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Herb Beds from Cuttings

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Fresh herbs contribute scent, flavor and flowers for our gardens and our kitchens. Whether they are in the ground or in containers, just give them soil that drains well and plenty of sun.  Common herbs can be purchased as small plants in the spring at many vendors but the plants vary in quality.  With seeds and cuttings, an herb bed can be grown inexpensively. When planting from seed, remember that herbs need room to spread. Rosemary, Sage, and Oregano need 4 feet; Basil and Thyme, 2-feet; Cilantro, Dill, Chives and Parsley need at least one foot. Mint travels everywhere by rhizomes. To build your collection, ask fellow gardeners for cuttings so you can collect varieties that do well in your local weather and soil.  These herbs are fairly easy to grow from cuttings: Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Mint, Basil, Marjoram, Sage, Savory, Scented Geranium, Monarda (Bergamot for tea and salad), Sweet Woodruff, Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena and Pineapple Sage....

Horsemint is Mentha longifolia

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http://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/1346 Horsemint, Mentha longifolia, has 7 subspecies - 1. Mentha longifolia subsp. longifolia . Europe, northwest Africa. 2. Mentha longifolia subsp. capensis (Thunb.) Briq. Southern Africa. 3. Mentha longifolia subsp. grisella (Briq.) Briq. Southeastern Europe. 4. Mentha longifolia subsp. noeana (Briq.) Briq. Turkey east to Iran. 5. Mentha longifolia subsp. polyadena (Briq.) Briq. Southern Africa. 6. Mentha longifolia subsp. typhoides (Briq.) Harley. Northeast Africa, southwest Asia. 7. Mentha longifolia subsp. wissii (Launert) Codd. Southwestern Africa. The British garden site Shoot provides a few more common names: Wild mint, Kruisement, Horsemint, and Buddleja mint. www.plantzafrica.com It spreads by underground rhizomes, provides lots of bee and pollinator pollen as well as having culinary and medicinal uses. "Found in most parts of the country and easy to harvest, wild mint is a popular traditional medic...

Where to Buy Plants, Seeds and Gardening Gear

Here is a list of Internet and mailorder sources for gardening supplies, seeds, plants, etc. It's today's column This year the catalog list is mostly gardener-recommended resources plus a few unusual finds. Whenever possible, buy seeds and plants locally, but be sure to check out the offerings of a mail-order supplier and try something new. • Abundant Life Seeds, (541) 767-9606, www.abundantlifeseed.org , organic seeds and seedlings. • AM. Leonard, (800) 543-8955, www.amleo.com , reasonably priced gardening tools. • Annie's Annuals & Perennials, www.anniesannuals.com , (866) 266-4370, rare and unusual plus cottage garden plants. Click on tabs for easy re-seeders, deer proof. • Baker Creek Seeds, Mo., www.rareseeds.com , (417) 924-8917, vegetable and flower seeds for our zone. • Bluestone Perennials, www.bluestoneperennials.com , (800) 852-5243, shrubs, flowers, bulbs, herbs. • Brent and Becky's, www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com , (804) 693-3966, flower bulbs. • Bustani ...