Club50! - for the over 50's
Herb Directory: Marigold to Woodruff
| MARIGOLD | TYPE: ANNUAL | HEIGHT: 30cm (1ft) |
| SPRING: | Sow seed in permanent position in sun or shade. Thin seedlings 15cm (6 in) apart. Plant in tubs and containers. | |
| SUMMER: | Good edging plant that self-seeds freely.. | |
| AUTUMN: | Remove dead plants. | |
| WINTER: | Keep self-sown seedlings free of weeds. | |
| USES: | Dried petals in pot-pourri. Fresh or dried petals in place of saffron. Infusion as skin toner. Ointment for skin complaints and sunburn. |
| MARJORAM | TYPE: ANNUAL/PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 20cm (8in) |
| SPRING: | Plant perennials in sunny position 25cm (10 in) apart. Sow annual seed under glass. | |
| SUMMER: | Plant out seedlings 20cm (8 in) apart. Take stem cuttings from mature plants. | |
| AUTUMN: | Cutback flowering stems. Pull up annuals. | |
| WINTER: | Divide perennial plants. | |
| USES: | Fresh or dried leaves in meat dishes, vegetable salads, stuffing. Add to potatoes and dried bean dishes. Marjoram vinegar in salad dressings. Tea for headaches. |
| MARSHMALLOW | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 90cm (3ft) |
| SPRING: | Plant at back of herb bed. Set out plants 45cm (18 in) apart where they are to flower. | |
| SUMMER: | Keep well watered. | |
| AUTUMN: | Sow seed in cold frame or seed bed. Lift and divide established plants. | |
| WINTER: | Protect seedlings through winter. | |
| USES: | Dried root as flavouring. Boiling of root for chest complaints. Tea of flower and leaves for coughs and colds. |
| MINT | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 60cm (2ft) |
| SPRING: | Plant in moist shady spot. Sow seed in pots. keep in pots or separate bed as avigorous grower. | |
| SUMMER: | Plant seedlings 15cm (6 in) apart in moist shady position. Water plants with liquid fertilizer. | |
| AUTUMN: | Remove old flowering stems. Remove runners and plant in boxes to increase stock for next year. | |
| WINTER: | Plants die down in winter. | |
| USES: | Fresh or dried leaves in sauces, salads, meat, poultry; with fruit, ice cream. Dried leaves in pot-pourri. |
| NASTURTIUM | TYPE: ANNUAL HARDY | HEIGHT: Climber |
| SPRING: | Sow seed in permanent position in full sun. Good container plants. | |
| SUMMER: | Plants reseed themselves. | |
| AUTUMN: | Remove old plants. | |
| WINTER: | Plants die down in winter. | |
| USES: | Full of vitamin C. Fresh leaves in sandwiches, green and vegetable salads. Nasturtium vinegar for salad dressings. |
| PARSLEY | TYPE: BIENNIAL | HEIGHT: 30cm (1ft) |
| SPRING: | Soak seed in boiling water and sow in shady spot. Thin seedlings to 15cm (6 in) apart. | |
| SUMMER: | Cut off flowers in second year to prolong life of plant. | |
| AUTUMN: | Soak seed in boiling water, and then sow in permanent position in shady spot. Thin seedlings to 15cm (6in) apart. | |
| WINTER: | Plants die down. | |
| USES: | Fresh or dried leaves in all savory dishes. Parsley tea for piles. Infusion for freckles. |
| PINEAPPLE SAGE | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 90cm (3ft) |
| SPRING: | Plant in sunny sheltered position. | |
| SUMMER: | Take stem cuttings to increase stock. | |
| AUTUMN: | Where possible bring plants indoors. | |
| WINTER: | Indoor plants will flower in November. Protect outdoor plants with straw and netting. | |
| USES: | Ornamental. Fresh leaves in fruit salads and fruit drinks. |
| ROSEMARY | TYPE: EVERGREEN | HEIGHT: 1.3M (4 ft) |
| SPRING: | In April, plant in sunny sheltered position. | |
| SUMMER: | Layer low-growing branches of mature plants. | |
| AUTUMN: | Cut back half the year's growth on established plants. | |
| WINTER: | Protect young plants with straw and netting. | |
| USES: | Add fresh or dried leaves to meat dishes, vegetables and fruit salads. Infusion as rinse for dark hair. Tea for indigestion. Rosemary oil for rheumatism.. |
| SAGE | TYPE: EVERGREEN | HEIGHT: 60cm (2 ft) |
| SPRING: | Plant in dry sunny position. Sow seed in pots. Set out seedlings 45cm (18 in) apart. | |
| SUMMER: | Cut off tips of tips of shoots in 1st year to encourage bushy growth. Take stem cuttings or layer low-growing side shoots of mature plants. | |
| AUTUMN: | Renew sage plants after about 4 years when very woody. Cut back half the year's growth. | |
| WINTER: | Protect young plants with straw and netting. | |
| USES: | Fresh or dried leaves in meat dishes, poultry, dried beans. Fresh leaves in apple juice. Sage tea for colds and ‘flu’. Infusion as rinse for dark hair. |
| SALAD BURNET | TYPE: ANNUAL | HEIGHT: 30cm (1ft) |
| SPRING: | Buy plant and set in sunny position. Sow seed in boxes, harden off plants. Good plant for tubs. | |
| SUMMER: | Transplant seedlings to permanent position 30cm (12 in) apart. Self-sows freely if left to flower. | |
| AUTUMN: | Cutback flowering stems. | |
| WINTER: | Plant outdoors. Stays green through winter. | |
| USES: | A salad herb. Vinegar in salad dressings. In herb mixtures. With fish, cool summer drinks. Infusion as skin tonic. |
| SAVORY (SUMMER) | TYPE: ANNUAL | HEIGHT: 40cm |
| SPRING: | Plant in sunny position or in pot. | |
| SUMMER: | Sow seed in sunny position. Thin seedlings to 15cm (6 in). | |
| AUTUMN: | ||
