The Crafty Gardener
Most of the herbs that I plant serve a purpose and that is to keep garden pests away from munching on my flowers and vegetable garden. And with the abundance of herbs, I grow every year, I have learned a few things that every new gardener should know.
Some herbs like lavender and rosemary have the most exotic aroma that even the bumble bees gravitate towards. Although lavender can be a lovely addition to your garden, rosemary is a hardier herb than lavender and can survive a cold winter. There are some herbs like spearmint and lemon balm that can spread out and leave no room for other plants to grow, so it’s best to plant these herbs in pots. Basil is another herb that can outgrow its container, so select a big flower pot in order for your basil to flourish.
Once your garden is in bloom, try to incorporate your herbs into your daily life by mixing your garden herbs in homemade soaps, body oils, vinaigrettes, and so much more. With trial and error and a little bit of luck, here are some of my recipes that will inspire you to be creative when harvesting herbs.
Spearmint Ice Cubes
On a hot summer day, there is nothing quite refreshing than adding mint to a cold beverage.
Place spearmint leaves into each ice cube slot before adding water and pop them in the freezer. Add ice cubes to a cocktail or just a plain glass of water to quench your thirst. The minty ice cubes also look pretty when serving your drink in clear glass cups.
Dream/Herbal Sachets
Bring the scent of lavender or rosemary from the garden to your home by making sachets. You can place them inside your pillowcase to help you sleep. You can also use the sachets to refreshen clothes inside your dresser drawer or closet.
Supplies
-A few sprigs of dry lavender or rosemary
-Fabric
-Fabric Scissors, Thread, and Needle
Start by cutting your fabric into a square that will be big enough to fill your herbs in. Once you have your square, sew all three corners, leaving one corner open. Place your dry herbs inside the sachet and sew the last corner.
You can also purchase burlap or muslin cloth sachets and just add your herbs inside. Amazon sells sachets that are both inexpensive and come in a bundle. Great for gifts and you can personalize your sachet by sewing designs onto the fabric.
Rosemary Body Oil
During the summer I like to use body oils instead of body lotion. This custom blend of rosemary oil is super nourishing on the skin and has healed my eczema. To make your own body oil you will need the following:
–Olive oil (not the cooking kind. Specifically used for skin and hair.
-Vitamin E oil (optional)
–A few sprigs of rosemary
–A glass bottle with a dropper
To sterilize your bottle and dropper, simply boil a pot of water. Once your water is boiled, shut off the stove and place your bottle and dropper inside the pot. After 5 minutes, remove the bottle using tongs.
Pick the rosemary leaves from the twig and add them inside the bottle. The more rosemary, the more fragrant your body oil will be. Next, add your olive oil. You may also add vitamin E oil for extra moisture, just simply add equal parts of olive oil and vitamin E to the bottle.
*Note: After you shower, while your skin is still wet is the ideal way to massage the oil onto your skin. Store your body oil away from direct sunlight. Also, if you have sensitive skin or if you are pregnant, talk to your doctor before making your custom oil blend.
So whether you are inspired to make your own herbal sachets to freshen your sock drawer or want to add flavor to your drink using mint, the herbs in your garden can provide just what you need.
*Coming Soon—
The Crafty Gardener Part 2 for more recipes!