The Herb of the Year chosen must be outstanding in two of three categories:  Medicinal, Culinary or Decorative.

Linda Hooper giving the Herb of the Year presentation.

The Herb for 2023 is Ginger (Zingiber Officionale.)

This is a tropical flowering plant native to Asia.  The roots are found in grocery stores and are used for culinary and medicinal purposes.

The rhizome is gnarled and has a pungent, spicy sweet flavor.  Ginger was one of the earliest spices to have been exported from Asia arriving in Europe with the spice trade.  It was used by ancient Greeks and Romans.

Ginger is considered a spice when used ground or powdered and as an herb when used fresh and considered a vegetable when used in culinary.  It is used in baking, teas, sauces, and soups, and can be used fresh, as a paste dried, ground or crystalized.  Ginger ale is made with ginger root.

It aids in digestion and helps reduce nausea and headaches and has anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant effects.

Ginger is grown in very hot and humid parts of the world and prefers warmth and partial shade.  Here is Connecticut we may need to grow it in a container.

Our Horticultural Table was a breath of spring, with daffodils, forsythia, pansies and pussy willows.

Our Swap and Share table was full of pots, interesting books, seedlings and alpaca for bird nesting.