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Post by hollyberrylady08 on May 5, 2009 11:36:53 GMT -6
This is my gorgeous lemon balm, grown from seed!
I have already had one harvest, and am looking forward to a second! As lemon balm is a perennial, I am planning to put this outside somewhere around the building I live in, so I can harvest from it each year!
I love lemon balm tea...
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Post by Compost Pharmer on May 5, 2009 20:28:26 GMT -6
Since you live in an Apartment, how do you keep others from stealing or destroying the plants you plant outside? PS: your indoor plants sure look healthy. You must have 2 green thumbs, and 8 green fingers.
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Post by hollyberrylady08 on May 27, 2009 22:23:54 GMT -6
Actually we never have any problems here with my plants being stolen or destroyed, except until recently.
Some real creeps are getting evicted out of here, and they have been causing many problems here since they arrived. This is a very small building with only 12 units total, and all of the other tenants love and respect my gardening. Always an extremely positive experience.
This year though, until these degenerates are removed, I have decided to keep my gardening to a minimum. I don't want to have a bunch of gorgeous flowers blooming right when the sherriff puts a padlock on their door! I would be a fool. The tenants are all disappointed, but agree that I should wait until they're gone.
At least I got to see my 320 tulips this Spring. My lily garden is right in full view of my window, so it will likely be alright, and many lilies are emerging in it! As well, I am growing some flowering and fruiting vines on the fences, also in sight, but really that will be all for this year. Maybe put a few of my annuals outside by the fence too - we'll see...
No one however, can prevent me from enjoying many gorgeous plants in my tons of windows. I will still have the indoor container garden I have always had.
Regardless, I am a gardener, and I will find a way to enjoy my plants one way or the other! If it means eventually moving out of here, then so be it.
For now though, I will see what happens...
: )
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Post by rivervalleymama on May 28, 2009 9:59:10 GMT -6
How long ago did you start the seeds?
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Post by hollyberrylady08 on May 28, 2009 10:08:53 GMT -6
I believe I started the seeds back in Feb/march. I am going to put some of this balm outside too, because it is perennial. I love it so much.
Already had another harvest from my plant again recently. Mmmmm - so delicious.
: )
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Post by Compost Pharmer on May 28, 2009 10:22:08 GMT -6
What ever you planted outside, keep some of the seeds for when you move out to the country. There you will have more room to plant and enjoy your beautiful flowers and veggies.
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Post by hollyberrylady08 on May 28, 2009 11:05:17 GMT -6
Yeah well one day I will be in the country too, with more land than I know what to do with! Not to worry - I am an obsessive seed collector.
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Post by jerseycub on May 28, 2009 13:20:32 GMT -6
That is some beautiful Lemon Balm shows some tender loving care. I'll bet it makes some delicious Tea Mmmmmmmmm!!!
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Post by hollyberrylady08 on May 28, 2009 20:19:35 GMT -6
Just reading your post Jerseycub, has got me running for the tea kettle! I just don't think there's a better tea anywhere, than my fresh lemon balm tea. I like to add a touch of milk and honey, and sometimes just plain too.
Ok, I think I hear the kettle...
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Post by jerseycub on May 30, 2009 9:01:09 GMT -6
Just reading your post Jerseycub, has got me running for the tea kettle! I just don't think there's a better tea anywhere, than my fresh lemon balm tea. I like to add a touch of milk and honey, and sometimes just plain too.
Ok, I think I hear the kettle...
How do you make tea with the Lemon Balm? I would love to try it. Do you dry the leaves, or just steep the green leaves in hot water?
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Post by hollyberrylady08 on May 30, 2009 9:43:06 GMT -6
Yup I dry the leaves first, then I put them in this little metal tea ball I have with small holes in it, and let it steep for 5 minutes or so.
Mmmmmmm....delicious!
: )
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Post by rivervalleymama on May 30, 2009 9:45:41 GMT -6
JC- You can do it either way, fresh or dried.
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Post by hollyberrylady08 on May 30, 2009 11:04:48 GMT -6
Sorry to butt in, but I know the answer to your question...
Yes, you can do it either way - with fresh or dried leaves. Dried leaves are more flavorful though, and the lemon flavor becomes more intense. Fresh leaves will yield a more weak tea.
Also, I like using fresh leaves in fruit cocktail, to give it a citrus twist.
: )
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Post by jerseycub on May 30, 2009 11:28:40 GMT -6
Thank you both, now I have to go out and get some lemon balm so I can experiment with different teas and dishes. See what you have started I cant wait to have my own
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Post by hollyberrylady08 on May 30, 2009 23:24:23 GMT -6
What I love about it too is that it is a perennial, and will return every year! I am going to stick some outside for sure, where I can harvest huge amounts of it, and have fresh tea all Winter. Fresh coffee too, because I am germinating coffee beans as well!
: )
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Post by Garden Happy on May 31, 2009 10:18:56 GMT -6
I love my lemon plants also! I take lemon balm,lemon thyme,lemon verbena ,lemon grass and lemon scented geranium leaves, chop a 1/4 cup of them mixed and simmer them in milk then make a pound cake with them. YUM,YUM Just take a fresh lemon squeeze out a half cup of lemon juice ,mix with enough powdered sugar to make a glaze and drizzle over all of it. Decorate the plate it's on with left over lemon thyme,lemon balm,and fresh lemon leaves. STUNNING!
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Post by rivervalleymama on May 31, 2009 10:26:33 GMT -6
Oooh gardenhappy= that sounds wonderful!
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Post by hollyberrylady08 on May 31, 2009 10:49:39 GMT -6
That does sound delicious, Gardenhappy!
By the way, I am not sure if I will be able to grow too many of your seeds this season, but have stored many of them in the fridge for next. Hope you guys will enjoy my seeds too.
In the Fall, when I will have many more seeds available, we can arrange another trade - 'seedaholics' that we are! LoL.
Hope you and the kids are having fun. Looking forward to seeing more of your pics too. Still have the pic of the kids on my fridge.
HAPPY GARDENING!
: )
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Post by hollyberrylady08 on Jun 1, 2009 0:14:41 GMT -6
Guess what I just found out today, Lemon Balm Lovers?...
My mom told me she heard that chicken noodle soup (my favorite), is excellent with lemon balm in it! I tried it today for lunch, and it was surprisingly wonderful! It really tasted delicious. Who would have thought? I also like fresh chives in my soup as well.
I love chicken noodle, and love it even more that one of my most favorite herbs goes terrific with it!
: )
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