Tag Archives: Herbs to Grow and Use in Dallas

A Late Spring Update

Posted on May 6, 2024 by Dallas Garden Buzz

According to the calendar, the first day of spring was Friday, March 20, 2024. Dallas natives know that early signs of spring started appearing in late February. One of the happiest moments for me was when two new additions to my garden in 2023 announced their comeback from winter’s cold. They are now showing signs of an exciting springtime welcome.

*Veggie Green Rose (Planted April 2023) – It has easily doubled in size, producing new buds over the past two months.

*Green Gage Plum (Planted September 2023) – It was thrilling to see both trees filled with delicate white blossoms during the last few days of February, continuing into March. Fresh, new green leaves started appearing in late March and early April. It’s now May and all is well.

*Black Sage (Planted September 2023) Sadly, this one did not survive those few days/nights of below freezing temperatures. But I’m not giving up on growing black sage in my garden. This time I’m trying a different strategy. Last month I ordered four new 4” plants from the same grower in California. Each one was planted in a different location of the garden with varying degrees of sun to shade. I’m encouraged today that all four plants have almost doubled in size. Hopefully, by this coming fall they will all be well established and ready for our unpredictable winter weather.

(Black Sage planted in early April 2024 is thriving)

A recent Savannah Bee email featured their Black Sage Honey and the amazing story of how it thrives in the lower mountain slopes and upper desert regions of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is a fascinating look at what it takes to produce this uniquely flavored honey. Thankfully, I still have a few jars left from my last order!

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

Raincatcher’s Garden Annual Plant Sale

 Tuesday, May 7th 2024

10 AM – 3 PM

Midway Hills Christian Church 

11001 Midway Road 

Dallas, Texas 75229

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Captivated by Caraway…Flavorful Leaves, Spicy Seeds and Tasty Roots

Posted on March 23, 2024 by Dallas Garden Buzz

March 23, 2024

Carum carvi

Early last fall I planted a 4” pot of caraway in my raised garden bed. That little plant has now more than tripled in size. 

Just a few days ago tiny white flowers appeared atop the feathery foliage. Blooming should continue until sometime during late spring or early summer when spent flowers yield those small, but wonderfully aromatic, hard brown seeds used in cuisines throughout the world.

If you’ve never grown caraway in your garden, follow along as we learn more about this carrot-like plant which is edible from root to shoot! 

Caraway is a hardy herbaceous biennial requiring two seasons to complete its life cycle. The first year, bright green threadlike foliage resembling that of a carrot form a mound 1 to 3 feet high. Next comes the umbels of creamy white, delicate flowers that resemble Queen Anne’s Lace.

Once the flowers are spent, brown ribbed seeds appear. The familiar caraway seed is actually the fruit of the plant. It is recommended that seeds should be harvested about a month after they have blossomed. To accomplish this, clip off the seed heads and place in a paper bag to finish ripening.

 While caraway seeds are most often associated with rye (or dark rye) breads there are a many other applications for using it. Some include: desserts and baked goods, liquors, stews, casseroles and as a flavoring for beef and pork dishes. 

When the plant has produced seed, dig up the taproot and use as you would any other root vegetable.

Caraway is a pleasing plant to grow in your herb garden. The lovely little flowers attract beneficial insects, including honeybees. 

For two different dinner options recently, we enjoyed caraway leaves straight from the garden in the following ways:

Tossed in a green salad along with radishes, tomatoes, and avocado slices 
Sauteed yellow squash and onions with a generous sprinkling of fresh caraway leaves for a flavorful lift

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardner Class of 2008

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Winter Savory Is Welcome In This Flavorful Wintertime Dish

Posted on January 20, 2024 by Dallas Garden Buzz

January 20, 2024

A plant growing on a stone wall Description automatically generated
Winter Savory growing in the garden

Walking in the garden early this morning just as sunlight was spreading its glowing rays, I stopped for a moment to gently caress the winter savory. Dew had fallen softly upon it, leaving the cascading branches with a shimmery presence. It seemed to be saying…” use me please”. And that is exactly what happened!

