My house smells soooo Good
By byfaithonly
@byfaithonly (10698)
United States
August 19, 2008 11:03am CST
I had a 'bright idea' this spring and planted several herbs I'd never grown before. It's been, still is, a great experience but am today reaping the benifits of my hard labor.
You see, one of the things I use a ton of is 'Italian Seasoning' - you know the dried combination of herbs that you can pay a fortune for.
I planted (among some herbs for other things):
Thyme
Parsley
Oregano
Rosemary
Marjoram
Basel
Sage
This morning I harvested some of each herb and filled my food dehydrator. I'm not sure how long it will take to dry them but if it comes out right I will have enough Italian Seasoning to last several months and still have more growing in the garden.
When you plant your garden do you plant a lot of things for one end product such as I did for the Italian seasoning? (I did the same thing for Salsa)
Do you use Italian seasoning in your cooking?
Do you use homegrown fresh, store bought fresh, or the old mass produced dried seasoning?
In the attached photo the herbs are listed left to right if you aren't familure with what the plant looks like before it's dried and stuffed in a jar.
10 people like this
29 responses
@leateagee (3667)
• China
19 Aug 08
My mother and aunt love to cook and they grow their own herbs to. Though not all that you mentioned. Sometimes they use the herbs to the food that we eat. Not all that you mentioned can grow in my country so just a few and basel is their favorite since it really grows a lot. Parsley and oregano I have seen to in our garden but I didn't know if they used it ... maybe. LOL. I just eat, I don't look at the food most of the time LOL
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
19 Aug 08
I love to walk out into my garden particularly near the bed where I have my herbs this year - it smells so good. I'm not sure if all of these herbs mentioned will come back next year but I think some will - I'm going to take cuttings in the fall just in case so I can have more next year.
1 person likes this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
19 Aug 08
I do this as well.
I planted Lavendar for the scent/aroma in and outside of the home.
I also grow mint specificaaly for tea and for the wifes restaraunt as they use a lot. I keep telling myself I want to start a spice garden with various spices such as the ones you mentioned plus dill as I pickle a lot. But have yet to start a spice garden. maybe next year I shall get it started finally. I use the factory mass porduced except for mint at this time. Sometimes we will hit a co-op and get some good fresh spices.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
19 Aug 08
I have lavendar and camomile for scenting/relaxing - I'm actually trying an experiment I started last week, I'm soaking some lavendar and camomile in baby oil to see if I can scent that to use in my and the grandkids bathwater. If it doesn't work then I'll just dry it for winter enjoyment.
Among some of the others I have are mint also and catnip :) had a time getting that started as our 2 cats and the neighbor cat kept digging it up :(
2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
19 Aug 08
My lavendar did not come back this year.
I talked with a nursery.
Seems I planted the one variety that is not winter hardy in Minnesota.
HAHAHAHA!
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
19 Aug 08
I'm a little concerned about that myself - we're pretty close to the same type winters but I got 2 plants and plan to dig one and move it inside for the winter just in case :) I've thought about trying to start some cuttings also but I already have a million other things to do :(
@tigerdragon (4297)
• Philippines
19 Aug 08
do you know that oregano juice is the best way to cure a cough? i can attest to that because we grow oregano and we use to squeeze the juice from its leaves with a fine strainer and spoon and drink its bitter juice 'bout a spoonful a day, it works!
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
20 Aug 08
LOL - I was thinking about this all last night, almost wish I had a cough or knew someone who did so I could test it out. Our time will come though I'm sure as winter is coming and we have a lot of coughs then - I'm saving some oregano just for coughs :)
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
19 Aug 08
I did not know that but great information to have on hand - I do have way more oregano than I'll need for the Italian seasoning. I'm thinking maybe I could squeeze the juice out and add it to honey to save for winter months. Am guessing it won't grow well in the house.
1 person likes this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
21 Aug 08
I have seen little starter kits for herb, but i have never done that before. I use herbs all the time to spice up even the simplest of foods. My wife makes probably the best jalepeno poppers you have ever had. It requires italian spices. I may mention to her that we grow some next year.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
21 Aug 08
Oh goodness I love jalepeno poppers and actually have an abundance of jalepeno peppers I don't know what to do with - I was going to look online for a recipe for poppers. I planted 4 jalepeno plants to use in salsa but those 4 plants have produced way more than I need for the salsa. Do you think your wife would be willing to share her recipe with me?
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
21 Aug 08
:) You could send it in PM if she doesn't want to share it with the world of myLot, I'm sure I can find another but we all know the best are always the ones that come highly recommended by a husband :)
1 person likes this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
21 Aug 08
It is a secret recipe that she made. :) Actually she did make the recipe and they are truely the best. I will ask her about that.
1 person likes this
@LouiseKnittel (4764)
• United States
19 Aug 08
I bet your house really does smell soooo good right about now! I have said that I would like to get a samll herb gaden. I never have. It is on my wish list! I am happy to read that you have grown enough for several months! Maybe with the next harvest you will have enough for a whole year!
