The Herb Farm Newsletter
Old fashioned roses ,by Lynn Kirkland
Herb of the Week October 24 2008
Herb of the Week for 24th October
By Lynn Kirkland
I love the saying “An hour in the garden puts life’s problems into perspective.”
I find this to be so true. The garden and working in it is wonderful for mind, body and soul.
I always get inspiration when working in the garden and if I am feeling tired I find I am energised by spending an hour or two working away in the fresh air.
Typically for this time of year the weather is still unpredictable but the plants are all responding to their seasonal clocks.
The old fashioned roses we grow in the gardens are all budding up in great abundance and every day it is wonderful to see them opening up.
The rugosa roses are my favourites and as you can see by the photo they have glorious blooms which are fragrant and with their healthy veined leaves they look gorgeous. And in the autumn you get fantastic hips.
The rose is used to make rose oil, rosewater and then the hips are used for vitamin rich teas or the seeds inside the hips are pressed to make rosehip oil. So roses are so fitting for a herb garden.
Now is a busy time in the garden as the weeds are also responding to their
seasonal clocks and even though we regard some weeds as herbs and leave
them for healing purposes (such as plantain) there are still a lot that
need to be pulled out and composted.
The ones like convolvulus and horsetail and other invasive ones do not go
in the compost or we will end up encouraging them even more.
It is a great time to get along to your favourite garden store and add to the plants in your gardens and above all as we head into the lovely weather enjoy your time in your own gardens.
