A Taste for Herbs – Book Review

Home

Blog

Online Classes

About Us Meet the Team Our Events SWG Calendar Speaking and Consulting Books by Jacqueline Books by Ann

Meet the Team

Our Events SWG Calendar Speaking and Consulting

SWG Calendar

Speaking and Consulting

Books by Jacqueline

Books by Ann

Southwest Gardening Regions

Products and Resources

Herbs are great for growing in the Southwest for three good reasons. First – so many of the herbs we use come to us from the rocky dry hillsides of the eastern Mediterranean and they are used to periods of hot, dry weather. Second, many herbs have been cultivated for 5,000 years or more, and cuttings of the herbs that people were able to keep alive have been shared down through the ages. Third – many herbs look great in the landscape, and if you are going to water it and care for it, why not use it?!

Which leads us to the book “ A Taste For Herbs ” by Sue Goetz, published this year (2019) by St. Lynn’s Press .

I draw Southwestern readers’ attention to Chapter Two, in which Sue discusses some unusual herbs, like lemon grass and bay trees. Many of us in the Southwest can grow these, especially in areas that rarely dip below 26 degrees F. Honestly, Chapter One is not entirely valid for the Low and Middle desert regions of the Southwest. Texas and the Mountain regions should be fine. (See more on Southwest gardening regions here ).

The real reason to buy this book is Part Two. In fact, the cooking ideas in part two might make “A Taste for Herbs” a great gift for the manly chef in your life!

In these six chapters, Sue introduces us to a plethora of ways to use the herbal bounty our landscapes and gardens may offer. After an introduction to the basics of blending herbs, there are chapters on Dry Seasonings, Rubs, Flavor Enhancers, Dressings & Condiments, and ending with some very tasty Beverages. Personally, I might start with one of her cocktails. It makes cooking after a long day go ever so much smoother!

To help our Southwest Gardening readers, here is a list of the herbs that Sue Goetz mentions in her book that you can grow in your Southwest landscape.

Perennial herbs: marjoram, oregano, rosemary, lavender , sage, savory (in shade), and thyme .

Perennials to protect from frost: lemon verbena, lemon grass, bay, and citrus peel.

Annuals that you will need to replant each year (no matter where you live): basil, cilantro , dill, parsley, fennel and stevia.

First, I read the book and realized that it would work for our Southwest Gardening readers! Once I knew it would work – then I asked the folks at St. Lynn’s Press if they would be willing to offer us a copy to raffle to one of our lucky readers. Gracious folks that they are, they said yes! See below on how you can enter to win “ A Taste for Herbs .”

This contest is no longer accepting entries.

You have 1 entry

Becky Kirts June 19, 2019 at 9:43 am Looks good for Knetucky

Looks good for Knetucky

Cheryl A Jones June 13, 2019 at 10:40 am I have a 10 year old rosemary bush and would love to learn how make skin care products. I am starting lavender and mint garden. Same, skin care products.

I have a 10 year old rosemary bush and would love to learn how make skin care products.

I am starting lavender and mint garden. Same, skin care products.

Pamela Stewart June 12, 2019 at 8:52 am I have grown both lemongrass and a bay tree in central Texas.

I have grown both lemongrass and a bay tree in central Texas.

Elizabeth Srutowski June 11, 2019 at 2:06 pm I already have rosemary and sage growing in my Southwest landscaping but love to try more variety.

I already have rosemary and sage growing in my Southwest landscaping but love to try more variety.

Comments are closed.

Southwest Gardening has online classes to help you be the gardener you want to be.

Southwest Gardening, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon properties including, but not limited to, amazon.com .

Microclimates Help Plants Beat Heat--and Cold

Lavender: You Can Grow That!

Got Overgrown Shrubs? Know When to Prune Or Replace

Great Rose Varieties for the Southwest Garden

Globe Mallow: You Can Grow That!

Native Grasses for Low-Water Lawns

Republishing of text or images prohibited. Short excerpts are allowed if properly credited and linked to Southwest Gardening.

Online Courses