Herb Show and Herb of the Year!

We visited the Midwestern Herb and Garden Show this past weekend and had the privilege of hearing Mel Bartholomew speak about his “All New Square Foot Gardening” method and book.  He is very knowledgeable and his mission is to end world hunger by teaching his square foot (meter) gardening techniques around the world.  I was surprised to learn that he also offers a course whereby you can become a certified teacher at one of the 3 day SFG Symposiums that are offered.  The next one being offered is in North Carolina and then one in Hawaii – you can read more about these on his website.  There is also an online course offered from the SFG University.   A young man named Josh was there to assist in the presentation and he is the youngest person to complete the course (he graduated 8th grade last year).  I was very happy and impressed to see a member of the younger generation with such interest in gardening.  There is also a cookbook published and Mel did mention that he will be writing his next book on Herbs!  He will be asking for the assistance of the Midwestern Herb group who hosted this event and mention them in the book  (I thought that was pretty cool)!

Speaking of herbs … I just recently started planting some herb seeds.  Since it is still too early to plant most of the vegetable seeds, I reason that I can get a good headstart with the herbs and even start using them for cooking.

 Dark Opal Basil

 Dill seedlings

This Rosemary and Stevia I did purchase at the show even though I have planted seeds of my own.  This is the first time with stevia and the seeds are very tiny and there were only a few in the packette so I thought I would purchase a plant already started.  Same for the rosemary – it can be fickle at times to start from seed.  Other herb seeds started are lemongrass, oregano, marjoram, lavender, winter savory, thyme, sage, anise, cumin and lemon balm. 

Each year the International Herb Association chooses the Herb of the Year and this year’s choice is Dill.  You can find information on their website and I also discovered this nice post along with some recipes by Jim Long on his blog.  He is author of 25 books on herbs, gardening and cooking.

Advice from “Great Garden Companions” by Sally Jean Cunningham states that “dill is a great companion for cabbage family crops, such as brussels sprouts.  The brussels sprouts support the floppy dill, while the dill pulls in the predatory wasps.”

“Planting squash with plant friends, like dill and nasturtiums, gives the squash a competitive edge against pests.  The nasturtiums help repel squash bugs and the dill attracts aphid predators.”

Also … I received word yesterday that my blog was added to About.com which is very exciting!  I submitted my information and if you have a gardening blog of your own you would like added there you can go to the above link and submit your information.

Gardening Blogs and other events

My blog has been accepted and listed on Blotanical  and I am really happy about that!  I have clicked on the Blotancial  website in the past and looked around at the different  gardening blogs that are listed there.  I found myself reading many of the experiences from other gardeners and when I left the site I was content in knowing that there are many others who love to garden and blog about it too!  In my most recent visit I decided to create an account and submit my blog – it took a few days, but the email arrived yesterday saying I was accepted … yes!  I will be spending more time on the site discovering and reading some good garden talk.  If you are listed, let me know and I can favorite your blog!  I love all kinds of garden talk and what amazes me is the pictures and stories from different parts of the world – you get a taste of what living there is about and realize that there really is a huge world out there.  Thank you Blotanical for accepting my blog … you made my day! 

 Along the lines of discovering blogs from all parts of the country I came across The Whimsical Bohemian blog last week and  seems I stumbled upon this wonderful blog just in the niche of time.  You can read more detail about this event that she hosts called One World One Heart which starts January 25^th – less than a week away.  I plan to participate and am gearing myself up for the fun ahead.  The idea behind the event is an opportunity to connect with bloggers from all over the world – you must have an active blog and a gift to giveaway to one winner (or more if you decide) when the event concludes on February 15^th.  Do check out all the details if you are looking for a fun event where you can meet others from all over!

 I also received a program flyer in the mail the other day from the Midwestern Herb and Garden Show announcing the speakers and activities for the 2010 show which is set for February 12 – 14^th.  We have attended the past 2 years and it seems to keep getting better each year.  This year the keynote speaker is Mel Bartholomew, Author of “Square Foot Gardening”.  I checked out his website very briefly and noticed he now has a cookbook — so I will be heading back to scope out the contents and read up some more on his theory.  We will definitely be in the audience to listen and learn all we can!  The whole 3 day event is free and many local vendors will be there sharing their knowledge and goods.

 Fun stuff ahead !!!