If you look at my herb garden right now, there’s not much to be seen. Amazingly, the chives and Italian parsley, while wilted, are still bright green and edible. And two of my three varieties of thyme seem to thrive in the cold. It also appears that my shallots may have taken root. But the basil, cilantro, etc. are long gone.
My first backyard herb garden experience has me eager to learn more. I’m apparently not the only one. At U of I in Urbana, the ag department is sponsoring Herb Day on Jan. 17. The registration is only $55 and includes a day of lectures and an herb-inspired buffet lunch.
I already have a lot going on in January and I’m not sure I can take a full day of herbucation. But the speakers sound wonderful. They keynote speaker, Lucinda Hutson, is going to give some garden party advice.
I’d be more interested in hearing from Kathryn and Melvin Schiedermayer, a couple from New Glarus, Wis. (isn’t there a beer by that name?) who plan to talk about harvesting and preserving herbs. Sounds like their focus will mostly be on preserving for soaps and bath products, since that’s their business: Garden Spirit.
I definitely could benefit from that session (though I’m very proud of my pesto…which I plan to toss in with some shrimp and pasta tomorrow).
Anyone up for an herbal road trip? And, please, you know which herbs I mean.
Photo from lavandarfields’ Flickr photostream.
Virtual Farmgirl 