Garden Shed Herb Day with Boyd County Master Gardeners A Day for Finding Our Roots

Garden Shed Herb Day with

Boyd County Master Gardeners

A Day for Finding Our Roots

Gideon Thompson

The Ashland Beacon

What better way to start spring than with an arm full of gardening plans? As winter comes to an end and spring presents itself just around the corner with a breath of fresh air and plenty of foliage, we begin to warm up to the idea of taking in the outdoors. Nature has a way of providing the essentials, whether it’s flowers to pollinate our crops or herbs with healing properties. There’s something special about herbal products that not only bring us closer to the earth but also invoke a cleaner and more natural sense of well-being.

While modern cleaning agents such as bleach and ammonia are crucial in conquering the worst viruses and bacteria, other solutions may be available. Thymol is a great combatant against viral and bacterial presences, as the thyme-derived chemical destroys the lipids that protect them. Basil can add a pep in our step when used to scrub down countertops, as the uplifting aroma can be added to natural homemade cleaning solutions such as glass cleaners and multipurpose mixtures. Cleaners can be made using vinegar for window cleaning and glass items, while essential oils and extracts can be added to water- or alcohol-based cleaners to provide a desirable aroma or improve cleanliness with astringent and disinfecting properties. Not only is cleaning with naturally derived products more environmentally friendly, but it’s also safe for the entire family and even our pets.

There’s more: herbs play a major role in dietary supplementation, structure, and development, as they provide vitamins, nutrients, minerals, and even beneficial biomes for our bodies. Alliums can strip the body of unwanted bacteria and other guests, while peppermint can aid in relieving an upset stomach. Lavender can help someone relax or create a special atmosphere in a living space, just as jasmine can act as an antioxidant. Fennel provides vitamin A, and calendula can help heal our skin from blemishes and other issues. No matter what herbs are used for, whether they’re for cleaning, healing, or bringing a delightful twist to a dish, they never fall short of wonderful.

If you are ready for spring and can’t wait to get back out into the gardens, then this is the event for you. On May 16, Boyd County Master Gardeners will be hosting their Garden Shed Herb Day event for 2026. Beginning at 9 a.m. at the Boyd County Extension Education Center, located at 1760 Addington Rd. in Ashland, Kentucky, participants will discover an entire world of education and enlightening information on herbal remedies, household uses, dietary utilization, and flavor additives from professionals and seasoned veterans of the garden.

The cost of entry for the event is $20 and grants entry to the event as well as access to the vendors. Tickets can be purchased from the Boyd County Master Gardeners at the Boyd County Extension Office located at 2520 Center Street in Catlettsburg, Kentucky. Cash or check can be used for purchase, with checks being made payable to Boyd County Master Gardeners. Tickets may not be purchased at the time of the event and should be purchased prior to allow for reasonable accommodation for all parties attending the program. Garden Shed Herb Day is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., allowing ample time to take in the sights, sounds, and litany of information available for this upcoming herb-growing season.

Garden Shed Herb Day is for everyone and all ages, as there is room for many to learn and develop their herbal knowledge and abilities in the garden. Bringing in a new garden for the spring may be just the needed addition to the household. Whether it’s a deck, patio, or a field full of flowers, there is always great use for the naturally derived nectars and oils we find in the garden. Spring holds many new possibilities as we move into a new year, inviting the warm and ever-growing presence of the season. Let’s start the gardening season right with Garden Shed Herb Day.