We love herbs. During the summer their scent surrounds the outdoor deck, and in winter I incorporate the crop that I’ve harvested and frozen into my everyday cooking to make it...well, less everyday! Here I'm going to present five herbs that have multiple uses.

Lemon Verbena (Aloysia triphylla) was first brought to Europe by the Spanish. Named after Maria Louisa, Princess of Parma, it is close to being the Queen of lemon-scented herbs. In Gone With the Wind, Scarlett O'Hara's mother declared it to be her favorite plant. Perhaps she looked forward to a daily tea of lemon verbena blended with mint. Used to brighten fish, poultry, salad dressings, and jellies, when combined with rosemary and thyme it makes a memorable herb vinegar.

Many dried herb leaves tend to lose their scent, but not lemon verbena, thus making it perfect for long-lasting potpourris, sachets, and pillows. The oil is used in cologne, toilet water, perfume and soap. The infused oil, when blended with lavender and rosemary, is perfect for creams and lotions. Place a lemon verbena compress on your eyelids to reduce puffiness. Because of its relaxing, sedative effect, it is used for indigestion, as well as bronchial and sinus congestion.

A zone 9 plant, it can be taken indoors to winter, but expect it to lose its leaves. In mid-summer, cut the plant halfway back for your primary harvest, and then once more before bringing it inside. This is a plant that will bush out if you pinch the stem tips.

It's no secret that Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is an august addition to any garden, but did you know that this is the multi-tasker of herbs? For culinary purposes, the flowers add a saucy eye-appeal to salads; lavender butter or sugar is wonderful when spread on toast; lavender honey is a sweet reminder of past times; combine lavender cookies with lavender ice cream for a party favorite; top your morning bagel with lavender jelly for a great start to the day; and don't forget that lavender plays well with rosemary, basil, and lemon verbena.

As a natural antiseptic agent, lavender is used in soaps, shampoos, hand lotions, and bath oils and salts. Aromatherapy practitioners use lavender misting to "clear negative energy;" the essential oil is simply added to water and spritzed on the skin and hair. And if you spend numerous hours in one location, such as your cubicle at work or your home office, generously spray the air. It will not only smell wonderful, it it is also said to soothe your skin and nerves. The oils are a delightful additive to one's bath, and top all off with a scented night's sleep by adding a few drops to your pillow.

Flies dislike the scent of lavender, so if you're bothered whilst gardening, rub some of the lavender onto your skin, or display a sprig in your hat and you've created a pretty purple fly repellent.

It will draw your cat to its location, and was also said to attract benevolent fairies. The Victorians are somewhat cryptic as to lavender's use in the "floral language of love"; traditionally an urging for silence, it was believed that to dream of lavender was a prediction of a reunion. It is also, confusingly, said to act as an attractant for suitors, as an aphrodisiac, and as a protection for chastity.

I think that whenever not cooking with lavender, it's best to toss some lavender stems into the fireplace during the cold months for a scented reminder of the warm gardening season to come, light a lavender scented candle for added fragrance and glow, and sit in your favorite chair and weave lavender stems into wreaths.

I stumbled onto the marvels of mint (Mentha) last summer. I had planted some in my herb garden, thinking it was something else. I clipped off a sprig, garnished my Sunday brunch mimosa, and was dazzled by the aroma. I then took every opportunity to add it to whatever beverage I was drinking. Lemon sorbet with a mint garnish is probably the best summer dessert one can have without suffering guilt. Steep it for 10 minutes in hot water and you have terrific tea; combine some (zero calorie) orange flavored seltzer, about ¼ cup of cranberry juice, and a sprig of mint and I guarantee your face will carry a smile on it all day long; cook a few sprigs with peas and new potatoes for a side dish that will delight.

Medicinally, peppermint is the mint of choice. The menthol in it soothes the lining of the digestive tract, and stimulates production of bile, thus aiding in settling your stomach after a big meal. It is an excellent breath freshener; whilst gardening, pinch off a few leaves, rinse them under the hose, and chew on them. Any unexpected guest will thank you for it!

As there are numerous types of mint, we feel obligated to warn you about pennyroyal, which is toxic if taken internally. However, if you rub it on your skin, you have an effective insect repellent. Rubbing it on your dog's coat deters fleas, and planting it under roses helps to retain moisture, thus improving the overall health of your rose bushes. A perennial herb, mint is an invasive that will take over your herb garden; we recommend growing it in pots as a control, or sinking it into your garden in a container.

Perfect for potpourri, combine ½ cup of orris root and 1 Tbsp. of essential pennyroyal oil. Add 2 cups each of dried orange mint, dried spearmint, dried peppermint, plus 1 cup each of dried thyme and rosemary. Combine gently, trying to not crush leaves. Store in a covered jar until ready to place in a shallow dish, or sew into a sachet.

