Read Kingsbrae Gardening, Our Gardeners' Blog  |  To see what's blooming now, check The Bloom Journal

Herbs for Health – Kingsbrae Garden Salutes Spring

We've all had quite enough of winter, so Kingsbrae Garden is showing off its new educational facility with four informative sessions on herbs, throughout March. Theresa Maliszewski, coordinating instructor for the brand new Horticulture Advisor program at the Garden, is shaking off winter's chilly greys with herbal aromas, flavours and remedies. Each of the four two-hour sessions will be informative, with take-aways, both printed and tangible.

This exciting course will be a hands-on introduction to the history, identification, classification, and propagation of herbs. You will be introduced to medicinal, culinary and decorative herbs through sight, smell, touch and taste. With this knowledge you will be able to decide which herbs you will want to grow in your garden and make part of your life wellness plan. Production of a usable product such as teas, tinctures and edible delights will be yours to take home after each class, along with printed handouts.

Sessions are Monday nights, March 3, 10, 17 and 24, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Here's what's on offer (for more details on each session, click here):

1. Herbs—Myths, History and the Real Deal (custom tea blends and more)
2. Culinary Herbs—a delicious way to dish up meals (including a sampling buffet)
3. Be in the Know—How to Grow Herbs (seeds, a herb pot for the windowsill, and herb garden planning)
4. Ten Herbs for First Aid (including a smudge stick and tincture to take home)

All four weeks will enlighten, but be sure to come hungry in week two, as there will be an herbal cheese, eggs twice cooked, soup, mint fizz and lavender cookies to sample, widening your herbal culinary horizons.

Seasoned and novice gardeners are all welcome. The sessions are $15 each, or all four for $50. They are independent modules, complementing each other, but it is not necessary to take all four. These informative sessions are not meant to be clinical, diagnostic or naturopathic in nature. Attendees are free to implement the information but do so using their own best judgment.

To reserve a spot in any or all of the sessions call 506-529-3335, extension 1. Pre-registration and pre-payment for these sessions are necessary, as space is limited.

 

Course Details

Monday March 3: History, myth and the real truth about herbs. Enjoy a delightful herbal tea tasting party with scones and biscuits while you learn some basic identification and classification of herbs. Take home many good ideas on how to use herbs and a special blend of tea that you will make in individual bags.

Monday March 10: Come hungry this week because we will be trying an herbal cheese, eggs twice cooked, soup, mint fizz and lavender cookies. Culinary herbs will be discussed this week, and you will make some delightful salts, butters and vinegars to enjoy with each meal.

Monday March 17: Learn how to grow and propagate herbs by seed, root, stems and leaves. Not all herbs will propagate in the same manner. Be in the know and get ready to start an herbal garden. Want to start small? Container and window boxes will also be discussed.

Monday March 24: Have you always wanted to have herbal remedies ready when you need them but aren't sure just what should be used or how? This class will discuss ten easy herbs and spices to have ready for first aid and how to use them. You will also make a smudge stick and a tincture to take home.

Getting to the Course:

Please use the Garden Parking Lot (Frederick Street off Prince of Wales). Follow the signs there to the parking area for the course. A lighted path will lead you to the classroom in the Maintenance Building.