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Table of Contents
1) Editor's Comments:This week we take a look at a little history about herbs. And, since we are quickly ending the growing season here in the Northern Hemisphere, we give a couple tips on potpourri and flower arranging. And, of course, our reader mailbag. Also, we're breaking with our tradition of only using short humor stories, but we like this one so much because in a way it tells us a bit about life. And as long as we're talking about life, our final item is another interesting story that our women readers may well relate too. As always, if you do have questions, suggestions or ideas, do not hesitate to drop us a note. Tom Krueger Rex Gregor "Exotic & Unusual Seeds from Around the World" 2) Herbs and History:
The ancient Greeks and Romans crowned their heroes with dill and laurel wreaths. The Romans used aromatic herbs to purify the air in their banquet halls. In early times, some herbs were considered to have magical powers, probably because of their medicinal uses. During the Middle Ages in France, babies were rubbed with herbs to protect them from colds. Parsley was considered a cure for stomach ailments. Rosemary was used for its tranquilizing effects and as a cure for headaches. It is interesting that chives had an economic importance throughout the Mediterranean countries. Later, the Dutch settlers in the United States intentionally planted chives in their meadows so cows would give chive-flavored milk. Mint has always been very popular. Greek athletes used bruised mint leaves as an after-bath lotion. It was later used to purify water and was said to have mystical powers to neutralize the "evil eye" of an aggressive character. Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician, used mustard as a desirable condiment. Other herbs that were found to be useful included basil, sage, savory, tarragon and thyme. Herb gardens were an essential feature in almost all pioneer homes. The early settlers used herbs as medicine, for flavoring, and even to add scent when storing their favorite linens. They placed their herbs in sunny corners near the house so the pioneer housewife would have them near when cooking. The American Indians used several wild herbs. However, they used them mostly for tanning hides and dying leather. They didn't learn to use herbs as food additives until after the immigrants arrived. The need for home-grown herbs declined with the advent of modern grocery stores and their specialized herb selections. Yet today, many gardeners are re-discovering the joy and pleasure of producing their own herbs. A wonderful resource to the home gardener is the Brooklyn (New York) Botanic Garden "Handbook on Herbs." Here you'll find information on 73 different types of culinary herbs. Currently, fresh parsley is the most popular herb. Parsley is easy to grow and it makes an excellent windowsill plant. Of course, there isn't just one variety, there are several. Sage, chives, thyme, savory, mint and basil are also easy to grow. These aromatic herbs are having a rebirth because of their pleasant smell and how much they add to the flavor of salad and meat dishes. Dried aromatic herbs retain their aroma for some time. If kept in the freezer, it'll seem like you're using them fresh from the garden. Whether on a windowsill or in your own pioneer herb garden outside the kitchen, you too will discover the great benefits of herbs. *** 10% savings until September 23, 2003 *** Exotic & Unusual House Plant Seeds Bring some beauty into your home with exotic and unusual
house plants. Please yourself and your freinds and family with the
sites and fragrance of something new. Enter the Store and Click on the Sale Link The discount will not show up in your shopping cart -- we will take care of it for you before finalization of your order. (No other discounts apply.) 3) Humor for Today:On the first day God created the cow. God said, "You must go to the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer. I will give you a life span of sixty years." The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. Let me have twenty and I'll give back the other forty." And God agreed. On the second day God created the dog. God said, "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. I will give you a life span of twenty years." The dog said, "That's too long to be barking. Give me ten years and I'll give you back the other ten." So God agreed. On the third day God created the monkey. God said, "Entertain people, do monkey tricks, make them laugh. I'll give you a twenty-year life span." The monkey said, "How boring, monkey tricks for twenty years? I don't think so. Dog gave you back ten, so that's what I'll do too, okay?" And God agreed again. On the forth day God created man. God said, "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. I'll give you twenty years." Man said, "What? Only twenty years! Tell you what, I'll take my twenty, and the forty the cow gave back, and the ten the dog gave back and the ten the monkey gave back, that makes eighty, okay?" "Okay," said God, "You've got a deal." So that is why the first twenty years we eat, sleep, play, and enjoy ourselves; for the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our family; for the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren; and for the last ten years we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone. Life has now been explained. 4) Potpourri Idea:
5) Potatoes & Flower Arranging?
Soak the spud in water for an hour; cut it to size to fit the bottom of your container. For those flowers with sturdy stems, cut the ends at an angle to make a penetrating point. For the ones with weaker stems, poke small holes in the potato with a skewer. Simply start arranging. The potato retains the water and works great in its role as a natural oasis. When the flowers are spent, simply dump the whole contents into your compost pile. Click Image for Our Angels Gallery 6) Quote for Today:"Other people's interruptions of your work are relatively
insignificant compared with the countless times you interrupt yourself." 7) Reader Mailbag: Vines Taking OverI need your help. My morning glory plants are taking over. The problem is, it's growing so well, it is choking out my plants in front of it. What can I do so they don't continue to go even further next year? Is there some way to control the growth?Most Morning Glory plants are annuals thus you need to replant them each year. However, there are a few varieties that are perennial. The first suggestion is to trim the excess growth from the plant. But be aware, the vines may not bloom as well. Another method is to train the vines to grow where you want them to grow. It is not too difficult, simply tie the vines to the fence or area you want them to grow. Although, that may not be so easy if the vines have already reached the stage where they are over- growing your other plants. It would be best to start training the vines next spring - you be the boss and don't let them dictate to you where they will grow. With a little instruction to the plant, they will generally do what you ask them to do. Good Luck. 8) Gonna Be a Bear:
Before you hibernate, you're supposed to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that too. When you're a girl bear, you birth your children (who are the size of walnuts) while you're sleeping and wake to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs. I could definitely deal with that. If you're mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too. I could deal with that. If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat. Yup, I'm gonna be a bear! Author unknown 9) Subscribe/UnsubscribeThis newsletter, the Green Thumb Times, is sent out only to those who have requested a FREE subscription by signing up at http://rexseedco.com or specifically asked to be added, or are a valued customer of Rex's Seedco. PRIVACY: Your email address is held in the strictest of privacy. It is never traded or sold to anyone else. To subscribe to The Green Thumb Times Click Here or send email to subscribegtt@goalsmint.com To unsubscribe Click Here or send email to unsubscribegtt@goalsmint.com Tom Krueger, Editor and Publisher Rex Gregor, Contributing Editor Please feel free to forward The Green Thumb Times to a friend. Rex’s Seedco has searched the world for quality
growers of garden seeds. Many of these farmers bring together ancient
wisdom and modern science so people everywhere may have good health
and enjoyment in life. We are dedicated to providing the best wherever
they are found.
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Herbs have been an important part of man's life almost from the beginning
of time. They have had a big part in romance, love, religion, health
and superstition.
As you are collecting from your garden for potpourri, here is a quick
idea to add a fruity scent. Toss in thin slices of dried apple. You
can dry it in the oven for an hour at 100°F. (38°C.).Or add
dried citrus peel. You can cut strips from lemons, oranges, or limes.
For
these,
let them dry in a bowl for a couple weeks. If you want to add a little
spice, use cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, anise seed, or bay leaf.
Who would have ever thought you'd hear the word potato used with flower
arranging? Well, as we bring our flowers indoors to be used in beautiful
displays, you always need some sort of floral foam or oasis. But if
you don't have any handy, simply go into the pantry and grab a potato.
Yes, a potato.
In this life I'm a woman. In my next life, I'd like to come back as
a bear. When you're a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but
sleep for six months. I could deal with that.