Mulberry Creek Herb Farm: Herbs, Recipes, Stories, Ideas and other things A-Z

Herbs, Recipes, Stories, Ideas and other things A-Z

Tansy, Curly Fern-leaf

Tanacetum vulgare 'Crispum'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Sun-P.Shade
Height: 2-3 Foot
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Flowers: Middle Summer
Common Uses:Borders, Cut Flower, Ornamental, Potpourri, Repellant

Rich emerald green, “70's tuxedo ruffled” leaves make perfect additions to the foundation planting. Also wards off critters as does the species “Tansy” along with the same bright yellow, button flower heads.

Tarragon, Mexican

Tagetes lucida

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1-2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Flowers: Middle Winter
Common Uses:Borders, Butterfly, Culinary, Hedges/Shrubs, Houseplants

Talk about an identity crisis. Flowers like a marigolds (no coincidence, it is one) with narrow dark green leaves like penstemon and smells ;amp; tastes like French Tarragon. Overwintered indoors, it is a good substitute for tarragon.Outdoors, it's easier to grow, harvest and use. Forms an upright bright green bush which makes a fine small hedge in southern climates. It drinks up the water especially in containers!!!

Tarragon, True French

Artemisia dranunculus

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1-3 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary

Absolute culinary necessity! Its mild licorice flavor is found in this classic ""fines herbes"" combination and all over french cookbooks. Fresh or preserve in vinegars, ice cubes, and butters, add sparingly to white sauce, salad dressing, omelets, corn, tomatoes, and chowders. Divide every 4-5 years or when its vitality needs ""re-booting"". Grow in a tomato cage to keep upright.

Tasting Room Exterior

Tasting Room in our greenhouse

Tasting Room Interior

Teucrium, Alpine Germander

Teucrium ackermannii

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Full Sun Only
Height: 2h x 6w inches vine
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Groundcover/Spiller

Find this in Mark's G-Scale railroad along the driveway where the blue needled leaves form a very low, waterfall mat with rose colored, hydrangea shaped flowers, all summer long. If you let it dry out a tad before watering again, it will give you heavy blooming in the spring, sporadic surprises in the summer and a nice rebloom in the fall.

Thalictrum, Alpine

Thalictrum alpinum

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 3in. x 8
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Late Spring
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade

DELICATE in appearance but hardy in nature, you might mistake its 3-4 inch bluish green foliage for a shrunken ""Maidenhair Fern"" until the purple tufts appear in early summer. Shady, woodland is written all over this one.

Thrift, Faery

Armeria caespitosa (A.juniperifolia)

Light: Full Sun
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Borders, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

“Cockroach hardy” alpine offers rose colored clusters of flowers in the early spring. Grassy tufts look great the entire season. Accompanied by “Veronica, Sunshine” growing around it, you have a great start to another growing season.

Thrift, Little Penny

Armeria caespitosa

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: Full Sun to P.Sun
Height: 2in. x 3
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Fall to Late Spring to Middle Fall to Mid
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Borders, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Take ""Faery Thrift"", reduce by 50% and you have it! Flowers aren't even tall enough for any kind of stem, rather they just perch on the foliage.

Thrift, Mini Red-Leaf

Armeria maritima 'Rubrifolia'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: Full Sun to P.Sun
Height: 3in. x 6
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Fall to Early Summer to Late Summer to Middle Fall to Mi
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Borders, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Blooms non-stop during any kind of cooler weather. I like the reddish pink, round flower clusters that bob above but I adore the dark, reddish purple blades in early summer for their contrast in the garden or container. Ben suggested faeries use these flowers as ballons when they go on parade.

Thrift, Red Faerie

Armeria caespitosa 'Bevan's'

Cold Tolerance: Zone ]4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: Full Sun to P.Sun
Height: 3in. x 6
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Late Spring to Middle Fall to Middle Spring to Middle Summe
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Butterfly, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Actually it is more of a dark pine heading toward red, but, trust me, the flowers' hue is intense. In all other respects, it is very similar to ""Faerie"".

Thrift, Variegated

Armeria x 'Nifty Thrifty'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: Full Sun to P.Sun
Height: 3in. x 6
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Spring to Middle Fall to Middle Spring
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Borders, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Leaves are generally larger than ""Faerie Thrift"" and golden with a green stripe down the center. Even in cooler climates, you can not miss the dark pink flowers by June through Labr Day and beyond. On a miniature scale, it would be viewed as a large, mounded ornamental grass.

