The North Shore Group 1 April 2015 Written and Compiled by Minette Tonoli http://herbs.tonoli.net APRIL 2015 Newsletter

Tincture making during our last Lorraine Booth from Inside this issue: meet-up: Thanks Counties Manukau Herb group had a Sales Table Thank you everyone for Next meet 1 selling her homemade the wonderful feedback Thanks 1 Natural Soaps. I’ve had on the newslet- AGM 1 ter. It is always encourag- ing to know that it is en- In the Garden In the Garden 1 joyed. Harvest 1 With the milder tempera- Preserve 3 tures, I’ve seen a renewed AGM Propagate: Cuttings 3 growth in many of my , while mature The AGM was well at- are still flowering beauti- Next Meet tended. Last years com- fully and some are setting mittee members are seed in statuesque umbels Monday, 13 Apr, standing again for 2015. and capsules, not to men- 7.30pm Membership stays the tion the seedlings sown in same at $30 per year. late summer that are now Milford Primary Pamela Wright gave a poking up their pretty 30 Shakespeare Rd demonstration for making bright green shoots. Milford homemade mustards while Lynn Brown organ- Topic: Honey & Tasks: water, mulch, har- ised a workshop for mak- vest, feed and cut back. It ing seed tapes and wild is also a good time to seed bombs. propagate by cuttings.

Harvesting Moon harvest Some gardening by the Using fresh herbs throughout the moon calendars dictate best times to harvest your growing season is a great pleasure, crops: and rewards all the effort put into

growing and maintaining your own Below ground crops herb patch. should be gathered while At the end of the season though, a the moon is waxing, being greater task than on-demand harvest- nearly a full moon; while and for ing awaits the avid herb gardener… drying should be gathered now there are leaves and flowers to while the moon is waning. harvest for the winter store, seeds to Saving seed is best during collect, roots to dig up and ripe ber- a new moon. ries to pick. http://www.moongrow.com/ A PRI L 2015 Pa ge 2 Newsletter Written and Compiled by Minette Tonoli Harvesting Herbs

Leaves harvesting) remains for perennials , rocket, , mus- Harvest the last flush of leaves of such as sage and when tard, , , , fenu- the annual herbs such as basil, harvesting in Autumn. greek, , calendula, pars- coriander and dill, especially in Flowers ley, viola, marigold and sage. colder areas. Best gathered earlier There may still be a good harvest Collecting seeds from your in the day, and before flowering of calendula flowers in your gar- herbs is fun, and ensures that or setting seed. den from plants grown over sum- the plants grown from them are Coriander and Basil both make mer. Used medicinally and in ideally suited to your garden great pesto and is the perfect way herbal cosmetics, Calendula is a environment. But it is not only to preserve your harvest of fresh popular herb flower. for seed saving—gathering your herbs. own dried seeds for cooking and baking is very rewarding. Coriander & Chili Pesto Recipe (http://www.taste.com.au/) It is common practice to use  1 ½ cups fresh coriander leaves brown paper bags to harvest  1/3 cup unsalted roasted peanuts seeds - cut mature seed heads,  2 , chopped umbels or capsules and leave  1 long red chilli, chopped Photo By Wildfeuer  1/3 cup rice bran or vegetable oil You may also still be gathering  2 teaspoons lime juice fresh edible flowers (viola, pansy, Process all except the oil and lime juice nasturtium and ) from your in a food processor, scraping down the fall garden. sides, until almost smooth. While the motor runs, add the oil in a slow thin It has been suggested that if you stream until combined, stir in lime juice. harvest flowers for their medicinal Photo By Suburbanjubalee qualities, e.g. Echinacea (which flowers summer to fall), it is best in a brown paper bag to dry, or to gather when the buds just begin wait until most of the seeds to open. have turned brown and cut the seed head along with some stalk and hang it upside down in a brown paper bag. I have also seen brown paper bags tied to the stalk while the seeds are rip- Photo By Vegan Feast Catering (Fixin's) ening on the . Remember to label the bags with the name Herbs such , , and the date of the seeds. , catnip, and Photo By Joadl pineapple sage will do well with a Root cutting back now too and will re- Seed Autumn is the best time to dig ward you with fresh new growth. Many herbs, particularly your an- up roots. Angelica, Echinacea,

