The Little Herb House

The Little House to Remember!

5800 Holland Church Road

Raleigh, NC  27603

(919) 772-3543

March/April, 2006

Volume 5, Issue 2

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Finally, the official arrival of Spring!  And the irony was a little sleet on the first day of Spring.  March in NC can be

a melting pot of weather, including a heap of winter, a sprinkling of spring and a dash of summer.  Several customers

have already called wanting to know about planting herbs outside now, or planting a container herb garden and

placing outside.  Here’s my response:

                        March gives us just enough warm weather to get spring fever and the desire to get out in the garden. 

                        Here’s some suggestions on planting herbs during this time of year:

1.       Many of the cool-season herbs can be planted in March.  These include arugula, cilantro, dill, and parsley. 

            These may be planted in the ground or in containers and can be left outside even if it frosts.

2.      Many of the perennial herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage) can go outside now.  However, I

            prefer to put them in containers during this month, in case I need to offer shelter during an extremely cold

            night (less than 30°F).  Planting them in the ground this month doesn’t really give them a head start, and

            actually adds some stress to the plant establishing its root system.  It is better to wait until mid-April to plant

            the perennials outside (or they may be planted during the Fall – September/October). 

3.      The tender-perennial and annual herbs must still wait before being put outside.  These include basil,                               nasturtiums, scented-geraniums, lemon grass, lemon verbena, pineapple sage and stevia.  They are simply

            too frost-sensitive to withstand the extremes of this time of year.  Wait until after the last frost date

            (here in zone 7B that is April 19, but can extend until the end of April) to plant these herbs outside.

Hope this helps with your spring planting of all those wonderful herb gardens and containers! 

I am in the midst of planning the Spring Open House, which will be May 4-6 this year. You don’t want to miss this Open House,

because I am doing some much needed spring cleaning.  And you, my customers, are going to benefit!  Read on for all the details

below.  And I look forward to seeing everyone this spring!

Herbally yours,                                                                                                            

Lisa  

                May 4 – 6, 2006

          9:00 am to 5:00 pm

·        Many varieties of your favorite herbs will be ready for purchase in 4-inch, quart and gallon pots.

·        Herb Garden Tours:   This year you will have the choice of either a self-guided tour or a a                                           guided tour at 10 am by Lisa. 

          Self-Guided Tour:  May take at any time:  Plants will have identification markers.  No charge for tour.

          Guided Tour:  10 am:  Lisa will discuss various herbs in each eight-themed section and answer

                                                    questions as time permits.  Tour will last ~ 45 minutes                                 and                                              the cost is $3/person.

                                                    Tickets can be purchased in advance inside at register.   

·        11 am:  Spring Container Gardening using Herbs:  Demonstrations on how to use herbs in containers.                                                                     

                    Potted herbs are terrific for sitting close to your kitchen, beautifying a patio, porch or deck, or when you are limited on space.  Come get some great ideas!

·        Spring Cleaning Sale:

                   This is one you don’t want to miss!  I have been trying to clean out and make room for new

                   inventory.  However, with our furniture stored on the workshop side of the barn, I

                   just don’t have anymore space.  So…I decided to have a sale to make room for new inventory!

                   It would be easier to list what is not on sale!  So, pay close attention:

·        Plants are not on sale

·        Anything with a sticker that says “Not on Sale”

·        A shelf of items with a sign saying “Not on Sale”

·        This year’s wreath designs are “Not on Sale” and will have a sticker.  All of last year’s designs will be 50% off!

·        Look for lots of Sale tables that contain merchandise at 50% off!

·        Everything else is 50% off!  That’s right, most everything will be 50% off!!!

·        Note:  If an item had been previously marked down, it is 50% off the original price.

In order to have enough of this variety for everyone at the Open House, I am asking that you pre-order. Simply e-mail me at ltway@bellsouth.net with your order.  Let me know how many you would like (they will be in 4-inch pots @ $3.00 each), and I            will have them on hold with your name, to be picked up at the Open House.  If you can’t make it to the Open House, don’t worry!     You can come by another day to pick up.  Just call me for an appointment!

That’s all for this issue!  Until next time, “Find a way, to enjoy herbs every day.” 

The Little Herb House

 By Appointment Only

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