Herb Gardeners of Montgomery County

December SIG Craft Session and Pot Luck

2008-11-12T05:33:00.000-08:00

The December SIG craft session and pot luck will be at Sally's on December 4th and we will be jarring spices and herbal sugar for sale at our Herbal Tea and Fair in February. Come join the fun.

Greetings from New Zealand

2008-10-29T12:37:00.000-07:00

We received the e-mail listed below from Jacquelyn Jamieson, Valeside Gardens, New Zealand. Gardens to Visit , a collection of lovely garden pictures from around New Zealand is the web site she sent to us to add to our gardening links. I have briefly looked at their site and the pictures are stunning.
Robbynn

Hi, we are a New Zealand web site showcasing private gardens of New Zealand who also operate B&Bs/farm stays/home stays/cottage accommodation/private and corporate function centres/historic buildings/museums'/weddings/photos/cafes/home cooking/plant, art and sculpture sales, /fishing/animals and bird life/picnics and garden tours.
This is a site that you may wish to link too or list. We welcome new gardens. We are a helpful site for visitors coming to NZ.

Cheers Jacquelyn Jamieson, Valeside Gardens

Book Nook at Herbal Tea Faire

2008-10-29T12:31:00.000-07:00

We will be having a Book Nook where used herbal books will be sold at the Tea Faire in February. Ida is heading up this table and is looking for herbal or general gardening books which are in good condition. Please peruse your bookshelves for these books to donate and bring them to the November herb gardeners meeting. This will be a great money maker for the club and spread the knowledge of the Joy of Herbs.

Thanks,
Rosa

October Meeting

2008-10-22T07:41:00.000-07:00

Diane Cabiness, and Junior, her pet Corn Snake, presented a program on native plants and their use in the landscape. Diane discussed the culture requirements of the plants but also the wild life their fruit and berries help support. She started as a bird watcher and that interest led her to learn and eventually grow the plants that the birds, including hummingbirds and butterflies use for food sources. She brought many plants: Turks Cap, Coral Honeysuckle, Barbados Cherry, Mist Flower, Zig Zag Iris, Obedient Plant, and many others.

Business meeting included:
1. The By-Laws were reviewed and membership voted to approve.
2. Members are asked to consider filling a position as a committee chairman or committee member for 2009.
3. Treasurers report
4. Request from Stephanie for any club member to water the patio garden behind the Community Center. You will need to bring pliers to turn the water on.
5. Rosa reported on the 2009 Herb Tea and Faire. Hostesses are still needed as well as kitchen volunteers to help refill the tables for tea and food. Please contact Rosa to sign up or further information.
6. Camille, Natasha and Fronica will man the MCHG booth at the Wildflower Festival on Saturday, October 25th. All members are welcome to come and help. The festival will be 10 am until 2 pm at Cochran's Crossing Shopping Center.
7. Luncheon / Special Interest Group (SIG) meetings are October 31st and November 21st. Bring your favorite dish and come enjoy lively conversation and great food. If you have extra time after the lunch, stay and help create craft items for the 2009 Herb Tea and Faire.

Meeting Notes by Margaret

Pressed Flowers and Leaves

2008-10-14T06:06:00.000-07:00

Please continue to press any flowers or leaves that can be used for the Herb Gardners Tea Program. Rosa has designed a beautiful program for the Tea and the pressed flowers and leaves will be used on the program cover. We will meet in January 2009 to assemble the programs.

Thanks,
Camille

Day Trip to Fontenot Grand Mansion

2008-09-21T14:42:00.001-07:00

Our club's plans for an Herbal Tea have raised interest in partaking in another Tea prior to ours. Janet has scheduled a tea at the Fontenot Grand Mansion for Oct. 3rd.

The tea usually lasts an hour and consists of four courses: dainty sandwiches, salad and quiche, scones and then dessert.

Prepayment is required for the reservation. Contact Janet if you plan to attend.

Our Herbal Tea and Faire

2008-09-21T14:34:00.000-07:00

The date is set, the menu is being planned and we are recruiting for additional help:

Pressing Flowers - If you have a few beauties that are worthy of saving...press your flowers and leaves then bring them to the meetings. Rosa has done a beautiful job designing our Herbal Faire programs using pressed flowers and leaves.
At the Tea - We could still use a few more table hostesses and helpers for manning the kitchen or serving.
Food Preparation - If you enjoy playing in the kitchen then maybe you could provide a plate of sandwiches or baked goods.

If there is something that you could do, please contact Rosa or Natasha.

