Well, here it is.....

21 years ago

now let the fun begin.

First, of all could I just begin with a gentle word of warning that many common and quite familar herbs can be toxic or harmful if used incorrectly, so be careful when using ay herb as medicine as many herbs can have adverse interactions with any other medicine you may be taking, and also when giving any advice.

Hopefully, this forum will help us to better understand the world of herbs.

What do you have in your garden? I'll begin with:

Alehoof (Glecoma) - which is quite rampant

Aloe Vera

Angelica

Anise Hyssop - I love this and it is just reappearing for summer

Lemon Balm

Bay Tree

Bergamot

Betony

Borage

Brahmi

Cat Thyme

Chamomile (Dyer's & Roman)

Chaste Tree

Chives

Comfrey

Costmary

Curry Plant

Dill

]Elderberry

Elecampane

Sweet Fennel

Feverfew

Scented Geraniums (lime, coconut, apple, rose, lemon, spice and some others)

Herb Robert (this can be a bit of a pain, as it self-seeds readily)

Hops

Horseradish

Hyssop

Mints - Apple, Corcican, Egyptian, Moroccan Tea, Chocolate, Spearmint, Eau-de-cologne, peppermint, white peppermint, stonemint, menthol, native mint)

Kaffir Lime

Ladies Bedstraw

Lavender

Ladies Mantle

Lemn Grass

Lemon & Aniseed Myrtle

Lemon Grass

Lemon Verbena

Marjoram

Motherwort

Oregano

Parsley (curly, Italian & native)

Pennyroyal

Rosemary

Rue

Sage

Salad Burnet

Pink Savory

Lemon Savory

Scullcap

Prunella (selfheal)

Soapwort (which I can't get rid of)

Southernwood

Stevia

Sweet Woodruff

Tansy

Tarragon, French & Mexican

Tumeric

Thyme (common thyme, Turkey thyme,spanish thyme, lemon)

Valerian

Vietnamese Mint

Wormwoods, (Roman,, tree & absinthium)

Chilli

During the summer months there will also be basil & rocket growing.

While this might sound a lot some of them are in only quite small. The mints I keep in pots to keep them contained, though at the moment I have a very vigorous mint plant growing through an area with marjoram and oregano, so far it's had a reprieve but if it becomes too aggressive it will get the chop.

Looking forward to interesting exchange of information.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (32)

mad_with_3_girls
21 years ago
Anna, so pleased you mentioned the mint. i would love to grow some in either pots or in the garden so my question is which mint for each situation ?
i have garden beds that are shaded and one that is almost full sun every day.
also is it true that mint repells or detracts flies ?

yes your list of herbs is extensive !!!!
i will look forward with interest to the postings on this forum, i'm sure there will be lots to learn.

