Summer at Martha's Herbary!

     In my opinion every place is beautiful in summer and Martha’s Herbary is no exception. After a spring where the outline and design of the garden is clear, summer brings a wonderful profusion of color and texture to the yard. 

My mind races with ideas for using all these wonderful fragrant herbs, from fresh lemon teas to herb pastes and pestos. My favorite way to enhance a salad is to simply add fresh sniped herbs to greens and serve with tangy vinaigrette dressing.

Summer is a time of cutting and harvesting of the herbs because they grow so prolifically. Garden paths are obscured by the profusion of tumbling plants everywhere. Now is the time to preserve them for winter use, delicately mixing them with oils or vinegars. Incorporating your favorite herbs in butter is a great way to prolong the taste of summer. They keep in the freezer for 6-8 months with no problem. 

Many herbs like oregano, basils, rosemary and thyme choose summer to bloom. Delicate flowers grace these plants and are often food for the bees in the neighborhood. Our two resident cats, Rosemary and Lucy love the herb garden. I often spy rosemary hiding under the catnip plants taking a break from the shop and the heat. Lucy our 14-year-old lady is the Queen Bee here but, as of late she is in semi retirement so you don’t always see her “working” the shop as before. Both cats have said they love the run of the garden and shop and wouldn’t choose to live anywhere else! 

People are often amazed at the pet cemetery that graces our gardens. It dates back to 1887, when the Victorians really paid tribute to their pets! Since our 8 years here, we have added to history 2 of our own beloved cats, Desi and Chester. Continuing on from the pet cemetery you will find yourself gazing down into the sunken garden planted specifically with medicinal plants. Here you’ll find angelica, sweet cicely, thyme, lavender, skullcap and nettles. Originally this site was an old homestead, making it a perfect place for something a little different. 

We also have a dozen or so raised cedar beds planted with the necessary culinary herbs to cook up a storm! We love to cook here at Martha’s Herbary!! The center dimensional garden is flanked on both ends by a rusted trellis. One supports the rigorous plants hops with its’ lovely papery pale green flowers and the other a pink Honeysuckle that the hummingbirds seem to adore. 

A visit to Martha’s Herbary is a must, and well worth a drive from anywhere, well, almost anywhere. Our friendly talented staff is always ready to help. Parking is easy and there’s a great lunch place right across the street. Why not make a day of it here in the Quiet Corner of Connecticut?

The Four Seasons at Martha's Herbary