Edible Jasper
KPB Office
Edible Jasper
at the KPB Office
The space around our office at the south end of Main Street is growing! Next time you’re on our end of town, be sure to stop by and check it out.
We are constantly adding more plants to the gardens, and the plants are growing and growing! Check back regularly for updates.
Click on the plant names to learn more.
More Edible Gardens
Lee Newton Park
(coming soon!)
Photos are in reverse order with the most recent first so you can see the garden today. Be sure to scroll down to see how it’s grown!
About the Plants
Rosemary
(Rosmarinus officinalis) – Rosemary is an evergreen perennial native to the Mediterranean region, is drought resistance and thrives in dry, rocky, sandy and poor soil. It does well in Zones 7-10 and can live quite a long time!
The leaf is used as a culinary herb and the essential oil is for topical use only. Rosemary’s actions include anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, a circulatory stimulant and as an antioxidant. Common uses for rosemary include headaches, memory difficulties, depression, baldness, arthritis and nervous tension. It is also helpful in fat and starch digestion.
Rosemary is not recommended during pregnancy beyond it’s normal use in food due to potential abortifacient effects. Look for Rosemary at the Keep Pickens Beautiful office and the Pickens Progress Office parking lot!
Basil
(Ocimum basilicum) – Basil commonly known as sweet basil is an annual that needs warm weather, fertile soil and full sun to grow and thrive.
It’s best to pinch off the flowers to prevent the plant from becoming “leggy” and continue growing throughout the season. The leaves are harvested and used in culinary dishes and pesto. Sweet basil is good for digestion and the nervous system.
Basil can help ease gas and relieve nausea and vomiting as well as providing treatment for depression, anxiety and insomnia. The leaves can also be crushed and used as a poultice to help with insect bites.
Lavender
(Lavandula officinalis or L. angustifolia) – Lavender thrives in zones 5-8 and prefers a warm, sunny and well-drained area. It also prefers a Mediterranean like climate. If the temperature drops below 20 degrees F the plant may need to mulched to survive.
The flowers are the primary part of the plant that is used. Lavender has antimicrobial, sedative, anxiolytic, antiseptic, antidepressant and carminative properties. It can be used to help stomach muscle spasms, relieve mild depression and anxiety, insomnia and headaches. A few drops of the essential oil of lavender in a bath is helpful for relaxation and is useful for burns.
Pregnant women should avoid lavender in large amounts. Those taking antidepressants, antiseizure medications, central nervous system depressants and lipid lowering medications should be cautious and consult their health care provider first before using lavender.
Oregano
(Origanum vulgare) – Oregano is a woody perennial that grows in zones 4-8 and is native to Europe and Asia. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun.
The leaf is used for culinary purposes and the essential oil is used topically. Oregano has antiviral and antimicrobial properties.
Oregano is used to relieve nervousness, irritability and insomnia. Oregano is not recommended for medicinal use during pregnancy or lactation.
Lemon Thyme
(Thymus citriodorus) – Lemon thyme is native to the Mediterranean region and thrives in a well-drained, sandy full sun location. It does well in zones 3-8.
The leaves and flowers are used and this is a favorite thyme variety for making tea due to its citrus aroma.
Lemon thyme has antibacterial, antiviral, expectorant and antifungal properties. It is helpful for respiratory tract infections and digestive upset. Lemon thyme is safe for standard culinary use, but it should not be used in large amounts internally during pregnancy and lactation.
German Thyme
(Thymus vulgaris) – Thyme is a perennial that grows in most climates (zones 3-8) and prefers well-drained and a sunny location.
The leaf and flower are used.
Thyme acts as an antimicrobial, antiviral, expectorant, antifungal and is helpful for colds and sore throats. It can also be used as a disinfectant externally as a wash to fight infections. Thyme is often infused in honey or made into a syrup to fight coughs and colds. Thyme is very safe; however, it should not be used in large amounts internally during pregnancy and lactation
Cilantro
(Coriandrum sativum) – Cilantro prefers well-drained soil and sunny conditions. It thrives in cooler conditions and can be grown throughout Fall and Winter and may survive conditions as low as 10 degrees F. Cilantro will flower in hot conditions.
All parts of the plant are edible, but the leaves are most often consumed. The seed of cilantro is coriander and is used as a spice either whole or ground. Cilantro is often used in Mexican, Asian and Vietnamese cuisine. Coriander seed is used in Indian, Middle Eastern and African dishes.
Cilantro is a very good source of dietary fiber, Vitamin A, C, E, K, B6, B2, B3, Pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. Cilantro is used to prevent and relieve gas, abdominal bloating and nausea. It is useful to help with intestinal viruses and bacterial diarrhea. Cilantro has been linked to food borne illnesses due to contamination with salmonella, Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli, Shigella, norovirus, and Cyclosporiasis.
Parsley
(Petroselinum crispum) – Parsley is a biennial plant, but is usually grown as an annual. It prefers a sunny spot, but will also tolerate light shade. It should be grown in moist fertile soil and should be kept watered during dry spells. It prefers temperatures between 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit, but will tolerate as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Varieties include curly and flat leaf. The leaf is used in many different types of cuisine and often as a garnish.
Parsley is a good source of vitamin K, C, and A. Parsley acts as a diuretic and can be used for painful urination, amenorrhea, gas, and infant colic (via breastmilk). It is also used in remedies for gout and gouty arthritis. Large quantities should not be used during pregnancy.
Creeping Thyme
(Thymus praecox.) – Creeping thyme is an evergreen woody perennial in the same family as other thyme varieties; however, this specific type is low-growing and is great used as a ground cover in sunny areas. It prefers well-drained, loose or sandy soil in zones 4-9.
Depending on the variety it may bloom with pink, white or purple flowers. Creeping thyme can act as a living mulch helping to shade out weeds in paths and between stepping stones.
Creeping thyme is also edible and can be used as German or lemon thyme. The leaves can be eaten fresh or dried and used as a culinary herb or medicinally. Creeping thyme acts as an antimicrobial, antiviral, expectorant, antifungal and is helpful for colds and sore throats. Thyme is very safe; however, it should not be used in large amounts internally during pregnancy and lactation
Chives
(Allium schoenoprasum) – Chives are a drought-tolerant perennial that prefer a sunny location and can tolerate many soil conditions.
They belong to the same family as onions, garlic and leeks. Leaves and flowers are both edible. Chives are often used in potatoes, butter, soups, stews, dips and salads. They have a more subtle flavor than other members in their family. It’s best to consume chives within a few days after harvesting or purchasing.
Chives contain vitamin C, A, calcium, iron, potassium, folate, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin. Chives contain quercetin, a flavonoid which may help reduce plaque buildup in arteries and allicin which releases nitric oxide helping to relax blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.
Marigolds
(Tagetes spp.) – Marigolds are a popular annual to add to the garden due their ability to help with pest control.
They prefer full sun, can tolerate most soils, and bloom during the summer through fall. Once established they usually are maintenance-free. Marigold flowers can be yellow, orange, white, red, gold and bicolor.
Due to their short growth size, they are usually used for borders or on the edge of gardens.