many thanks michelle
Kiwi_oz
21 years ago
I have some Costmary,only a small plant so far . Label says it is used to repel insects and add to final rinse when washing.
Is it invasive, should I keep it in a container.
Heather
Related Discussions
Calling all Improved Meyer experts!!
Q
Comments (64)
Hello Tony, I want that recipe for your bug spray. Especially with it being organic. I hate the idea of eating fruit sprayed with chemical pesticides! I don't have problems with bugs except for on the gardenia and very occasionally on a plant here and there. I am pretty lucky. I know the gardenia is not happy in the winter because I keep it warm in my house and i know they like it cooler. Hey Mike, Will I still need to ad Epsom Salts if I fertilize with the foliage pro or the epsom salts? I thought I read something about not using epsom salts if using a fertilizer with urea. The turface is sold under the garden section. I can't imagine it not being the right size for gardening but if it is larger couldn't I crush it to make it smaller, or will that make it to small? I have to make it work but i will ask first before I go over there. Now are you saying that I need chicken grit AND the crushed granite? I must have a diffrent version then you do. What stuff do you use to make yours. I would rather make it your way since I know that you have had great success with it. I wonder why I got this variation then. Yours doesn't call for the sand then? If you could just list your "ingridients" for me and the amounts, that would be great. Do you still need epsom salts with your mix? Would my citrus fertilizer eliminate the need for the espsom salts? I asked you about the salts before but I didn't get an answer back from you on that one. Not a problem, I know I have been shooting tons of questions at you but I really need to know if I need this or not. If your mix or my citrus fertlizer eliminates the need for it, that would be great. As far as that nut job nextdoor, your absolutly right, and it enfuriates me that my landlord gives him special treatment just because they are friends. She has told me that she has threatened to evict him because of his BS, but because there friends it won't happen. Mike I apologize for the urgency with getting the stuff for the gritty mix but it is necessary for me to get it this weekend since my tree should be here by early next week. Can't wait! Andrew
...See More
Ye Olde Folks!
Q
Comments (56)
matoad: my parents let me shift from the passenger seat all the time...probably why I am such a good driver with a standard! but we didn't have a push button ignition...we had an old VW square back that could be started with the tiniest of pushes from behind. DigitS: My finger print, of course!! Not a worry these days with all that digital technology around. And T.V.! Yeah, we had a tiny box of black and white with "13" channels only not all the channels were there. We only got to watch a very small amount: Star Trek, and any of the programs on PBS, like Nova, In Search Of, that yoga guy, I forget his name, and Sesame Street. I used to get pissy when my mom was watching ... was it Dick Cavet or Merv Griffin? Either way, one of those was on at the same time as Felix the cat...so sad. Funny, I haven't had a T.V. in about ten years but I netflix (on my computer) all the old Star Treks and also that Star Trek Deep Space 9! My brother and I stayed with our grandparents every weekend and they would take us to garage sales. My gram never paid more than a nickel or, sometimes--rarely, a dime for stuff. That is when she would remind me that movies used to cost a nickel. When the prices rose and she could only get away with paying a quarter at rummage sales, she decided they were too pricey! We went to the drug store for ice cream. While gram bought prescriptions, grampa would buy us ice cream for a few cents. Gosh, I think it was 25 cents a cone, for three scoops?? It was cheap. Grampa always got strawberry, I got chocolate and I don't remember what my brother got. My bro and I used to make model cars, rockets and monsters, like Lon Chaney as this or that monster. We would blow up the models with firecrackers and then display them on our shelves. I saw lots of the models we had, un-blown up, on eBay for a zillion dollars. Oops! We had our friends over yesterday (oooh, that is so in the past) and I used the relish tray that I found in grannies attic. It was brand new and pink speckle from...gee, must have been the late fifties. The box it was in was disintegrating, falling apart. In junior high school, I wore clothes from grannies closet, I would fix them up so they would fit as gram was a pretty big gal. All the kids were curious as to why I had such neat clothes. gosh, I loved reading what everyone wrote! J.
...See More
Breakfast At The Bike Shop?
Q
Comments (26)
By the way, the last few km and the final velodrome sprint are here, complete with a surchauffe commentary by the Belgian announcers. Many bike races are not broadcast in the US, so cycling fans huddle over keyboards, watching grainy videofeeds like this one from a European broadcaster. Since you may not speak French, or at least not surexcited, half-screamed Belgian French, I will narrate. Starting at 2:40 - Cancellara and Vanmarche enter the velodrome together for the final 1 1/2 laps. They pedal slowly, calculating. Vanmarche, the young rider with no contract for next year, has delivered the ride of his life and is seconds from an incredible, career-making victory. A win at P-R will assure his employment for years. And he knows he is the better sprinter. Cancellara, the veteran and nine years' senior, has overcome almost the entire peleton today but desperately wanted to shake the young rider and arrive in the velodrome alone. He's lost P-R in sprint finishes before. They slow to a walk, climb high on the banking, each trying to maneuver the other into the lead. Vanmarche takes it. Confidence, or inexperience? They proceed around the velodrome, Vanmarche checking over his shoulder, listening for Cancellara to jump, Cancellara waiting for Vanmarche to jump and poised to follow. They move high on the banking, then Vanmarche dives down the steep slope, sprinting as hard as 250 km of racing in his legs will allow. Just 100 meters, oh Dieu, just 80 meters more! I don't know what language Cancellara prays in - being Swiss, he is polyglot - but something gives him wings. Cancellara matches the younger man's acceleration, gets tight in Vanmarche's slipstream, builds momentum, and swings out. Vanmarche is the faster sprinter, but he went too early, gave Cancellara too much time, now his legs are cramping, muscles unable to obey his screams, through his tears he sees Cancellara rise up in victory. Cancellara steers his bike to the infield and falls off, chest heaving, immobile but weightless. All the pressure is gone. With every team attacking him for six hours, bruised from two crashes in the prior week, his own teammates long gone, he hurt himself like never before and won his third P-R. (Don't feel too badly for Sep Vanmarche. I'm quite sure he will have a tidy contract with a solid team for 2014.) Here is a link that might be useful: Finish of Paris Roubaix 2013 This post was edited by johnliu on Mon, Apr 15, 13 at 20:41
...See More
slow progress w/pics
Q
Comments (6)
'Tis looking good, Muscat! I'd been hoping you'd post progress pictures. Wonderful your dad is building your cabinets...lucky you. Wow! Will you have an interesting knot on every drawer front? Now, don't get that pot of stain mixed up with the electric skillet full of bacon grease I see on your counter. Ha, ha. I'll be looking forward to another update soon.
...See More
flytower_au
21 years ago
I have so much trouble with mint. Keep killing it,I know its supposed to be invasive,but certainly isn't here. Also have trouble in keeping comfrey alive. Tansy grows everywhere,have several sorts of sage,all edible, three different sorts of parsley. Will have to go around the garden and look,as I can never remember names until I see the plant. Judie
Anna_B
Original Author
21 years ago
Michelle, most mints will require a semi-shaded position or one in dappled shade; however, they will grow in full sun if the soil is kept moist. Corsican Mint can be grown in the shade. The soil for all mints should be kept moist and well-drained.