Shakespeare's Ophelia tells Hamlet, "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance, pray, love, remember." Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is reported by scientists at the University of Cincinnati to have a scent that is an effective memory stimulant. A potted plant for your desk at work, or where the kids do their homework, might aid in the re-reading of the Bard's classic tragedy.

Its name is derived from the Latin "Ros marinus," loosely translated as "fond of the sea." It is an attractive evergreen shrub with pine needle-like leaves and pale blue flowers that often grows by the sea. Aside from its culinary treasure as an additive to just about any dish, rosemary has many other traditional uses. In Spain and Italy it is considered a safeguard from witches and evil influences; following that line of thought, it is the herb of remembrance and friendship. It is said that hanging a few sprigs of it on your porch and door will keep out thieves--and attract elves. It is also the emblem of fidelity for lovers.

Rosemary is an anti-bacterial, an antioxidant, an anti-fungal, an antiseptic, an antispasmodic, an astringent . . . whew! And those are just the "A's"! The herb, root, and oil (which is obtained from the flowering tops), are used for insomnia and nervous disorders, to stimulate the brain and nervous system and to cure migraines. It improves circulation, rids one of bad breath when used as a mouthwash, and has a calming effect on indigestion.

But aside from smiling each time I pass by the rosemary in my herb garden just because it smells so good, my favorite usage is to add it to some sautéed chicken along with lemon juice (freshly squeezed), 1 cup white wine, freshly pressed garlic and tarragon. Serve brown and wild rice with a lemon slice and a sprig of rosemary as garnish, sit back, and enjoy the magical qualities of this perfect plant.

Chervil ( Anthriscus cerefolium ) or "herb of joy" has a delicate anise flavor considered essential to French cooking. Closely related to parsley, this fragrant shade-tolerant herb thrives in the cooler weather of spring and fall, and does best in the shade of taller plants such as lemon balm and pennyroyal. An ingredient in French fine herbs along with tarragon, parsley and chives, it is best used fresh, added in the last few minutes of cooking; this will preserve the flavor. Added to soups, eggs, vegetables and salads, it also complements fish and chicken.

As this is an article on the multiple uses of these five herbs, we would be remiss to not point out that chervil has historically been used as an aid to sluggish digestion, as a soothing eye wash, a circulatory aid when ingested as a herbal tea, and most sybaritically, as a skin freshener when the leaves are infused in water.

So this season, if you haven't already embraced the joys of herb gardening, why not begin with just a few planted in pots or window boxes. I guarantee that by the end of summer you'll be plotting out where a full-sized herb garden will be created on your grounds. Herb gardening is an addiction that goes back to the ancients, and is immediately rewarding no matter how you choose to use the herbs.

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Michael Beauchene
Green Thumb Garden Pro

If you have ever wondered how to get some of the same great flavors you find in top restaurants, consider planting the secret weapon that fine cooks employ--a chef's garden. Get the most out of your garden by adding not only beauty but an endless bounty of flavor as well!

A good chef's garden incorporates the attributes of every location in the garden to produce a variety of flavorful food. Start with a boring fence line. Instead of flowering vines, consider attaching a few trellises and planting a variety of different table grapes.

To block out the neighbor's windows and create privacy, plant fruit trees. You can harvest citrus from late winter through spring, apricots and cherries in June; nectarines, peaches, plums and pluots in July and August; and apples, pears and persimmons in September and October.

Semi-shaded areas are a great place to plant berries. If you have the room to allow them to roam, consider planting blackberries, boysenberries, and raspberries. Are you looking for something a little more formal? Consider blueberries.

Save the sunniest location for your vegetable garden. Remember to plant "fruit" and "root" vegetables for summer. Plant "leaf" and "flower" vegetables in winter. Don't forget to add a little color with tasty nasturtiums--and save some space for a crop of strawberries, artichokes, and horseradish. Are you short on space? No problem. Herbs do wonderfully in containers--and no chef should be without them. You'd perhaps be surprised how many vegetables can also be grown in containers. And don't forget dwarf fruit trees!

The key to creating a great chef's garden is to look at every available location in your garden with the eyes of a chef. The possibilities are endless and the rewards are delicious. Are you getting hungry, now? Then don't delay, start planning your chef's garden today.

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When xeriscape is mentioned, many people think of cactus and sand--or rock gardens. Mind you, both cactus gardens and rock gardens can be quite attractive. But that is not all xeriscaping allows. You can have a xeriscape landscape that is fully planted, colorful--and water-conserving. Nor do you have to use only drought-tolerant plants. The idea is to reduce overall water use by grouping plants with similar needs together--so you can have one area that uses some extra water and another area where you need no more water than nature provides. If you grow edible plants, the same principle applies.

