Can You Digg It?

Common name: Chives

Latin name: Allium schoenoprasum, A. tuberosu,

Characteristics:

• perennial herbs
• 12 inch tall grass-like, hollow, tubular, green leaves, tapering to a point on top
• flowers in summer are pinkish to pale purple

Conditions

• hardy plants that grow best in full sun

Harvesting

• Cut: Ready when reaches 6 inches. Do not snip off just the tips, cut as close to the base as possible. Harvest regularly to keep it growing.
• Store: They do not store well. They can be frozen up to 6 months though. 

Tip

• Makes a good companion plant. Helpful to keep bugs off tomatoes.

Bunny Tip:

• Although great for cooking, best not to give to a rabbit 

Common name: Parsley

Scientific name: Petroselinum

Characteristics:

• perennial
• 12 in stems bearing divided, feather-like, small leaves
• leaves can be flattish (pictured) or curly depending on variety

Conditions:

• Prefers full sun or possibly part shade
• keep soil moist, do not let it dry out in dry weather

Harvest

• Pick from the center of the stem
• broad-leaved Italian parsley dries best
• Curly parsley freezes well, up to 6 months

Tips

• Chances are you will get a Parsley Worm, it will turn into a Black Swallowtail Butterfly

Bunny Tip:

• High in vitamins K, C, and A. Since it is rich in antioxidants, it is helpful when combating urinary or respiratory problems. 

Common name: Lavender

Scientific name: Lavandula

Characteristics:

• perennial
• heights differ but all grow into evergreen, bushy shrubs with woody stems and hairy, silvery to gray-green, fragrant leaves. Long spikes of fragrant deep purple to pinkish flowers

Conditions:

• perfers full sun, does not require a great deal of water

Harvest:

• Dry: by hanging in bunches in a dry, airy, hot place
• storage: store dried leaves and flowers in air tight jars
• not suitable for freezing

Bunny Tip:

• A diuretic, helps induce labor in a birthing doe
• Good for stressed rabbits 

Common name: Sage

(Pictured is Pineapple Sage, good for dessert and drinks)

Scientific name: Salvia 

Characteristics:

• Perennial 
• small, woody shrub with long, oval leaves that have velvety texture
• there are many varieties 

Conditions:

• Sunny, sheltered position 
• give deep soaking once a week

Harvest:

• For drying purposes, harvest before flowering begins
• dry leaves on racks in a cook, airy place and then store in airtight jars
• leaves can be chopped, packed in plastic wrap and then frozen up to 6 months

Tip:

• another great companion plant that will keep pests away, but will attract bees, hummingbirds and butterflies  
• needs to be replaced every four years or so as the plant becomes woody

Bunny Tip:

• Rich in vitamin A and C; natural antioxidant which can help boost immune systems and essential for vision.
• antiseptic and inhibits inflammation
• when dried, create powder and sprinkle to repel fleas
• SHOULD NOT be given during pregnancy or for an epileptic 
• after pregnancy can help a doe dry up