Here are the major reasons why one should consider getting a pair of trusty gardening gloves:
Gloves protect your hands from blisters, thorns and cuts while doing rough work like digging or pruning in the garden. Investing in one or more pairs of quality gloves is a good decision.
Here are some tips on how to choose the pair that will suit you best:
1. Look for quality leather gloves with a cloth back; this will let the gloves breathe and keep your hands dry, cool and comfortable.
2. If mud bothers you, select rubber gloves with cotton lining.
3. When spraying pesticides or chemicals choose gloves that are made from neoprene. Gloves made from latex or any type of plastic may not offer the best protection.
4. When pruning roses, use gloves that reach up to the arms.
5. If you usually operate large garden machinery, buy gloves in brown instead of red as the latter may dye your hands.
6. Light cotton or even fingerless gloves may be useful for transplanting seedlings. They will allow more dexterity and so help to prevent the tiny roots from being crushed.
7. And of course, make sure that the gloves you buy actually fit your hands. If you have small hands, try the children's gardening section. there's nothing worse than trying to garden is gloves that are too big.
Your gloves must be comfortable as well as give protection to best serve your gardening needs.
Filed under General by 
Storing herbs in oil is also a good way to preserve the flavor. As long as the oil stays fresh you can keep the herbs. Make sure the leaves are dry and insert into an oil filled jar. This will preserve the flavor. If the oil goes bad, which usually happens in six months or so, the herbs must be disposed of. One of the benefits of preserving the herbs in the oil is you will wind up with an herbal oil which is excellent in cooking.
Boiling water can be a challenge to the beginning cook. Add some herbs to that pot of water and you have the basis for a great soup. Any dish can be enhanced with the use of herbs. Their natural fragrance and flavor just add that perfect blend to make a meal complete.
Herbs like oregano and basil are the base of many Italian dishes. Cilantro and Cumin are what make Mexican dishes taste so authentic. More exotic spices like allspice and ginger can add beauty to the kitchen as well as tasteful treats to the mouth.
There is a difference between using fresh and dried herbs in cooking. The fresh herbs add a delicate flavor. The essential oil is not as concentrated as it is in the dried herbs. The general rule of thumb when using dried herbs is 1 teaspoon dried to 1 tablespoon fresh herbs.
You can blend herbs together to make many different fragrances and flavors. Some of the most popular seem to almost compliment each other as well as the food we put them in.
For some of us, natural is the way to go. With an endless supply of fresh herbs, which you can dry, there is no end to the mixes you can make for dips and salsas, or spreads and appetizers.
There are many dishes you can make yourself instead of buying the boxed version. Fresher is better every time. When you taste the recipe which you have made with your own natural herbs, you may never want to use the boxed stuff again.
Filed under Herbs by
When you are storing the herbs you have collected there are many methods to investigate. Some will work better than others. It is all a matter of preference. You can read through and decide what will work for you.
The first method which many people find very simple is freezing. There are two ways to freeze herbs. You can collect the fresh leaves and put them on a cookie sheet in the freezer. When the leaves have been frozen completely, just place them in a storage bag, label the bag with the date and contents, and stick it back in the freezer. Just do not expect the herbs to act or look like fresh when you thaw them. They will still be good for cooking.
Another way to freeze the fresh herbs is one of my favorites. Fill an ice cube tray with the chopped leaves from the herb plant you desire. Fill the tray with water and freeze. When the ice cubes have completely frozen, separate them and put them into freezer bags which you have labeled. You can then take them out of the freezer one cube at a time to add to stews, soups, and other dishes.
I will say that you can store dried herbs in the freezer as well. This can keep them from becoming rancid from being stored too long. This is a good precautionary method in case you did not let the herbs dry long enough. There are times when you think the herbs are dry but you find later they are mildewing in the jars. This means moisture still existed in the leaves. When you freeze the dried herbs, if there is any moisture, it will not affect the herbs.
Many times you will find it is easy to store dried herbs in containers. The best container is one which does not let in light. You can find many apothecary jars with tight fitting lids or even rubber seals. These are the perfect storage containers. With a dark colored jar or bottle the light cannot get to the herbs. Making sure the lid seals properly assures no air can get into the herbs, as well.
Filed under Herbs by
