In my neck of the woods spring is comin’ At lease we hope so. As if we didn’t have anything else to think about in the spring, how about planning the herbs you want to use in making your Christmas gifts. I love to make herbal vinegars, herbal spice mixtures, herbal cosmetics, and potpourris just to name a few.

These all require growing the herbs I need to make my Christmas gifts. I know it is several months away but while you are planning the garden don’t forget the Holidays are coming one of these days. Of course we do have other times of the year we can make gifts such as birthdays, Mother’s Day and just because.

If you plan now, you might not be faced with the upcoming holidays and wondering what you are going to make everyone. With just a little planning it makes life and gift making so much easier.

So make your list and check it twice and know what is naughty or nice. Herbs I mean, after all if you have ever grown mint or mugwort you know what I mean by naughty. Nice are those herbs that stay where you plant them. Few that they are.

Here is some of the herbs I like to have in my garden for gift giving.

• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme, all kinds especially lemon thyme
• Mint, chocolate (makes a great jelly)
• Chamomile
• Southerwood
• Mugwort (this spreads)
• Lavender
• Scented geranium
• Yarrow
• Oregano
• Marjoram
• Santolina
• Lemon balm
• Lemon grass
• Lemon verbena
• Rose
• Tarragon
• Chives

Now is the time to plan your garden and checking then twice, their growing habits of course.

If they spread, if they like sun, or partial shade and how much water do they need. Draw out your garden map, and think about what you might add this year as well as next. Not all plants you want to plant have to be planted this year.

Most garden’s plans show what to grow now and what can be grown in the future. Some herbs can be started from seed, not mint, so start your seeds indoors to reduce the cost.

After all one of the reason we make our Christmas gifts is to save cost, of course I always seem to spend more than if I just went out and bought my gifts.

Happy Herb Gardening