This is Alpha, the first-born, when he was 2YO.
This is Beta, the second-born, when he was about 2YO.
This is Gamma, the third-born, when he was about 18MO.
Midwest Herbs
Jul
7
2021
Since things are going well in the garden, I thought I’d update everyone on what seems to be the best herbs to grow in the Midwest of the United States of America. Maybe you’re new to gardening, or maybe you’re new to the midwest; either way, if you’re not sure what to grow here, start with these for a self-sustaining garden.
First up: chives
Chives are a perennial here in zone 6. Not only do they grow well, but they also spread. Not crazy levels of spreading, but they are prolific. Like you’ll-be-pulling-them-out-of-sidewalk-cracks prolific. They also seem to be the herb we use the most, from what we have. That may be due to the fact that they have a long growing season – I’m able to cut them for months.
Next up: dill
Dill is not a perennial here in zone 6. But if you let a couple plants go to seed, you will have an endless supply of dill. I bought a packet of dill seeds the first year the raised garden beds were ready. They just keep going to seed, and the seeds get scattered, and we end up with dill plants growing all over the raised beds. We don’t use dill as much, but we’ll see about homemade pickles this year.
Third up: mint
Mint is a perennial here in zone 6. And mint does have crazy levels of spreading. Like you need to put it in a container otherwise it will take over wherever it is. It spreads via the roots that grow out instead of down – if I pull up one plant, if the root doesn’t break and I keep pulling, I end up with about 5 plants all sprouting at various places along a root about a foot long. I don’t know that we’ve ever used the mint for actual cooking purpose. My favorite use of it is to let it grow in neglected areas that I can’t reach with the riding mower, then when I’m weed whacking those areas it smells great.
Honorable mention: lettuce
Lettuce is not an herb, but it is like dill in that if you let it go to seed, you will get a lot of lettuce plants the next year. We get more of it than we can use, but the seeds are free so I keep letting them grow.
When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in
Proverbs 27:25
This little article thingy was written by Some Guy sometime around 11:26 pm and has been carefully placed in the Food category.
July 10th, 2021 at 12:06 am
Let me know when you’re ready to make pickles, and I’ll teach you the ways. You should also grow garlic, pepper, all spice, cucumbers, and, umm, salt.