Turn Your Brownthumbs Green > With Herbs

When growing herbs in the garden, like any other plant or flower, it’s important to understand soil needs, moisture level requirements and light preferences. Some of my favorite herbs are really low maintenance and can reap a bountiful harvest each season.

Below are examples of popular herbs that can turn any brownthumb green! Not only are the herbs easy to work with, they are perennials, which means your herb friends will return year after year.

Lavender
Perennial. Thrives in full sun and dry soil. Plant from seed in the Fall or use cuttings. You can also find plant ‘starts’, available at most Farmer’s Markets. Lavender is known for its fragrant leaves and is a hardy herb. Try infusing water or vodka with lavender for an added level of delicious.

Oregano
Perennial. One of the most, hardy plants around! Oregano loves direct, full sun and well-drained sandy soil. You can grow from seed in the Spring or use cuttings. Oregano does really well with weekly cutbacks and is rambunctious in salads.

Rosemary
Perennial. Like thyme, rosemary can be grown indoors. While it’s a tender plant it is a hardcore survivor of the garden. Rosemary thrives in full sun and dry, well-drained soil. You can use thyme to infuse olive oil with rosemary, another trooper of the garden.

Sage
Perennial. Loves a good strong sun and thrives in well-drained, rich soil. Plant from seed in the Spring or use cuttings. You can also find plant ‘starts’, available at most Farmer’s Markets. Sage is a hardy plant and carries mystical and healing priorities… but that’s for another post, another time.

Thyme
Perennial. Thrives in full sun and dry soil. Direct seed in Spring. You can also use cuttings or divisions to propagate and make Thyme babies for friends from your main plant! Like rosemary, thyme can be grown indoors as well.

***Lady Greenthumbs is a vegetarian, and while rosemary, thyme and sage are notoriously delicious on meat, Lady Greenthumbs cannot speak to that. If you’re a vegetarian too, try infusing olive oil with these herbs and use as glazes for tofu or seitan.

Eggshell Seed “Starts”

Starting seeds in eggshells can be a fun, sustainable and super cute greenthumbing experience! Plus, it is a great project for kids.

 You Will Need:

• Empty eggshell halves (make sure they are rinsed with soap!!!)
• Cardboard egg carton
• Pre-moistened seed start mix
• Seeds (I’ve started everything from flowers to veggies in eggshells)
• A windowsill where the seeds can germinate or a grow light setup
• Love, patience and good wishes

Start with a dozen eggs. Gently crack-open the eggshell at the top and drain out the raw egg to create an eggshell “pot”. Don’t be alarmed if your cracked eggshells have ragged edges, this will work just fine and will offer tons of personality. Perfectionism in the garden is no fun!

Make sure you wash the shell well with warm water and soap. Set aside to dry. Use a tiny pin to make a drainage hole in the bottom of the eggshell. When the shell is dry, fill each pot with organic seed-starting mix and place the eggshell pots in the cardboard eggshell carton, do not use Styrofoam egg cartons!

Gently, and with love, drop a seed or two in the pot according to the sowing instructions. If you don’t have a grow light, leave the eggshell seed starts in a sunny south-facing window. The seed start soil mixture should be kept moist but not drenched and you can use a a spray bottle for simple water flow adjustments.

Once your seedlings begin to appear, besides jumping for joy and sending everyone you know photos of your new adorable seed babies, and they have grown their first robust set of leaves, you can place directly in your garden. Whether you have a windowbox, container garden or plant directly into Mother Earth, gently crush the shell and plant immediately as to not effect the roots. Eggshell seed starts thrive once planted in their final growing space. Plus they keep pests away due to their sharp edging and provide ongoing nutrients to baby plants.

Greenthumbing is so much fun!

Root Rage: Maca

Just in time for Valentine’s Day – Lepidium Meyenii, AKA Maca. Maca Root is said to be THE aphrodisiac of the Incas, and is traditionally employed in the Andean region for its supposed libido enhancing and fertility strengthening properties. Maca has also been shown to improve sperm production, sperm motility and semen volume. Incan warriors would often consume Maca before long journeys and battles and is still used today for its ability to help strength and endurance.

In addition to its sexy factor, Maca root contains significant amounts of amino acids, complex carbohydrates, vitamins B1, B2, B12, C and E and minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium and iron. This tuber is also a an effective antioxidant with anti-cancerous properties. Maca continues to be sacred to its people and has been used as food and as medicine in South America for centuries.

So, skip the “not tonight honey I’m too tired” and get your Valentine’s Day started with some Maca Root.

A) Maca (Lepidium meyenii) A1) racemose inflorescence; A2) fruit in a silicula; A3) dried root; B) arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza); B1) leaves; B2) umbel inflorescence; B3) fruit; B4) cross-section of the fruit

The Art and Beauty of Pollination

Herb Highlight : Stinging Nettle

Nettle Leaf – Lady Greenthumbs

Pictured above is the stinging nettle, Urtica dioica, which has a vibrant and rich medicinal history. In medieval Europe, it was used to help people poop and to ease joint pain.  Stinging nettle has also been used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. I often suggest using nettle for skin problems as it helps with inflammation in addition to treating urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate, for urinary tract infections or for hay fever. I also like to use nettle in compresses and creams for treating joint pain, sprains and strains, tendonitis and insect bites.

Please use herbs with care and under the supervision of a health care provider. While the use of herbs is a time honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease they can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications.

City Parks and Community Gardens Need Help More Than Ever

Hurricane Sandy left not only an alarming amount of people with out homes,  New York City’s parks, community gardens, playgrounds and beaches were severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy as well. If you are interested in volunteering with NYC Parks to aid in clean-up and recovery, check out below’s list of parks, playgrounds and beaches below that are in need of assistance this Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday. Please visit NYC Parks Department @NYC.gov/parks to sign up in your borough and be sure to check back for updates on other parks in need of volunteers!

Bronx
Crotona Park (Wednesday)
* Orchard Beach (Saturday only)

Brooklyn (Saturday only)
* Coney Island

Manhattan
* Fort Tryon Park (Saturday only)
* Harlem River Park (Saturday only)
* Inwood Hill Park (Sunday only)

Queens (Saturday only)
* Joe Michael’s Mile
* Crocheron Park
* Queensbridge Park
* Astoria Park

Staten Island (Sunday only)
* Kaltenmeier Playground

World Food Day

Today is World Food Day in The Etas Unis! And while Lady Greenthumbs believes everyday should be met with a movement towards healthier, more affordable and sustainable food practices, the goal of this movement is to ‘strengthen and unify the food movement in order to improve our nation’s food policies. Join this push for a stronger, more united food movement by signing up to organize or attend Food Day events in your community‘