Our trip to Mulberry Creek Herb Farm

The Lakeside Herb class had a delightful trip to Mulberry Creek Herb Farm in Huron, Ohio owned by Karen and Mark Langan. Not only was the weather perfect--70s and sunny--but the hosts were great fun and very educational, with a lunch for our group that was delicious as well as healthful and nutritious.

Karen has degrees in Agricultural Research and Greenhouse Production from Ohio State University's Agricultural Technical Institute and over 20 years experience working in horticulture. Mark has a degree in ornamental horticulture from Washington State University and has been working in the horticulture field since he was a teenager. Karen and Mark also teach classes at their herb farm on a variety of herbal topics, including organic gardening, aromatherapy, herbal crafts and herbal cooking. Karen and Mark are business members of The Herb Society of America. They also have a successful mail order business, but have decided that after 11 years they will discontinue that. Too bad--the catalog is delightful--great explanations, color photos, and tasty recipes. Karen says they are too large for pencil and paper orders, and too small to computerize. She likes to have a personal relationship with her customers and not get too big.

The annual herb festival draws nearly 2,000 herb enthusiasts. In 2008 the theme was Tuscany and this year (June 27-28) it was Ireland. There were workshops on Irish soda bread, Celtic traditions and Faery Lore, traditional Irish cooking, the Irish potato, with a menu by their caterer to match.

Mark first introduced us to his miniature plants used for railroad gardens--a feature that is very popular with men, and apparently America's newest hot hobby. There is even a magazine, Garden Railways. They have more than 300 varieties. Then Karen took over and explained the care and uses of many varieties, including companion planting which puts plants together that work well together. I'll never be a gardener, but this visit might encourage me to get a bit more adventurous in using herbs in cooking.

The railroad with the miniature plants. The train is barely visible behind the fence but was moving right along.

Mark explained that mint needs to be planted in 5 gal. buckets with 3" of exposed rim above ground or it will spread and take over your yard--or a small town.

Karen explains how to do companion planting and has our full attention.

This little Irish shed had succulents planted on the roof.

A celtic cross, I'm not sure if it is always here, or is for this year's theme.




We had such a good thyme!