Gardening Minute – Herb Gardens 3/23/2016

Gardening Minute – Herb Gardens

3/23/2016

This is Jason Lamb your Quay County Ag. Extension Agent with your Gardening Minute. 

Herb Gardens are a great way to add flavor to your meals and great smells to your garden. The most commonly grown herbs in New Mexico are sweet basil, cilantro, savory, mints, and rosemary. 

A one hundred-square foot space is usually sufficient for an average sized family. One side of the garden should be for perennial herbs and the other dedicated to annuals. Herbs can also be scattered around ornamental plants or in decorative planting containers to add aesthetic value.

When plants mature tie stems together in small bundles for curing. Hang them upside down in a dry, shady location. Leaves and flowers can also be dried in a shallow, shaded tray. Once dry, rub the leaves and flowers between your hands to make a powder.

Store dry leaves and flowers in airtight glass containers in the dark. Collect seeds from plants such as coriander, anise and dill by placing dry seed heads in a paper sack and separating seeds by hand.

For more information about herb gardens please contact us at the Cooperative Extension Office at 461-0562. We will be hosting a Weed Management Workshop on March 30^th at the Tucumcari Convention Center from 8:30 to 12:30. Please RSVP by March 25^th.  This has been your Gardening Minute with Jason Lamb your Quay County Ag. Extension Agent. Where are programs are open to everyone.