Gardening Tips and Hints

  Sage has been cultivated for centuries, is one of the favourite culinary herbs, and there are several varieties.

Sage has rough pointed leaves that vary in colour from grey green to red purple. When the plant is grown in the sun it will produce lovely tall blue or white flowers.

Sage is a long living plant that originated in Spain and Asia. Try using the dried leaves crushed and added to poultry stuffing, meat loaf and pork dishes. It is the traditional flavouring of English sausages.

Light: Grow in full sun or near a sunny window.
Temperature: Preferred temperature range 15-27C (60-80F)
Water: Allow the surface of the potting mixture to dry out between waterings.
Humidity: Average (25% or more)
Feeding: Apply every 1-2 months through summer only.
Propagation: Seeds, tip cuttings of 7.5-10cm (3-4inches)
Care: Remove flower stalks as they appear to stimulate leaf growth.Pinch back regularly to encourage new growth and bushiness.

Author: M. R. Abel
www.antspantsgardening.com

This attractive plant, native to southern Europe grows 15 - 30cm.

Two varieties of this lovely herb are most commonly grown, French thyme with narrow grayish green leaves and English thyme with broader greener leaves and white hairy stems that grow upright.

Widely grown for its fragrance, thyme is a hardy plant and it’s dried leaves can be used in sachets and potpourris.

Fresh or dried leaves are excellent for use with poultry, game and stews.

Thyme grows best in the open sunlight otherwise on a bright airy windowsill.

Water :  Allow the surface of the potting mixture to dry out between waterings.

Humidity  :  Average requirement is 25% or more.

Apply food every two to three months

Propagation can be from seeds or cutting of 7.5 to 10cm, or division of plants.

Special Care : When plant reaches 15cm in height, pinch back to encourage new growth and bushiness.

The plant should be cut back  1/3 when it reaches maturity. Cut back all the woody stems to stimulate new growth. Remove flower stalks as they form to stimulate leaf growth.

Common Problems:  If lower leaves turn brown improve ventilation

M. R. Abel
www.antspantsgardening.com

Down through the ages, properties magical and medicinal have been attributed to herbs.

Today they are widely acclaimed as the all important secrets in cooking and an asset to kitchen décor.

You can grow them on the window sill in a row off small pots, in hanging baskets or where ever they can have a little sun.

Lavender and the shrub herbs are best grown outside in a sunny position.

Of the thousand known herbs the most useful and well loved favorites are thyme, sage, rosemary, parsley, mint, sweet basil, tarragon, oregano, lavender and lemon balm.

Author: M. R. Abel
www.antspantsgardening.com