Newsletter: 9th March
We have greatly welcomed the recent warmth and sunshine, which has woken up Jekka's Herb Garden. It is a joy to watch our herbaceous herbs reappear after their winter slumber accompanied by the chorus of morning bird song. Mother nature is filling us with hope for a good year ahead.
On the farm we are busy preparing for the upcoming season by sowing seeds, packing seed collections for Mother's Day and getting ready for both our Spring Master Classes and April Medicinal Herb Days.
For Jekka's tips on what to do in your garden in early spring, read the blog through the link below.
With signs of spring just around the corner it is hard not to get excited about sowing seeds! However, even though we have been experiencing beautiful warm days, we have still be experiencing frosts at night. Therefore, at this time of year, it is preferable to sow seeds indoors.
Here are some herbs to inspire you for indoor sowing this March:
- Basil: We grow ten different varieties, from Thai to Greek.
- Cardoon: A large perennial herb that will add dynamic shape to your garden.
- Fennel: A favourite for any garden providing height and all year interest.
- Hyssop: There are blue, pink and white flowering varieties available.
- Marsh Mallow: A historical and medicinal plant whose roots we ate before we discovered potatoes.
- Painted Sage: Brings colour and joy to the garden with its delicate bracts of purple, pink, blue or white.
- Purslane: A wonderful succulent salad herb that tastes like mangetout.
Cardoon seedling
In the UK, on Sunday 30th March, we celebrate Mothering Sunday, or more commonly known 'Mother's Day'. It is the time of year when we can celebrate both our mums and the beauty of spring.
What better way to delight the mothers in your life than with the gift of growing? Spring herb seeds are the perfect way to inspire and nourish their gardening spirit, and we have curated a range of beautifully illustrated seed collections that make ideal gifts!
Cardoon seedling
Did you know that the earliest printed botanical books were created by physicians and apothecaries, dating back to the 15th century? Known as Greek Herbals (or simply Herbals), these manuscripts, and later printed books, helped identify medicinal plants. They contained woodcut illustrations that apothecaries used as references when sourcing herbs for medicine. So, in a way, the first recorded botanical prints were of herbs!
Join us for a creative day with Hannah McVicar, for our masterclass 'Introduction to Botanical Screenprinting' on Friday 28th March'.
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Learn how to create a colourful botanical screenprint using multiple layers and stencils. You'll create a collection of beautiful prints to take home and cherish. Hannah's passion for screenprinting is infectious, and she'll share expert techniques that she has developed to bring her prints to life. |
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A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has purchased a ticket to Jekka's Medicinal Herb Days! We are really looking forward to this event - there are still a few limited tickets available, so don't miss out and join us for a wonderful day celebrating the growing and uses of herbs.
To find out more about our fantastic speakers, stall holders and programme, click here - tickets on sale now!
Cultivating flavour, creating experiences.