1. Danya
2. Family: Umbelliferae
3. Species: Coriandrum sativum
4. Origin: Eurasia and the Middle East Plant quick annual
5. Height: up to 60 cm; space 30-50 cm apart Soil rich, light
6. Exposure: full sun
7. Propagation: seed
8. Uses: culinary, medicinal, cosmetic

Cultivated for over 3 000 years, coriander seeds have been found in shrines and tombs in ancient Egypt, going back to the 21st Egyptian Dynasty (1085-940 BBC) and the ancient Romans, who combined coriander with vinegar and crushed cumin seeds, used it as a preservative over meat, fowl and fish. The herb reached China during the Han Dynasty (202 BC to AD 9), when it was used as a medicine to treat spreading sores, burns, boils and every other affliction from blindness to lameness.

A. CULTIVATION Needs full sun and a wide furrow of well- dug, well-composted soil that is kept moist while it germinates and grows. Space seeds 30 cm apart and keep moist and shaded by covering with leaves while the seed germinates. Water twice weekly thereafter. Read the rest of this entry »

1. Family: Compositae
2. Species: Taraxacum officinale
3. Origin: Europe and the British Isles, now a worldwide weed
4. Plant: perennial
5. Height: up to 30 cm; space 30 cm apart Soil literally any soil
6. Exposure: full sun
7. Propagation: seeds
8. Uses: medicinal, culinary

One of the world’s most common weeds, yet one of the most astonishing healing plants, with an array of health benefits that will take your breath away! It has been used and recorded in ancient pharmacopoeias and herbals in 7th century China and by the 15th century it was well used and listed all over Europe. The name ‘dandelion‘ was invented apparently by a 15th century surgeon who compared the sharp pointed leaves to the teeth of the lion — dents de lion — and amazingly it has the ability with its high mineral content to build strong enamel on the teeth and strengthen the bonesn All parts of the plant are effective and safe for use. The root is mildly laxative, a superb liver tonic and an excellent anti-rheumatic. Rich in vitamin A, B, C and D, carotenoids and minerals, especially potassium and calcium, this is one of the very best detoxifying herbs.

A. CULTIVATION Many people fear that if they once plant a dandelion in their gardens they’ll never be able to weed the lawn, but it thrives in a pot and you can nip off the head as the seeds appear. It thrives on neglect, but if nurtured and watered and planted in compost-rich soil, it will grow to 30 cm in height and width.

B. PROPAGATION Self-seeds prolifically. Read the rest of this entry »

1. Family: Papaveraceae
2. Species: Escholzia californica
3. Origin: North-west America
4. Plant: winter annual
5. Height: up to 40 cm; space 30 cm apart Soil sandy, well-aerated soil
6. Exposure: full sun
7. Propagation: seed
8. Uses: culinary, medicinal, cosmetic

Once, long ago, the hillsides of California were covered in poppies so abundant that the Spaniards called it The Land of Fire and The Golden West. Used for many centuries by Native Americans as a painkiller, particularly for toothache, and as a sedative for young and old, new research is finding this easily grown annual is becoming one of the most important medicinal plants for the 21st century as a natural painkiller and antispasmodic.

A. CULTIVATION Unfussy as to soil type but it prefers sandy, well-aerated soil. Water twice weekly.

B. PROPAGATION Sow the seed in autumn where it is to grow. Transplanting can be done only when the seedlings are very tiny. Plant seedlings 30 cm apart in full sun. Read the rest of this entry »

Indigenous to North America and introduced to gardens all over the world, bergamot has long been cultivated for its bright flowers, ranging from deep magenta to cerise pink, and deep scarlet to pale pink, as well as its arresting fragrance and taste similar to that of the Italian bergamot orange (Citrus bergamia). The Oswego Native Americans used bergamot — Oswego tea — as a cure-all for centuries for treating colds, coughs, bronchitis, sinus, nausea, indigestion, colic and even kidney ailments, insomnia and backache.

CULTIVATION An easy-to-grow perennial, bergamot needs full sun and rich compost-filled soil. It forms a cushion of vigorous stems that flower from midsummer until late autumn. The plant dies back in autumn and needs to be tidied up. It takes frost and heat equally well but, in some humid areas, has a tendency to form mildew on the leaves. New varieties are mildew free and well worth growing.

PROPAGATION Each clump needs to be divided in July, every second or third year. Replant the little tufts 30 cm apart in full sun, in a different part of the garden in well-composted soil.

HARVESTING AND PROCESSING Harvest the flowers and leaves all through summer.

COMPANION PLANTING Plant with beans, beetroot, carrots, peppers, tomatoes. Read the rest of this entry »

According to the history books, borage is said to have given ancient travellers ‘courage, joy, and gladness! It comforts the heart to make merry and to give strength and fortitude’. The Crusaders took it with them on their journeys — along with yarrow to stop bleeding and to heal wounds. For these intrepid travellers who had to face famine, bandits and plagues, a ’stirrup cup‘ — a type of fortifying wine made of borage — was literally their equivalent of Dutch courage. Undoubtedly they would also have taken the dried herb in leather pouches for the journey. Borage flowers are used in the popular Pimms alcoholic drink.

A. CULTIVATION Borage does best in well-composted soil in full sun — my best specimens grow on the compost heap! It grows up to 60 cm in width — so allow plenty of space.

B. PROPAGATION Borage grows quickly and easily from seed. It is self-seeding and regenerate rapidly from one plant.

C. HARVESTING AND PROCESSING Leaves and flowers can be picked continuously, and are only used fresh.

D. COMPANION PLANTING Bees are attracted to borage flowers. I always have a few rows planted in the vegetable garden amongst the tomatoes, lettuce, chives and strawberries. Read the rest of this entry »