We have had about 3 weeks of daily near 100 degree weather. Our garden is now gone, with only the pumpkins for my granddaughters to be harvested. We planted the “jumbo” variety and they are really getting big, but we still have to water these. I was so tired of this hot, sweltering weather, and trying to keep up with the weeds and watering, that I just mowed down my herb garden leaving only the rosemary bush standing. It’s hard to think of gardening in this hot weather, but fall is a great time to plant a new garden and I am looking for a new spot that does give a little shade for the mints. I’m only going to plant things that I use, and focus mostly herbs that I can use for teas and my bath products.
If you have an herb garden you can continue to harvest until Mid October in the southeast.
Here is a simple recipe for bath herbs using your gardens harvest. Mix in equal amounts any or all the herbs. I like to mix in dried milk and some oatmeal to soften the skin.
Bath Herbs for Relaxing
Lemon Balm
Lavender
Chamomile
Roses
Place in a muslin bag and put in the bath while the hot water is running. You can also make a “tea”. Place the muslin bag in a cup of just boiled water and allow to steep for 10 minutes. Pour the water and bag into your bath. Use the herbs only once, then rinse and dry the muslin bag.
I am going to place these mixtures in big glass jars in my shop along with the muslin bags so customers can “scoop” their own. *If you are allergic to ragweed, asters, chrysanthemums you may be allergic to chamomile
The lemon balm and chamomile make a great before bed time tea also.