Thriftfaery

THYME

Common Uses:Tea

Why do we have so many thymes? When you've collected as many herbs as we have, some groups are bound to be your favorites. Each time we visit an herb specialty nursery, I head for thymes, knowing I'll probably find a completely new scent, leaf shape, growth habit or flower color. Most thymes are hardy for us, year after year because we nourish (compost at planting time and, ideally, annually), hold back on water, and we site them in a raised bed. They thrive in our 2 tiered (1 & 2 ft. high) bed with brick walls that provide the height and warmth. Pick any food, there is a thyme for it from savory to sweet. Medicinally, the active ingredient "thymol" is a strong disinfectant and antiviral component, so it's used heavily during the flu season. Ben & Joshua get thyme baths for coughs and it's an ingredient in their vapor rubs, adult "Listerine".

Thyme, Caraway

Thymus herba-borona var.`Caraway'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1-2in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, , Ornamental, , Garden Railroads, Walk About

Purple-rose flowers occur in summer on this low creeper. Pleasing but faint caraway fragrance make this thyme the choice for breads and focaccias. Prune tips to encourage branching which will help fill out this fast spreading groundcover. Can substitute for caraway seed in muffins and sauerkraut.

Thyme, Clear Gold

Thymus X 'Clear Gold' (a.k.a. Yellow Transparent)

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 4-6in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, , Ornamental, , Tea

Yellow green foliage has best color in the spring but the finest flavor in the summer. Use, fresh for just a touch of lemon in teas, fish, fruit, and vinegars. Use tender stems, leaves and flowers, abundantly, from this vigorous gold grower.

Thyme, Creeping Lemon

Thymus herba-barona

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2 - 4in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, , Ornamental, , Garden Railroads, Walk About

Release a rich lemon scent with every step from this little creeper. Planted between stepping stones, you'll do just that. This is a type of ""Caraway Thyme"" without any hint of caraway, just pure lemons.

Thyme, Doone Valley

Thymus 'Doone Valley'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 3-6in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, , Garden Railroads, Ornamental

This thyme looks like the house painter splashed it with yellow paint. Totally random gold streaked leaves appear with a very nice lemon flavor and delicate pink blossoms. Like most thymes, color is best in spring.

Thyme, E.b. Anderson

Thymus x 'E. Bertram Anderson'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2-4in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, , Ornamental

Lilac flowers rarely occur on this dwarf, broad-leaved, mounding thyme but never mind. The bright yellow (cool-season) foliage is a brillant contrast to our red bricks in the landscape. Delicate lemon flavor allow it to be used in a white sauce, baked goodies, beans, corn and fish.

Thyme, Elfin

Thymus serphyum `Elfin'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2 inch
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Bonsai, , Container, , Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, , Walk About

Pink flowers adorn this truly diminutive groundcover thyme in summer. We use it as a moss substitute in bonsais. Essential to any hypertufa container or rock garden. Spreads slowly, after many years, it ends up 18”-24” wide, eventually reaching a dizzying height of 3 inches. It mounds as though there was an elf’s home underneath. Compare with ""True Elfin."" Order early!

Thyme, English Broadleaf

Thymus 'English Broadleaf'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 12-16in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, , Medicinal, , Ornamental

White flowers in summer attract many bees to make the best tasting honey. Harvest soft tips any time of year for vinegars, italian dishes, breads, focaccias & goulash. Start with 2 tbsp fresh for a large pot of spaghetti. Harvest 3-4"" long stems in September, dry on screen and use all winter.

Thyme, English Miniature

Thymus vulgaris 'Miniature'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 3-6in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Bonsai, , Container, , Culinary, , Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Previously called ""Nitidus Thyme,"" we realized miniature was more descriptive. White flowers open up in summer on this tiny gem. Has all the same great flavor and uses as ""English Thyme"" except that less can be harvested and it's foliage is completely different. Great for bonsai, hypertufa pots, rock garden and mixed containers.

Thyme, English Mulberry Silver

Thymus 'English Wedgey'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 8-12in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, , Ornamental

Thyme, English Variegated

Thymus 'EnglishVariegated'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 8 - 12in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, , Medicinal, , Ornamental

This antique variety once common in the trade, was edged out after “English Wedgewood” was discovered. One of our “Wedgewoods” reverted back to a parent creating a splish-splash variegation, that holds through summer’s heat. We’re proud to be one of the few nurseries to re-introduce this unique and tasty plant. Puts up with shade, but flavor’s always better in full sun.