The Suggested Menu

We will be collecting and trying recipes for these items before the date for our Herbal Tea arrives. You will be our guinea pigs for the recipe tests at the upcoming Herb Gardeners' meetings. Please test and forward any good recipes for the following items:

Herb Inspired Finger Sandwiches -Cucumber-Mint-Egg Salad with Dill

Rosemary Spirals - Rolled Meat with Rosemary Cream Cheese

Savory Quiche - Miniature Quiche

Minty Fruit Kabobs - Seasonal Fresh Fruit with Mint on a wooden 6" skewer

Lemon Balm Mini Cheesecake

Poppyseed Mini Muffins

Lavender Tea Cakes

Ginger-Chocolate Truffle

Assortment of Teas: Light, Medium, Dark with one being a decaffinated choice

Herb Gardeners of Montgomery County August 2008 Newsletter

2008-09-21T14:25:00.000-07:00

Recap....
August Herb Gardeners' meeting topic was Multisensory Basil. A big "Thank You" to Janet and Beth for such an informative and interactive presentation. They provided an informative Power-Point presentation colored by their kinowledge of the varieties of Bails' international uses. This was followed by a participatory taste test and evaluations of various Basils from their gardens. The evening ended with a scrumptious spread of Basil-Nectarine Tea and Lemon Basil Cookies. Natasha added to the spread by providing a preview taste of a Tea Cookie that will be served at our Herbal Tea (an Olde Country family recipe that dates back).

Margaret brought a "What's Happening In Our Garden" posterboard on which some posted comments about their personal gardens. The information will be included in the monthly newsletter as a way for us to see into our neighbor's gardens and open dialoges about problems and solutions. Great idea Margaret!

Guest Book:
Nichole was our guest at our August meeting. Please offer her a warm welcome next time she visits.

Garden Maintenance:
Please give the Library garden plants a drink if you are in the area. Notify Stephanie if you are able to water the plants.

Wanted: Recipes for Herb Gardeners of Montgomery County Collection
We are collecting recipes for testing and printing for the Herbal Tea in February. Please submit recipes to Kim.

Kim, Editor
Herb Gardeners Newsletter

August Meeting

2008-08-20T06:58:00.000-07:00

Herb Gardeners met for our monthly night meeting at the South Branch Library on August 18th. Janet and Beth presented a terrific program on The Multi-Sensory Exploration of Basil. They discussed culinary uses of basil, chemical components of the many species of basil, folk lore and medicinal uses. Club members tested their ability to distinguish the differences in taste and smell due to the composition of essential oils in basil leaves handed out by Janet and Beth. The girls also made refreshments featuring basil in the goodies. Thank you Janet and Beth for an outstanding program and delicious treats!

Club business followed the program. Items for discussion were: treasurer's report, special events update, herbal tea fair, herb gardens and upcoming night meeting programs. Natasha brought tea cakes for every one to sample and give consideration to be on the menu for our tea. Margaret presented information about fall gardening events in the Houston area. For your reference, the garden events discussed by Margaret will be listed in the Events Calendar in this blog. Kim introduced a guest at the meeting, Nicole.

Janet propagated 2 sweet aussie basil plants and gave them as door prizes. Margaret and Stephanie were the winners.

Herb Gardeners August Potluck and Day Meeting

2008-08-20T06:52:00.001-07:00

Our day meeting was at Rosa's to begin planning for the February 28, 2009 Herbal Tea and Fair. Topics covered were: the schedule of activities for the tea day, hostess tables, tea menu items, herbal craft tables and SIG products for the fair. After the meeting, we enjoyed a wonderful potluck lunch.

Herb Gardeners of Montgomery County Members' Newsletter July 2008

2008-08-05T10:02:00.000-07:00

July Meeting Recap:

This month's herb gardener meeting was a chance for our members to express their artistic talents through floral arrangements using the lessons taught to us by Kevin.

Members are needed to water the garden behind the community center. If you can commit to one day a month to water this garden, please contact Stephanie.

The club is also exploring whether to purchase a power point projector. Kim volunteered to find out information on the cost of a projector.

Rosa reported on the Herbal Tea and Fair.

Kim
Editor, Herb Gardeners Newsletter

Important Planning Meeting for Herbal Tea Fair

2008-08-05T09:55:00.000-07:00

We will be having a planning meeting on August 14th, 10:30a.m. at Rosa's. A program and flyer for the event have already been created and we'll share that at the meeting. We want to hear everybody's ideas on every aspect of the event.

At this time we would like to thank the club for the tremendous outpouring of support we've already received. If you haven't signed up to help yet, then contact us and we'll find a position for you.

Please send herbal recipes to Kim. We need these to sell at the Herbal Fair.

Rosa & Camille
Tea Fair Coordinators

"Teacups & Garden Gloves"

2008-08-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

Dear Herbies,

Next February 28th our club will be undertaking a new project that conbines two events which we've successfully created in the past; our Social Tea and our Herb Fair. Our Herbal Tea Fair will be at the Friendship Center at 2235 Lake Robbins Drive, and will have all the fun and informative elements that we've experienced at our past events. However this Tea will be on a larger scale to include friends and family. Out total attendance will be 60 and the cost of admittance is $15.

