When I started writing this Newsletter years ago, I had no idea what I would write about each month, how I would decide on a topic or whether I would even continue to write each month.

Now, I seem to write towards the end of the month, so it sort of makes sense to share with you what happened during the month, what I learned and any insights or new information I gleaned from my reading or discussions.

Many times during a month while working with my herbs, potting them up, seeding for more stock, setting cuttings or simply watering I realize I have a question about the herb I am working with. It may be a simple, basic question such as "Is this plant in the right place?" or "Am I seeding this variety too early?" Or I may have just read something "somewhere" that gave me a new appreciation of a common herb in the garden.

During the month of August, it has been very hot and dry here... no surprise, really. But, July had brought quite a bit of rain, and I was hoping it would keep up. Alas, August turned out true to most other years so I had to work to keep plants for sale looking good and keep the garden up.

Here are some lessons I learned during the month of August here in Texas:

The most drought tolerant herb growing in the garden is by far Greek Oregano.

Rosemary is susceptible to Spittle Bugs. Some say they are not harmful, but the leaves around the areas where the bugs are have dried out. The affected plant looked like it was seriously compromised due to the habit of the Spittle Bug larvae sucking the sap out of the leaf, similar to aphid damage.

"Spit" which hides the Spittlebug lavae as it sucks the sap from the plant.


This is what the rosemary looks like after the bugs have been there for a while.

Lemon Grass likes a lot of water.

Comfrey does not like the intense heat of August, even when watered daily.

Stevia is very tolerant of high temperatures, although it does droop in the afternoon, even with a morning watering. It looks fine after the heat of the day passes.

Stevia growing strong in the heat.

Culinary Sage, Salvia officinalis, grows well near the Stevia.

Yarrow is not as drought tolerant as I thought it was. I may have lost most of my patch from Spring due to infrequent watering.

Licorice, which grows throughout one of my beds- I'm never sure where more stalks will arise in the spring- is more drough and heat tolerant than I thought.

The African and Indian varieties of Basil I planted have all done very well with adequate water.

Following are some pictures of the Indian Basils- or Tulsi- and African Basils I planted from seed purchased at Horizon Herbs.


African Basil Kivumabasi, a small plant with strongly lime-flavored leaves.


African Basil Mrihani. Slightly cut leaf margins, strong basil flavor.


Indian Basil Tulsi Krishna. Course leaves and strong flavor.


Indian Basil Tulsi Vana. Large leaves, slightly citrus flavor.

Thai Basil, Siam Queen. This isn't a little known basil, but it sure looks good. And, it is so tasty! The small plant to the right with the large leaves is another African variety, Basil Mtule. the ferny leaves behind the basil is licorice... the rest... weeds!

One more lesson I learned this August-- Garlic Chives will bloom no matter how high the temperature and how little water they receive. They're a favorite in my herb garden!

QUOTE FOR THE MONTH

The propagandist's purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human. -Aldous Huxley, novelist (1894-1963)