| WINTER: | ||
| USES: | Add fresh or dried savory to all bean dishes. Use in stuffing and herb mixtures. |
| SAVORY (WINTER) | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 30cm (1ft) |
| SPRING: | Plant in sunny position or in pots. | |
| SUMMER: | Sow seed in sunny position. Thin seedlings to 15cm (6 in). | |
| AUTUMN: | To increase stock lift and divide plants. | |
| WINTER: | In some areas perennial stays green through winter. Pot of perennial can be brought indoors. | |
| USES: | Add fresh or dried savory to all bean dishes. Use in stuffing and herb mixtures. |
| SOAPWORT | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 60cm (2ft) |
| SPRING: | In April, sow seed in seed bed. | |
| SUMMER: | In June, transplant seedlings 15 cm (6 in) apart, any position. Water in dry spell. | |
| AUTUMN: | In October, buy plant and set in any position. | |
| WINTER: | Plant dies right down. Mark spot with stake. | |
| USES: | Boiling of leaves as skin cleanser, shampoo. Boiling of whole plant for washing delicate fabrics. |
| SWEET CICELY | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 60cm (2ft) |
| SPRING: | Plant in open sunny position. Transplant seedlings from autumn sowing 45cm (18 in) apart. | |
| SUMMER: | Self-seeds freely if left to flower. | |
| AUTUMN: | Cut back flowering stems and dead leaves. Sow fresh seed in boxes. Leave outside in sheltered area. | |
| WINTER: | Protect plants from frost by covering with straw and wire netting. | |
| USES: | Cuts acidity when added to tart fruits such as rhubarb or gooseberry. Leaves in fruit salads, with plums and as salad dressing. |
| TARRAGON | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 60cm (2ft) |
| SPRING: | In March, plant in dry sunny spot. | |
| SUMMER: | Take cuttings of side shoots, keep under cloche for planting out in spring. | |
| AUTUMN: | Take cuttings of side shoots, keep under cloche for planting out in spring. | |
| WINTER: | Protect plants from frost by covering with straw and wire netting. | |
| USES: | Savoury herb. Use in sauces and salads; sprinkle over grilled chops and steak. Tarragon vinegar in salad dressings, pickles, chutneys. |
| THYME | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 45cm |
| SPRING: | In March, cut off rooted stems of mature plants. Plant in warm dry sunny spot. Sow common thyme seed in April. | |
| SUMMER: | Thin seedlings 10cm (4 in) apart. Keep weeds down round tiny plants. Harvest for drying when in flower. | |
| AUTUMN: | Thymes are self-layering. Trim plant if it becomes straggly. | |
| WINTER: | Cover dead-looking centres of old plants with soil or compost to encourage new growth in spring. | |
| USES: | Fresh or dried leaves in soups, stews, stuffing, with cheese and vegetables. Thyme tea for cough. Lemon thyme in fresh fruit salads and pot-pourri. |
| VALERIAN | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 90cm (3ft) |
| SPRING: | Plant in sun or shade. In April sow seed in flowering position. Lift and divide mature plants. | |
| SUMMER: | Thin seedlings to 45cm (18 in) apart. | |
| AUTUMN: | Sow ripe seed in cold frame. Lift and divide mature plants. Keep some roots for drying. Transplant seedlings 45cm (18 in) apart. | |
| WINTER: | Plant dies down. | |
| USES: | Flower arrangements. Tea for sleeplessness. |
| VERBASCUM | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 90cm (3ft) |
| SPRING: | Sow seed in April in sunny spot. Thin seedlings 15cm(6in) apart. Following April set in permanent position 30cm (1ft) apart. | |
| SUMMER: | Harvest flowers every morning. | |
| AUTUMN: | Leave some flowers on plant to self-seed. | |
| WINTER: | At end of 2nd year remove old plants. | |
| USES: | Fresh or dried flowers remedy for coughs. Dried flowers in pot-pourri. |
| VERBENA (LEMON) | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 1.8M (6ft) |
| SPRING: | Plant in sunny sheltered position. | |
| SUMMER: | Harvest leaves. | |
| AUTUMN: | Take stem cuttings and overwinter in greenhouse or indoors. Take plant indoors for winter - cut back long stems. | |
| WINTER: | Protect containers standing on terrace to keep out frost. Protect outdoor plants with straw and wire netting.. | |
| USES: | Flower arrangements. Dried leaves and flowers in pot-pourri, in bags to hang among clothes. Fresh leaves in fruit salads. |
| WOAD | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 1.8M (6ft) |
| SPRING: | Plant in sunny position. | |
| SUMMER: | In August sow seed in permanent position. Thin seedlings 25cm (10 in) apart. | |
| AUTUMN: | Mark position of plant. | |
| WINTER: | Wrap sack round containers standing on terrace to keep out frost. | |
| USES: | Ornamental and a dye plant. |
| WOODRUFF | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 20cm (8 in) |
| SPRING: | Plant 15cm (6 in) apart in shade of larger herb or shrub. | |
| SUMMER: | To increase stock of plants, lift and divide roots. In July or August sow seed, thin to 15cm (6 in) apart. Harvest flowering stems. | |
| AUTUMN: | Cut back dead flower heads. | |
| WINTER: | Plant dies down in winter. | |
| USES: | Dried leaves among clothes to deter moth. Dried or wilted leaves in Rhine wine. Tea soothes headaches. |
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