I recently took over the plot of a family that moved to Baltimore, Maryland and they have an abundance of lemongrass in the plot. So I had to do some research about it and this is what I've learned. Lemongrass is used as a culinary herb in Asian cuisines and also as medicinal herb in India. It has a distinct citrus flavor and can be dried and powdered and used fresh. It's commonly used in teas, soups, and curries. It's used as a tea in Africa countries-Togo, (an upper east region of Ghana), the Republic of the Congo, and Latin American countries such as Mexico.

The leaves and oil can be used to make medicine. The grass can be used for treating stomachache and digestive tract spasms, high blood pressure, convulsions, pain, vomiting, cough, achy joints, fever, the common cold, and exhaustion. Also, it can be used to kill germs and as a mild astringent.

As an essential oil. Lemongrass oil can be inhaled and used as aromatherapy for muscle pain.
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Other ways it works. It might help prevent the growth of some bacteria and yeast. It also contains substances that are thought to relieve pain, reduce fever, stimulate the uterus and menstrual flow.

I've harvested lemongrass. The aroma of lemongrass steeping in hot is heavenly. My kids walked in from school one day and smelled it, and asked, "what is that? It smells so good."

The Nutritional Value of Sweet Potatoes.
The sweet potato consists of simple starches, and are rich in complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber and beta-carotene. The potato also has moderate contents of micronutrients-vitamins B5, vitamin B6, and manganese. The potato is listed as one of the ten best foods to eat. Actually listed as number one, ahead of broccoli #4, wild salmon #5, and leafy greens #10, by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
It's acknowledged that the potatoes with orange flesh have more beta-carotene than those with light-colored flesh.
Renown runner, Usain Bolt, credits eating sweet potatoes everyday for his magnificent speed. Maybe he's right. Even the leaves and shoots are edible, particularly in West African countries. However, it is the roots that are most important.
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I love growing and eating my own sweet potatoes. Not only did our family grow them, but I have raised them in small backyard gardens. I harvested a good crop this year at the community garden. I chose the plot there because it's larger, allowing the vines more space, and the unobstructed sunlight.

The sweet potato is a global food. It is eaten in several countries around the world such as Malaysia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Japan, Ethiopia, and Kenya. In Kenya, the Ministry of Agriculture has written a guide using the potato in recipes. It is being used in mashed forms, and flour from the dried tubers to replace wheat flour and sugar in cakes, bread, buns, cookies, etc. A juice drink has been developed and also a deep-fried snacks.

Some other countries that consume sweet potatoes: Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, New Zealand, Japan, Ethiopia, Egypt, Peru, Papua, New Guinea, and Spain. The potato is eaten globally.

I went by the garden today and picked some bell peppers. This is my first time growing purple bell peppers and I'm pleased with how they turned out. As always, the marigolds never disappoint me. Their color is vibrant and beautiful, one of my favorite fall flowers.

Not tulips but the blossoms on an onion plant in my backyard garden.

Before owning Motherherbs, she worked at Petal Pusher, a local nursery, for fifteen years. Petal Pusher is now closed, but was one of my favorite places to visit because of its secret room, which I found absolutely fascinating. I remember being so excited when I stumbled upon it, I immediately called my mother and described it to her. It reminded me of the play rooms we used to make in pine trees that had been cut down. But nothing we kids could have imagined was as awe inspiring as the secret room at Petal Pusher Nursery. I was equally as thrilled to learn that Val had helped design and build the secret room. I asked what inspired them to do it. She replied that the the owner of Petal Pusher was a fan of the book, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, published in 1910. One day they decided to create a room on the nursery grounds. The room had a real door, windows and furniture, while the walls were vegetation(see photo below). ​It was also used for meetings of local organizations.

Motherherbs has an eclectic collection of garden accessories. There's a good combination of rustic as well as refined items. On display, Val had cleverly used vintage items.

Much of the nursery is covered by canopy which is strung  with tealights; making the nursery a  pleasant place to relax and browse in the evening.

Motherherbs
Located: 1007 West Beltline Road
Cedar Hill, TX 75104
Open: Thursday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Note: Val will be designing a space at Dallas Arboretum.