Thyme, Golden Lemon

Thymus X citriodorus 'Aureus'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 8-12in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, , Ornamental, , Tea

Rare white flowers grace this celabrated herb. Bright yellow and green leaves look best in spring with blue crocus or in red containers. Baking doesn't damper it's lemon flavor. Use it, with zest, in sun & dried teas; placed fresh on fish, poultry or steaks; add it to cupcakes and fruit salad!

Thyme, Italian Oregano

Thymus X 'Italian Oregano'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 8-10in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, , Ornamental

White flowers in spring on this narrow-leaved upright grower because it is harvested frequently. This 2 herbs in 1 plant has a natural affinity to Italian-type dishes, but don't stop there. Use scissors to harvest soft 1-2"" green tips. Save time by finely chopping all soft leaves and stems.

Thyme, Lavender

Thymus thracicus (mastichina)

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 6-10in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Butterfly, , Culinary, , Ornamental

Crush it. You'll smell a floral fragrance & what a grower! Looks good for months in pots. Pink flowers seldomly pop up on this narrow-leaved upright thyme. Use your imagination in pot roasts, mixed vegetables, pizza dough, rice, beans, and in or on bagels. Mark likes an occasional grilled lavender thyme steak. Brown meat on grill, then add handfuls of thyme & finish grilling. Great mustard enhancer.

Thyme, Lime Upright

Thymus x 'Lime'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 8-12in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, Ornamental, Tea

Our ""Lime Thyme"" is back as an upright growing, lime-green colored and flavored variety, with healthy growth and perky, citrus scent. I love this on fish, fruit salads, vinegars, in lemon verbena bread and dried in teas. Enough leaves for all season and winter meals too.

Thyme, Moonlight

Thymus leucotrichus

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun Only to Full Sun
Height: 5 inch
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

Moonlight' resembles a fine needled lavender and thyme-like foliage. But to the faeries, I would imagine, it mimics a miniature blue ""Juniper"" in their world. Excellent in the railroad garden. Sharp ""English Thyme"" flavor compatible with stews and steaks.

Thyme, Oregano Scented

Thymus pulegioides 'Oregano'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 5-8in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, , Ornamental

Pink flowers on this broad-leaved thyme add an additional bonus to this culinary herb. I know we have 2 oregano thymes but this ones's flavor is milder so it leans toward the mild vegetables, viniagrettes or those of you reluctant to try thyme.

Thyme, Pink Chintz

Thymus praecox 'Pink Chintz'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun Only to Full Sun
Height: 1 inch
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Spring
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Butterfly, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Walk About

Not quite as fuzy as ""Woolly Thyme"" but not as fussy, this hardworking goundcover puts on a dotted display of steady pink, beginning late spring and handles steady foot traffic.

Thyme, Provencal

Thymus vulgaris 'Provenca'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 8 - 12in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, Medicinal, Ornamental

""Thanks for the Memories""Don't just look at it! Smell it! Taste it! At our HerbFair both author Susan Belsinger and culinary instructor Lynn Nelson of ""The Provincal Kitchen"", absolutely fell in love with this variety. So will you. The flavor's strong, but balanced for any Italian or French cooking. Very nice blue-gray color too!

Thyme, Red Mother-of-

Thymus pulegiodes

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun Only to Full Sun
Height: 1 inch
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Bees, Butterfly, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Walk About

Like the mother of a toddler, it hugs (the ground) and moves briskly to fill an herb lawn, pathway or rock garden niche with glossy green leaves and dark pink, spring flowers within a couple of years. Mother of prostrate thymes, maybe, but red, definitely not!

Thyme, Rose-scented

Thymus X 'Rose-Scented'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun Only to Full Sun
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, Ornamental, Rock Garden

I confess. Occasionally I found out about Mark's new finds when I edit the catalog. His description inspired me to hunt it down and you know it is distinctly ""English Rose"" scented with larger foliage for kitchen prep east. Forms a delicious blue-green, fast spreading carpet for in between stepping stones, under Ebony Wonder Basil, or in rockeries... anywhere, it makes scents!