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
19 Aug 08
That's what I'm hoping for - enough to last the year. I just didn't want to 'harvest' everything at one time just in case they don't work well in the dehydrator - other options are hanging to dry and/or the microwave (I do that with a lot of flowers for potporri - they retain their color great).
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
19 Aug 08
Not only is it cheaper but also I think tastes sooo much better and safer too when you look at all the food problems people are having from additives and poisons.
We also have potatoes and had leaf lettuce but I think next year I'll do regular old head lettuce (it seems to hold up longer). The leaf lettuce was still producing until I pulled it out just this morning but had a very bitter flavor - it's just been so dry here this year I think it would have done better in the early spring or later in the fall.
1 person likes this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
19 Aug 08
Lira cruise around my page.
I have a lot of things in my garden.
I am getting lots and lots of veggies this year.
I have maybe 15 different veggies including fruits planted.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@sweetdesign (5142)
• United States
23 Aug 08
Oh what a wonderul idea!! I have a dehydrator and here I was thinking "what on earth am I going to do with all this basil (purple and italian) I have?" DUH dehydrate it of course. Thanks for getting my head on for me!! Sometimes I swear I don't use the Brain God gave me.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
23 Aug 08
Hey before you get too excited read some of the other responses here - I don't like how mine came out with the dehydrator but someone else dries them by hanging them in paper bags - I'm going to try my next batch that way.
Also may try microwave - I've dried flowers and mint for years that way, cover with a piece of paper towel and zap them just a second, they really hold their smell and color great.
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
23 Aug 08
I don't plant herbs. DOn't really have space for it, and if I did, the cats have a special thing for any potted stuff that I might have around.
But I usually prefer to use fresh herbs instead of the dry ones, unless dry ones will work better with what I'm cooking.
Since I can't plant them, I either get my fresh herbs from my friends, or buy them fresh.THen I can mix and match as I want LOL
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
24 Aug 08
The only herbs my cats seem to have bothered was the catnip when I still had it in a pot the first of the year - now they love it when I give them a piece but leave everything else alone. And my one cat, Indy, comes out in the garden with me all the time - she just lays where ever watching me :)
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
24 Aug 08
Oh I know the look - Indy tends to lay twitching her tail and look at me like 'ok what are you doing in MY garden' making sure I don't do anything wrong or something :)
1 person likes this
@austere (2812)
• Philippines
20 Aug 08
those sure smell good and smelling them is healthy for you too. i tried to plant flowers in the front yard, but i'm just not good with gardening.hahaha
i'm quite busy with work and i cant spen time with my mini garden because after work, i have mylotting to do. but i would to plant lots and lots of flowering plants.. i'll write that in my thins to do list!
i'm quite busy with work and i cant spen time with my mini garden because after work, i have mylotting to do. but i would to plant lots and lots of flowering plants.. i'll write that in my thins to do list!@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
22 Aug 08
I'm so happy to hear I've motivated you - I have loved gardening since I was a young child but for several years didn't have the garden I wanted. This year I really got back into it and am so very happy. Off to pick tomatoes to can now :)
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
20 Aug 08
Gardening does take time but going small, even just a couple plants would not be a lot of work and you could still benifit from them. I too love flowers, lots and lots of them, but many of the herbs also flower so they have two functions :) the butterflies really love my garden this year.
@austere (2812)
• Philippines
20 Aug 08
i could just imagine how beautiful your garden is right now.. with the flowering plants and the lovely butterflies. guess, i am motivated to start having my own garden.. i'll start off with a few plants..hehe and if i could take very good care of them..guess i'll try to add and add more plants to the garden!! you're garden is my motivation..hehe thanks for sharing..
with the flowering plants and the lovely butterflies. guess, i am motivated to start having my own garden.. i'll start off with a few plants..hehe and if i could take very good care of them..guess i'll try to add and add more plants to the garden!! you're garden is my motivation..hehe thanks for sharing..1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
24 Aug 08
Sadly I don't have a garden as I live in an apartment, but I decided only a week ago, to start planting my own little herb garden and indoors...I'm figuring this way I could have fresh herbs all year long...I planted chives, basil, parsley, and mint...they are starting to "poke" up already. I also am trying my luck with planting flowers and planted marigold seeds...they too are starting to come up. I would love to eventually grow a lot more things, but I'm seeing with how I make out with this little venture. Normally I buy my seasonings, that is herbs in the dollar store..every bit as good as the higher priced brand names and get all kinds ...but have always wanted to grow fresh herbs...according to my grandmother and mother my great-grandmother always grew herbs indoors...so I'm hoping I have her green thumb
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
24 Aug 08
I am planning to have a lot of things indoors this winter but mostly just starting plants for the outdoor garden next spring. I would like to have a little mini-herb garden in the house year round though and am going to make that a winter project.
