Frogleg > wrote in message >. ..
> On 5 Oct 2003 12:38:37 -0700, (Carnivore269)
> wrote:
>
> >Frogleg > wrote in message
>
> I'm growing desperate for dill! The large pot where it used to freely
> re-seed and grow up to 3 batches per season suddenly pooped out. This
> spring I sowed seeds, and a few plants grew to 3" or so, and then
> disappeared (cool, wet weather and probably not enough sun). One of my
> favorite uses is Irish soda bread with (fresh) dill.
Something may have eaten them too...
I'm actually getting kind of nervous about the white tails.
Lately when I've been driving home at night, there has been a small
herd of deer grazing on one of my neighbors lawns. My main garden in
the back is fenced (and the border collie runs loose in the fenced
yard), but the herb garden is in the driveway on the west side of the
house.
I'm gonna have deer in my freezer if they come near my herb garden.
<G>
>
> >> >Dried parsley leaf
> >> not much more flavor, and parsley is winter-hardy in many areas. Well
> >> worth growing. One of my favorites
> >
> >When I grow it here, the baby swallowtail butterflies eat it all. :-P
> >I recognize the caterpillars and transfer them to the Anise. I don't
> >use Anise, I just grow it for the baby butterflies. They still get my
> >parsley if I don't keep up with them.
>
> I had to thin my crop of swallowtail 'pillars a few weeks ago. Brought
> a couple inside and they cocooned (cyrsallis'd). I got a huge plastic
> jar (pretzels!) for them to emerge into, and then Isabel threatened,
> so I put the crysallises (crysalli? Greek or Latin?) outside when I
> left the house. Poor things. Just munch on a little parsley and all of
> a sudden you wake up it's raining trees!
Ooh, poor little thangs. Any idea if they hatched out ok?
Try growing some Anise. It's easy to grow and the swallowtail 'pillars
do well on that.
Now if I could just grow some stuff for monarchs...... ;-)
> >
> >I can get it fresh at the store, but sometimes the dry is convenient.
> >The flavor is subtle, but you have to use a lot.
> >
> >I use it more for color actually.
>
> "Color" from dried parsley?
Yes, I know it may sound odd, but I like the green speckly effect in
salads and stir fry's.
> >
> >>
> >> >Dried Celery leaf
> >> what's wrong with the leaves on celery stalks?
> >
> >I don't always have them.
> >And I usually give them to my birds. ;-)
> >That and Kale and Cilantro. Parrots need fresh greens.
>
> No (indoor) birds here. Would love to have one, but my indoor climate
> is too cold and drafty in winter.
You'd be surprised at how hardy a cockatoo can be. :-) Mine lives on
the sun porch 'cause she is noisy and messy, and seems to be happier
out there with more windows to watch! Plus she is right by the door so
she gets lovies every time I go back there and walk by her cage. The
big refrigerator and freezer are back there also, so she still gets
plenty of love.
Freya is a Goffin's.
> >
> >Ok. So be picky. <G>
>
> I was recently called an "obsessive fuss-budget" in another group by a
> person who more often uses a Sheldon-like vocabulary (although not
> nearly as bad). I acknowledged his accurate description. :-)
No more so than Sheldon who is picking between "herbs and spices" when
I never actually called any herbs a spice, even tho' the live in the
"spice cabinet"! LOL!
>
> >At least you grow your own herbs like I do.
> >Not many people do. Ahhhhh the joys of fresh basil!!! I can use it in
> >place of lettuce in sandwiches I love it so much!
>
> Yes, a true summer joy.
I got to grow "lettuce basil" one year and have been on the lookout
for it ever since! One leaf was large enough to cover a slice of bread
and the flavor was heaven.
<snipped>
>
> Thanks for the offer. I'm going to try and start again from cuttings.
> Mine was about 15 yrs old with a 3" diameter main stem when it
> developed some disease/condition and died in spite of vigorous and
> worried pruning of the affected parts. I used to clip long stems and
> put them in the linen cupboard. Messy, as they dried, but very
> fragrant. My bush was also next to the west side of the (red brick)
> house, in one of the few sunny spots I have. Didn't want to put in
> another plant immediately, but the disease should be gone by now.
Bummer. :-(
Do you know what killed it?
I hate to put chemicals on culinary herbs, but I may make an exception
and just not use the plant for a year rather than lose an old plant
like that.
> >
> >I just buy the powder. <G> I'll look for the seeds and try them,
> >thanks!
>
> Used a lot in Indian cooking. I've come to add them to some veg
> dishes. I like seeds.
Still learning Indian cooking. I might hit Mr. Kamboj up for some
recipes, once we settle this lost bead order. :-)
It's a $300.00 box of beads that has vanished in the postal system.
<sigh>
>
> >> >Chili powder
> >> prefer ground chile, so I can mix my own combo.
> >
> >Not a bad idea. There are so many different varieties. :-)
>
> I got a big pkg of cheap Korean ground chile (hot!) and made my own
> no-salt powder (garlic, oregano, cumin, etc.) with a lot left over for
> custom mix. My Chimayo ground chile (a gift) I parcel out in pinches.
> Or rather use very stingily.
Sounds hot! <G> I like to powder the roast peppers they sell around
here.
> >
> >> >Oregano (which I don't use very often)
> >> Useful, and dried lasts a long time. Also have fresh
> >
> >I had to thin my Oregano patch this year! That stuff takes over. Have
> >been experiementing with fresh Dittany too. It's a variety of Oregano.
>
> My original oregano spread and spread for years, and suddenly died
> out. Plants are funny. New plant (last year) is doing well in a pot.
> Will transplant next year.
Mine started to die after I thinned it, but all the rain we have had
lately seems to have brought it back.
Chickens like Oregano by the way. <G> They get all the weeds too.
> >
> >> >Thyme (same as above)
> >> Dried is quite flavorful, although fresh is nicer.
> >
> ><grins> That's another herb in the garden that has over-grown! ;-)
> >I adore it fresh.
>
> I've found both sage and thyme tend to get woodier and less productive
> of leaves after a few years. I fry to start new plants from time to
> time. I don't *use* much sage, but I love the plant and the fragrance
> when I rub a leaf.
Try Dwarf sage. It produces more leaves than the broad leaf sages. I
have both and they have done well for the first time! I've had trouble
with sage but these two wintered over this time.
>
> >I've got to start experimenting with seeds, thanks!
>
> I haven't made any in some time, but pound cake with poppy seed is
> *so* genteel. I use sesame seeds a lot as garnish for salad or stir
> fry (particularly if I don't have any fresh basil to chiffonade). I
> also add some to the pan when I'm making a grilled cheese sandwich. At
> least a *few* seeds stick to the bread.
Sux to be on the Atkins diet. :-( I love poppy seed rolls and muffins!
<sigh>
C.