Museum Information

Herb Garden a Springtime Treasure

May 2010
Reporter in Residence
Monroe Mouse

Spring is here and there are stirrings throughout the Mansion. Windows are being washed, rugs cleaned and walls painted.

There is something about spring that makes me think of new beginnings. I am actually feeling guilty about not participating in all of the activity. Why waste a beautiful day like today inside? I think I will venture into the garden and see what is happening there. Perhaps there is something to entice my many talents.

What’s this lying on the garden bench? It may be a treasure map. On closer look, there is no X to mark the treasure, but just lots of circles and numbers. This is really a puzzle.
It was not until I saw a sheet of paper caught up in the lilac bush did I realize that the mystery paper was a diagram for an herb garden. Now this is exciting and definitely a project where I could be extremely helpful. After all, herbs played such an important role in early homes. Fresh and dried dill, rosemary, and fennel were always available to the cook.

Mrs. Stroud depended upon spearmint tea to soothe her children’s upset tummies. Dried lavender was sure to be found among clothing layered in a chest. Feverfew was a natural choice for repelling moths and certainly appreciated for protecting painstakingly woven woolens.

The herb garden plans looked very ambitious, but the garden volunteers need not worry. I will be there to lend a hand and, definitely, my herb expertise. They will certainly want to know the meanings of the herbs they intend to plant. For example: lavender means devotion, thyme, daring and basil, love.

Now to work. If I pay close attention to the diagram for the herb planting, I should be able to dig some of the holes for the new plants and maybe get a few herbs into the ground. I am so pleased with my efforts, I think I will just rest here in the garden before returning to the Mansion. Won’t the garden volunteers be surprised when they return to the garden!