Thyme, Sage, Rosemary CHICKEN STEW (Cacciucco do Pollo)

serves a crowd!
marinade:
1 tsp. cumin, ground
1 T. fresh sage, finely chopped
2 c. chicken stock
2 c. carrots, julienned
1 tsp. crushed red pepper
2 tsp. fresh thyme, finely chopped
3 T. garlic, minced
4 c. red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
6 T. extra virgin olive oil
3 T. lemon juice
3 c. celery, thin sliced
2 tsp. garlic, minced
salt/ pepper
1 c. dry white wine
3 c. fennel bulb, thin sliced
2 tsp. fresh rosemary, finely chop
2 chickens, cut-up
2 c. whole tomatoes, pureed in juice 1/2 # mushrooms, sliced
3 T. Italian parsley, chop

Directions:
Marinade cut-up chickens in the above mixture from cumin to salt/pepper, for 1/2 hour to 48 hours. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a large baking dish with 3 T. olive oil and arrange drained chicken in the dish. Bake for 20 minutes. Add chicken stock, 3 T. minced garlic, lemon juice, and white wine. Bake another 20 minutes.

Gently mix tomatoes, carrots, red onions, celery, fennel, mushrooms, and Italian parsley. Season with salt & pepper and arrange on top of chicken. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour, basting occasionally. Remove chicken from dish and remove bones. Return meat and stir. Bake a final 20 minutes. Serve with thick slices of Tuscan bread.

Thyme, Spicy Orange

Thymus X 'Spicy Orange'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun Only to Full Sun
Height: 2 - 4in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, , Garden Railroads, Ornamental, , Tea, , Walk About

A narrow leaved, blue-green creeping variety that is simply outstanding between stepping stones and two pieces of fish, butterfly chicken breasts, or in tea. You gotta try this one.

Thyme, Tufted

Thymus caespititus

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 4in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Late Spring to Middle Spring
Common Uses:Borders, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Pink flowers adorn this enchanting ""collector's"" thyme, late spring to early summer. Distinctive, feathery foliage forms a perfect mound. Not always hardy in northern Ohio, but a very well drained soil can help to overwinter it. At home in a mixed or hypertufa container.

Thyme, Wine & Roses

Thymus praecox 'Wine & Roses'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Full Sun
Height: 2h x 18w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Walk- About Groundcover

Rose-red, wine flowers pour over this deep green groundcover that sunbaths between stepping stones. Great partner at the foot of roses to prevent splash (and possibly "Black Spot"). Offers up a pleasant aroma as you step on it to gather a fresh bouquet of roses.

Thyme, Woolly

Thymus praecox ssp. arcticus 'Languinosis'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1-2in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Borders, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

We have never seen flowers on this true variety of ""Woolly Thyme."" Too cold in northern Ohio? A popular groundcover which adores the sun even in between stepping stones, and is a natural for rock gardens and bonsai.

Tools, 1-3-4in. mini 3 per

Cold Tolerance: Zone 1 11
Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

Tools, 3 1-2in. 3pc. Red 2309-02

Cold Tolerance: Zone 1 11
Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

Tools, 3in. green 3pc -6500-58

Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

Tools, 6 1-2in. Gr 4pc. -2422-06

Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

Tools, Rusty 4in. 3 per -6606

Cold Tolerance: Zone 1 11
Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

Trellis, Wire w- leaves

Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

Trellis, Rusty Wire

Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

Trichodiadema /Desert Bonsai

Trichodiadema bulbosum

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: Full Sun
Height: 2h x 4w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Shrub, Bonsai

This South African succulent is a.k.a "African Bonsai" for its origin and natural tree habit. Great starter bonsai for boys of all ages. Stems thicken at the base like baobob trees. Don't be intimidated. The crown of bristles sprinkled over the grey to green leaves on each of the branches, are fairly soft & host to bright purple flowers throughout the year. Traditionally the roots have been used to speed up the fermentation for bread and beer.

Trug on pick

Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

Tumeric

Curcuma longa

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: P. Shade - Shade
Height: 4h x 6w feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary

We combat arthritis by sprinkling this "super-food spice" from India on everything. Grow this large,"canna-like" foliaged tropical in mixed containers. You can decide to bring it in or just let the frost kill the leaves as you harvest the ginger-like rootstock below. Save a small piece to re-plant for next year. Research drying and using this stimulating, anti-inflammatory rhizome in a myriad of dishes.

TUSCAN POLENTA LASAGNA

16 pieces

Prepare roasted garlic, pesto and ragu sauce in advance

ROASTED GARLIC

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut HEAVY-DUTY foil (or 2 sheets of regular foil) into 12” squares, enough for 1 per garlic bulb. Horizontally cut each garlic bulb off at the top, exposing just the tips of the cloves. Drizzle olive oil over each bulb. Sprinkle each with a pinch of salt & fresh ground pepper. Add a sprig of thyme and/or oregano and wrap each clove with the foil. Place in a small, 1-2” rimmed pan and bake about 40 minutes. Check for softness. The clove, when squeezed, spews out a rich, creamy, sweet garlic flavor.

