Gardening in 2026

Gardening matters….

https://youtu.be/m5nR38t5xRE?si=GcxX4iWXlGUcsj3D
Sidney Bechet – Royal Garden Blues (Live 1958)

I am closing down my outdoors gardens. We get our first hard freeze October 24. Opening up a winter garden downstairs…. Will include as many of these as possible:

https://youtu.be/a45_5bmOcc4?si=k02V3P6M1rTtDBZO
Benny Goodman and His Sextet “Royal Garden Blues” (1940) Count Basie piano, Charlie Christian guitar

Top Culinary Spices & Herbs to Grow

https://youtu.be/xrTP0RFpUt8
Louis Armstrong “Royal Garden Blues”

• Basil: A warm-weather favorite packed with antioxidants and essential oils; easy to grow in pots or garden beds.
• Oregano: A hardy perennial with a strong, earthy flavor that also offers natural antimicrobial properties.
• Sage: A pungent, woody subshrub used in heavy dishes and studied for memory and immune support.
• Thyme: A low-growing perennial rich in vitamin C and antiseptic compounds.
• Garlic: Simple to cultivate from cloves, offering deep culinary use and immune-boosting properties.
• Cayenne Pepper: Adds heat to food and stimulates circulation.

https://youtu.be/jyvH6wf4ghw?si=uaUjyYFhkKJ0oq87
Royal Garden Blues — Bix Beiderbecke 1927

Top Natural Medicinal Plants to Grow

https://youtu.be/NmTVGZ-zYMc
Charlie Christian – Royal Garden Blues

• Peppermint: A digestion powerhouse that helps soothe headaches and upset stomachs; best grown in containers because it spreads quickly.
• German Chamomile: Produces dainty daisy-like flowers used in teas to reduce anxiety and promote sleep.
• Lavender: Renowned for its calming scent and use in aromatherapy or relaxing bath soaks; thrives in well-drained, sunny spots.
• Echinacea (Coneflower): A striking perennial whose flowers and leaves are widely used as an immune booster during cold and flu season.
• Lemon Balm: A member of the mint family used for centuries to lift mood, calm the nervous system, and ease digestion.
• Aloe Vera: A succulent with gel-filled leaves ideal for soothing minor burns, skin irritations, and dry skin.
• Medical marijuana comes from the Cannabis sativa plant. It’s used to ease symptoms caused by certain medical conditions. Medical marijuana also is called medical cannabis. Cannabis sativa has chemicals called active compounds. They act in the body in ways that may ease certain symptoms. The best known are delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the part of marijuana that acts on the brain and affects mood, behavior and thoughts, called psychoactive. Indica helps with pain. Sativa helps with psychic pain. Some cannabis hybrids help with both.

https://youtu.be/8Pay6FNdBMk?si=Ynp3otoJ0PtlHo2s
Arnett Cobb – Flower Garden Blues (1947)