Advantages of xeriscape

• Water saving: Using native and other drought-tolerant plants can significantly reduce water use.
• Money saving: Reducing water use can lower your water bill. Xeriscaping can also reduce maintenance costs--while adding to the beauty and value of your property.
• Time saving: xeriscape landscaping can significantly reduce the time you spend watering, fertilizing and mowing. (Buy a hammock--you'll have more time to use it.)
• No worries: It's nice to be able to go on vacation for a few weeks and know your plants will still be alive when you return.

The seven principles of xeriscape:

• Plan and design for water conservation and beauty from the start.
• Create practical turf areas of manageable size and shape, and appropriate grasses.
• Select plants with low water requirements and group plants of similar water needs together. Experiment to determine how much and how often to water the plants.
• Use soil amendments as needed by the site and the type of plants used.
• Use mulches to reduce evaporation and to keep the soil cool.
• Irrigate efficiently with properly designed systems--and by applying the right amount of water at the right time.
• Maintain the landscape properly by mowing, weeding, pruning and fertilizing properly.

If you've just moved in to a new place and want a whole new landscape, consider xeriscape. We'd advise you, in that situation, to hire a professional landscaper to help you design the landscape--and to do the hard work for you. Doing a whole landscape at once is too much for most individuals. But you can use the "bit by bit" approach or a simple substitution approach, and move your landscape gradually to xeriscape.

Perhaps you have a problem area where it's difficult to keep your plants growing well, an area that is difficult to irrigate, or a lawn area that's hard to mow or keep green. Look at these areas as candidates for the first moves to xeriscape.

One of the major things to look at when xeriscaping is, "Can I get rid of some of that lawn?" Out of all the things we grow in our yards, turf is usually the biggest overall water-user. If you live in an area with a homeowner's association that requires you to have a certain percentage of lawn, at least make your long-term plans to get the lawn down to the minimal acceptable percentage (or get the rule changed).

When planning a xeriscaped area, keep in mind that curves are more natural (and easier to mow around) than sharp angles. Also look at the soil type, the amount of sun or shade, elevation, and ease of access.

Do you have some plants that already do well in that area, even if neglected? Keep them for xeriscaping in that particular micro-climate in your yard. Remove, or move, plants that are not doing well and amend the soil before planting any new plants. Then mulch.

Keep in mind that even xeriscape plants will need extra water when first planted--until established. Once established, however, they will need much less maintenance than other areas.

You may find you like xeriscape so much you'll continue till your whole yard (or as much as possible) is xeriscaped. You can then lie in the hammock you bought with the savings on your water bill, sipping a cool drink on a hot summer day, and watching your neighbors sweating over their vast expanses of turf. Have fun!

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What's the best type of mulch to use in a garden?

Answer:

There are many types of mulches available; it all comes down to the look you want in your garden--natural or manicured?

• For a more natural look, use shredded redwood or shredded cedar. Shredded redwood is deeper in color and mats up more, making it an excellent choice for hillsides. Shredded cedar is lighter in color and an excellent choice if you own a dog--because it also repels fleas.
• For a more manicured look, use small or medium pebble bark (pine or fir) or mini mulch (also called "orchid bark").
• We don't recommend large pine or fir bark, except for playgrounds. The air space is too large, so it is not very effective for retaining moisture in the soil or controlling weeds.

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Planting

• This month roses will begin their first bloom. For those of you who were waiting to select a new rose plant until you could see the actual flower, this will be the month to stop by the garden center and stroll through the roses!
• Azaleas and camellias are best planted while blooming. They began their blooming in February, so March is right in the middle of their blooming season. DON'T feed your camellias until they have completed their blooming! If you do, they will drop all remaining buds and you will be so very unhappy, thinking that you killed your shrub. Fertilize to reward the plant AFTER the blooming ends.
• Spring color plants are arriving! Color up your gardens with perennials and annuals. Look for perennials such as campanula, columbine, coral bells, delphinium, foxglove (digitalis), diascia, penstemon, salvia, yarrow and so much more. Great annuals to pick from include celosia, coleus, dianthus, linaria, lobelia, marigolds, nicotiana, petunias, salvias, and verbena.
• There is still time for planting bulbs!
• Ladies and gentlemen: Start your vegetable gardens! Such veggies as the cabbage family (cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli), squash, lettuce, spinach, peppers, and cool season tomatoes will be in this month. This is also a good time not only to prune back herbs from last year, but also add in new plants such as chives, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon, and thyme.

Maintenance Duties

• Fertilize your lawns.
• Fertilize your roses.
• Snails will be coming out to munch on the tender new growth. Time to purchase your favorite snail bait.
• Now is the time to divide perennials such as agapanthus, callas, daylilies, rudbeckia, and daisies. Those with fuchsias can cut them back two-thirds toward the main branches. Remember to leave 2-5 leaf bud/scars for new growth.
• You can begin pruning your ornamental shrubs (pittosporum, boxwood, etc.) for hedges. Wait to prune spring-flowering shrubs and trees until their blooming is over.

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