PESTO
1-1/2 c. fresh basil leaves, loosely packed 2 T. pine nuts
1/2 c. fresh italian parsley, minced about 1/2 c. good olive oil
2 T. fresh oregano, minced salt
2 cloves of garlic fresh ground pepper
2 T. walnuts, chopped 1/2 c. parmesan & asiago cheeses, freshly grated

Combine all ingredients, but cheeses in a food processor and puree until smooth, but you can still see the leaves. Scrape out and into a bowl. Stir in the cheeses. (You can freeze the extra pesto in ice cube tray for more winter use.

RAGU
This is how to prepare “Odori,” the aromatic Italian trinity with herbs:
finely chop 2 carrots, 2 stalks of celery, 1 onion, 2 cloves of garlic & a handful of parsley. Saute in 2 T. olive oil ‘til golden

1# ground beef 1-2 c. white or Chianti wine
!# ground pork 2 T. tomato paste
4 Italian Sausages up to 64 ou. diced Italian style tomatoes
salt, pepper and dried thyme to taste

Prepare the “odori” in a heavy pot with a lid. Add the ground beef, pork, and sausages until browned. Add salt, pepper, thyme and a cup of wine. After the wine has evaporated, add the tomato paste and diced tomatos. Cover and simmer on VERY low heat for 3 hours, stirring now and then.

NOW THAT ALL THAT IS PREPARED, YOU ARE READY TO ASSEMBLE THE POLENTA LASAGNA

BEGIN POLENTA LASAGNA RECIPE:
3-4 T. olive oil
approximately 1# polenta (a.k.a. “corn mush” next to “Pillsbury Dinner Rolls in the refrigerated cases)
2 T. fresh thyme, minced 1/2 c. roasted garlic cloves or more
2 T. fresh basil, minced 1 c. pesto
2 T. fresh parsley, minced 4 medium Roma tomatoes, sliced
1# mozzarella, sliced into 16 slices 3 c. Ragu
1/2 c. kalamata olives, pitted & halved

Heat oil on medium heat in a large, heavy pan. Slice polenta to about 1/4” thick and brown both sides in pan. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9x13” pan and place a layer of lightly browned polenta on bottom. Add half the herbs and mozzarella slices. Evenly distribute the olives & roasted garlic cloves that have been “squirted” out of their “husks.” Layer the remaining polenta slices & herbs and spread with pesto. Top with what’s left of the mozzarella slices and sliced tomatoes.
Bake for 30 minutes to heat throughout. Remove from the oven and cut into squares. For an elegant presentation, serve each square on a plate covered with a 1/2 c. of heated Ragu Sauce.

Lavender & Earl Grey Chocolate Truffles

This recipe is easy and fool-proof, unlike other truffle recipes I've trialed. Use this as a starter and try variations. Try triple sec instead of lavender syrup. Use white chocolate for semi-sweet. Experiment.

3/4 cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon dried lavender (remember to get Lavender angustifolia, that is, lavender meant for eating not crafting) 2 Earl Grey tea bags 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided 12 ounces "Ghiradelli" or even better semi-sweet chocolate, chopped 1/2 teaspoon lavender syrup (optional) 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 5 cardamom seeds (optional) 1 cup lightly toasted almonds, finely ground

Sprinkle dried lavender into heavy cream. Shake or stir and refrigerate overnight.

Next day, strain the cream into a one quart saucepan and discard lavender. Bring the cream to a boil. Remove from heat and add tea bags and HALF the salt. Cover and steep for 10 minutes.

Squeeze tea bags and discard. Add chocolate, return to medium heat and stir until melted, about 3 minutes. Take off heat. Stir in lavender syrup and vanilla.

Pour into an 8 x 8 inches pan, lined with parchment paper. Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for two hours or more.

Meanwhile, grind cardamom seeds in a coffee grinder until fine. Add toasted almonds and the remaining HALF of the salt and continue to a fine ground. Drop into a cereal bowl.

When chocolate is solid, cut it into about 3 dozen pieces. I waited about 20 minutes before I rolled it into truffle-sized balls. Roll in almond/cardamom mix and display.

Instead of refrigerating as the original recipe suggests, I find the truffles much better just kept a room temperature and eaten up quickly. Freeze part of the batch that you won't eat up in 3 or 4 days.