In this brief interview, Chris shares his passion for growing herbs in gardens at his home and other city-owned properties.
BCL: How many years doing this?
Chris: I started gardening when I was a kid, my grandmother Buchman came from good farming stock and was a great inspiration. I still have my FFA jacket (Future Farmers of America) from school days! So I guess I have become an “Urban Farmer.”
BCL: What do you grow?
Chris: The herb garden, planted in groupings, is used for culinary and medicinal purposes. There are various mints, a variety of bee balm and cone flowers, scented geraniums and others. The center circular bed features creeping thyme along with a central planter, which features a variety of different herbs each year.
BCL: What else do you grow?
Chris: I have other gardens. Most notably there’s the organic PA German vegetable garden with a bed of horseradish, rhubarb and a good variety of heirloom tomatoes. The old-fashioned garden with peonies, coral bells, daisies, and lily of the valley was already in place when I moved here more than 30 years ago. It now surrounds the entire back yard and has a pink dogwood tree in the center.
BCL: What is the true healing power of growing herbs?
Chris: An herb garden releases aromas as you work around the different plants. For instance, lavender is often used in herb gardens for how easily its fragrance is released when you brush against it. The healing power comes from a combination of the senses: sight, taste and smell.
BCL: How can we get started?
Chris: I started out with a few planted containers outside of the kitchen and multiple plants in larger pots. From the containers, I moved on to four large window boxes and from the window boxes to the garden, which has grown to five beds.
BCL: What might it cost?
Chris: Depending on your budget and how many varieties you care to grow determines cost. If you are just starting out, container gardens are a great way to learn. Many herbs can be started from seed. If you want to plant something large scale, plan your beds ahead of time and prepare the soil.
BCL: Are herbs best fresh or dried?
Chris: Most herbs can be used fresh or dried, however the herbs are more concentrated when dried. At the end of the season some herbs can be dried and some frozen. If it’s a mild winter, some will stay green thru the cold.