My husband and I love a cozy wintertime dinner by the fire. Thankfully, my winter herb garden had supplied me with the three ingredients needed to infuse the marinade for Balsamic Herb Baked Chicken Thighs: fresh rosemary sprigs, sage leaves and winter savory. This herb-garden inspired recipe delivered a pleasing amount of comfort and flavor for the perfect fireside meal.

Balsamic Herb Baked Chicken Thighs prepped and ready to bake
Ready to serve!

Hopefully, you are growing a nice selection of herbs in your winter garden. If so, remember that they liked to be snipped, trimmed and used for culinary and decorative purposes in your home.

*For information about growing winter savory, click here. 

*All herbs were harvested just before the cold front and freezing temperatures arrived. They were kept in a damp paper towel lined plastic baggie for two days.

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

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African Blue Basil

Posted on June 3, 2023 by Dallas Garden Buzz

June 3, 2023

African Blue Basil

If African Blue Basil could speak it might first suggest introducing you to the “parentals”. In this case, that would be a good idea. The African parent is a perennial shrub from forests of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. 

In 1983, African Blue basil was first seen by a nurseryman named Peter Borchard, owner of Companion Plants in Athens, Ohio. He noticed it growing in the path between beds of the two presumed parents, East African basil and ‘Dark Opal’. Borchard dug the hybrid out and brought it into the greenhouse hoping to save seed. No seed formed leaving Borchard with the task of growing more plants from cuttings. Shortly thereafter, African Blue Basil (Ocimum gratissimum) entered the market.


African Blue basil is now identified as a hybrid plant in the Lamiaceae family made
by crossing East African camphor basil and a varietal of purple sweet basil called
‘Dark Opal Basil’. Its strong camphor scent was inherited from the East African
basil used to breed the plant. Though some people may find the camphor odor
and taste too strong to use in the kitchen, others embrace its culinary uses.
While doing morning chores in the garden, the dark purple leaves of African basil
tempt me to experience their crisp, semi-chewy and woodsy flavor with notes of
menthol, musk and cloves. With a refreshing and earthy taste filling my mouth,it’s time to move out of the way and give the honeybees time to forage for nectar.

 

Before planting in the garden, familiarize yourself with its specific characteristics.
African Blue basil is a rare, aromatic, perennial shrub that can grow up to five feet
tall in some gardens. Plants produce abundant flowers that are pink with a dark
purple base, making it attractive to bees and beneficial wasps. African blue is one
of the few basils that is sterile, meaning it will not produce seeds. Fortunately,
this unique trait allows the plant to stay in bloom for a longer season. As with
other basils, African Blue does best in well-draining soil amended with compost.
Plants thrive in full sun and will form rounded mounds.


Suggestions for cooking with African Blue basil offer a wide range of possibilities.
While best suited as a fresh flavoring or garnish, the leaves may also be used in
pesto’s, chimichurri sauce, salad dressing and dips or sprinkled over soups, tossed
into salads or layered over bruschetta. Also, try it mixed into pasta, spread over
sandwiches, used as a pizza topping or for elevating desserts.

Along with the leaves, African Blue basil flowers are edible and can be used as a garnish in soups, salads and grain bowls.

They can also be incorporated into
cocktails, floated on sparkling beverages or stirred into teas. African Blue basil
pairs well with parsley, cardamom, ginger ale, champagne, green beans,
tomatoes, potatoes, lentils, rice, and feta cheese. For best quality and flavor, use the leaves and flowers shortly after harvesting.

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

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My Affection for ‘Kent Beauty’ is Growing

Posted on July 28, 2022 by Dallas Garden Buzz

August 2, 2022

One of the showiest ornamental oreganos, Kent Beauty, a hybrid between Origanum rotundifolium and Origanum scabra, has charmed me with its attractive foliage and flowers. Mine was planted in a 12” terra cotta pot over two years ago but, come fall, I’m transplanting it to a new sunny location in my raised bed. Its intriguing beauty during the heat of summer and into fall will be refreshing.

