Think herbs Bangor Garden Show to feature tips on growing and using medicinal herbs and plants

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Think Bangor Garden Show and you probably picture floral design extravaganzas, landscaping wonders, bonsai, orchids, peonies, and seeds, seeds, seeds. At this year’s 14th annual spring show March 19-21 at the Bangor Auditorium and Civic Center, you will find all that, as well as information on ecological practices, greenhouse construction and garden photography.

But you can also learn what parts of your lawn to eat and what flowers to use for healing a sore muscle or a scrape.

Pat Blake, a master gardener and herbalist at Native Way in Naples, and Margot Dale, herbalist and owner of Emely’s Herbs in Exeter, both will offer traditional as well as innovative uses of herbs and plants in the home garden. Blake’s lecture “The Edible Lawn, Nibble Don’t Mow” will focus on creating chemical-free lawns with herbs and medicinal plants.

“Gardeners have alternatives to a regular green grassy lawn, especially for trouble or rocky areas,” said Blake, a certified organic gardener. “We can put more and more things in our landscape that are edible, and that’s wise when you think of the great expanse of lawn. In general, it’s a more ecologically conservative way of treating a lawn.”

Instead of just green grass, Blake, who does therapeutic gardening with young people with special needs, encourages gardeners to consider bugleweed, wild marjoram, oregano and pennyroyal, all of which have alternative uses in the home. Lemon thyme, for instance, is reputed to be effective in repelling biting insects, and gingermint adds a Mediterranean flair to food.

“These are plants that are not for real high traffic areas,” said Blake. “They might not stand up to heavy traffic, and some are uncomfortable under foot. Some also have blossoms that encourage bees. But I’d like people to get away from the typical annuals and perennials. Indigenous plants are a good alternative.”

Growing up in North Carolina, Margot Dale had no interest in gardening, but when a friend asked her to go to an introductory class on herbs at Avena Institute, an herbal and healing arts training center in West Rockport, Dale began her own garden.

“It connected me to a part of who I am that I didn’t know,” said Dale, whose grandmother was also an herbalist. “I didn’t garden. I had houseplants, but get my hands dirty? No way! Now, just give me dirt under my fingernails and I am a happy woman.”

Dale’s rural garden in Exeter blossoms each summer with calendula, marshmallow, lemon balm, Johnny-jump-ups, artemisia, Echinacea, Solomon’s seal, yarrow and bee balm. She plants, nurtures, harvests and dries or infuses many of the flowers or their leaves or roots to make traditional tinctures and oils.

“I don’t prescribe. I don’t diagnose,” said Dale, who is also a special education teacher at Orono High School and has also worked in the food and nutrition field.

At the Garden Show, Dale will present “Cruelty-free Herbal Salves and Oils,” a two-hour informational workshop. In the first hour, she will demonstrate how to make medicinal oils and salves. In the second hour, participants will each make a 1-ounce bottle of salve.

“This is not a secret,” said Dale of the products she makes to sell or give to friends. “I will teach anybody to make an oil, a tincture or salve. It’s not about money. It’s about passing on the tradition. It’s about understanding that it is not Western medicine against Eastern medicine. It’s about healing.”

Dale uses her natural healthcare recipes to remedy itching, bruises, sores, insect stings, wounds and burns. Some of her oils work simply as rubs or massage lotions intended to inspire the body’s flow of energy. Her newest invention is called Pitch Off, a natural way to remove sap and pitch from the skin.

The garden, said Dale, is a place of great energy for her, and should be for anyone interested in the intersection of herbs and serenity.

“Even if you don’t do anything with medicinal herbs, it is about peace,” said Dale. “For me, my garden is a place of peace and healing. When I need to be cheerful, I can go be with the bee balm and the bees are all there, and it’s wonderful. It’s like going to see my friends. The herbs are worthy without harvesting. Go see the garden and be with these living beings. That’s enough.”

Alicia Anstead can be reached at 990-8266 or aanstead@bangordailynews.net.

