Guild Holds Big Basil Bash, June 14, 171
The Merryweathers’ Passalong Plant Sale, July 27, 217
Lyle Bippert and his Bug-Bee-Gone, Aug 28, 249
The Merryweathers Pick a Peck of Pestos! Sept 10, 261
“What Folk Do with Herbs”: The Sixteenth Annual Myra Merryweather Lecture, Oct 29, 313
China Bayles Wins Big in Jelly! Nov 9, 324
THEME GARDENS
A Petting Garden, Jan 7, 9
A Garden of the Heart, Feb 10, 43
A Fragrance Garden, Mar 20, 82
A Shakespeare Garden, April 23, 119
A Moon Garden, May 6, 132
An Apothecary Garden, June 27, 184
A Peter Rabbit Garden, July 28, 218
A Tea Garden, Aug 12, 233
A Zodiac Garden, Sept 3, 254
A Garden of Old Roses, Oct 4, 288
A Scripture Garden, Nov 11, 326
A Windowsill Garden, Dec 11, 356
CELTIC TREE MONTHS
Rowan, Jan 21, 23
Ash, Feb 18, 51
Alder, Mar 18, 81
Willow, April 17, 113
Hawthorn, May 12, 138
Oak, June 10, 167
Holly, July 8 (See Dec 3), 198
Hazel, Aug 5, 226
Brambles, Sept 2, 253
Ivy, Sept 28, 278
Reed, Oct 28, 312
Elder, Nov 25, 340
HERBS OF THE ZODIAC
Aquarius, Jan 20, 22
Pisces, Feb 20, 53
Aries, Mar 21, 83
Taurus, April 20, 116
Gemini, May 21, 147
Cancer, June 21, 178
Leo, July 23, 213
Virgo, Aug 22, 243
Libra, Sept 23, 274
Scorpio, Oct 21, 307
Sagittarius, Nov 22, 337
Capricorn, Dec 21, 366
PLACES TO GO
Fredericksburg Herb Farm (TX), April 18, 114
Buffalo Springs Herb Farm (VA), May 3, 129
National Herb Garden (DC), June 12, 169
Carolee’s Herb Farm (IN), June 22, 179
Shady Acres Herb Farm (MN) July 14, 204
The Herb Farm (WA), Aug 19, 240
Long Creek Herbs (MO), Sept 13, 264
Willow Pond Farm (PA), Oct 17, 301
Summers Past Herb Farm (CA), Nov 6, 321
SUSAN WITTIG ALBERT grew up on a farm in Illinois and earned her Ph.D. at the University of California at Berkeley. A former professor of English and a university administrator and vice president, she is the author of the China Bayles Mysteries and a family-friendly mystery series set in the early 1900s featuring Beatrix Potter. She and her husband Bill co-author a series of Victorian-Edwardian mysteries under the name of Robin Paige. The Alberts live near Austin, Texas. Visit their website at www.mysterypartners.com.
PEGGY TURCHETTE lives and works in Boulder, Colorado, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, where she draws inspiration from her home and garden. Her work graces a wide range of products, including books, stationery, table-tops, giftware, needlework, packaging, calendars, textiles, wallpaper, and rugs. She enjoys hiking in the mountains with her son, Quentin, and daughter-in-law, Alicia.
1
Almond meal and almond oil are recommended for cosmetics throughout this book, because both are superior moisturizing and softening agents. If you are allergic to nuts, or intend to make the cosmetic as a gift for a friend, you may substitute oatmeal (oat flakes ground fine) and a non-nut oil of your choice.
2
Even ash: leaves with an even number of leaflets
3
Garlic was fed to cocks because it was thought to make them better fighters.
4
Don’t confuse calendula or pot marigold with the French marigold (Tagetes sp.). Although Tagetes is used for the same culinary purposes, it has a very different taste; it does not have a history of medicinal use in the West.
5
This famous vinegar (the recipe exists in many versions) takes its name from its legendary use as a plague-preventative. Thieves were said to wear vinegar-soaked rags over their mouths as they robbed corpses.
6
The many creatures of the borderland.
7
In some states, it is legal to possess the seeds, but illegal to possess the plants. Check the laws in your state.