Gathered from the garden; purple pentas, cinnamon basil, society garlic and Kent Beauty oregano.

Kent Beauty is an impressive oregano, having received the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society. (The AGM is a mark of quality awarded, since 1922, to garden plants by the United Kingdom, Royal Horticultural Society.) A cup symbol on a plant’s label shows it has earned the AGM – the UK’s seal of approval that the plant performs reliably in the garden. It is only awarded to plants that are:

  1. Excellent for use in appropriate conditions
  2. Available
  3.  Of good constitution
  4. Essentially stable in form and color

Optimum growing conditions include full sun, dry to medium soil with excellent drainage. It performs well during extreme heat and drought but is intolerant of high humidity. Allow room for it to grow approximately 6 to 9 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. Bees are attracted to the tiny purple, tubular blooms. An easy-to-care for plant that is disease free and has few pests.

Kent Oregano growing in a pot

Kent Beauty is an herbaceous perennial that forms a low trailing mound of silver-veined blue-green aromatic leaves. In early summer it starts producing whorls of pendulous, drooping heads of hop-like flowers in dreamy shades of shrimp pink, cream and pale green. This visual feast for the eyes continues into the cooler autumn months.

Take advantage of its versatility and use in alpine and rock formations, as a border plant, in containers, hanging baskets and for cascading over walls. Snip stems of the draping flowers for a dramatic addition to fresh floral arrangements.

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

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A Nod to Nepitella

Posted on July 19, 2022 by Dallas Garden Buzz

July 19, 2022

Our adventure in growing nepitella was challenging. Seeds were difficult to locate and few in number. Spring of 2021, the first flat of twelve seeds was started. Instructions were followed carefully but the seeds just seemed to slumber through the next three weeks. Finally, the tiny seedlings started popping up through the seed starting mix and we were hopeful our efforts would be rewarded.

And then they just stopped growing, bent those little heads over to the side and gave it up. We couldn’t have been more disappointed that they didn’t survive because our motivation for growing nepitella, a somewhat unfamiliar herb, was all about a recipe. Fortunately, we are close friends with a master gardener who happens to be a seed starting guru. His name is Jim and he agreed to take on the task of getting us to the finish line. 

Weeks passed with no news of germination. Sadly, we were losing hope of ever getting to try that special dish featuring nepitella. And then one day, Jim surprised us with a visit to the garden. He shared the good news that ten seeds had germinated but he wanted to keep them under his watchful eye for a few more weeks. We happily agreed and, once again, held on to hope that he would be successful. As you might have guessed, about a month later Jim arrived at the garden with a flat of strong, upright nepitella seedlings that were finally large enough for their new home in the edible landscape. Cheers of joy were heard throughout the garden. 

Nepitella just starting to bloom, May 2022
Nepitella growing in Linda’s yard

Nepitella (Calamintha nepeta) grows wild in the hills around Nepi, an old Etruscan town in the province of Viterbo, Italy, about an hour north of Rome. It is an aromatic herbaceous perennial that spreads horizontally by means of underground rhizomes. The small, fuzzy leaves look like marjoram and taste like lemony mint with notes of basil and oregano. Nepitella blooms in late spring producing tiny pale purple flowers which are edible and attractive to bees.  (FYI…As of this writing, July 14th, my three pots of nepitella are still blooming. Those delicate little flowers have been tossed into salads, vegetables, desserts and more!)

If a trip to Italy isn’t on your summer agenda, where old Tuscan towns filled with picturesque scenes leave you dreaming of a stroll up crumbling stone steps to the piazza, then let the heavenly scent of nepitella take you there. You’ll find it used in Italian cookery as an aromatic to flavor all sorts of dishes from beef and lamb through tomatoes and summer squash. 

Braised Artichokes with Nepitella

And finally, the recipe that inspired us to start growing nepitella was created by a well-known Italian chef and food writer, Pellegrino Artusi. His 1891 recipe for carciofi in umido con al nepitella (Braised Artichokes with Calamint) is the one that teased our taste buds. It consists quite simply of braising carefully cleaned and quartered artichokes with a bit of tomato paste, fresh garlic and a fistful of nepitella. The happy conclusion to this story is that the flavors of Italy have arrived in our garden and we are thrilled to share them with you. 

