If you have Tarragon in your yard, you are among the many that have discovered it's secret. It comes back every year and doesn't take long to become as big as you are!
It is misunderstood, and under used here in North America. With a mild licorice flavor, it is great to make flavored oil for use in your favorite salad dressings, or to sauté cabbage with. Simply wash, dry and slightly bruise a palmful of fresh tarragon. Pour warm oil of your choice over the tarragon. Store in a glass bottle in a cool, dark place. Alternatively, you can add the fresh leaves directly to a leafy green salad, it will give you a bright flavor in with the regular greens you choose.
In French cooking, you simply add tarragon to hollandaise sauce to make Bernaise Sauce, great with beef, and vegetables. Or try this recipe for Tarragon Chicken .
Happy Gardening!
Friday 17 May 2013
Friday 3 May 2013
Herb Care 101
May has finally arrived! I am sure that the lack of snowfall is a sign of good things to come.
We have arrived at the Calgary Farmers Market. Which makes this the perfect time for a mini workshop.
For the most part, herbs are native to the Mediterranean region. What that means to us, from a practical point of view, is that we need to re-create that in our own or yard. When we imagine Greece, or Italy the first thing that comes to mind is sun. Hot, dry sun. Here in Alberta we are fortunate to have aprox. 300 sunny days per year. What we need to help along is the warm feet. Our soil never really gets much above 60F a few inches down. So for varieties such as Basil and Rosemary, a pot above ground will be more fruitful than planting them directly in the ground. For more hardy varieties, planting them in a well drained spot with a south or west exposure is ideal, while container gardening is still a wonderful option. A great rule of thumb for daily care of herbs is to water when they're dry and let them dry out between waterings.
Let common sense prevail! Water weighs, if your pot feels heavy it's wet, if it's light, it's dry. If it's sunny and hot you will need to water more often. If you have recently cut back your herbs, they will need less water than when they are needing a trim and reaching for the sky.
Annual Perennial Tender Perennial Biennial (comes back once,
then goes to seed)
Basil Chives Rosemary Parsley
Dill Lemon Balm Lavender
Cilantro Mint
Summer Savory Oregano
Sage
Tarragon
Thyme
We have arrived at the Calgary Farmers Market. Which makes this the perfect time for a mini workshop.
For the most part, herbs are native to the Mediterranean region. What that means to us, from a practical point of view, is that we need to re-create that in our own or yard. When we imagine Greece, or Italy the first thing that comes to mind is sun. Hot, dry sun. Here in Alberta we are fortunate to have aprox. 300 sunny days per year. What we need to help along is the warm feet. Our soil never really gets much above 60F a few inches down. So for varieties such as Basil and Rosemary, a pot above ground will be more fruitful than planting them directly in the ground. For more hardy varieties, planting them in a well drained spot with a south or west exposure is ideal, while container gardening is still a wonderful option. A great rule of thumb for daily care of herbs is to water when they're dry and let them dry out between waterings.
Let common sense prevail! Water weighs, if your pot feels heavy it's wet, if it's light, it's dry. If it's sunny and hot you will need to water more often. If you have recently cut back your herbs, they will need less water than when they are needing a trim and reaching for the sky.
Annual Perennial Tender Perennial Biennial (comes back once,
then goes to seed)
Basil Chives Rosemary Parsley
Dill Lemon Balm Lavender
Cilantro Mint
Summer Savory Oregano
Sage
Tarragon
Thyme
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