Plant them in their own beds in the garden, or to keep them from taking over the garden in pots sunk in the garden with the bottoms cut out, but watch for any stray runners. They can also be planted in large pots in a good organic mix making sure that they are kept well watered.
mad_with_3_girls
21 years ago
thanks anna,
i have quite a large pergola area where i keep heaps of potted plants. i'm always looking for an excuse to be able to buy another ! michelle
WendyH
21 years ago
Ok. Nobody else is game so here are my herbs...well more of a kitchen garden really.

Aloe Vera
Basil
Basil Mint
Chilli
Chives
Curry Plant
Fennel
Geranium (Peppermint)
Kaffir Lime
Lavender
Lemon Grass
Mint (Peppermint & Basil)
Oregano
Parsley (Curly & Italian)
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme

Other edibles:
Fig Tree
Lemon
Lettuce
Mandarin
Strawberries
Tomatos

It doesn't look like much compared to Anna's but I enjoy them all thoroughly. All container grown in decent sized pots and quite healthy.
This is going to be a fun forum!

Wendy
Marie_K
21 years ago
All my herbs are in pots at the moment waiting for a new home. I have (not in alphabetical order 'cos that's too organised for me :)

basil
lemongrass
oregano (greek, ordinary and golden)
sage
rosemary
parsley (Italian)
thyme (ordinary, turkey, lemon, variegated lemon, fine leaf, creeping pink and white)
tarragon (French)
lemon balm (self seeds all over the place)
mint (garden mint, moroccan and chocolate)
chives
peppermint pelargonium
lavender (French and English)

I used to have lovage (I think), Vietnamese mint and fennel but they got left behind at the last place.

When I get my new herb garden I plan to add to it!
tingatinga
21 years ago
My herb garden was only started a month ago, however everything planted in this smallish patch is doing well. So far I have:
Arthritus herb
Sage
Pineapple Sage
Garlic Chives
Yarrow
Dyers Cammomile
Borage
Thyme
Angelica
Basil
Lime Basil
Red Basil
Comfrey
Wormwood
Corriander
Rosemary
Coconut Geranium
Winter Savoury
Landcress
Clary Sage
Italian Parsley
Parsley
Echinacea
Nasturtiums
and mixed in with this lot are
Giant Stuttgard Beans
Snake Beans
Sunflowers
Sweet peas
Perennial Chilli
Regular Chilli
Very Hot tiny Chilli
Strawberries
Coffee Arabica

I know the last bit is not herbs, but they do look good all mixed in hodge podge together. Now if I can only keep the feral couch grass out of the mix, I will be happy!

happy gardening all
Wendy
mad_with_3_girls
21 years ago
dear marie,
please explain ....mint- chocolate ?
does it taste like after dinner mints or mint slice biscuits or am i dreaming...........
my husband can locate chocolate at 3klms !!!!!!!
more info required please.
many thanks michelle
Marie_K
21 years ago
Chocolate mint has been marketed recently, I don't know if it's a gimmick or what. I got mine from a friend. It's got a dark green leaf and dark stems. To me it smells like after dinner mints if you bruise the leaves. I use it to make mint tea and it's quite interesting - but not really chocolately!
Marie_K
21 years ago
Found this weblink on chocolate mint with a recipe.

