If there's one thing Rebecca Burrow is passionate about, it's gardening. She lives in Belton and runs Burrow Permaculture Consulting. She's a Bell County master gardener whose Christian faith is only reinforced by the beauty in the plants with which she surrounds herself.
As spring approaches, Burrow and others are recommending an easy way to connect with the soil -- through planting herb gardens.
"If you're looking for traditional culinary herbs…the best ones would be the rosemary and the thyme," Burrow said. "The Mediterranean ones -- but they need good drainage."
If you're planting an herb garden, find a pot that allows for strong drainage. And, plant your herbs in soil that has been loosened and allows for that good drainage. Adding some compost and mixing it with the soil can be helpful. If you're worried about getting it right, consider instead buying a potting mix from your local store. Once planted, try to give your herbs some southern sun exposure -- which will help them thrive here in Central Texas. Placing your garden in the morning sun from sunrise to about 2 p.m. is ideal, according to fellow local gardener Sandra Killough.
Sandra and Johnny Killough have owned Bonnie's Greenhouse since 2007. They walked us through the planting phase.
Sandra said to grab a pot, separate the soil and roots, then make a hole in which to put the herb. For beginners, picking up an herb that has already begun growing may be the best bet. If you put multiple herbs in one pot, Sandra said make sure to separate them a bit so they have room to grow even more. She suggested watering your herbs two to three times a week.
Herbs can be used in everything from lotions to foods and soaps. Lemongrass, rosemary, lavender and thyme can even keep those pesky mosquitos away.
In the last decade, food gardens have exploded in the United States. In fact, one in three American homes now has a food garden. And, the home gardening industry is exploding.
The largest Mother Earth News Fair in the nation came to the Bell County Expo Center in early February. More than 200 exhibitors were there, offering gardening advice to fair-goers.
Ira Wallace, co-manager of the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, traveled from Virginia to offer her expert advice. For her, what began as a hobby became her life's work -- more than 60 years of helping others nurture their gardens. Even while facing a devastating diagnosis, she turned to gardening to lift her spirits.
"Life crisis -- I had a brain tumor," Wallace explained. "Fortunately, I had surgery. It was great, but I had a long recovery. I used that time, because you never know how things turn out to share what I have learned in all these 60 plus years of gardening. It was fun. It was a great opportunity to work with the younger people in my co-op and teach them and practice on them to figure out what would really be helpful for beginning gardener."
Wallace wrote a book, in which she shared her tips and passion for plants.
Experts said the best time to plant an herb garden in Central Texas was mid-March. Who knows? You could develop a passion, too.
