August is our windy month, the end of a long dry winter. We usually have at least one good downpour during winter, but nothing this year. The garden is parched, but still full of colour here and there.
I've tried to keep my little herb garden outside the kitchen door hydrated, but last month's freaky hot wind damaged many of the young plants.
Whenever I step out for a walk through the garden, I'm forever snapping away, so will share herbs that survived, as well as Chamomile and Dill from a previous season which I need to replant.
I use fresh herbs in cooking, or to make herbal teas as well as other concoctions for medicinal purposes.
The latest challenge Week 4 Garden Weekly Theme: THYME FOR HERBS by 
I need to plant Chamomile again; this one was happily growing between Strawberries, but the wooden planter eventually caved in after weathering many storms. This herb makes a lovely refreshing and calming tea. I also refrigerate it during the hot summer months for a tall cooling drink.
This Thyme grew so wildly a while back, that I repotted some in the base of water bottles (with tops cut off - the tops make great funnels), for a friend who recently moved house.
Thyme, Rosemary and Sage are my favourite herbs for marinating and roasting chicken with a squeeze of Lemon juice and slices of lemon.
Note to self- there's been no Sage in the garden for a long while now!
I love sharing plants with friends, many can easily be propagated.
I learnt that a root starts forming when keeping a stick of Rosemary in a glass of water. Others, like the thyme, can be thinned out as they multiply, making babies, I call it.
Rosemary is great for roasting potatoes, and also one of the ingredients in my Mom's tonic wine, with added whole spice.
Every year during our Sardine run, these silvery fish are abundant, and of course, Dill goes well with any fish. I need to plant Dill again, as that also died. It gets very pretty flowers, but I guess I should have tried keeping some of the seed to sow for the next planting. I will now have to find some plants at a nursery.
I add parsley to many dishes - soup, fishcakes, as a garnish, pastas, and sauces.
Parsley tea is said to be good for bladder infections, something I've not had any issues with, but a friend swears by it.
These currently are happily growing alongside Thyme, Rosemary, Parsley, as well as Lavender; none affected by the dry and windy weather. They are in a protected position.
Basil Pesto, pasta, any tomato dishes, sauces, pizza, and salads. Basil is one of my favourite herbs.
No garden is worth its salt if it has no Mint. I add it to many dishes; salads, salad dressings, marinades, meatballs, mint sauce, and of course, Mint tea, which is refreshing and especially helpful for abdominal issues.
Marjoram would take over the herb garden if one left it. It makes a pretty backdrop for food photo shoots, but I had to stop it from taking over. It is good for digestive issues and also is an anti-inflammatory. The tea is a great remedy for tummy cramps, something that has helped me more than once since having IBS.
Can you see the Mint peeping out between the Marjoram?
This Nasturtium seems very content next to the variegated Lavender. Nasturtium is said to be nature's antibiotic and has been used in traditional medicine since the 1500s. I've eaten it for a sore throat, and it really works. It can also be added to salad and is nice on a sandwich. It has a pungent taste, similar to garden cress. I planted it recently and it is settling in nicely despite the windy, dry conditions.
Last, but not least, is fragrant Lavender. The branches can be tied in bunches, hung upside down to dry, and used to make lavender bags to be placed between linen, or added to soap and bath salts. It is said to deter mosquitoes as well. I buy the essential oil and place it in an oil diffuser; seems to stop that buzzing waking one up in the dead of the night!
My variegated Lavender has not flowered yet, but crushing the leaves gives off the same aroma as the regular plant.
The plant below is still growing strong and has been generous with its flowers. I also cut them and place them in a vase from time to time.
I could go on till daybreak, but have to stop now. As you've gathered by now, herbs play a big part in my life, they're invaluable in the kitchen and for home remedies.
Come summer, I will need to extend my herb garden, as I'm running out of space!
(ใฃโโกโ)ใฃ โฅ Happy gardening friends! โฅ
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