Volume 7, Issue 8, April 1999
The Black Swamp Herb Socity, with Gardens at the Wood County Historical Center
Garden notes and so forth
Visited our garden in early April and found bloodroot and violets in full bloom. Among the plants coming up and recognizable were: foxglove, my ladies bedstraw, sweet woodruff, hollyhock, tansy (of course!), celeric, chives, thyme (many varieties), yarrow, artemesia, irises, Russian sage, dianthus, sedum, and hosta. The germander looked a bit sickly, but maybe hard pruning will help. The carefully planted tulips on the path leading in were starting to come out. Blooming were those in full sun, so they will come out in a wave. A few fell victim to the critters. The compost bins were strangely sunken. Evidence they have been at work over winter?
It makes one want to DIG IN.
Workday: Sat. May 8 11-3 Come anytime- bring tools, gloves.
Our next meeting, April 26 will start as a work session, weather permitting. So bring gloves and favorite hand tools. I will be there at six, but of course the regular meeting time is still at seven. BG Park’s and Recreation Naturalist, Monica Ostrand will be our speaker and you will find her topic of Bordner Meadow Restoration fascinating.
(We, as an organization, contributed to the purchase of the Meadow, so we have a bit of a vested interest.) Hostesses are Lord Ahl and Karen Wallack.
As you know we are entering a new era of cooperation with the Wood County Historical Society and Wood County Park District with some exciting prospects. I was asked to submit a dream list to the committee working on the long term site plan. After seeking ideas from many members I submitted the following letter.
TO: Site Plan Committee, Wood County Historical Museum
FROM: Frances Brent, President, Black Swamp Herb Society
TOPIC: Possible Futures
DATE: April 6, 1999
Objective I: Maintain the garden features already in place
The garden is designed with a traditional plan that has origins in the Middle Ages. The four distinct gardens that center the area are Medicinal, Fragrance, Culinary and Everlasting. The plantings are traditional, with choices based on what will do well in this climate, location and in the rather flinty soil.
A composting area has also been set up and is in active use.
One side garden – along the North fence – has a theme of wild flowers and is not strictly an herb garden. Other side beds have tended to feature everlasting (suitable for drying) flowers. The roses are included in this category.
The path leading into the garden is planted with ivy and shade loving plants have been put in next to the path.
Signage identifies the gardens and the majority of the plants.
The Chicken Coop is a functioning storage area.
Objective II: Plan changes for the 1999 season
The only major new project is a side garden (east, next to the fence). Working with Monica Ostrand, BG Parks and Recreation Naturalist, we plan to convert this garden into a “native wildlife area.” This is a difficult area because of major weed invasions from the other side of the fence.
Objective III: Make future plans based on realistic evaluation of resources
- Chicken Coop repair to the point where it can be more than a crude storage area.
- Design an outdoor patio area to be used as a gathering place for children. The area would feature a “Children’s Garden” and arbor like plantings for shade and coolness.
- Design a “Cosmetic” garden.
- As a part of the over all design plan placement of garden sculptures.
- Replace fencing with a more aesthetic design and materials.
- Work with Wood County Park District on designing “watery” and waters edge plantings that can work with the changing pond system.
- Develop a Butterfly garden, possibly on the west side.
- Edge all side gardens with stone. Advantages: Gardens can be developed as “raised beds” which make drainage, weed control and soil enhancement easier; Gives a unifying look to the whole garden area; Provides easier mowing and trimming.
- Build a small solar green house to carry over semi-tender plants and to start cuttings, and annual seeds. This could serve also for demonstration and educational purposes.
- Improve water access system.
Everything is in an early planning stage so there is still time to submit additional ideas. Remember this is a DREAM list and is premised on cooperation with other organizations in such areas as opening new beds etc. Input solicited!
Cooking With Herbs
Hummus with Raspberry Vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 cup diced onion
2 tablespoons rasb erry vinegar
1 (15 1/2 ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans) undrained
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
Garnish with cilantro or parsley sprigs.
Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and saute 5 minutes or until onion begins to brown. Add vinegar, and bring to a boil. Cook 2 minutes or until vinegar evaporates. Cool to room temperature.
Drain chickpeas through a sieve over a bowl, reserving 1/4 liquid. Place chickpeas and chopped cilantro/parsley in a food processor, or blender and process until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add onion mixture, 1/4 reserved liquid, cumin, pepper, and salt and process until smooth. Garnish if desired.
Yield 2 cups (serving size: 2 tablespoons).
CALORIES 44 (27% from fat); FAT 1.3 g; PROTEIN 1.9 g; CARB 6.6g; FIBER 1 g; CHOL 0; SODIUM 75 mg; CALC 14 mg
Hummus is sort of a New Age food beloved by vegetarians – origin Middle East. Great served with pita bread or on whole grain crackers.
A spinach and strawberry salad comes together with a dash of raspberry vinegar and a sprinkling of sugar. The spinach should be torn into small pieces and the strawberries sliced 1/4 and 1/8 inches thick.
Angelica arcangelica is “herb of the month”
“Angelicas are hardy perennials of the family apiaceae, and are related to carrot, parsley, and the aromatic seed plants dill, caraway, cumin, anise and fennel. The plant has an ancient history of use as a charm against contagion, spells and enchantments and as a cure-all. Old pre-Christian beliefs about its magical power have been absorbed into the Christian context, including an association with archangelic patronage.
Garden angelica forms a basal clump of large three-sectioned leaves. In the second or third year it will send up a tall bloom stalk, usually four to six feet tall. At midsummer the flowering parts appear wrapped in a papery sheath, which opens to show tiny greenish-white flowers in large club-like heads. All parts are fragrant. It grows wild in N. America, preferring wet bottomlands and swamps and slightly acid soil. (Do we have ROOM for this monster?)
Garden Angelica was considered for centuries to be a powerful protective herb against evil spirits, witchcraft and disease, including the plague. Roots and leaves are used as a digestive stimulant. Roots, stalks and leaves are edible: the stalks are candied for confections and cake decorations. The oil of root, leaves and seeds is used as a vanilla-like flavoring in liqueurs and in perfumery. Angelica is an important tonic in Chinese herbal medicine.” From www.herbsociety.org
For your information:
The American Herb Society Great Lakes District includes Ontario, Canada; Western New York; Michigan; Northern Ohio; and Western Pennsylvania.
