SYRACUSE — “The Herbalist,” a book I have had for many years gave me insight to start herb gardening. With the basic folklore that herbs need full sun and well drained, but not necessarily improved, soil I preceded to plant herbs in a prescribed location with this recipe.

As years passed my “herb garden” spread over the whole area, far from the designated area where I had established the first pattern. They were around the well in the main garden and the vegetable garden too. I found these perennials growing from seed or root, easily in the shade, compost pile and unkempt containers. They are sage, thyme, oregano, anise root (sweet Annie), winter savory and onions, garlic and garden chives, oris root, peppermint, spearmint, fennel, arugula and parsley, all lending to me their services. True I was unfamiliar with growing culinary herbs, all these and more brought back childhood memories of fragrant aromas coming from the kitchen.

At Thanksgiving, we have sage, thyme and marjoram, at Christmas and sharp cold days of January the fragrance of hard candy, anise, cinnamon and peppermint, are unforgettable. Oregano and basil bring reminders of the rewarding pizza party at school, not to forget Easter when lamb was seasoned with Rosemary and bay leaves.

Accepting the fact that these untamed biological “beings” were here to stay with the rest of the native plants that survive so well in zone 5, native or not, with flowers or without, I proceeded to include them in my garden designs inside as well as outside. Through this process I have found that growing from seed are milder in flavor unless you are successful at finding hybrid seeds for French thyme, Spanish oregano and Italian parsley. Rooted plants from hybrid cultivars are the best way to maintain quality herb flavors. This is easily done by obtaining the scientific name and patronizing your local nursery or your master gardener friends. Becoming an Indiana Master Naturalist has certainly opened the door, for me, to recognizing what lived here or there before 1492, a landmark date for earlier explorers. The movie “Master and Commander” certainly indicated that naturalists, botanists and scientists accompanied many voyages giving insights to the excitement of finding and growing plants.

I find layering containers for fabulous recipes spice up my garden in the summer. The plants do not necessarily have to all be in one pot. My indoor containers with Rosemary, sweet bay, and avocado lend surprises for favorite recipes. Once summer is here, May 15, surround the avocado tree, in the same container if it is large enough or each individual herb in its own pot, with onion, garlic, tomato and chili pepper plants plus a small lime tree will give you great ingredients for guacamole.

For a fun pizza recipe scatter grain, wheat or sea oats first, add basil, oregano, tomato plants and a cow to feature the mozzarella cheese. Plain or fancy as it may be, layering, starting with buckets and featuring dieffenbachia and peace lily are a combination of two. These two plants compliment each other. One with good drainage holes but too watery, was placed in a harmony yellow bucket without drain-age. All ready to be planted with new accents for summer.

The Herbalist by Joseph E Meyer, 1878-1950

Corson is a graduate of Adams Central High School, Manchester University and Ball State University. She and her husband, Ron, were married and enjoyed many years of traveling before they settled at Lake Papakeechie to raise their family. Soon after moving to the Syracuse area, Corson joined the Syracuse/Wawasee Garden Club and then became a Kosciusko County Master Gardener in 2002, the same year she retired from teaching.

“Early on my interest in gardening came from a lineage of farmers and their wives, including three generations of generosity, giving me an enormous collection of heritage trees, shrubs and flowers. History and traveling has given me special interest in native flowers, hosta, the art of bonsai and many plants that have been naturalized.”

Individuals who wish to contact Corson for further information or questions may email her at [email protected].