Linda's Herbs

Here are the first dried herbs from my garden. Remember the Spanish tarragon I was drying. Well I finally got around to putting the dried Spanish tarragon into some glass jars. Could this be the start of Linda's herbs?

Look how beautiful the color of the leaves are. The aroma is also wonderful. Most dried herbs I purchase at my local grocery seem old and brown, these are so fresh and green. I'll do some testing of the dried Spanish tarragon to see how it performs in actual recipes. I'll compare it to the fresh which I've already tried. I'm off on an herbal adventure, perhaps the future Linda's Herbs. So much to think about, labeling, sealing the jars and so on and so forth. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

Spanish Tarragon, Stevia, & More Juliets

This is the first year I've grown Stevia, a natural sweetner, ten times sweeter than sugar. These are the flowers just now coming out.

Here is the stevia almost four feet tall grown from a 3 inch pot planted this Spring. Not sure what I'll do with the plant. I must research if I can dry it and use the leaves. No matter though, I derive a tremendous satisfaction growing plants and seeing them blossom into their own.

These are Spanish tarragon flowers. If you don't try growing any other herb you must try this one. Spanish tarragon imparts an earthy and pleasantly pungent flavor to quiche, squash casserole and so many other dishes. It's an herb that begs you to experiment in the kitchen. Every time I use it Gary says what is that flavor, and I tell him it's the Spanish tarragon. It is really different from French tarragon which is also a wonderfully pungent herb to use in cooking.

The plant easily sprawls and covers a patch of garden bed with it's green leaves and bright yellow flowers. I am not sure this plant will over-winter but if not I will grow it again for it's unusual contribution to my culinary pursuits.

Previously I've mentioned growing Juliet tomatoes. Here is a cluster ripening on the plant.

Here is a branch of Juliet tomatoes sprawling over the ground every which way. I'm still picking a plate full of these wonderfully firm salad sized tomatoes every day.

I meant to take photos of the push plates from the recent firing but I packed them up for the farmer's market then thought about it. I will try to get some photos at the market. Made it to Atlanta to two different clay suppliers and back (more about clay changes and choices coming up soon). Then Gary got all the clay unloaded and got the car all packed up for 6 am tomorrow morning. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

My Garden is Growing

 red cone flowers

 chocolate basil

 mallow flowers

 tomatoes are ripening and held up with plastic pots

 red double hollyhocks

 gardenia suffering a little in the heat

Juliet tomatoes are forming clusters

 purple cone flowers (but more pink)

 Black Krim tomatoes are numerous

 Spanish tarragon

planter near the front door

I'm at the farmer's market today. We're expecting cooler weather just in time but also thunderstorms. Hope the crowds don't stay away. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.