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From planting to selling, the key to herbs in Benson
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| Herb specialist: Calleen Dunbar currently sells herbs in Benson, and eventually plans to grow them in a greenhouse that is currently under construction. The plants can be used for eating and medicinal purposes. (Thelma Grimes/photo.) |
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
From a sweet-smelling plant to liven up the garden, to a key ingredient in a pasta or stew or even a medicine for the ailing, herbs have plenty of uses and are becoming more and more popular.
Calleen Dunbar of the Desert Botanica Herb Shop & Market on 4th Street in Benson said herbs are useful in countless ways. The proof is in one section of her shop where the walls were lined with herbs of all colors and forms.
Dunbar said she opened the herb market in town about two months ago. Right now she sells whole foods and herbs, and eventually hopes to have a farmers' market and sell produce.
"For good health, you have to have good food," Dunbar said. "Growing herbs is relatively easy if you have the plants that like the region. Herbs grow fairly well."
Pointing outside her window, there is a 30-foot by 36-foot frame for what will eventually be a green house where Dunbar plans to grow her own herbs. But, like many in the San Pedro Valley, the former Phoenix resident said with the soils, elevation and weather, she has to learn the area before she can successfully grow.
"Being new here, it is hard to give advice because I am still learning the seasons and the fluctuations in temperatures," she said.
While she was hesitant to talk about when and how to plant, Dunbar had plenty of suggestions for those wanting to plant an herb garden.
In rural areas, residents who have planted bulbs or other flowers looking to spruce up the front and back yards, have found that the wildlife feast on the plants night after night. This especially happens in the areas like Cascabel, Pomerene and St. David.
Dunbar said herb gardens can look nice and definitely will keep the wildlife out.
Those wanting to grow herbs for looks instead of use can't go wrong with peppermint or any kind of mint.
Dunbar warned to be careful with mint, noting that if not managed it will take over any garden.
A lesser-known herb with a nice yellow flower is the calendula. This herb is used on the skin, but the flowers can also be used in soups and stews, Dunbar said.
The more popular herbs like sweet-smelling basil and parsley are also easy to grow.
Other flowering herbs that liven up any garden include chives, which are also fragrant.
The good thing about herbs is that they can be grown inside.
When planting an herb garden, the www.herbgardeningguru.com Web site, has advice for any kind of project.
For an outside herb garden, the Web site suggests planning ahead, meaning before the spot for the herbs is chosen, consider how much sunlight the herbs to be planted will need. Most herbs need the sunlight, however, a few, including angelica, woodruff and sweet cicely are better growing in partial shade.
Determine the size of the garden by deciding how many herbs will be grown. About a dozen herbs are recommended for good variety and color.
Herbs are less picky than many vegetables, but still require adequate soil. Herbs also like well draining soil. Mint, angelica and lovage are a few herbs that like moist soil.
The Web site also warns to be careful of over fertilizing. Too much fertilizer will cause more growth, but will decrease the concentration of essential oils and will make bushy herbs prolific, but less flavorful.
For those lacking a green thumb, but wanting to purchase herbs in Benson, Dunbar has a good variety to choose from at her shop located at 723 W. 4th St.
Dunbar also has bulk bins of grains, rice, dried fruits and a selection of coffees.
Top reasons for growing an herb garden
- Herbs are designed to repel pests, making them low-maintenance.
- Fresh herbs that you've grown are more flavorful than the dried herbs you can purchase at a supermarket.
- Most are easy to grow and require organic fertilizers in relatively small amounts.
- Herbs add color and fragrance to any garden.
- They require little space, and can be grown indoors. In fact, some herbs prefer the indoors.
- They can improve your health.
- They taste good and jazz up your meals.
- Their fragrance can make you smell good.
From a sweet-smelling plant to liven up the garden, to a key ingredient in a pasta or stew or even a medicine for the ailing, herbs have plenty of uses and are becoming more and more popular.
Calleen Dunbar of the Desert Botanica Herb Shop & Market on 4th Street in Benson said herbs are useful in countless ways. The proof is in one section of her shop where the walls were lined with herbs of all colors and forms.
Dunbar said she opened the herb market in town about two months ago. Right now she sells whole foods and herbs, and eventually hopes to have a farmers' market and sell produce.
"For good health, you have to have good food," Dunbar said. "Growing herbs is relatively easy if you have the plants that like the region. Herbs grow fairly well."
Pointing outside her window, there is a 30-foot by 36-foot frame for what will eventually be a green house where Dunbar plans to grow her own herbs. But, like many in the San Pedro Valley, the former Phoenix resident said with the soils, elevation and weather, she has to learn the area before she can successfully grow.
"Being new here, it is hard to give advice because I am still learning the seasons and the fluctuations in temperatures," she said.
While she was hesitant to talk about when and how to plant, Dunbar had plenty of suggestions for those wanting to plant an herb garden.
In rural areas, residents who have planted bulbs or other flowers looking to spruce up the front and back yards, have found that the wildlife feast on the plants night after night. This especially happens in the areas like Cascabel, Pomerene and St. David.
Dunbar said herb gardens can look nice and definitely will keep the wildlife out.
Those wanting to grow herbs for looks instead of use can't go wrong with peppermint or any kind of mint.
Dunbar warned to be careful with mint, noting that if not managed it will take over any garden.
A lesser-known herb with a nice yellow flower is the calendula. This herb is used on the skin, but the flowers can also be used in soups and stews, Dunbar said.
The more popular herbs like sweet-smelling basil and parsley are also easy to grow.
Other flowering herbs that liven up any garden include chives, which are also fragrant.
The good thing about herbs is that they can be grown inside.
When planting an herb garden, the www.herbgardeningguru.com Web site, has advice for any kind of project.
For an outside herb garden, the Web site suggests planning ahead, meaning before the spot for the herbs is chosen, consider how much sunlight the herbs to be planted will need. Most herbs need the sunlight, however, a few, including angelica, woodruff and sweet cicely are better growing in partial shade.
Determine the size of the garden by deciding how many herbs will be grown. About a dozen herbs are recommended for good variety and color.
Herbs are less picky than many vegetables, but still require adequate soil. Herbs also like well draining soil. Mint, angelica and lovage are a few herbs that like moist soil.
The Web site also warns to be careful of over fertilizing. Too much fertilizer will cause more growth, but will decrease the concentration of essential oils and will make bushy herbs prolific, but less flavorful.
For those lacking a green thumb, but wanting to purchase herbs in Benson, Dunbar has a good variety to choose from at her shop located at 723 W. 4th St.
Dunbar also has bulk bins of grains, rice, dried fruits and a selection of coffees.
Top reasons for growing an herb garden
- Herbs are designed to repel pests, making them low-maintenance.
- Fresh herbs that you've grown are more flavorful than the dried herbs you can purchase at a supermarket.
- Most are easy to grow and require organic fertilizers in relatively small amounts.
- Herbs add color and fragrance to any garden.
- They require little space, and can be grown indoors. In fact, some herbs prefer the indoors.
- They can improve your health.
- They taste good and jazz up your meals.
- Their fragrance can make you smell good.
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Monica Smith wrote on Apr 3, 2009 10:05 AM: