Herb Gardens For Desert Dwellers

Is it an Herb or a Spice?Herb – the leaves of an annual or perennial plant

Basil, oregano, cilantro

Spice – bark, roots, seeds, fruits or berries of perennial plants

Cinnamon, black pepper, coriander

Broad Definition

Plants we use for culinary, medicinal, fragrance or general household use. Includes such plants like roses, aloes, nasturtiums, poppy and dandelion. (according to the AZ Herb Association)

Three groups: annual, biennial, perennial

Annual plants:Basil Borage Chervil Dill Marigold, dwarf Marjoram, sweet Nasturtium Savory, summer

Three groups: annual, biennial, perennial

Biennial plants:Foxglove Parsley, curlySage, clary

Three groups: annual, biennial, perennial

Perennial plants:Artemisia, in variety Bay Bee balm Burnet, salad Chives Clove, pinkComfrey Garlic Geranium, scented Germander Heliotrope Horseradish

LavenderLemon verbena Mint, in variety Oregano, Greek Rose, historic RosemarySage, garden,Sage, pineappleSavory, winter Tarragon, French Thyme, in variety Valerian

Selecting What to PlantWhat does well in the Desert?

Everything – just seasonally(Sample list)

Fall (Oct – Jan)

Catnip*

Chives*

Cilantro

Dill

Lavender *

Parsley*

Spring (Feb –Apr)

Basil

Bay Laurel

Curry

Fennel

Lemon Balm

Lemon Grass

* Both seasons

How will you use it?

Seasoning foodFragrance (crafts, flower arrangements)Landscape ornamentalsPest protection

Where to PlantGarden LocationGarden DesignGarden Preparation

Garden Location - Permaculture1. Visit multiple times daily2. Visit once daily3. Visit weekly4. Visit monthly

Garden Location

Light: 6 – 8 hours a day.

Morning sun is best. Afternoon shade in summer.Close to kitchenNear a water source

Garden Design

Containers with Ollas

Herb Spiral

Garden Design

Traditional Round Gardens

Kitchen Garden

Garden Design

Plant Guilds-Example: Comfrey and yarrow work good together as a plant guild near fruit trees. Yarrow attracts beneficial insects. Comfrey hides in its shade, offering its meaty leaves as high-protein animal forage. Use this plant guild around young fruit trees, to shade the trunk and ground.

Garden DesignCompanion Planting

Why? Repels pests, encourages pollinators

Example - Tomatoes love: basil, borage, garlic, lemon balm, parsley

(Repels cabbage moth & slugs)

Garden PreparationSoil & Fertilizer – pH of 6.5 to 7.5

Well-amended with organic material (compost), gypsum (if you have particularly hard soil), Phosphorus (bat guano, fish meal, soft rock phosphate)Good drainage (normally a problem in our clay soil)No specific fertilizer (containers an exception) –promotes lush growth but diminishes flavor & scentAdd organic matter 2 times a yearAmend soils for containers, too

Planting HerbsPropagation

Seeds –Fall best time outdoorsIndoors 6 weeks before planting time

Transplants – from the nursery or friend.

Planting Herbs

PropagationCuttings – Choose sturdy stems 3 or 4 inches long, and cut them just below a node. (Roots can emerge from it.) After removing the lower leaves, insert the stems in a pot or flat of moist vermiculite and perlite. Jar with water works. Rooting compound ok.Layering – Bend a healthy, young, low-growing stem to the ground, and anchor it with soil or a stone to keep it down.

How to Plant a Mint

Courtesy Arizona Herb Association

Garden MaintenanceMulching

retains moisture

StakingFertilizing

lightly – reduce potencycompost

Garden MaintenanceWater

Do not require as much as vegetables or flowersOver-watering diminishes flavor

PestsAphids

HarvestingA form of pruning

Harvesting promotes more growthBecome leggy if not pinched back or cut regularly

How muchNever harvest more than 1/3 of plant at a timeRegularlyPinch back blooms (may get bitter, lose flavor)

If you can’t use, dry or freeze.Or tie in a small bundle for Bouquet Garni – to

give to friends

HarvestingWhen

Early morningWhen used for leaves-right before sets flowersWhen used for flowers-before they are fully open When used for seeds – when pods change color

MethodsGrab-and-cut (multiple straight stems)

Like a buzz-cut, leave a cowlick

Stem-by-stem (growing at different heights)Above a pair of leaves - promotes new growth

Storing/PreservingWith tall stems in a glass-on a counter (basil, cilantro, rosemaryIn the refrigerator crisper drawerDrying

Bundledon a plate-on a counterdehydrate-NO microwaveFreezing–ice cube tray or mummified

Storage–(dry only) glass container

no paper–leaches oil

Cool, dark pace6 months max.

UsesMultiple uses

Season food –what herb pairs with what foodgeneral rule of thumb to follow for conversion: one part dried equals about three parts fresh.

Medicinal – tincture, poultices, oilScented – potpourri

ReferencesWebsites

http://www.herbsociety.orghttp://www.herbgardeningguru.com

BooksCromell, C., Guy, L., & Bradley, L. (1999) Desert Gardening for Beginners: How to Grow Vegetables, Flowers and Herbs in an Arid Climate. Fischer, A. & Hills, M. (1997) The Low Desert Herb Gardening Handbook Phoenix: Arizona Herb Association

Local clubsAZ Herb Association – www.azherb.org

Q&AThank You from the Garden Goddess

Handouts

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