Beginning at 11a.m. and wearing party dresses, gloves and fancy hats, members and guests will share in a high tea of delightful herbal treats. Every attendant will receive a program and an herbal & rose boutonniere. Lois will be coordinating these floral creations. Seated at an herbal themed table decorated with fine china, we'll enjoy the serenity & companionship which is part of the 'Taking Tea' experience. There will be 10 tables seating six persons. I already have 8 hostesses for the tables and need 2 more. We'll be creating all the food for this event, and Carol B. is heading up this part of the planning.

After Tea, a wonderful lecture will be given by talented artist Elissa, who will also be donating a watercolor for our door prize. Elissa is a gifted speaker who is sure to inspire us in our own creative endeavors, whether it be in the garden, kitchen or crafting room.

Next comes our Herbal Fair where attendants will have the opportunity to ask questions of our experts and buy herbal gifts which our club will be making throughout the year. We plan to have 6 themed tables.

1. "In the Kitchen with Herbs" - Kim will be heading up this table. She'll be talking about nutrition and the delicious ways we can incorporate herbs into our cooking. Herbal vinegars and a collection of our herbal receipes are to be sold.

2. "Creating with Herbs" - (The hostess for this table has not been decided yet.) The projects we've made with herbs such as bath salts, tea dyed paper, potpourri and origami will be highlighted here.

3. "The Fairy Garden" - Camille will show how tiny fairies can bring a whimsical touch to our gardens.

4. "The Garden Plot" - Master Gardener, Margaret will sell herbs and answer horticultural questions.

5. "The Book Nook" - Leagal Eagle, Ida will have books from A to Z on everything herbal, for sale.

6. "Health and Home" - Fronica, knowledgeable in the use of medicinal herbs, will answer questions about utilizing herbs for our health.

Our goal for the Tea Fair is to raise funds for the club, increase membership, inform attendants of herbal use and HAVE FUN!

Rosa & Camille
Tea Fair Coordinators

Water Conservation

2008-08-05T09:28:00.000-07:00

This has been a hot and dry season and we still have some hot weeks ahead before the cool fall evenings begin. This site offers some suggestions for helping your plants weather the Texas summer. Suggestions include choice of plants, water collection, mulching, watering times and amounts. For more information check out this site: Natural Resources Conservation Service .

You Can Do It...
Make a water collection pot with a faucet and hose to be placed below the air conditioning drain line or a gutter downspout. When the pot is full, the hose can be placed in any thirsty corner of the yard OR keep the faucet open for slow watering.

You Will Need: large fiberglass decorative planter, drill, brass faucet with a same sized nut and 2 rubber o-rings

1. Trace the threaded end of faucet on the planter.
2. Use a drill to cut the hole to fit the faucet. If you don't have a drill bit large enough, 'perforate' just inside the drawn circle to punch out the circle and file it smooth.
3. Put an o-ring over the threaded neck of the faucet. Put the neck through the hole and the other o-ring over the threaded neck. Screw the nut tightly to seal the faucet neck. (The o-rings are on either side of the fiberglass wall to make a waterproof seal.)
4. Attach a hose to the faucet opening.
5. Place the water collector under a water spout or AC drain line.
6. Raise the finished water collector by putting it on a few bricks to use gravity to increase the flow.

Please e-mail any suggestions/ideas/stories about your own water conservation or other topics to Kim.

Kim
Editor, Herb Gardeners Newsletter

Bay: Laurel or Leave It

2008-08-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

There are two different kinds of culinary bay leaves: bay laurel, Laurus nobilis aka Turkish Bay and California bay, Umbelluraria californica. California bay is ten times stronger than bay laurel but the strength is not desired in cooking because it can have overpowering qualities of menthol and petroleum. Crushing or tearing of the leaf unveils a mild, sweet nutmeg-like scent.

Differences:
Laurus nobilis: Leaf is glossy deep green and shaped in an oval that is evenly tapered and pointed at the top and bottom ends, leathery and often the edges are wavy. Scent is a subtle, sweet spice.

Umbelluraria californica: Leaf is a narrow oval shape like a flame silhouette with the widest part towards the bottom and gradually tapering to a point at the top, pliable and the edges are smooth. Scent is strong menthol and petroleum.

When you harvest, tug the bay leaf downward until it snaps off. Mature leathery leaves have more flavor than soft new leaves. Fresh bay leaves will keep for more than a month in a small freezer bag in the refrigerator.