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

We have eight 4″ pots of nepitella seedlings to give away next Tuesday, July 26th. Look for them on the round table in the Edible Landscape Garden. One per person, please.

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Getting Your Dollars’ Worth With Pennyroyal!

Posted on July 5, 2022 by Dallas Garden Buzz
Pennyroyal

July 6, 2022

Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is a perennial in the mint family of herbs (Lamiaceae). But don’t let its small size mislead you. As it creeps along the ground, usually only a few inches high, lax prostrate stems root wherever they touch the earth. If you’re searching for something fragrant to fill a semi shaded area of the garden, pennyroyal’s spreading habit will work hard for you. 

The name pennyroyal comes from its 1-inch roundish leaves which carry a strong mint flavor. During the summer months, small lavender flowers in tight whorls rise about 4 to 6 inches above the leaves. As with other “mints” pennyroyal prefers cool, moist soil and moderate fertilization.

Although no longer recommended for consumption by humans or animals, pennyroyal has other beneficial properties. Hanging baskets of pennyroyal on the porch will help keep insects away. Fresh leaves rubbed on arms and legs ward off mosquitoes, bees, flies, wasps and even chiggers. Pennyroyal can be used as an aromatic groundcover between stepping stones and in other small spaces.

Choose your location carefully, and allow pennyroyal plenty of room to grow. (Note: My biggest mistake was planting a 4” container of pennyroyal in a 4’ x 8’ x 32” high raised bed. Within months it was creeping along nicely into the bed, putting down roots and taking up my prime herb/vegetable garden space. The only solution was to dig up the entire plant and relocate it to a more confined shady spot with stone borders. It was the right decision.)

Caution: Avoid all contact with pennyroyal if you are pregnant.

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

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Avocado Toast…Dressed Up in Seasonal Colors

Posted on June 1, 2022 by Dallas Garden Buzz

It was only a few years ago when just an ordinary piece of toast topped with gently smashed avocado became the rage. You’ll find it now on menus across the country from small cafes to upscale restaurants. Everyone seems to have created their own version by using an alphabetical listing of edibles including everything from artichokes and micro greens to tomatoes and tarragon for appeal. My approach tends to be more simplistic in style. 

An early morning harvest from my edible garden provides a seasonally fresh selection of blossoms, greens, herbs and vegetables. On Saturday mornings from April until November a visit to our local farmer’s market gives me additional options. Here are a few delicious suggestions that my husband and I have recently enjoyed but be creative with your choices because any combination that pleases your palate is a winner. 

Springtime

*Thinly Sliced French Breakfast Radishes, Onion Chives and Nasturtium Blossoms

*Broccoli Florets, Arugula and Mrs. Taylor’s Scented Pelargonium Blossoms

*Thinly Sliced Carrots Topped with Caraway Sprigs

*Swiss Chard Perpetual Spinach and Nepitella Blossoms

Summertime

*Sliced East Texas Peaches and French Tarragon

*Campari Tomatoes Sprinkled with Chopped Balsamic Blooms Basil Leaves

*Sliced East Texas Peaches, Sweet Banana Peppers and Purple Basil

*Armenian Cucumbers with Salad Burnet and Watercress

Avocado toast is something we enjoy for breakfast, brunch, lunch and as a delightful appetizer. For a light summer dinner we often serve it alongside homemade gazpacho or chilled cucumber soup. Our goal is simply to use garden fresh ingredients! The only exception is when I’ve made a visit to purchase fresh eggs from my master gardener friend who raises chickens at her ranch. A delicately fried egg sitting on top makes for a very scrumptious breakfast experience.

**Additional edibles from summer’s bounty will include anise hyssop blossoms, blueberries, shaved yellow crooked neck and zucchini squash, onions, jalapeno and shishito peppers. To complete the flavor kick be sure to consider a sprinkling of these herbs; anise, dill, fennel, lovage, mint, papalo, pipicha, lemon thyme and rosemary or any of your personal favorites. 

