Hilton Head Monthly Magazine

It’s an annual tradition with the Hilton Head Herb Society.

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme are just some of the offerings to be found at the Hilton Head Island Herb Society’s fall sale. While growing green has taken on a whole new meaning, cultivating and selling herbs for practical use and thoughtful gifts has been a well-honored tradition of the society throughout the years. The sale is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 7 at The Mall at Shelter Cove.

The sage may be pineapple sage, and the thyme might be featured in lemon-infused vinegar, but the long-established practice of growing and exchanging herbs remains unchanged.

“French market soup mix, our original curry, wonderful vinegars and jellies will all be for sale,” said Pat Timmerman, Hilton Head Herb Society vice president of sales. “We’re particularly known for our delicious horseradish jelly and ginger and cranberry jellies.”

Plants and herb society products are not only useful and delectable; they are also beautiful. Look for the hand-pressed gift cards and notepaper, in addition to hand-packaged herb packets and colorful jarred jellies.

Herbs have become increasingly popular as Americans have grown more health conscious, and while many chefs prefer fresh herbs, a mix of herbs offers seasoning, adding dimension and zest to your meals in place of salt or commercial spice mixes.

“Fresh herbs enhance foods, and you’ll find that dried herbs are more potent,” Timmerman said.

Growing green has gained popularity — in fact many prefer local produce in general — and herbs are finding their way into more markets.

The herb society was ahead of the times in that regard. Established in 1972 by founding member Esther Dickey, the herb society started out as a small group of nine women, four of them writers for the Island Packet. The news articles were always fun, and the society certainly got good press. They started and sold fresh herbs from the Heritage Garden in Sea Pines, and thus the herb society was formed.

“Esther, originally from St. Louis, had been very involved with the Missouri Botanical Garden Center, a high-end research garden,” Timmerman said. “She developed some no-salt products to promote health, a very popular herb mix of dill, onion, salt and kelp. It might be fun to bring that back.”

The society’s curry, another of Dickeys creations, remains a best seller to this day.

Most gardeners find that a careful wash with soapy water is just as effective as commercial sprays. Lowcountry gardeners will find that deer are not fond of herbs, and placing herbs such as rosemary around other plantings can be a fine way to avoid pesticides.

New members to the herb society are welcome to attend meetings at 10 a.m. on the fourth Monday of every month at Sea Pines Center. For more information, contact herb society President Sue Weber at 342-6508. 

Herb Society Fall Sale at a Glance 

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nov. 7
WHERE: The Mall at Shelter Cove Center Court.
SIGNATURE ITEMS: French market soup mix; vinegars; horseradish, ginger and cranberry jellies; fresh herbs; hand-pressed gift cards and notepaper.
CONTACT: Herb Society President Sue Weber: (843) 342-6508