Mills Garden Herb Farm began twelve years ago. When asked why I chose herbs my answer is "I think they chose me". Herbs have taught me much about growing and using them. They are a link to history, literature, music and nature. Historically they were used in cooking, medicine making, and throughout the entire household; even the aroma is healing. Herbs are beautiful in the landscape and their presence in the garden is healing for all life and the environment. The journey continues and the learning too. To be sure, herbs have made my life more meaningful with a greater appreciation of nature.
Sharing with others through our workshops is a part of Mills Garden Herb Farm. I am so fortunate to have a sister that is as interested in herbs as I. Jane Abe is a great teacher and a vital part of the workshops here. We hope that you can all plan to join us.
This farm land and the herbs and plants I sell are Certified Naturally Grown. This means no synthetic fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides are used on the land or on the plants I sell. This is how we have cared for our little spot of earth and promise to continue. I tend the soil by mulching it with leaves and hay that turn into compost and continuously become food for the plants. The garden beds have beautiful fluffy soil and an abundance of very happy earthworms!
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market Yorkmont Road Charlotte, NC Saturdays starts at 8:00 a.m. March through November Meeting Street Farmers Market Williamson Road behind Bruester's Ice Cream Mooresville, NC Tuesdays 5:00 p.m. - dark May through October
Downtown Hickory Farmers Market located at the downtown Hickory depot Hickory, NC Wednesdays 12:00 - 5:30 p.m. May through October
the Evening Farmers Market located in Pecan Park in historic downtown Statesville Statesville, NC Thursdays 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. April through October
Farmers Market
2010 Herb Festivals
The Herb Society of America, Inc., Greensboro Unit's
Annual Plant SaleWhen: April 15, 2010,Time: 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.Place: Greek Orthodox Church on Westridge Road, Greensboro, NCThis is the oldest herb plant sale in NC. The theme for this year is "Basil and Beyond...Festival of Herbs".Whoever wouldbelieve that on a Thursday morning at 7:00 a.m. in the middle of April people would be lined up ready to buy herbs when the doors opened. Sales were brisk and by 3:00 p.m. the tables picked over like department store basement sales of years ago. I did not see any fighting for plants though and no one lost their lives! For sure a sale for herb peoplenot to be missed if at all possible. Cabarrus County Master Gardener Volunteer Association'sSpring Herb and Plant FestivalWhen: April 17, 2010Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Place: Piedmont Farmer's Market, 518 Winecoff School Rd.Concord, NC 28027Hatsoff to this group of master gardeners that started this Herb and Plant Festival five years ago. It has been outstanding since the first year. This is definitelythe saleto finda large variety ofherbs both common and unusual and herbal products.
Herbal Thyme Herb Guild's HERB FESTIVALWhen: Saturday, April 24, 2010Place: Greensboro Farmers Market(501 Yanceyville Rd. and Lindsey Street,Across from the old War Memorial Stadium)Greensboro, North CarolinaTime: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.Live music, herbal education activities, cooking demonstrations, face painting, and more – a real spring festival!
ASHEVILLE HERB FESTIVALWhen: Friday, April 30, 2010, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Saturday, May 1, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Sunday, May 2, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.Where: WNC Farmers Market, Asheville, North Carolina Who: More than 55 herb businesses from WNC and even a few from Tennessee.If It's Herbs, It's Here! Thisisthelargest herb festival in North Carolina boasting of 25,000 attendees! A huge variety of herb plants and herbal products can be found here. A great reason toexperience Asheville!
Union County Master Gardeners, North Carolina Herb Association & NC Natural Products AssociationPIEDMONT HERB FESTIVALWhere: Union County CenterNC Cooperative Extension Service3230-D Presson RoadMonroe, NC 28112704-283-3741When: June 4th - Dinner and Music with Dr. James Duke, renowned author and ethno-botanist.June 5th - Saturday classes with herbalists:Mimi Hernandez Jane Abe Memorie King Janice Maleyeff Camille F. Edwards Dr. Jeanine Davis Jeff Rieves Michele Tanner Mary RobertsCost: Friday dinner & entertainment by Andy Owens: $35or Saturday classes only: $75Total Cost for both Friday & all day Saturday $100Contact: cbedwards@aol.com for more information.Web Site under construction.
North Carolina Herb Association'sWILD HERB WEEKEND 2010When: July 23, 24 & 25Where: Valle Crucis, NCCost: Varies, please see websitewww.northcarolinaherbassociation.org2010 SPEAKER LIST:Patricia Kyritsi Howell as Keynote Speaker Mimi Hernandez Dr. David Brown Dr. Jeanine Davis Dr. Deyu Xie Heidi Berkowitz Janice Maleyeff Jeff Rieves Marc Williams Robin AllisonA beautiful relaxing setting outside of Boone, NC. A wonderfulconference to learn more about herbs and how to use them and to meet others that are interested in learning too. Certainly no one leaves disappointed.
Screen Door Booth
Screen Door (click on picture to your immediate left for link)
When in Asheville, NC include a visit to the Screen Door, a wonderful mall full of garden accessories and cottage collectibles. Help yourself to a free cup of coffee and oh yes your dog is welcome to browse with you. We have a booth offering favorite ornaments for the garden and porch.
Touring Mills Garden Herb Farm
On this farm the plants and animals come first. Most herbs are easy to grow and many become invasive. We have a wonderful very small area of woods where I try to cultivate the shade loving plants naturally. I want one of everything. Try, try, try again seems to be the only way I am going to achieve that goal. Growing woodland plants requires patience as they either grow and multiply so slowly or a plant is invasive and I struggle to keep them under control. Some plants a mere three leaves is awesome. I mention this so that others will respect plants also as many plants are becoming endangered. A few are some of our best medicinal plants. I love to share my garden beds and hope to inspire others to grow these plants also. For a tour contact Madge in advance to arrange an educational and magical tour of Mills Garden Herb Farm. When you drive in proceed with caution as our greeters, Poppy and Elly will herd you in. Come see the herb beds, the greenhouse, the magical woodlands, a critter or two...and perhaps a "fairy" if you are lucky.
