Plant of the Month, March, 2013
AKRON, Ohio—Dependent on what they could grow themselves, early settlers to Northeast Ohio made a point of bringing seeds or plants with them. One was costmary, likely transported as a rhizome (root), since it produces few seeds. Today costmary grows in the circa 1815 herb garden recently recreated by the Bath Gamma Garden Club at Hale Farm and Village. 

Costmary (Tanacetum balsamatica) is a perennial herb hardy to Zone 4. It has a pleasant, balsam-like fragrance. The common name comes from Latin costus (aromatic oriental plant) and Maria, a tribute to the Mother Mary. Grown in sun, it produces unimpressive

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is an annual with edible leaves, flower and seeds. A useful companion, it repels insects that damage squash, cucumber, broccoli and cabbage plants.    

Plant of the Month, February, 2013
In the summer of 2010, Bath Gamma Garden Club created an herb garden next to the Saltbox House at Hale Farm and Village. This year, our Plant of the Month articles will highlight some of the more unusual and useful plants in the Salt Box garden – plants that may be suitable for your home garden like the nasturtiums shown here.  

I saw this example of a sign when visiting the Atlanta Botanical garden this summer. Always looking for sign ideas for Hale Farm. What do you think?