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HERB DAY 2008

If you go

What: Information on selecting, planting, maintaining, cooking and decorating with herbs; vendors selling plants and other garden-related items; herbal brunch; master gardener plant sale; youth activity; farmers market

When: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. todayWhere: Extension Education Center, 21st and Ridge Road

Cost: Free

Seminars

In the Sunflower Room:
9 a.m. -- Harvesting the Bounty: Preserving and Storage of Herbs by extension agent Lisa Friesen

10 a.m. -- Elements of Herb Cooking by Beverly Fennell of Little Rock, Ark.

11 a.m. -- Making and Using Herbal Vinegar by Barbara Davis of the Herb Society of South Central Kansas

Noon -- "Herbs Make Life More Fun" video by Beverly Fennell

In the Demonstration Garden:8 a.m. -- Growing Calendula (the Herb of the Year) by master gardener Lisa LaRue

8:30 a.m. -- Herbal Topiary by Mary Roark of the Arkansas Unit of the American Herb Society

9:30 a.m. -- What is Compost? How Do I Make Compost? by master gardeners

10:30 a.m. -- Growing Herbs in Containers by extension agent Rebecca Bandli

11:30 a.m. -- Making Herbal Soap by Connie Remmert of the Herb Society of South Central Kansas

Earth Kind roses

The Wichita Rose Society will be selling Earth Kind roses, varieties that are meant to take less care, and Johnson's Garden Center will be selling the expanded shale that is recommended for mixing into the soil for growing the roses.

Planting herbs

Warmer air and soil make this a great time to set out most kinds of herbs in beds or containers. While culinary herbs are typically grown by themselves or in vegetable gardens, they also work well in flower beds, provided they don't get sprayed with pesticides.

Parsley, thyme, oregano, marjoram, lemon balm and chives are easy-to-grow herbs that also look attractive in the garden. Basil, which comes in many types, is one herb that should wait until the weather warms up a little more, decidedly out of the 40s.

Herbs require sun and space to develop. They are not water-grabbers, and once established will tolerate dry weather. Thyme makes a great edging plant for beds and produces attractive flowers. Dill, fennel and parsley are valued not only as garnishes and seasonings but as food sources for the caterpillar stage of swallowtail butterflies.

-- Charlotte Observer

Garden design elements

In an outdoor setting, be sure to incorporate a few simple design elements:

• Grow plants that you find pleasing. Are you energized by bright colors? Then include annuals such as zinnias, petunias, sunflowers or cosmos. If you enjoy cooking, incorporate herbs, vegetables and edible flowers into your garden. Plants such as sage or lavender can be harvested and used for aromatherapy.

• Include a place to sit and observe the beauty of nature or a path for walking through the garden. Enclose it with shrubs or fencing to create a secluded retreat.

• Add a focal point for meditation and reflection such as a piece of sculpture, a special plant, interesting rocks, wind chimes or a fountain.

• Encourage butterflies, birds, insects and other wildlife to the garden. Birdfeeders and birdhouses quickly and easily begin attracting these visitors. Choose plants that supply nectar and food including coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea), milkweed (as a perennial in Asclepias tuberosa or a tropical annual in Asclepias curassavica), salvias, dill, parsley and sunflowers.

-- The National Garden Bureau