Wednesday, November 14, 2012

A time to plant, a time to reap



Several days ago, I noticed a great deal of activity at my friend Sally's home.


With camera in hand, I decided to investigate.


Another of our neighbors, who happens to live half way between our two homes, was also there, acting silly as ever.


Of course the big news was Sally's new tree.  Some of you may remember she had her last tree removed, after which she and I visited a nursery and she picked out a new one.


The workers were just putting the finishing touches on the mulch around the tree when I showed up.


After they left, I took photos of her new tree, which looked distressed from where I stood.


She also ordered some new bushes.  They are a type of box elder.


They looked even better after the mulch had been applied and the leaves raked and removed.


Back at home, I decided with our unseasonably lovely weather, I would stop procrastinating and cut my herbs.  I managed to get two containers of dill this year, an herb I love for its culinary goodness.  I use it on everything from potatoes to pasta.  Of course, dill butter is my favorite and it doesn't take long to whip some up in my kitchen (once the butter is soft, that is).


I also love cilantro, which is an acquired taste.  When I first tasted it, I didn't care for it.  Now I can't get enough.  My neighbor and I have both been picking from these plants all summer.  Sage, however, is not something I love.  Amazing how well the sage does, especially since I never use it, or even like the taste.


The first three herbs were finally clipped back.  I only had three buckets, so had to set up drying spaces before I could harvest more herbs.


By the time I had cut the rosemary (on the left) and the lavender, my back was killing me.  I had more herbs to harvest, but they had to wait for another day.  The good news is, it managed to stay nice over that weekend.

This is Day 15 of AEDM.  Have you harvested or planted anything recently?

23 thoughtful remarks:

Rebeca Trevino said...

I would really like to see a photograph of YOU standing next to that tree . . .

Susan said...

Woh great harvest! I always had a lot of herbs in my garden. Yes HAD. I'm slowly adding herbs back to the garden. So far I just have rosemary, parsly and arugula although thats not really a herb. I don't use parsly and the rosemary has nice little purple flowers. I would love to see some recipes with dill. I don't really know how to use this herb other than in a fish sauce and butter.

Love Susan

Dandelion and Daisy said...

It's good that you have taken pictures of the tree in its new home. In just a few years you will look back at this picture and be amazed by how much it has grown. I call them my trees baby pictures! LOL



Darla said...

Great herb collection. If I were nearby I would gladly take some of your sage. I like to make a brown butter with sage. Our dill wasn't very prolific this year for some reason. The summer garden was harvested, DH is putting in the winter stuff - kale and various other greens.

Darla

Healing Woman said...

Nothing like fresh herbs in the late fall..Bon Appetito!

Yvonne said...

Nothing better than planting a new tree. And fresh hebs....love it!

Caterina Giglio said...

E, I had to check the date to make sure I was reading a recent post! wow, the weather must still be so warm... I have nothing left from my garden it is all dead... lucky you, and I will take that sage if you don't want it!! xx

Dianne said...

your herb harvest looks delightful! I just started some lavender this year and hope it survives the winter. I really love the sage, but haven't harvested mine this year...so great that you documented Sally's new tree also...it's always a treat to see what you are up to and it feels like we are neighbors! hugs!

peggy gatto said...

I do remember and I am so glad you have a new tree!!!
Lucky you to have the fresh herbs!!! In time for Thanksgiving dinner!!!!!!

Halle said...

You are lucky...my herbs were very poor this year. My Rosemary bush that I've been overwintering for 4 years now in the house died as well. Bummer. I really need to get another rosemary and a parsley. I use those all the time!! In fact I was just looking at bringing out my plant cart for the winter.

~*~Patty S said...

working with herbs is always so pleasing...you had a great harvest

I have to tell you something I think of each time I go in and out of the big box craft stores looking at the ground for stray petals = I think of you
AND
today since we are going away for a week very soon, I reboiled my gelatin slab so it stays fresh ... also thanks to you!

oxo

Dawn said...

Ooh sooooooo good to see a new tree going in there. Lol, I remember the post and how sad you were to see it go but if I remember rightly there was a good reason??
Your herbs look delightful, mmmmm what a gorgeous smell. Tee hee, herbs are about the only thing I have much luck at growing, I have a huge pot of parsley and one of mint outside.
Huge hugs x x x x

JoZart Designs said...

I too have lots of herbs and use them all. Sage is excellent for sore throats... just make an infusion and gargle with it. In England we make sage and onion stuffing to serve with turkey or chicken. It used to be stuffed into the cavity of the bird but we realise it is safer to cook it on the side now. Chopped sage, chopped onion, dried breadrumbs and seasoning all mixed together with a little stock then roasted a while.. .delicious and great with roast pork too. Now go on and tell me you are vegetarian. Well I was too for 22 years and I used to eat the stuffing instead of meat with a roast dinner!
Jo x

Jill said...

I need to use my dill more. I certainly had an abundance of it but didn't dry anything but the seed heads for pickles. I'm not sure I've had it on pasta. I agree that cilantro is an acquired taste that I have acquired too! But, it won't grow well here.

Rita said...

I'm glad she got a new tree! Nice!
You really harvested a lot of herbs! How nice to have for all winter long! :)

Elizabeth said...

Hi Elizabeth, have been following the tale of the tree with bated breath so delighted to see the new one installed, even if it does look in need of a good drink. Your herb collection is impressive - I think perhaps cilantro is known as coriander over here and if so, it definitely is an acquired taste and I'm still working on it :)) Sage ... I love sage and onion stuffing! Elizabeth in Scotland xx

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