Broadcast alert - October showers bring March flowers
October rains are a sweet alarm signaling that it is time to broadcast seeds in the Horsetail Haven gardens.  Reaching into paper lunch bags containing seeds collected from last spring, Ann Marie is beginning to toss seeds of larkspur, Nigella damascena, bluebonnets, Penstemon tenuis, columbine, poppies and arugula (Eruca vesicaria subsp sativa) in the beds.  Borage seeds are placed more precisely where the plants are wanted, sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are planted by a trellis and nasturtium seeds will be sown where young plants may be easily covered during freezes.

Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) can be a challenge in Austin, they won't survive hard freezes, but quickly die out as hot weather arrives.  Ann Marie plants hers in October in beds that allow glass panels to be laid over the plants to form cold frames if freezes are forecast.  It may not work every year, but Ann Marie often has nice crops of spring nasturtium flowers and leaves for decorating and dining.  The gardens at Festival Hill in Round Top also make autumn planting of nasturtiums in large pots but these are kept in the greenhouse until frost free spring days arrive.

The Herb Society of America's Essential Guide to Growing and Cooking with Herbs
Edited by Katherine K. Schlosser
Book Notice – Not a review….as a member of HSA and also recipe contributor, Ann Marie is unable to give an unbiased review of this book, but she finds it delightful and herb lovers are advised to take a look.  The book is divided into three sections.  The first contains brief monographs on cultivation and interesting information about various herbs.  You can find the expected, such as basil, mint and thyme, but more unusual culinary herbs are also covered.  Have you ever grown fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) or black cumin (Nigella sativa)?  Complimenting this first section is the third section, a fifty two page salute to the National Herb Garden located in Washington, D.C.  Each of the NHG’s thirteen theme gardens are described and one of the highlights of this section are the planting tables for each garden listing botanical name, common name and use.  You can easily find out what plants are suitable for a “Dioscorides Garden”, take a history lesson in the “Colonial Garden”, learn how important plants are to daily living in the “Industrial Garden” or find inspiration for your own garden in the “Fragrance” and “Asian” Gardens.

Like the filling in an herbal sandwich, the middle section of this book is the recipe section and Herb Society of America members have really come through with some recipes you may not have ever seen before.  How about starting a jar of “Cranberry Orange Rosemary Liqueur” for holiday cheer or whipping up “Gingered Butternut Squash Soup” for an autumn warm-up.  “Beef Tenderloin Tips with Caraway and Marjoram” is on Ann Marie’s “try soon” list and calendula seedlings are being nurtured in the garden at Horsetail Haven to provide winter blooms for “Lemon Broccoli Marigold”.  And, how does “Cardamom Apples with Bay Leaf Cream” sound for dessert?  Ymmmm.  Editor Schlosser has done a nice job of putting this book together and selecting mouth watering recipes that will excite herb lovers.  Yes, with recipes like this Ann Marie’s husband will be smiling rather than complaining  "you are making me eat plants, again".