Here is a link that might be useful: chocolate mint
WendyH
21 years ago
I read in a book once about using peppermint geranium leaves in the bottom of a chocolate cake and how it made the whole cake taste of mint...I tried it but it didn't really work...the chocolate mint leaves (or even ordinary mint) might have worked though.
What strange things I tried to do in my youth!

Wendy
JamesBrown
21 years ago
what size pots are your Kaffir Lime trees in girls or are they in the ground?

where could i get peppercorn seeds from ?
Saintin
20 years ago
H'm, well, so far, I've just got yarrow in a pot which I got about a week ago and mum has at least 3 or 4 lavendar bushes around the garden. They're either of the French or English variety, but one has certainly got more vibrant purple flowers.

Anyway, just out of interest, I was wondering how to go about caring for my yarrow, and as a herb, what properties it has. Also, when it flowers, what pests attack it, when to feed, what to feed etc etc. This is because my previous herb-y project with sage was a dead failure. My brother's project with rosemary was a great success for two years, but now it's died, I've filled it with the yarrow I got from Bunnings.

Also, I've had these little insects fly off it when I've brushed the yarrow. Just last night I saw an insect about 1-2 cm long, with clear gossamer wings, pale-brownish in colour with a reddish stripe of some sort. What is this and is it a pest???

Thanks to all those who can help! And Anna, I must say, it'll be a long time before I can catch up to your list ;)

Saintin
Anna_B
Original Author
20 years ago
Yarrow (Achillea) - a hardy vigorous perennial, needs to be grown in full sun, or semi-shade in hot districts. Tolerant of most soils. Should be grown in well-drained, not-too-rich soil. Over-fertilizing will cause the plants to grown lax & flower poorly. Prefers to be a little on the dry side - over-watering can cause root rot. Cut plants to the ground in middle to late autumn. It needs little or no fertilizing, though a little blood and bone can be sprinkled around the plant in spring.

Yarrow flowers can be used as a tea as a pick-me-up or to ward off a cold, for urinary tract infections, hypertension, a diuretic amongst other things. Caution - more than 1 cup of yarrow tea a day can lead to headaches, fainting or skin rashes and prolonged use is not recommended.

Dried yarrow flowers can be added to potpourri or used in dried flower arrangements.

A strong tea of yarrow can be used to bring out blonde lights in hair.

I hope this is of some help, though I can't help with the identification of the insect.
leyla
20 years ago
Yes Anne I agree with you to taking care with herbs - I used to grow a lot of herb about 20yrs ago and use until one day I read about a herb (can't remeber what it was now) that would give a salad a lift. Out in the garden I went to pick it - something held me back - don't know what and I decided against it. Some days later a herby friend identified it for me as spotted hemlock - we used it instead as a snail killer - snails would die after crawling over them. I now only grow parsley, mint, thyme, oregano, coriander and sage - all labelled from the nursery. Scarey!!!
Leyla
april15
20 years ago
Wendy where did you get the clary sage from? I have looked for seeds everywher but I have had no joy. I purchase clary sage esentail oil and it is rather pricey! I would rather have the herb thank you! I have also read somwhere that yarrow helps the compost heap any ideas on this one any one?
Snodge
20 years ago
I do believe Honeysuckle Cottage has Clary sage. They do mail order.
Anna_B
Original Author
20 years ago
Both Austral Herbs (Australherbs.com.au) and New Gipplands Seeds (http://www.possumpages.com.au/newgipps/) have Clary Sage seeds.

