Spring has been very good this year, mild and plenty of rain. Our thoughts go to gardening and especially herb gardening. There is nothing like chopping up your own freshly grown herbs. Stews, salads, scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes take on a new and tantalising flavour. You become the creator of exciting dishes by mixing and blending your own herbs and at the same time cut back on the usage of salt. There is such a variation of herbs, in foliage, fragrance and flower display, that a whole garden could consist of herbs and your friends would comment you on your beautiful ornamental garden. Herbs are hardy plants, hardier than most garden plants. They like a sunny spot, preferably morning sun, anywhere in the garden. Like all plants they will ample reward you by a yearly dressing of manure, blood and bone or mixed fertilizer, in spring. Herbs want to be pruned frequently and they will make plenty of fresh growth.
BALM LEMON(Melissa officinalis) Hardy creeping perennial with a strong lemon fragrance. Other varieties include: Lime Balm, variegated Lemon Balm and golden Lemon Balm. Height: 75cm. Grow in morning sun with plenty of moisture. Leaves can be used all year. Use in salads, chicken and fish. Makes excellent iced lemon tea. Lime or lemon flavour.
Medicinal uses: Nervous problems, common female complaints, bronchial catarrh and some forms of asthma. Contributed by Elke at the Riverhouse Herb Farm, Wandandian or visit their home page or ph: 44 434 922.