Okay, not really an 'ode', since I'm not at all poetically minded, but more like a fan tribute.

To daisyduckworth...you mentioned in a reply to one of my other posts that you've been ill for some time and that (YOU...of all people!) have been unable to poke about in your herb garden for some time. That is so sad for me to imagine, as I'm sure it must be for all your 'fans' worldwide. Your humor and wisdom has done so much to shape my thinking on how to go about herb gardening. I think you ought to have a cable TV show...you kind of remind me of those proper English ladies who had(have?) the "How Clean is Your House?" show.

Anyway...here...all in one post (I hope others will chime in!)...are the best pearls of herb gardening wisdom gleaned from the posts of daisyduckworth. Here are mine:

1. Empathize with your herbs! Visualize the human equivalent of whatever you're doing to them (uh...like a transplant operation), and don't be surprised if they're not feeling all perky an hour later. Regard them as patients in post-op.

2. Inexpensive plastic (with good drainage - essential!) is just as good (if not better) than pricey ceramic pots.

3. Did I mention the supreme importance of drainage? (hee hee) You need not fear giving your herbs of drink as long as you plant them in soil and containers that drain well. (And beware the pots will the single little hole in the middle!)

I wish you well in your convalescence and hope for your speedy recovery!

Northern Virginia, USA Fan