Yarrow added to the compost heap helps it to decompose quicker. Comfrey also is helpful.
Snodge
20 years ago
Comfrey is also one of the nutrient miners isn't it?
Raymondo
20 years ago
Yes. Comrey's deepish roots suck up all those lovely nutrients out of reach to shallower rooted plants. It's leaves are bursting with goodies including a good dollop of potassium. Great as a mulch, or let leaves rot in water and pour the diluted sludge hither and thither. Also believe you can extract a concentrate by placing a bunch of leaves under a few bricks and collecting the black ooze. I fill a trench with the leaves, cover with a little soil and plant my spuds in the trench. They love it!
I've heard that the leaves can be battered, fried and eaten but I think I'll keep mine as a fertiliser!
Davez104
20 years ago
Hi all,
I don't have a huge variety of herbs yet but I'll list em anyhow.

Rue
Sage
Chives
Garlic Chives
Oregano
Golden Oregano
Dill
Corriander
Curry Plant
Thyme
Mint
3 different Basil varieties
14 different Chilli varieties
Rosemary
Citronella Geranium
Lemongrass
Valerian

and I think thats just about it.
Dave.
agnes_wa
20 years ago
Hi

Reading through past messages with avid interest.

I have a very small collection of herbs - but because I am Chinese Australian I have a particular interest in growing chillies.

My mum is often able to obtain seedlings from her friends for me, but does anyone know how I can buy a range of different chillies? Dave - I noticed that you had 14 different types...

Thanks.

PS Has anyone transferred a bay tree from a pot into the ground and if so, can you plse tell me if it grows really huge really fast?
Davez104
20 years ago
Hi agnes.
Take a look at Eden Seeds website, they have a good selection of seeds and I have always got good germination from thier seeds.
Dave.

Here is a link that might be useful: Eden Seeds
aimee_new2herbs
19 years ago
Hi All
I have just started my first garden and here is my list.

corriander
basil
flat leaf parsley
royal flush tomato

dont laugh, i know its small but thought i better start off with a modest approach;)
aimee
The_Librarian
19 years ago
Excellent combination there; all the pasta essentials. Good luck with coriander - everyone I know can never hold it to leaf for more than about three weeks before it bolts to seed. Lucky the seed's as much fun as the leaves, I guess ...
Raymondo
19 years ago
I grow only a few herbs - parsley, oregano, sage, chives, pineapple sage, vietnamse mint and coriander. I just keep sowing coriander so that there is always some ready for picking.
I've also got a little collection of chillis, always trying out different ones - this year it's Yellow Cayenne (on the hot side but not overly) and Pepperoncini (really just a very slightly piquant capsicum, very mild). And any of you who frequent the Cornucopia forum will probably know me as a complete tomato addict!
Jamus_S
19 years ago
I'm a compulsive collector of ethnobotanical specimens. I grow the following plants;

Sage - golden, regular, tricolour, spanish, clary
Oregano - italian, greek and golden (marjoram)
Marjoram
Thymes including, spicy broadleaf, culinary, lemon, wooly, orange peel, caraway, and other ornamentals
Winter savory
Summer savory
Lemon savory
Bergamot
Comfrey
Rue
Anise hyssop
Calamint
Rosemary - various forms
Lavendar - italian, english, ornamentals
Lemon balm
Lime balm
Mints including - spearmint (round leaf), spearmint (regular), peppermint, watermint, stone mint, menthol mint, basil mint, corsican mint, apple mint, lime mint, native river mint, pennyroyal, native pennyroyal, common garden mint (sp?)
Chives
Garlic chives
Garlic
Russian garlic
Society garlic
Hops - golden and regular
Fennel, bronze fennel, florence fennel
Dill
Chervil
Tarragon - russian and french
Mexican marrigold (mexican tarragon, tagetes)
Wormwood
Southernwood
Cat mint
Catnip
Cammomile
Dyers cammomile
Echinacea
Borage
Calendula
Parsley - italian and crinkly
Lovage
Alexanders
Basils - seasonal Thai, sweet, cinnamon, lemon, purple ruffles, and greek ~ Ocimum minimum (favourite!) clove basil, holy basil
Angelica - Glossy, Angelica sinensis, Culinary
Nigella
Fenugreek
Coriander
Horseraddish
Sweet Cicely - my pride and joy.
Turmeric
Galangal
Lesser Galangal
Fingerroot
Long pepper
Betel pepper
Rice paddy herb
Fish herb - Houttuynia cordata
Laksa plant - Polygonum odorata
Cinnamon
Lemon myrtle
Aniseed myrtle
Native pepper (Tasmania lanceolata)
Saffron
Perilla
Elderberry
Cardamom - I think / I hope...
Lemongrass
Native lemongrass
Caper
Curry leaf tree - very sick :-(
Long coriander - could be dead. :-(
Sweet bay
Kaffir lime
Poppy (somniferum) many others but that's a different story
Various chilies - seasonal