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

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When Your Garden Provides the Ingredients…

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Dallas Garden Buzz

Try These Three Recipes:

Caprese Roasted Asparagus
Fettuccine with Cashew, Mint and Cilantro Pesto
Blueberry Zucchini Muffins

Asparagus, blueberries, garlic, jalapeno peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, basil, cilantro, Italian parsley, and mint are some of our Zone 8 seasonal garden crops. If you’re growing any of these springtime and summer favorites, consider giving them a starring role for breakfast, lunch, brunch or dinner. Each recipe calls for a list of ingredients which can be picked, snipped and harvested directly from the garden. The combined flavor profiles will elevate that fresh-from-the-garden taste experience we find so satisfying to our palates.  

Caprese Roasted Asparagus with Grape Tomatoes

Fettuccine with Cashew, Mint and Cilantro Pesto

Blueberry Zucchini Muffins

You may have noticed that the common thread in each of these recipes is olive oil. This past Christmas, family members and close friends received themed gift packages from my husband and me featuring olive oil and olive wood products. From olive wood boards, bowls and spoons to different varieties of olive oil, each one was customized for the recipient. A recipe for my favorite olive oil cake was included with each gift. 

As the spirit of giving continues, throughout 2022 our family and friends are receiving a monthly recipe featuring new and unusual ways of cooking or baking with olive oil. The three recipes listed above were for March, April and May. Summer recipes calling for olive oil will include farm fresh garden vegetables (corn, tomatoes, peppers, squash, etc.) and zesty, flavorful herbs. I’m even sharing a cobbler recipe that calls for ¼ cup of lemon olive oil!

 If you are an olive oil fan, check back for monthly recipes featuring this versatile product and its variety of uses. Writing in The Illiad, Homer revered olive oil as having the qualities of “liquid gold”. Let’s discover those possibilities together over the next seven months. 

A Bit of Trivia…It was the ancient Greeks who invented the salad dressing which was comprised of extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, sea salt and honey.

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

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The Fragrance of Fall

Posted on October 14, 2021 by Dallas Garden Buzz

Just a few steps into the garden and the air is suddenly filled with a soothing fragrance that leaves you mystified and, yet, curious to find its aromatic source. Moving closer in, hints of heady anise softened with a gentle touch of sweetness begins to calm your spirits. It only takes a moment to realize that you’ve been drawn into an intriguing area of the garden overflowing with the intoxicating fragrance of Mexican Mint Marigold (Tagetes lucida).

Also known by its other names, Winter Tarragon, Texas Tarragon and yerba anise, this semi hardy perennial makes a spectacular showing in the fall garden. Slender stems rising unbranched from the base comprise the upright clumping shape of each plant. Tiny buds that started forming in late summer find their glory in the sunny days of autumn. Golden yellow clusters of marigold-like flowers dance gently across 3 feet tall stems in a show-stopping performance.

 

Mexican Mint Marigold in the Edible Landscape at Raincatcher’s Garden

Mexican Mint Marigold originated in the cool mountains of Mexico but has become a superstar addition to many Texas gardens. Grow it from seed sown after danger of frost has passed or divide plants in spring or fall. One simple suggestion is to arch a stem to the ground, cover the center with soil, and the stem will often root at the nodes. For optimum flower production plants should be located in an area that receives full sun to moderate afternoon shade. 

You’ll find Mexican Mint Marigold used as a substitute for the more temperamental herb, French Tarragon. Both the flowers and leaves are edible and used often in teas, salads, poultry and fish dishes. For a heavenly taste explosion use the leaves in an irresistible dessert we discovered a few years ago, Strawberry Sorbet with Texas Tarragon. 

Strawberry Sorbet with Texas Tarragon

Don’t be disappointed when your Mexican Mint Marigold plants take their winter nap. After dying down to the ground for a few months, they will reappear again in Spring just in time to start rehearsing for their next performance.

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

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