How to Plant and Grow Horseradish at Home

Freshly harvested horseradish roots with leaves.

Armoracia rusticana    Full ~ Partial Shade     Soil pH: 5.5 – 7 Horseradish is generally relegated to the never never land of the culinary realm. Fresh garden grown horseradish however has a unique burning zesty zingy taste that can clear your sinuses and redden the whites of your eyes. It’s a very easily grown plant … Read more

Optimizing Hydroponic Basil

Starting Basil Plants – Seeds or Cuttings Basil is a bushy annual, most varieties grow 1 to 2 feet tall. Growing Hydroponic Basil is failry easy – although not without it’s snafus. Basil can be started from seed or from cuttings. Starting Basil from Seed Basil seeds are minute, black and oval shaped. Start seeds … Read more

Garlic Preserved in Wine

Peeled garlic cloves submerged in wine and stored in the refrigerator are an awesome mode of preserving garlic as well as making a super healthy drink. Garlic Wine boosts the immune system, purifies the blood, has strong anti-inflammatory properties, eliminates excess body salts, helps prevent heart disease by improving heart function, reduces cholesterol and fights … Read more

Dividing Horseradish: How to Create Horseradish Root and Crown Cuttings

Fresh, dug-out root horseradish with leaves.

Horesradish plants need no help in spreading once they have become established. They are quite invasive and have been known to conquer huge swaths of territory in a single season. Because of its invasive characteristics dividing horseradish roots becomes necessary. Horseradish root division should be done in the Autumn, once all the foliage has dried … Read more

Stevia Planting and Growing Guide

A human hand holds the leaves of a stevia plant.

Stevia is an herb which serves as a natural and safe sweetener, it has zero calories and is considered the safest and healthiest sweetener available. Various compounds are extracted from the leaves of Stevia plants, different forms have varying levels of sweetness. Stevia possesses multiple health benefits. It has hypoglycemic effects when ingested, and will … Read more

How to Plant and Grow Tarragon

Fresh green Tarragon plant in a vegetable garden.

Herb – Culinary USDA Zones French Tarragon 5 to 9 Mexican Tarragon 9 to 11 Russian Tarragon 4 to 9 Soil pH 6.5 to 7.5 Partial Sun Perennial There are three different varieties of herbs referred to as Tarragon all are from the sunflower family. French Tarragon, Russian Tarragon and Mexican Tarragon. They all share the … Read more

Thyme Plant Growing and Care Guide

Common thyme plant growing in a kitchen garden.

Thymus vulgaris   Herb – Culinary    USDA Zones5 to 9 Soil pH 6.5 to 7.0    Full Sun    Perennial Thyme is a perennial herb that belongs in every herb and vegetable garden. Thyme has very small flowers and leaves. Depending on the variety, the flowers can range from white to a deep magenta and all shades in between. … Read more

How to Plant and Grow Turmeric at Home

A clump of freshly harvested turmeric roots.

Herb – Culinary / MedicinalUSDA Zones 8 to 11Soil pH 6 to 7.8Partial SunPerennial / Annual Turmeric is a common ingredient in many Indian and middle eastern cuisines. It is used as a substitute for ginger to which it is closely related and is found in many recipes that call for curry as well. It is also … Read more

How to Grow Curry Berries

Curry is well known, it is a sweet and savory spice and considered to be the essence of Indian cuisine. Curry is a spice made from the leaves of the curry tree coupled with cumin, turmeric and coriander. The Curry berry however is less known and grows of the same tree. The 1/2 inch round … Read more

Lemon Balm Planting and Growing Guide

Close up of a lemon balm plant growing in a herb garden.

Lemon balm is a mint family plant. The leaves, other than being somewhat larger are easily mistaken for mint. The flavor however is lemon with only a hint of mint. Even the scent is Lemony with a subtle fresh minty background. Lemon balm attains a height of 2 – 3 feet tall and blends in … Read more