Open for the Season!
Herbfarm Happenings
Happy Earth Day! Check out our weekly ad for our Earth Day specials April 22nd through the 25th.
This week's workshop is for the kids. And don't forget our free "Under the Tent Lectures". See below for more details.
We’ve got a few new things at the Herbfarm this year starting with our animals. Four new doves have taken up residence at the Herbfarm along with our homing pigeon, Homer (naturally) and Eric and Alex, our two goats.
In the planning stages is a new herb garden! See our fabulous herbs showcased in a raised bed garden. We’re not sure of the theme yet but stop by and see. Maybe our garden will inspire you. Will it be culinary, medicinal, biblical, Victorian, fragrant, Mediterranean, colonial, tea? So many to choose from. What would you choose?
Did you know that we also carry both ornamental and fruit bearing shrubs? Examples include blueberry bushes, boxwoods and forsythias. Quantities are limited. For more information check out our Shrubs page.
Our free Springtime "Under the Tent Lectures" continue. We’d love to see you there. The lectures last about 45 minutes giving you plenty of time for shopping.
Our next lecture is Saturday April 24th at 1:00 pm where we'll talk about Ten Unusual, Useful & Underused Herbs. They're wonderful in the garden and you can eat them too!
On May 1st at 10:00 am, it's Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Tomatoes! The MUST HAVE in the summer vegetable garden. Learn the ins and outs of tomato growing. Learn the difference between determinant and indeterminant. To stake or not to stake, that is the question. Heirlooms or hybrids, which one is better to grow? We grow 35 varieties of tomatoes but we'll have more varieties comming in as we share with area growers. A print out is available with descriptions and recommendations.
On June 12th at 11:00 am it's Cooking With Herbs. We will go over how to make butters and tallk about our favorite recipes. There will be demonstrations and samples to taste, yum!
Our 2010 Workshops schedule continues. Our next workshop is on the 24th of April and it's a Kid's Workshop children aged 6-10 will be planting up 1 seed, 1 pansy and 1 vegetable in kids' size pots. Please visit the Workshops page for details and how to register for this one as well as all of our other Workhops.
About The Salem Herbfarm
Joe and Anne Duncan invite you to visit the Salem Herbfarm, nestled in the town of Salem,
Connecticut. The farm is a labor of love and a continuation of family history. The Herbfarm is located on land once owned and farmed by Anne's grandparents Alice and Edward Mitchell. Today Anne and Joe and their knowledgeable, dedicated, staff, strive to offer Herbfarm visitors a chance to experience shopping in an old-fashioned, traditional environment harkening back to the days before super stores. At the Herbfarm feel free to walk the gardens and grounds, take your time in our antique barn stocked with gifts and gourmet foods, stroll over to visit the llamas and don't hesitate to ask questions about any and every type of herb, annual or perennial we offer. We strive to give you personal service and advice the old fashoned way.
Weddings at the Salem Herbfarm
The Salem Herbfarm is the perfect location for special outdoor events like weddings and private gatherings. Take advantage of our gardens and grounds for your wedding ceremony, pictures and reception while surrounded by flowers and herbs in bloom. Our large tent provides you shelter from the elements as we cater to your every whim. For more information check out our Wedding pages or download our ad by clicking on the image to the right.
The Herb of the Year for 2010: Dill
Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a hardy annual, native to the Mediterranean and Southern Russia regions. Dill leaves, both fresh or dried are used to enhance the flavor of dips, soups and salads and is used in many fish recipes. The taste of dill leaves is similar to that of caraway; the seeds themselves are aromatic. Freshly cut, chopped leaves enhance the flavor of dips, herb butter, soups, salads, fish dishe, vegetables and of course when making pickles.
We sell dill both in seed form and as a plant. Seed is the easiest way to grow it as it does not transplant well. Plant seed every ten days for a continuous crop throughout summer. Plant seeds close together to offer support for the three foot tall herb.
The seeds take a while to germinate, figure a week or two, so please be patient.
The Swallowtail butterfly caterpillar loves dill so you may see them munching away so make sure to plant enough for both of you.
Back in 1995, the International Herb Association (IHA) began selecting the Herb of the Year in 1995. For more information on the Herbs of the Year as well as a look back at previous years' selections please check out our Herb page.