The Cracked Pot Herb Book

Who can resist growing plants that have so much to give in return for so little? Herbs tolerate poor soil; have few requirements yet produce leaves, flowers, seeds and roots that make our lives healthy and more enjoyable.

This book is a sampling of a few of my favorite basic herbs, a compilation of The Cracked Pot column articles along with other useful information…a place to start…and grow.

The Cracked Pot Herb Book is my way of helping you to incorporate herbs and gardening into your everyday life with timely ideas and advice along with simple ways to use herbs in the kitchen, garden or for an easy remedy to soothe your tummy or ease a headache.

If you see something about an herb that interests you, I hope you will research it. Don’t just take my word for it; I’m not here to prescribe but to provide information and growing tips that will help make your herb gardening experience successful. Herbs used medicinally are medicine. Use caution, be informed and remember if a little is good, more is not always better when it comes to herbs.

I am constantly amazed at the incredible usefulness and practicality of herbs. Leave it to God to create plants all around us that are fragrant, beautiful, tasty, useful and beneficial for His kids!

Special thanks to my husband who continues to love me and my herbie ways without complaint…to Sweet Annie, the dedicated garden dog who never fails to make me laugh and give me inspiration…and to Jason, Trevor and Emily who grew up in an herb patch teaching me valuable lessons along the way. Praise the Lord for blessing me with the love of herb gardening and all of you!

Contents of the Book

Herbs to know and Love

  • Basil, the Queen of Pesto
  • Host a Pesto Party
  • Cilantro – Two Herbs in One
  • Dill for Medicine, Pickles and Butterflies
  • Herbs for Grillin’
  • Hooray for Hellebores!
  • Lemon Balm, Good for you, Tough on Bugs
  • Lemon Grass, the “Other” Ornamental Grass
  • Lavender, Right Conditions to Grow
  • Mexican Marigold, Winter Tarragon
  • Mint, Beautiful, Bountiful
  • Parsley, the Herb of Champions
  • Sage, it’s Not Just for Thanksgiving
  • Scented Geraniums, the Many Facets
  • Stevia, One Sweet Herb

    • Kitchen and Pot Gardening

  • Remedy Pots
  • Container Gardening
  • Raised Beds
  • Kitchen Garden
  • Companion Planting with Herbs
  • Grow your own Salsa
  • A Scented Garden
  • Propagation
  • Starting Seeds Indoors
    •

    Weeds, bugs and Critters

  • Weeds are Herbs
  • Controlling Japanese Beetles Organically
  • Pesky Pest Invasion of Indoor Plants
  • Plants to Discourage Deer
    •

    Herbs for the Holidays

  • The Language of Flowers and Herbs
  • Pomanders, a Holiday Tradition
  • Cool Beans! (Vanilla, that is)
  • Care Tips for Rosemary Christmas Tree
  • Last Minute Christmas Scent Ideas
    •

    Preserving the Harvest

  • Collect and Save Seeds
  • Easy Ways to Preserve Herbs and Flowers
  • Harvest and Preserve Basil
  • Think Outside the Vase
    •

    Notes On A Few of My Favorite Herbs

  • Arugula
  • Basil
  • Bay
  • Borage
  • Calendula
  • Catnip
  • Chives, Onion and Garlic
  • Comfrey
  • Echinacea – Purple Coneflower
  • Feverfew
  • Garlic
  • German Chamomile
  • Lemon Balm
  • Lemon Grass
  • Mint
  • Parsley
  • Pennyroyal
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Thyme
    •

    Landscaping

  • Herbs for Shade, Part Shade, Wet, Border, Ground Cover
  • Herbs for Cover, Heat, Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
    •

    This “must have” herb book is a combination of growing tips, culinary creations, medicinal uses and creative ideas for herbs that thrive in the mid south. The author, Cindy Shapton, is a well known herbalist, and a frequent writer for newspapers, magazines and newsletters. Her newspaper column, “The Cracked Pot Gardener” has a loyal following of readers that rely on her wit and expertise. Mrs. Shapton, a Williamson County, Tennessee Master Gardener, has specialized in growing herbs for more than twenty years. A popular speaker for horticultural events, Cindy is widely known for her gardening skills and her enthusiasm for all things herbal. Suitable for the beginner or the garden devotee, be sure to add this handbook for gardening with herbs to your garden book shelf.

    Mike Smith

    University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension

    ‘The Cracked Pot Herb Book’ is now available on-line, order your copy today. $12 + $4 shipping

    "Make gardening fun or it will become work!"