ASHLAND — Before announcing the Art of Gardening’s guest speaker on the topic of herbs, member Kathy Varner said she had plants to give out at a June 4 meeting at Peace Lutheran Church.
She introduced Susan Heady who previously gave a tea towel presentation along with tons of information on lavender at a July 2023 program.
Besides growing lavender, she amasses an abundance of lavender gifts. It’s not surprising that lavender is her favorite herb. She loves the smell and the flowers.
A Master Gardener since 2022, Heady volunteers at Secrest Arboretum, Wooster. She is also President of the Wayne County Herb Society.
In nine days, she said she and her husband toured 15 gardens on a recent visit to Scotland. She took 690 pictures of flowers, castles and castle ruins.
Herbs are not simply any useful plant. They are known for their flavor, aroma or medicinal properties. Herbs should be stored in jars on the shelf ideally one year maximum.
As for basil, Heady likes Thai Basil; it gives a licorice tone to the basil taste. Regarding thyme, she loves the Foxley Thyme for use in the kitchen.
The best time to harvest herbs from the garden is in the morning after the dew dries.
The lavender lover indicated that soldiers overseas fell in love with oregano and brought it to the United States after World War II.
The calendula was mentioned as both a flower and an herb. It’s a good herbal remedy for burns.
Nasturtiums are also considered both a flower and a flavorful herb. Heady stuffs the nasturtium flowers with an herb-flavored cream cheese for a spicy kick.
What is the 2025 Herb of the Year? The International Herb Association declared the chamomile as 2025’s Herb. Recognized last year was Yarrow. That honor in 2023 went to Ginger which is commonly called Ginger Root.
On hand for members to view were charts on cooking with different herbs and planting and caring for herbs.
Some herb-growing club members include Ruth Ann Linder, Peggy Stover, Pat Edwards, Lee Heckman and Sue Kelley.
Sally Ahlers, the force behind the Yard of the Month, is gearing up for the summer project. Scouts will decide winning yards for July, August and September. Scouting for July will be Cathy Siwek, Kathy Bargar, Stover, Edwards and Claudia Dunn.
Kelley was pleased with the club’s “Royal Ladies’ Tea” fundraiser May 10 at the Freer Home.
Thank yous were sent to Honey Haven Farm, Ashland Floral Gardens and Twisted Ivy for donating centerpieces and to Willo’dell for a gift card donation.
Kelley led the event with assistance from Rosemary Caster. Attendees were offered lessons in tea etiquette.
Skip Cather, member, was able to secure material for making pumpkins in the way of donations for the Brethren Care Community Project to be held in October. Residents are assisted with crafting a project by Art of Gardening members.
Kelley had word on this year’s Ashland County Fair theme “Bingeworthy Flowers” based on movies and series. The fair runs Sept. 14 to 20.
A carry-in will be held July 2 at Freer Field.
A field trip is planned either before or after the potluck to view the September Yard of the Month’s home at 1136 Wick Ave. (off Sandusky).
Tim and Stephanie Knowlton have a yard full of hidden treasures.