nuals, now have ripe seed just , valerian, dandelion, The one third rule (not pruning begging you to collect them. A burdock, yellow dock, chicory, more than 1/3 of the plant when quick stroll in my garden shows , marshmallow, and A PRI L 2015 Pa ge 3 Newsletter Written and Compiled by Minette Tonoli Propagate with Cuttings comfrey root can all be harvested Herb Cuttings stand in a jar of water). now. If you are going to use the root for While you are out and about food, it is suggested that you collect in your herb garden harvest- before the plant tops die back, but ing and cleaning up, now is for medicinal roots it is best to wait also a very good time to until the plant tops have died. It is make semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings of many also often advised to only dig up herbs. roots of plants in their second or third years. Lemon verbena, southern- Fruit wood, box, bay, English lav- Where the herbs have berries (cape enders, , myrtle, gooseberry) or fruit (chili), they are olive, rosemary, sage, winter savory and can all be generally ripe and ready by the end successfully propagated by of summer too. Collect as they rip- Step 3—Prepare cuttings making cuttings. en. Keep the seeds from a few to add to your seed collection. Remove most of the lower Propagating plants by cutting leaves on your cutting (this is Preserving is an easy and rewarding ex- done to reduce transpiration and ercise. Here’s a step-by-step also to ensure the leaves don’t You can preserve as I make some cuttings of rot on the wet medium). Cut my silver thyme: your herbal just below a node.

bounty by either Step 1—Trays and Medium Step 4—Plant cuttings drying, freezing Ensure you have clean prop- or layering in You may at this point treat your agation trays and suitable cutting end with rooting hor- or sugar; or in Referencespropagation medium (sifted mone if you wish (not strictly butter, oils or Cookingpotting from the soil, Gourmet’s river Garden, sand Coralie with necessary). Use either a com- vinegars. Castlesome & Robert organic Kourik, Cole organic Group, 1994, fertiliz- mercially available one such as ISBN:er 1 added,-56426-563 -3 or specialized cut- The Encyclopedia of Herbs, and Flavourings, Ibadex, or try for a natural ap- Elizabeth Lambert Ortiz, DK, 1992 proach using honey, Herb Vinegar Recipe ISBN: 0-86318-982-2 or willow water. Gently push  2 cups good quality white wine vinegar New Book of Herbs, Jekka McVicar, DK, 2004 ISBN: 1-4053-0579-7 your cutting into your medium.

 5 sprigs of Tarragon herb The Complete Book of Herbs, Lesley Bremness, DK, 1988  Garlic (optional) ISBN: 1-86812-152-6  Peppercorns (optional) The Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopeida of Herbs, Deni Brown, DK, 2002 ISBN: 978-1-4053-3238-5 ting and seedling mix) Shake herbs and vinegar together in a pre- The American Herb Growing and Marketing Network serving jar and leave to infuse for about 10 PhotosStep by Nova2— andStock Desjdor —Wikimedia Commons days. Make sure all the herbs are covered Choose your cutting material by vinegar. from a healthy and strong plant. Cut the stems with Strain and discard spent herb. Decant into clean sharp secateurs, include serving bottle and add a new sprig of tarra- Cover your cuttings, mist regu- gon for identification if required. some leaf and a growing tip. larly to ensure they don’t dry Keep moist until you are out, but also be sure to allow Note: For a more potent flavour, and ready to process them (place free flow or air around the cut- quicker infusion, the vinegar can be gently in a water misted plastic bag, heated before adding to crushed tarragon. tings. Most cuttings root be- cover with wet newspaper or tween 14 and 21 days.