Saso Herb Gardens Saso Herb Gardens

St. Fiacre, Patron Saint of Gardens

Happy 1999 to all of our herb gardening friends

Thyme continues to pass quickly for us even in semi retirement! This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Saso Herb Gardens. Looking back it seems like yesterday that we began our retail herb business. We had no idea where this business would lead. In the mid 1970’s there was a renewed interest in all kinds of gardening. There was an increased interest in herbs as well. In the beginning it was mostly about herbs used in cooking, but as the years went by the interest expanded to ornamental and medicinal herbs as well.

A friend suggested that Louie offer a class in growing and using herbs, through the local Junior College community education program.  His proposal was accepted and the first workshop was held in 1975 at West Valley Junior College. The rest of the classes were held at the Saso Herb Gardens. From the first workshop entitled, “The Fascinating World of Herbs” other classes spun off.

There was a great deal of interest in growing and using everlasting flowers, wreath making and potpourri. Being aware of this, Virginia started to teach classes and workshops in these subjects. When interest grew in herbs used for medicine we brought in experts in the field to teach how to grow and use the many medicinal herbs that can be grown in the home garden.

As the business grew many more varieties of herb plants were added to the nursery. We soon found that we needed more room to put in specialty gardens. First the front lawn was partially replaced with a zodiac garden of herbs, next came plots of medicinal herbs, then special gardens for ornamental salvias and chinese herbs took over other garden beds. The only areas that were sacred were the vegetable gardens, although Virginia did manage to take over a small area for summer savory and sweet marjoram which she used in her culinary wreaths.
Today, after twenty-five years, Louie still teaches one workshop titled “Planning an Herb Garden” and Virginia continues to offer workshops in wreath making and other crafts. Virginia will again offer a workshop on how to make a wreath entirely of ornamental oregano blossoms. It was very popular when offered last year for the first time. We will continue to have a limited number of herb plants available—Virginia's specialty, ornamental oregano and Louie’s specialties, ornamental salvias and medicinal herbs.

Saso Herb Gardens Apprentice Program
In April, 1994, we finally realized that we and our gardens needed more help. The weeds were taking over the gardens and our lives! Louie came up with the idea of an apprentice program. We worked out the details and started in April with six very eager apprentices. We still use the same format today. The sessions are eight weeks long, starting at 8:00 in the summer months and 9:00 in the winter months. The day usually starts out with weeding in the gardens until 11:30 followed by tea and a snack. The rest of the time, until 1:00, is filled with instruction. This could be identifying herb plants, making compost, learning methods of propagation or learning about whatever needs to be done in a garden that day. Our first session starts mid-February to mid-April, second is Mid-April to mid-June, third is mid-June to mid-August, fourth is mid-August to mid-October. This is a work-exchange program. If you are interested please call us for an interview at 408-867-0307 or send an email to herbgardens@saso.com

We are very grateful for all of the help the apprentices give to us as well as the continued help from past apprentices who have become volunteers. We thank you all!!

We will continue the same schedule as last year with a free lecture tour one Saturday a month— April through September. Check the calendar below for all of the information. Special appointments can be arranged—make them at your own risk as we just might put a hoe in your hand when you come to visit the gardens. We wish you a healthy and peaceful 1999 and we are looking forward to sharing our gardens with you.

Saso Herb Gardens

Last Modified: January 29, 2000