That's enough for now.. there may be some I've forgotten. If anyone would like seeds, plants or just advice email me. I love hearing from fellow plant lovers. Cheers
sunflower_sharon
19 years ago
HI,

I've just started my first garden after moving from a rental highrise apartment to my own home :-)

Yard was all grass but I've made beds and filling it as money allows. So far Italian Lavender, French Lavender, Cat Mint, Rosemary. I've got seeds for dill, chives and parsley to go in over the weekend. Hope to get much more...
Anna_B
Original Author
19 years ago
Jamus, I know how you must feel about your Sweet Cicely. Mine this year has grown beautifully and at the moment is forming seeds which I am watching closely so that I can collect them. Though I think I'll put something over them so I don't lose them. It is a most wonderful plant, the delicateness(?) of the leaves and the flowers is a sight to behold. In Sydney's climate it is not always easy to grow so I have been very excited with it this year.
Jamus_S
19 years ago
Anna, YES! The plant is beautiful. My first attempt failed as the tap root rotted off over winter. This time I've got it in a spot with better drainage, dappled light under a tree, and plenty of water. Our climate here in Adelaide should be better than your sydney climate for sweet cicely, so I'll wait and see what happens.
sybille7
19 years ago
Hmm Have to have a look:
Sage (S. apiana, S. milthorizza, S. melifera, S. darcii,
S. splendens, S. turkmenistan, S azurea)
Lemon verbena
Greek mountain tea,
Siegesbeckia
Basil (gratissimum, lemon, anis...)
Chillies (habaneros, Jalapenos, Banana, Hungarian
cherry, Ricoto-yellow, orange, red, Bell ...)
Anthoxanthum ordoratum
Hierochloe odoratum
Vetiver grass
(the whole cullinary herb range)
Mate tea
Moledavian mint (and a australian native mint)
Cinnamonum
Wild hops (male and female)
Plectranthus sp.
Artemisia (pontica, absinthium, vulgaris, ludoviciana...)
Tagetes lemonii
Tagetes lucida (Thanks to one of my trades this section
Tagetes will get bigger)
Catha edulis
Spilanthes sp.
Licorice (russian and chinese)
Catnip
Cimicifuga racemosa
Brahmi
Various plants which you can use in salads.
Jasminum sambac
Ammi visagna

And when I have a look into my garden I know it is probably only a third of what I have.
Funny I have so many plants but tomatoes don't do it here.

I have a lot of poisonous plants because I like the idea that plant can defend themselves.
It is funny with herbs and plants people thing they are plants and therefore not powerfull, which is not true.

I used to brew up some vine after Hildegrad von Bingen (old german nun) was with white vine (simmer until the alcohol evaporated, with parsley and honey, everyday a shot was good for the heart.)

Well, here it is.....

Comments (32)

mad_with_3_girls

Kiwi_oz

Related Discussions

flytower_au

Anna_B
Original Author

mad_with_3_girls

WendyH

Marie_K

tingatinga

mad_with_3_girls

Marie_K

Marie_K

WendyH

JamesBrown

Saintin

Anna_B
Original Author

leyla

april15

Snodge

Anna_B
Original Author

Snodge

Raymondo

Davez104

agnes_wa

Davez104

aimee_new2herbs

The_Librarian

Raymondo

Jamus_S

sunflower_sharon

Anna_B
Original Author

Jamus_S

sybille7

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Well, here it is.....

Comments (32)

Related Discussions

Anna_BOriginal Author

Anna_BOriginal Author

Anna_BOriginal Author

Anna_BOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Anna_B
Original Author

Anna_B
Original Author

Anna_B
Original Author

Anna_B
Original Author