Fresh bay laurel leaves give a subtle sweet spice flavor to desserts, almost like nutmeg, vanilla and butterscotch. Steep the leaves in hot milk or cream to be used in custards, strain them out, or cook them with winter fruits, then discard before serving.

Kim
Editor, Herb Gardeners Newsletter

Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Garden August Events

2008-07-28T07:44:00.000-07:00

1. A Tropical Workshop will be held at Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Garden on Saturday, August 2, 2008 from 9am to 5pm. Cost is $50 for non-Mercer Members and $40 for Mercer Members.

2. A program on Shad Gardening will be on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 from noon to 2pm. Bring your lunch.

3. Garden Entomology will be offered on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 from 10am to noon.

Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Garden is located at 22306 Aldine Westfield, just one mile north of FM 1960. Phone number is 281-443-8731.

Herb Gardeners July Potluck and Day Meeting

2008-07-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

Carol, Barbara C., Beth, Janet, Lois, Kiki, Helen, Stephanie, Margaret, Elissa, and Rosa gathered around the table for a quick demonstration by Lois on making a boutonniere. Earlier, club members feasted on a delicious potluck lunch. Thank you Lois for hosting the lunch in your home.

August Day Program Location Change

2008-07-24T13:50:00.000-07:00

Attention all herb club members: The August day program has been changed to meet at Rosa's home. It is still scheduled for the same date; Thursday, August 14th, at 10:30am. This is an important meeting for discussing and planning the Herbal Tea and Fair for February 28, 2009.

Garden Club of Houston - 66th Annual Bulb and Plant Mart

2008-07-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

The Garden Club of Houston will be having their annual bulb and plant mart on October 9, 10 and 11, 2008 at the Westminister United Methodist Church (San Felipe at Bering). Pre-ordering is available, offering a fun and easy way to ensure you get special bulbs or plants for your garden before they sell out. Order deadline date is August 1, 2008. Bulbs ordered in quantities are best pre-ordered. Orders over $100 and received before August 1st will receive 10% off, and will be available for pick up on Thursday afternoon before the Mart opens. You may go to The Garden Club of Houston website to download the pre-order form or for further information.

Please note: perennials, vines and citrus are not currently available for pre-order. They are sold on a first come basis.

July Meeting

2008-07-22T13:45:00.000-07:00

Herb Gardeners met for an informative meeting discussing the upcoming Herbal Tea and Fair, club business and enjoyed a fun filled program and contest featuring floral designs from club members. Members are needed to water the garden behind the community center. If you can commit to one day a month to water this garden, please contact Stephanie. The club is also exploring whether to purchase a power point projector. Kim volunteered to find out information on the cost of a projector. Rosa reported on the Herbal Tea and Fair and also passed around a beautiful brochure prototype she created for the event which will be held at the Community Center on Feb. 28, 2009. The herbal spotlight on bee balm was presented by Robbynn. Carol and Kim brought refreshments.

And The Winners Are...

2008-07-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

1st place winner: Stephanie - the middle arrangement

2nd place winner: Margaret - the arrangement on the right

3rd place winner: Kim - the arrangement on the left

Club Members and Floral Designs

2008-07-22T13:18:00.000-07:00

The evening was a lot of fun when it came time to view, judge and announce the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of floral/herbal/veggie arranging. Club members who brought a design were: Kim, Stephanie, Barbara M., Margaret, Anne P., Rosa and Janet... and yes, that's Janet behind the glads! Sorry Janet!

Floral Arrangements

2008-07-22T13:13:00.000-07:00

A large variety of floral arrangements were brought to the Herb Gardeners meeting. Thanks to all members for their participation in the contest.

Free Kibble to Animal Shelters

2008-07-12T13:47:00.000-07:00

Every day you play Bow Wow Trivia, free kibble will be provided to Animal Shelters to help feed hungry dogs. Also, a link is provided to feed cats too.

All you do is answer a daily trivia question, select the correct answer and hungry animals win. Every day that you play, 20 pieces of kibble will go to animal shelters to feed their hungry dogs.

Play Bow Wow Trivia every day - the more you play, the more kibble for the dogs!
A new way to help pets.

Stephanie

July 21st Meeting - Program Information

2008-07-12T13:40:00.000-07:00

The program for the July 21st Herb Club meeting will be: "What we learned from Kevin"? This will be a member participation program on flower arranging. Each member is asked to bring a flower/plant/organic/herb arrangement to share with the group. Between what we learned from Kevin and what we are taught from nature, all things can have interest and beauty, when presented in unique ways. I am hoping our members will share their gardening talents with us all. Please e-mail Stephanie if you plan to participate with an arrangement. Prizes will be awarded for the Top 3 arrangements. Camille is out of town this month, so all questions can be sent to Stephanie.

Stephanie, via e-mail distribution