this week in the herb garden...

The angelica has been cut and the seed heads have been removed, placed in a paper bag and hung up to dry.Since Angelica seeds have a low germination rate and the seed is comparatively short lived, sowing of the seeds for new plants should take place as soon as possible. Remaining seeds can be kept in sealed packs, in the fridge until late summer. The seeds should be planted in a seed tray which should then be stored in the fridge for around 30 days and then moved to an area where the temperature is about 18c for germination. Seeds may be also be sown directly where the plants are to grow in the Autumn.Seeds are used commercially to flavour drinks, including gin and absinthe.

this week in the herb garden...

Angelica (Angelica archangelica) is an ancient herb and member of the carrot family. My angelica is huge this year and was strong enough to withstand the high winds we had a few weeks ago! It is presently flowering and will soon set seed.
It is a useful herb to have in the garden as all parts can be used. Young leaves can be added to salads and young stems can be candied in syrup and used as cake decorations or chopped into ice-creams. Both the stems and roots can be cooked as vegetables. Oil can be distilled from the seeds and roots and is used in flavouring drinks, including gin, benedictine and chartreuse.
Angelica also has medicinal uses. An infusion can be made for treating bronchial problems from the bruised root, and a cough syrup made by combining a decoction of the root with honey. A cup of angelica tea after dinner will aid digestion and is also said to ease the pain of arthritis.  
Seed harvest will take place in a week or so.