info@allyeargarden.com

opal basil

Speaking of purple plant pigments, the ones in opal basil are responsible for turning aromatic vinegars a beautiful shade of...

herb harvesting

For a good part of the summer the house is strewn with bunches of herbs hung up to dry. The...

perennial groundcovers

I can’t figure out the precise point when a fast spreading plant becomes a ground cover. Some, like ivy, periwinkle...

herbal cosmetics

I am surprised that yarrow is not used more often in skin care, because it can hold its own with...

rain perfume

The hostas are in bloom, and much like last year, they are a sight to behold. You don’t know the...

how to grow herbs

You decided to start an herb garden? Here are a few tips. Most herbs like full sun (except a few,...

the makings of a vegetable garden

Even for those of us with a more relaxed attitude towards garden design, a vegetable garden demands discipline. For one,...

working with herbs

Working with herbs is an art and small details in the practice of harvesting and preserving them make the difference...

leda the damask

First of all, this is why the Leda rose is not red. It magically dilutes its ruby stain and pushes...

purple queen

An image for those dreary days in February or November when you can’t see the end of grueling chores, when...