Historical Society Program Looks

At Planning An Herb Garden

With spring in full flavor, the Newtown Historical Society will dedicate its May program to “Planning a Colonial Herb Garden.” Presented by Nancy Moore, the program will be Monday, May 8, 7:30 pm, at The Meeting House, Main Street at the flagpole in Newtown.

With the limitations of colonial life, great store was placed on the use of herbs for flavor, health, and a myriad of household needs such as keeping insects away from house and larder. Many of the cooking combinations are still with us.

With no chemical industry to synthesize their drugs, colonial men and women had to rely on natural materials. Some of these remedies came from native Americans, such as chewing on willow bark to relieve aches and pains (which gave the natural form of the chemical later manufactured as aspirin); others came from the old country along with the settlers themselves. Chamomile has a widespread lore of use as a sedative and a decongestant when used as a tea, and a sleep inducer when placed in a pillow. Mullein was used as a bandage when necessary.

In addition to their benefits when fresh, herbs were usually easy to dry for winter use. In recent years, pharmaceutical investigation has revisited the empirical herb knowledge of the 18th century, and often discovered a scientific basis more in keeping with our own times.

No goodwife would have failed to include thoughts of companion planting in her garden design. The corn-bean-squash trilogy is well-known, but the caring wife and mother would have wanted to ensure the proper feeding of her family by many other combinations, such as savory and beans, and chives around fruit trees to prevent insect attacks. All aspects of garden design as well as herbal uses will be grist for the spice mill of Ms Moore’s presentation.

Nancy Moore is the owner of Moorefield Herb Farm in Trumbull. She is a master gardener, market master of the Trumbull Farmer’s Market, and a former chair of the Connecticut unit of the Herb Society of America. In addition to her presentation on the planning, planting, and harvesting of an herb garden and the historical uses of the plants, Ms Moore will bring a selection of herbs from her farm for sale after the program.

The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the program. Note the change of location to the Meeting House. For further information call 203/426-5937.