December 13, 2019
VISTA MATTERS: Flavor Your Feast With Herbs
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"If you only plant one thing, plant some herbs."
- Alice Waters
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Container Gardening - An ideal choice for growing herbs
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Herbs are a staple of most home and community gardens. They're flavorful, make beautiful garnishes and they're packed with valuable nutrients and antioxidants. Growing herbs in
containe
rs is a
popular option as it provides the ability to have herbs fresh and on hand for all of your cooking needs.
Maintenance can also be more convenient with herb containers as you generally experience fewer issues with weeds and critters getting into your crop, plus you can move them around your garden to optimize their exposure to moisture and sun.
You can grow almost any herb in a container, and most are very easy. However, herbs can have different water requirements, and some are more finicky than others, so it is important to put herbs with similar needs in the same pot.
VISTA has herb containers on site to help members learn how to grow and cultivate them for personal use. Vicki Kuse (article below) is our community 'herb tender' and will be hosting a weekly volunteer session Tuesday mornings, 8;30 - 9:30 a.m. beginning January 7, 2020. If you would like to learn more about herbs and how to care fo them, plus familiarize yourself with the herbs available from VISTA, please sign up via the
volunteer calendar.
We encourage you to bring a small vase to the garden, fill it with water, and cut some herbs to take home. They make a lovely and fragrant bouquet for your kitchen and will be readily available when you cook and bake. Watch for an upcoming announcement of a tasty special event when Vicki Kuse will share information on using culinary herbs.
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Sowing Spring Seedlings
December 18: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
December 18: 5:00 - 6:00 p.m
December 28: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Learn how to sow seedlings and help "The House of the Rising Seeds" get the spring seeds planted and growing.
Sign up today
Winter Gardening & Prepping for Spring Planting
Saturday, January 11
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Zach from Urban Roots is teaching a class on transitioning your garden from winter to spring. Class is open to all members, friends, family and comunity
Tai Chi
Saturday, February 8
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Lily from Taoist Tai Chi Society will be conducting a class under the oaks at VISTA Gardens. Class is complimentary and open to the public. Wear loose clothes and sneakers.
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Vicki Kuse: Herb Tender!
Please 'meet' Vicki Kuse, our volunteer herb tender at VISTA. Vicki grew up on a farm in Iowa and has been gardening most of her life. She was a Master Gardener in Kansas City, from where she recently moved, and currently volunteers at both the USF Botanical Gardens and The Mustard Seed Garden in Lutz, in addition to her work in making the herbs thrive VISTA Gardens. Vicki is married to Ken and has 3 cats, Skipper, Penny and Sheldon.
Please welcome Vicki to the community and thank her for her contributions when you see her. You also can volunteer with Vicki on Tuesday mornings (see article above) to learn more about growing healthy herbs.
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Cooking with Herbs
Did you know VISTA has many herbs in its container garden that you can use today to whip up a tasty meal?
Making Cuban black bean soup?
We have at least three varieties of oregano from which you can choose.
Cooking up some creamy lemon-thyme chicken?
There are several varieties of thyme available.
Clip a sprig of each, rub it to release the oils, smell and/or taste, and select the one that appeals to you most.
Want to enhance your favorite fare?
Cut chives, cilantro, dill, herb fennel greens, or Mexican tarragon and follow Alice Waters’ herb butter recipe (below).
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Herb Butter by Alice Waters
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Stir together in a small bowl, mixing well:
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, softened
- ½ cup chopped herbs (such as parsley, chives, cilantro, dill, tarragon),
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- Squeeze of lemon juice
- Salt and fresh-ground black pepper
- A pinch of cayenne
Taste and adjust the salt and lemon as needed.
Serve the butter as is, soft and spreadable; or roll it into a log in wax paper, chill until hard, and cut it into coin-shaped pieces.
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Reminder: Please Keep Bringing In Your Leaves!
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