Gardeners' green thumbs are beginning to twitch. For those whose taste buds are craving something fresh and vibrant, it's time to explore the magical world of herbs.
The public is invited to learn how to grow herbs and how to cook with them at the Parks Place fifth annual gardening event on Sunday, April 12, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Alyson's Orchard in Walpole, N.H.
This year the theme is, Better Herbs, Better Flavor, Better Health.
Admission is by donation. Silent auction items can be previewed at 1:30 p.m. the day of the event. Refreshments and a cash bar will be provided. All contributions go to support Parks Place.
Guest speaker Misha Johnson will discuss the importance of wild and cultivated herbs in landscapes and how herbs can be used to support healthy environments and communities. A farmer, photographer, and herbalist, Johnson manages the Free Verse Farm, specializing in naturally-grown tisanes and culinary herbs, as well as medicinal and herbal remedies.
Chef Susie Crowther will explore and demonstrate healthy cooking featuring unique herbs from the Free Verse Farm. Crowther, author of The No Recipe Cookbook, focuses on preparing foods in ways that maximize nutrition and minimize the stress in cooking.
Parks Place provides access to a wide-array of health and human service programs, from parenting classes to employment programs. In addition, Parks Place formed Lead Safe Homes in 2005 in response to an alarming rate of childhood lead poisoning in the area. They offer training to contractors and home inspections on lead and other household hazards.