It’s an exciting time in the garden, especially the herb garden. Cool season savory plants are flourishing as temperatures move from not-as-cold to pleasant. In my zone 8 garden, mint is increasing its verdant presence and bay laurel is covered in warm green branch tips of tender leaves. Sheer beauty! With so much clamoring for attention from the rest of spring chores, I want to refresh you with 5 easy ways to enjoy herbs. Then you can devote your energy to the spring weed invasion and other urgent matters.
Naturally, I have herbs in mind and heart after keeping company with the Herb Society of America last week. This nearly 100-year-old organization held its biennial Education Conference in San Antonio, Texas, and I was glad to help welcome members to my adopted home state. It was so inspiring to be among so many who love to “cramm” herbs and spices into every crevice of life!
Growing and beholding such scent-sational plants is not enough; as a Society,we are crazily compelled to use them, imparting their flavor and aroma in everything from soaps to sachets to savory vinegars and spiced, honey-sweet treats. Recipes abound among resources gathered in blogs and books produced by this hallowed group. Dig in at www.herbsociety.org
Herbs and Spices of the Bible
Biblical herbs have been a longstanding interest of the Society, and I was delighted to refresh members by presenting Get to Know and Grow Herbs and Spices of the Bible, including 5 easy ways to enjoy herbs now shared with you, dear Gardeners.
Always on the lookout for plant-practical advice? In keeping with the pragmatic nature of gardeners and the necessity of the season, I’ve interwoven these useful tips with Proverbs’ quips.
My husband and I banter continually about how I love the Psalms, but he prefers Proverbs. I crave the flowery, thought-provoking imagery that leads me to God’s love through comparisons to strong fortresses and forests, tranquil waters, pastures, and flowers of the field; whereas he wants straight talk, the simple two-step of wisdom in doable doses.
Fill your thoughts with my words, until they penetrate deep into your spirit. Proverbs 4:21 TPT
Do you prefer allusive streams or streamlined directives? The Bible has both! Since you might be moved from here to the herb garden, secateurs in hand no doubt, I’ll keep prolonged, poetic metaphor for another day and pair ideas with simple Proverbs to ponder.
5 Easy Ways to Enjoy Herbs
1. herb drying
keep herbs nearby with easy handfuls
- mount metal broom holder in pantry or close-at-hand cabinet
- use magnetic clips to hold by stems & hang upside-down to dry
- garden flavors are handy for cooking
- clips are easy to reuse
Work your garden—you’ll end up with plenty of food; play and party—you’ll end up with an empty plate. Proverbs 28:19 The Message
Whoever works his land will have plenty to eat. Whoever chases unrealistic dreams will have plenty of nothing. Proverbs 28:19 NOG
2. herb infused bread
enjoy herbal infusion without chopping leaves
- lay rinsed herb sprigs in bottom of pan
- cover with parchment paper, enough to line bottom & fold over top edges of pan
- rise & bake dough in paper (yes, dough can rise in the paper!)
- oven heat infuses herbal flavor in the loaf as it bakes
Don’t make me either poor or rich, but give me only the bread I need each day. Proverbs 30:8 NIRV
give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Proverbs 30:8 KJV
3. caper-tasty salad dressing
pressed capers add loads of flavor
- press capers through garlic press
- mix with lemon juice, white vinegar, olive oil, squeeze of mustard and your favorite herbs like dill or hyssop/oregano
- blend & pour over salad or vegetable medley
Dear friend, pay close attention to this, my wisdom; listen very closely to the way I see it. Then you’ll acquire a taste for good sense; what I tell you will keep you out of trouble. Proverbs 5:1-2 The Message
4. herb-pile sandwich
a simple, daily practice turning cold cut sandwiches into celebrations
- go out to the garden & cut a mixture of fresh herbs
- rinse, pat dry and chop leaves
- pile on sandwich & enjoy
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:6 The Message
Whatever you are doing, remember that the Lord is with you. Then he will show you the right way to go. Proverbs 3:6 EASY
5. bay leaf wreath
a gift that gives all year!
- grow bay laurel spring to late fall
- cut back leafy branches before freeze
- use florist’s wire to bind together sprigs & attach to a circular form
- leaves decorate & dry in place to use for winter soups, spring sauces, and summer fish boils beyond the holiday
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 NIV
Those who live to bless others will have blessings heaped upon them, and the one who pours out his life to pour out blessings will be saturated with favor. Proverbs 11:25 TPT
Closing Prayer
O Lord Jesus, thank You for the blessings You put in our lives. We praise You for the ways that herbs exhilarate our senses and can quicken us to Your Presence with us. Let me be reminded by all that I smell and all that enthralls me in the herb garden of You, O God! A sweet turning of my heart to You. Thank You for the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus, who poured out His life for each of us. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13)—in our garden work, employment and the work of loving each other. God, make the good Words of Proverbs grow in me, as You are the One who makes things grow (1 Corinthians 3:7). Let me acquire a taste for Your goodness and mercy and remember that You are with me wherever I go—this simple step is plenty. Thank You for conforming my likeness to Yours (Romans 8:29) and help me understand that I am not tasked with the Proverbs, but witness to their transformation of me (Romans 12:1-3). You want my company and affection, not my achievements. You are good and what You do is good (Psalm 119:68). It is good to be with You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Taste and see that the Lord is good Psalm 34:8 NIV
Join us! I am excited to be a new member of the Herb Society of America. When I realized that most of the plants I grow from the Bible are herbs, I joined the Society to take advantage of their resources, recipes, and research – plus enjoy monthly refreshers with their Herb of the Month program. You can also connect with local chapters and meet fellow enthusiasts!
Herbs of the Bible (and Spices), originally published in the Devotions Blog in September 2024 with 15 spicy or herbal flavors, has been updated to 26 plants, adding in bitter herbs; leeks, onions, and garlic; cassia alongside cinnamon; and from the Herb Society Herb of the Month program, juniper, carob, and nettles. Rue and wormwood are included for the sake of discussion, not for culinary use. Coming Soon! A printable pdf guide of all 26 plants
The Garden in Delight Plant Guide has growing information for many herbs and spices, with more growing and garden-to-table tips
My latest book, My Father is the Gardener, features many Biblical herbs with deeper devotions for you to enjoy. Link to buy here
Let rhyme and meter reveal more about the flavors of the Bible in the A-to-Z Primer of Plants from God’s Word
Find all the herbs and spices mentioned in the Bible in God’s Word for Gardeners Bible using this Plant Index
Photo Credits: ©Shelley S. Cramm Cover image: herbs for sale and growing at Urban Herbal in San Antonio, TX
EASY denotes Easy English Bible Copyright © MissionAssist 2019 – Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1162807. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
KJV denotes Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, King James Version published in 1611, authorized by King James I of England, which is public domain in the United States.
The Message denotes Scripture quotations taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries.
NIRV denotes Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®, Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIrV” and “New International Reader’s Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®
NIV denotes Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®
NOG denotes Scripture quotations taken from The Names of God Bible copyright © 2011 by Baker Publishing Group, 6030 East Fulton Road, Ada, MI 49301. All Rights Reserved.
TPT denotes Scripture quotations taken from The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017, 2018, 2020 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ThePassionTranslation.com
