Shopping for Herbs

I recently attended the “Herbs Galore” event at Maymont in Richmond, Virginia. What fun!  Even in the 95 degree unseasonal heatwave I had a great time. So many choices!  It can make your head spin, so it’s good to go with a plan.  This year I actually didn’t have a list – my husband was the one who was set on getting specific plants (tomatoes) from a specific vendor.  My mother-in-law found the established lavender plants she was after.  My BFF, who happened to be visiting from out-of-town and was swept along on this plant expedition, and I, slathered in sunscreen and wearing wide-brimmed hats, rubbed the leaves of many, many herbs to take in their lovely fragrances.  We were more than willing to try the special herb-infused chocolates from one of the non-plant vendors.

If you don’t have access to a large-scale herb festival, you can still find basic herbs wherever flowers and vegetable plants are sold in your area.  Even if you don’t plan to use them for anything in particular, they are a great way to add interest to your planting areas.  Right now the bumble bees are all over our sage with its purple blooms.

If you want ideas for how to use your herbs for home remedies and beauty products, I highly recommend Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health: 175 Teas, Tonics, Oils, Salves, Tinctures, and Other Natural Remedies for the Entire Family.  You will be much happier consulting this book than trying to find equivalent information on the internet.  Herbs are absolutely Rosemary’s (love her name!) passion and she has done an excellent job putting together her years of experience and vast knowledge of herbs in an easy-to-read book.