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Helen and her family have lived near Cleator Moor on the fringe of the Lake District for some fifteen years. Following a teaching career, about eight years ago she decided to concentrate on cooking and growing plants and herbs on their one and a half acre property, within three poly tunnels.
After showing us a wonderful display of plants and herbs, Helen began her presentation with a demonstration of planting up a hanging basket using ‘pollinator’ plants. The basket was plastic-lined before being filled with multi-purpose compost and slow release fertiliser. She then planted a variety of flowers for all year round interest: ajuga for spring / summer flowers - aubretia, wallflowers and a nepeta which can flower over the winter, along with veronica which is beloved by bees.
Next Helen planted up a moss-lined hanging basket with summer annuals. She again recommended using slow release fertiliser for plants in pots and containers. Helen also uses an initial feed of phosphate when planting, followed by a twice-weekly seaweed feed until flowering begins. A regular tomato feed maintains sufficient nutrients. Helen chose nemesias – varieties Little Cocoa and Pink Lemonade, followed by diascia Apple Blossom , a saffina and a trailing nepeta.
Helen's husband ( a retired teacher) makes troughs and containers to order and Helen set about planting up one of his wooden troughs using just herbs. Layering compost with grit prevents the herbs from becoming waterlogged. French parsley, rosemary, marjoram, sage and a thyme were added. Regular trimming and cropping the herbs for culinary use, prevents any of them becoming too vigorous.
Helen then described the many varieties of herbs which they grow on their property and had brought samples for us to see. Planting a pollinator friendly herb container using chives, thyme, hyssop, sage and lavender is an easy way to support insect life.
Historically, herbs and flowers have been given symbolic meanings and Helen pointed out a few -
Myrtle - for everlasting love (used in Royal wedding bouquets)
Tarragon - is symbolic of enduring love
Basil - means good wishes and purity,
Chamomile - to indicate patience.
Many herbs also have beneficial medicinal uses. In medieval times lemon balm was used to relieve anxiety and teas using garlic and ginger were brewed to fend off colds and infections.
Finally, members had an opportunity to purchase some of the plants and herbs they had brought with them.
Helen's Herbs can be found around Cumbria
at various Farmers Markets, Food fairs and Shows.
by Jude Jansen
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