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In praise of herbs

HerbFest arrives Saturday with advice on growing and using herbs - not just for cooking.

By TIFFANI SHERMAN
Published February 10, 2006

Call it a hobby for health. Or a good cook's extra mile.

Either way, people across the county are interested in growing their own herbs to add flavor to dishes and decrease their reliance on salt. The interest in homegrown gardens even spawned an annual event.

The fifth annual HerbFest starts at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Pinellas County Extension and Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road in Largo. Visitors will learn how to grow and use herbs. Admission is free.

"We usually have a variety of people who come, some old, some young," said Pam Brown, urban horticulture extension ggent at the Pinellas County Extension.

New this year is an herbal tea area featuring homegrown herbs.

"People can sip tea and have a little tidbit to eat," Brown said. The tea tasting begins at 11 a.m.

Penny Khaled, 63, of Clearwater is president of the Florida Herb Society and will be one of the many speakers at HerbFest.

She likes making teas, and rosemary is her favorite. It increases awareness and is a stimulant, she said. "Do not drink it before bed," she warns.

She also makes skin creams and other health products from herbs and enjoys teaching others the little-known wonders of herbs.

"There are so many ways herbs are good for your health," she said.

Aromatherapy is based on the smells from herbs, and they are highly concentrated with vitamins and minerals, she said.

"People think herbs are just for cooking," she said.

They're also fairly easy to grow.

"This (state) actually is an herbal paradise," Khaled said. "You can grow any herb here."

Except maybe lavender.

It's the most difficult herb to grow, said Allen Cordell, urban horticulturist II at the Florida Botanical Gardens and manager of the herb garden since 1984.

The Florida climate is too humid in the summer for lavender, he said.

He said the most popular herb seems to be basil, possibly because of the popularity of Italian recipes.

Cordell, along with other experts, will be at HerbFest to answer questions and sell some of the herbs started from the herb garden at the Florida Botanical Gardens.

"The herb garden is 150 feet long by about 40 to 50 feet wide," he said. "Last I checked, we have about 85 to 90 species of herbs."

For Ruth Davies of Redington Beach, herb growing is a family tradition.

"I was taught how to use culinary herbs 40 years ago by my family," she said. Now her entire garden is an edible one.

"I just go out when I need them and I have them there," she said.

She's also a strong advocate for substituting fresh herbs for salt in recipes.

"At home, if you're cooking for yourself, you can still flavor your food without using salt," she said.

One of her favorite creations is the herb omelet, followed by meats with herb infusions. "I just cannot cook a beef stew without herbs," she said. And "I don't like chicken without rosemary."

Davies volunteers as a master gardener at the Pinellas County Extension and Florida Botanical Gardens.

Like other gardeners, she changes her herbs with the seasons.

"In the winter, you grow the herbs that grow up North," Khaled said. "In the summer, you can grow tropical or semitropical herbs."

On Saturday, private vendors also will sell herb plants and other herb-related items under a large tent near the main building at the gardens. Organizers say people should be able to find everything they need to start their own gardens, including plenty of advice.

Herbs "do require some attention," Brown said. "You just can't plant them and forget."

WHAT: Fifth annual HerbFest

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Pinellas County Extension/Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, in Largo

COST: Free

INFORMATION: http://pinellascounty.org/extension www.flbg.org or 582-2673

- You don't need that much space, or even a full-fledged yard. Herbs can grow in the ground, in pots or hanging baskets.

- Rosemary is a good herb to start with, as it's one of the most versatile and the best suited to Florida climate. You can also try basil, thyme and sage.

- Don't go crazy with the watering. Herbs need lots of sunlight but little water.

- Don't be afraid to use them. The more you cut, the more they'll grow.

- For more information about Florida herb enthusiast groups, check out www.floridaherbs.com/Florida_Herb_Societies.htm

[Last modified February 10, 2006, 01:11:18]