GMG's Friday Find: 3 Green Holiday Gift Ideas!

Are you looking for some last minute gift ideas this holiday season? Here are some unusual gifts to consider for the gardener, cook and birder on your list.

When I first saw the Herb Savor Pods I thought what a great idea!  Cooking with fresh herbs just kicks up the flavor of any dish, while storing fresh herbs can be challenging.  Sticking them in a bag or glass of water doesn't seem to work in my frig where I often find them toppled over or gasping for breath in the crisper. Problem solved with the Herb Savor Pods that conveniently hold your herbs in place while the roots rest in water staying fresh for up to three weeks.  A set of 3 for only $29.95 is a great gift for the chef. Order your fresh herb plants now at The Growers Exchange.

For the gardener on your list check out these awesome Garden Wheels, brilliantly presented in an easy-to-use format, much like the color wheel artists use. Simply turn the dials and visualize plant combinations for your garden. And the back of the wheel offers additional information on plant care. Choose from wheels on annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetable, shade and even birds. Each wheel is weatherproof, made in the USA and only $9 (great stocking stuffer!).

Feeding birds is fun and Perky-Pet's new Copper Triple Tube Bird Feeder is like a smorgasbord for your feathered friends. It holds 10 pounds of seed and with three tubes you can vary the seed to attract multiple varieties of birds to your feeder at once. The dome shaped baffle keeps squirrels away while protecting the seed from weather.  At $65, a wonderful gift that gives year round.

We hope you enjoy these gift ideas and would love to hear from you if you've found some other unique and unusual gifts....the hunt is on!!

~Peggy

Garden Media Group



Unusual Edible Herbs from The Growers Exchange Provide Fresh Tastes and Flavors

If common kitchen herbs have started to lose their zest, then maybe it’s time to try something a little different.

Over the past few years, The Growers Exchange has seen an increased interest in growing herbs for culinary and medicinal uses.

Briscoe White, owner and herb farmer says that "When we opened our doors at the nursery 25 years ago, people only asked for basil, parsley and rosemary, but now, people are asking for unusual varieties like lovage and lemongrass.”

Unusual edible herbs, such as feverfew and bergamot, are just a few of the herbs grown and sourced at The Growers Exchange.

Here’s a “taste” of some rare herbs for adventurous palettes that will spice up any plate:

Sorrel. Otherwise known as the ‘forgotten spinach’, sorrel is among culinary herb plants essential to French cooking. This culinary herb has large, succulent, and slightly acidic-tasting leaves. “Sauté it as you would spinach,” says White. “It’s chock-full of Vitamins C, A, and B1 and Potassium.”

Bold, peppery edible flowers (Nasturtiums, feverfew, bergamot) can all be ingested and used for culinary dishes that need a little "pick- me- up" or garnish. Edible flowers make a delicious addition to your favorite salad, tea, jelly or dessert!

Chervil. Spice up any dish with chervil for a refined taste that hints of French tarragon and parsley.
White suggests planting your unusual edibles now.  Although many culinary herbs are warm-weather plants, most don't go dormant in winter. You’ll be surprised that they offer some edible foliage in the cold months.

The Growers Exchange has been experimenting with rare and unusual herbs for decades.

"Through the years, we’ve learned a lot about herbs and love sharing our passion with people to inspire them to grow herbs for beauty and flavor, and to develop an appreciation for these rare and unusual herbs,” says White.

-Katie

Herbs, glorious herbs!

I was preparing a salad tonight and wanted to add that fresh kick of flavor that only fresh herbs can fill.

Although we've suffered through an unseasonably hot and dry summer, the sweet basil 'Genovese' I planted is growing nicely and complemented the flavors of  thick cheese slices and homegrown tomatoes.

The sprigs were perfect.

Herbs are simply marvelous. From ancient times, herbs have been used for culinary, medicinal and aromatic purposes.

They add splashes of color and texture to any size garden and are easy to grow throughout the landscape, as borders, or potted up in containers on balconies.

Pot up lavender; it's a marvelous container plant with multiple uses. From potpourri and sachets the essential oils are used in candles to perfumes and extracts can be used medicinally. Plus, it's a wonderfully exotic culinary herb.

Or grow chamomile and use the flowers to make yourself a nice cup of soothing tea to de-stress after a long day at work.

Whatever herbs you choose, The Growers Exchange makes it easy to select herbs perfect for your lifestyle. Enjoy!
Lynne
Garden Media Group
photo credits: Basil 'Genovese'; lavender and Common chamomile: The Growers Exchange