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concoction of vitamins and minerals including vitamin c, calcium and iron. One for a pot, bring it in over winter and prune back in spring to get the best results – a real talking point once visitors are allowed back in our gardens.
New for 2021, Jekka is hosting ‘HerbFest’ – this three day event will take place (covid allowing) from 2nd-4th July and will feature talks and demonstrations from Jekka herself and a host of guests including Radio 4 Gardeners’ Question Time panellist and my fellow QVC presenter Matt Biggs, top garden designer Jo Thompson, renowned chefs, herbalists and authors. As well as surrounding yourself with herbs, local artisan businesses will also be selling crafts from pottery to herb-based pesto and natural soaps. Definitely one for the diary.
I am working on the BBC coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show again this year, a place where Jekka is no stranger, having over the years created many memorable exhibits of organic herbs. An RHS Vice President, she also designed ‘A Modern Apothecary Garden’ at the 2016 show. This glorious garden featured research-based plants known to be beneficial to the health and well-being of society and, following the show, was relocated to St John’s Hospice Garden in London.
There is of course a vital relationship between medicine and nature which dates back thousands of years. In medieval times, monastery herb gardens would grow specialist plants to assist in healing and prior to the introduction of processed medicines, mankind relied on the healing powers of plants. Today in many
developing countries, people still look to traditional plant-based practices to cure their ailments and with a growing interest worldwide in healthy living, there is an increased curiosity about the medicinal value of herbs.
We most frequently encounter garlic in our pasta creations, but Florence Nightingale used it to clean wards and it was helpful in treating the injured in WW2, whilst the unusual burn jelly plant (Bulbine frutescens) is apparently great for treating cold sores! Meanwhile fennel was traditionally used as a soothing and calming remedy for digestive problems.
To learn more, Jekka is hosting a masterclass on 22nd May (covid allowing) ‘How to Use Herbs’ – expect to come away with enough knowledge to see you rustling up tinctures and teas in no time. You’ll learn not only how to turn a meal into a feast but also how to preserve herbs for use throughout the year, both for medical and culinary use.
In the meantime, while we are all home based and looking for our next garden project, why not take a look online and see how many different herbs you can select? Let’s bring some more herby horticulture to Herefordshire and Gloucestershire and be jolly thankful for Jekka!
www.jekkas.com Check online for opening times throughout the year and the latest information on Jekka’s Herbfest 2021 and masterclasses.
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THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE CAMI L LA BAS S E T T - SMI TH
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