Newsletter Update

November 2007 (Our newsletters are all copyright The Tasteful Garden 2003-2007 if you would like to reprint any of this information please let us know by email.)

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Fall colors are spectacular this year! We didn't think our fall would be much because of the serious drought in our area but nature always tries harder under extreme stress and we are seeing the results of it. This photo was taken at Cheaha Mountain this week where we walked through the woods and enjoyed a brisk sunny day. With the cooler weather, we are bringing in herbs for the winter so we can still have as many as possible available for the kitchen. This month we feature an extensive article on growing herbs indoors which we hope will be a useful guide for everyone.

Our catalog has plenty of herb varieties still available and ready to ship between now and the end of the year. Although Basil cannot be shipped because of cold weather, most other herbs are good travelers in cooler temperatures. Our herbs are now in larger pots! We have increased the size of our pots from a 3 1/2" pot to a 4 1/2" pot. This allows us to grow them larger for you and prevents some of the stress of shipping. Absolutely beautiful herbs in this larger size is just one way we are improving our products for 2008. We also have new varieties of herbs such as French Sorrel and Salad Burnett available only for a limited time. Spinach is also still available and makes a great outdoor potted plant!

Yes, the holidays are coming back around again and this wonderful time of year can also be the most stressful. We want to help make shopping easier by offering you a few items which will work for almost everyone on your list. Beginning with our fantastic and colorful poinsettia planter, this is so nice for anyone because it smells so good and really says holidays (see photo below). These can be sent anytime after Thanksgiving and come completely assembled and ready for the table.

Here at The Tasteful Garden, we are cooks first and gardeners second and we have an addiction to kitchen gadgets. Our kitchen tools are tried and tested in our own kitchen and are always the best quality we can find. For other food lovers out there, we offer a great selection in our Kitchen Gadgets department of our catalog. Don't forget the Garden Tools & Supplies department for the best tools that make gardening more fun and less work.

Growing Herbs Indoors

Growing herbs is easy and fun to do but it can be a challenge to do indoors. You may not be successful growing all of the herbs during the entire winter season but try to think of it as a short term extension of the garden and see what works well in your indoor climate. Most kitchens will have enough light but there are a few that just cannot grow anything but African Violets, don't try to grow herbs under very low light conditions without a bright growing fluorescent light fixture. Special bulbs are available which give off the full spectrum light and helps with the overall quantity of light. These are not enough on their own but a window even one shaded by trees can still be bright enough when supplemented by the grow light. Find a window located on the south or west side that captures the most light possible. Sunrooms and Greenhouse type windows are other alternatives which work great.

Keep in mind that in order for the herbs to actually grow, as opposed to going dormant, you will need to keep them warm as well as sunny. Don’t worry about trying to grow Sweet Basil during the middle of January but you can have it last into December and then start again early in March. Make sure you do not place the herbs near heating ducts or fireplaces as they can really dry out the leaves even though you water them frequently.

Large pots are crucial, 8-10" pots seem to do best for long term growth. Those cute little pots marked with the name of the herbs are very short term. Drainage is also important so watch for trays that catch water and keep the roots wet all the time. Your plants will not appreciate the wet feet. Rosemary, Thyme, Sage and Oregano must have a period of dry soil before they are watered again so make sure the soil gets dry most of the way down by only watering when the soil is very dry to the touch. Overwatering is the number 1 killer of indoor herbs. You can add gravel to trays or saucers and fill them with water for humidity, or mist the leaves of the plant once a week with a spray bottle. Pick your herbs frequently as it stimulates new growth but limit your cuttings to very small amounts, you don't want to cut too much of the plant away at one time.

There are a few indoor pests that bother herbs in wintertime, mostly fungus gnats and whiteflies which need to be treated with soapy water. Fungus gnats can be a problem since they live in the soil. The best thing to do is to try to remove the top 1/2" or so of soil and replace it with fresh. If you still have a problem, drench the pot with soapy dishwater. That should get rid of them but if not, you can purchase Safer soap or some of our Neem II and spray the soil with that. It may take a couple of treatments with the soap. Also, let the soil dry out almost completely before watering again, that seems to discourage them. Whiteflies should be sprayed with Neem II or sprayed with soapy water making sure to get the soap actually on the flies to kill them.

Fertilizer is hardly needed at all during the winter, only use some good compost or Worm Castings in the soil mix when you plant and add it again to the top of the soil about half way through the season. Good luck!

Thinking about the holidays? We can help! We have a new gift planter which features a Poinsettia surrounded by fragrant Prostrate Rosemary. Rosemary symbolizes remembrance and is a nice way to say you are thinking of someone during the Holidays when you cannot be together.

Our herbs will ship through the holiday season and our wonderful indoor herb kits are a lovely gift for anyone to enjoy during colder weather.

Hostess gifts are always a great way to say thank you for your hospitality. Shop with us and know that your gift will arrive safe and sound and smelling like a rose (or herbs). Visit our catalog for all your holiday shopping needs. Also, we are always able to customize your gift or gift certificate, just call us for help at 866-855-6344.

We are making our final selections of tomatoes and vegetable plants for the 2008 season and will have the new catalog online by December 1st for the early birds to order. In our tomato survey, we learned that many people had disappointing results with some of the heirloom varieties so we will be adding more plants which will be easier to grow and more productive. Searching out the best tomatoes which will have lots of flavor and acidity, while still being productive and have some disease resistance is our goal. Some seed companies promote trendy tomatoes that have catchy names but don't produce well or even taste very good. Our preference is for old reliable varieties which have passed the test of time and proven every year that they are some of the best. Big Zebra

A new rating system will be added to our tomatoes, one star indicates that the plant has great tasting fruit but may not produce as well for beginner gardeners. Two stars will indicate varieties we have successfully grown that have exceptional flavor and are worth growing even for beginner gardeners who have an extra space or two. Three stars will be plants anyone can grow and have good solid production. These will be the best plants for beginners to try and excellent container tomatoes.

We asked for your opinion on several of our tomato varieties and your responses are listed on our website and can be viewed by clicking here:

Culinary Herbs now in larger 4 1/2" pots are absolutely gorgeous and ready for growing in your kitchen or sunroom. Rosemary, Sage, Oregano, Thyme, Chives, Parsley, Mints, Bay Laurel, Lavender and more! We are offering our Rosemary plants in 1 gallon pots and they are beautiful and fragrant for growing indoors. Also available Salad Burnett in limited quantity.

Garlic and Shallots are still available and should be planted in October in most areas. These are going fast so order now. They are very easy to grow and perfect to stay in the garden through the winter with harvest ready in June. Read more about growing garlic in our catalog. Try something new from The Tasteful Garden...where its

all about the flavor.