Sorrel - unapologetically

There's one herb in particular that has been thriving in my new herb bed - Sorrel (French or Garden)

It's like a large dock leaf but has a fantastic sharp lemon flavour.

Also thriving is its little sister Buckler Sorrel

"Buckler" comes from the shield shape of the leaves which are a fraction of the size of French /Garden Sorrel.  This is the sorrel to add raw to salads whereas the larger variety is best cooked as a soup or sauce. If like me you like a bit of acidity to offset fatty meat, gravy, or bland foods like potato then sorrel is for you. Sorrel is packed with vitamin C, but most books do carry a warning that you can overdose on oxalic acid which can lead to kidney stones - so don't go too overboard about it.

If I had to choose I'd have to admit to having a soft spot for the less extreme Buckler Sorrel. It's beautiful and tasty! 

Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme... and Sorrel and Savory...

Weeding has been the top priority this wet weekend.  I've clawed back the jungle under the carrot nets to rediscover the remnants of the carrot rows.  I think the slugs have been having a field day. Also strawberry production has started in earnest. Honeoye going like the clappers,  Cambridge Favourite looking extremely big, and on the verge of ripening. I do hope these turn out to be as tasty as promised.  Judibell and Florence are late varities so I have these to look forward to trying for the first time - and then there's everbearing Albion to follow.  It's my "year of the strawberry". If all goes well it will just be the first of many.

Back at home I'm really please with how the herb bed has come on. 




Didn't he do well?


The plan is:


                          C                        C

ROCKET                         SAGE                   ROSEMARY

                          H                        H

  P          A             R          S          L           E           Y

                          I                          I

CORIANDER                SAVORY                   THYME

                          V                        V

 P          A             R           S            L        E       Y

                          E                         E

FENUGREEK              CHERVIL                 SORREL

                          S                         S

Probably the rocket, coriander, fenugreek and parsley belong in the vegetable patch instead of this warm dry bed. I'll replace them with oregano, buckler sorrel and tarragon, which I have elsewhere,  before the season is out.