Bangor Garden Show March 19-21

On Friday and Saturday, March 19-20, the Bangor Garden Show runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Sunday, the show opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $3 per student and free for children under 5. For more information, call 990-4444 or visit www.bangorgardenshow.com.

Friday, March 19

. 10 a.m. “The Edible Lawn, Nibble Don’t Mow!” Pat Blake, owner of Native Way in Naples, explains how to install a fragrant, healing lawn that requires nibbling or snipping instead of mowing;

. 11 a.m. “Ecological Integrity in Your Backyard.” Barbara Murphy, University of Maine Extension Service in Oxford County, explores how plant choices, techniques and pest-control practices can improve the ecological integrity of a backyard;

. 1:30 p.m. “Landscaping for Children’s Play and Safety.” Maya Howard, landscape designer and owner of Kidscapes, shows how to create a fun, green environment for children.

. 3:45 p.m. “Hey Kids, Don’t waste Tomorrow, Recycle Today!” Jerry Hughes of Bangor Public Works will explain how easy it is to recycle and how kids can help.

. 5:30 p.m. “Herbs and Cut Flowers for Maine Garden.” Kelly Comer, flower product manager at Johnny’s Selected Seeds, and Master Gardener Beth Jensen, share tips and tricks about creating original, striking and fragrant landscapes.

. 7 p.m. “Hands on Flower Design Workshop.” Bert Johnson, co-owner of Johnson Florist in Bangor, will demonstrate again how to create holiday displays and unique designs on “Doors That Say Welcome!”

Saturday, March 20

. 9:30 a.m. “Growing Great Vegetables.” Dr. Mark Hutton, vegetable crops specialist at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service, will speak about new vegetable varieties and crops and offer tips and raising vegetables.

. 10:30 a.m. “Growing Berry Best in Your Garden.” Dr. David Handley, vegetable and small fruit specialist at the UM Cooperative Extension Service, will lend his expertise about incorporating strawberries, raspberries and blueberries into the garden.

. 11:30 a.m. “Cruelty-free Medicinal Oils and Salves.” Margot Dale, an herbalist, educator who runs Emely’s Herbs in Exeter, will speak about her craft and give a related workshop limited to 16 people. The latter costs $5 per person.

. 1:30 p.m. “Japanese Beetle: How To Manage The New State Bird.” Colin Stewart, an entomologist and pest management specialist at the UM Cooperative Extension Service, will speak about combating the Japanese beetle.

. 3 p.m. “Floral Arts with Mike Spanos.” Mike Spanos, a master floral designer based in Westford, Ma., will show how to create artful floral designs.

. 5 p.m. “Caring for Bare Root Roses.” Bob Bangs, owner of Windswept Garden in Bangor, will share his expertise.

. 6 p.m. “The Wonderful World of Container Planting.” Sonia Cianchette, whose company Through The Garden Gate specializes in garden design and consultation, will speak about winning combinations in container planting.

. 7 p.m. “Flower Design Workshop.” Sandra Leonard, a National Garden Club Flower Show Judge who has won many blue ribbons for her floral design, will teach the basic of her art form. The workshop costs $5 for supplies.

Sunday, March 21

. 10 a.m. “Backyard Greenhouse Construction.” Gleason Gray, a Penobscot County educator at the UM Cooperative Extension Service, will focus on simple backyard greenhouses, their construction and use.

. 11 a.m. “Pruning, Styling, Training and Wiring Bonsai Pine.” Ernie Glabau, nursery manager of Entwood Farm & Nursery, Inc., will demonstrate how to train black pine as part of bonsai culture.

. 12:30 p.m. “Floral Arts with Mike Spanos.” Mike Spanos, a master floral designer based in Westford, Ma., will show how to create artful floral designs.

. 2:30 p.m. “Garden Photography At Its Best.” Paul Tukey, cofounder and editor of People, Places and Plants magazine, will talk about the art of garden photography.

Bangor Garden Show

When: Friday-Sunday, March 19-21

Where: Bangor Auditorium and Civic Center

Hours: Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Admission: $8 for adults, $3 for children and free for children under 5.

Contact: 990-4444 or www.gardenshow.com