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
26 Aug 08
wow that sounds super - and the food dehydrator sounds really professional as well.
personally I haven't taken the step to grow my own herbs. I am using the store bought plastic jar ones. i suppose knowing my knack for plants the herbs would all wilt before you said green fingers.
I guess it's also because I don't use herbs for seasoning very often. which is why the basil (or was it oregano) i have is still pretty full.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
26 Aug 08
LOL - actually I don't use a lot of herbs either, I have tons of bottles that haven't even been opened that were given to me in a spice rack 10 or more years ago. I do use the Italian seasoning though in tons of things which was why I decided to try growing the herbs in that, got the list of ingredients off the back of an empty bottle :)
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
19 Aug 08
I love gardening but it certainly does take your time - some people can just stick stuff in the ground and leave it but I tend to fuse like a mother hen; weeding, watering, pruning, and now started canning, freezing, and drying the fruits.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
23 Aug 08
LOL - I'm the same way, love getting my hands dirty and this is the lady that as a child if I got a bit of play sand on my dress I had to change my cloths :( I was a little miss prissy - not so since I discovered gardening :)
@savypat (20216)
• United States
22 Aug 08
I love it when my house smells good,with all the dirt, dust, pets, kids etc that come tracking through the house at the ranch, not to mention the unmentionables
well, I'm sure you get the drift, I fight an uphill battle to just get the bad smells out. I use fabrez and candles and herbs to overcome the mess and of course good old fashion cleaning. I just can't seem to get ahead of it. It's nice to know someone can.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
23 Aug 08
Sounds like we are fighting similar battles - teenaged son, 2 grandkids here alot, chickens, goats and a house mate that tends to be 'messy' it's a constant battle which is why I thrill so much when all those things are at least 'covered up' for a bit. I do want to try drying some more herbs but afraid the dehydrator dried them too much and they don't have any 'smell' now.
@carl1105 (114)
• China
25 Aug 08
oh,how great to plant some flowers in your garden,see and smell them any time you are free,good!i am sorry i have no room to do this now,all around us is concrete,no garden,pity!but in my hometown, a little town,we have big land to plant this,i still remember what we have done at that place,so many flower bloom at the evening ,beautiful,but it is so far away from me,i have little chance to come back to hometown now!
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
25 Aug 08
Oh that is a shame, I lived in the city for a few years but was still able to have a small garden. Even one time when I lived in apartment with no yard I had a small mini garden on my porch - I had some plants in pots like a tomato plant and few peppers.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
20 Aug 08
I bet your house smells great. Sounds like you did alot of planting this spring so you'd have plenty of herbs to make several dishes.
I quit cooking a few years ago. We eat out but when I get the urge to eat at home I do use store bought herbs and spices. Just my husband and myself at home now and his work schedule is so crazy that it's easier to eat out. He's also such a picky eater.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
20 Aug 08
Yep and it's still smelling great this morning. I'm loving this so much I can't wait till next year when I can add more herbs to the garden - just not sure what at this time. Some of mine will come back next year but think I may expand and add more of the same ones also.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
20 Aug 08
I have planted some coriander seed, but so far they have not come up, and I have not attempted to plant any other herbs. I usually use dried seasonings, but I do buy fresh dill and fresh cilentro. The trouble is that my husband goes with me and he thinks that dried herbs are just as good as the fresh ones and the fresh ones are more expensive.
@snowy22315 (182646)
• United States
20 Aug 08
The only herb I planted was basil. I need basil to put in my Italian food. I had visions of making spaghetti sauce this year but I didnt get enough tomatoes to do that. I guess I will simply use my basil with my commerical spaghetti sauces. I think that would be very tasty.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
20 Aug 08
Oh too bad, I have lots of tomatoes but fear I'm going to need more basil for my Italian seasoning - it's all starting to dry and that's the only thing that is looking 'short of'.
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
20 Aug 08
You posted a very helpful topic. I think I'm gonna plant my own herbs too. That will be giving me a lot of savings. Instead of buying those herbs in the market, I will only reap them from my garden soon. Wonderful idea! Thanks a lot. I will go and buy those plants one of these days. Mark my word.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
20 Aug 08
I highly recommend growing your own herbs to everyone - it's fun, and the smells and tastes are sooo much better than the dried stuff from the store.
@magojordan (3252)
• Philippines
20 Aug 08
Wow that's really great. Having your own garden to provide you with such wonderful herbs for a delicious meal every time. I congratulate you for that and I hope you get to cook more delicious dishes using those .
.@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
20 Aug 08
Thank you, I do love gardening, have since I can remember but had never done much with herbs. Making mint jelly with my own grown fresh mint was about it but now I'm really excited and plan to plant even more herbs next year.
@thestar (304)
• Egypt
21 Aug 08
nice to get this planets in your garden this really help to keep your house with good smell and also got your needs from them . i doing the same in my house i hope that i could get more and more planets it is really help a lot when i need some of it .
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
21 Aug 08
Yes they are really nice - the herbs part of the garden is my favorite and I'm already trying to figure out what other herbs I can add next year besides what I have already.
