Mudbrick Herb Cottage

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My love of gardening has taken me on numerous paths and passions in relation to what I have in my garden and how I see it developing further. Although I already knew herbs were great for cooking and fabulous steamed for a cup of tea, I have now become much more aware of the medicinal benefits herbs can provide. In doing so, I become a member of the Queensland Herb Society, which is another step on my road of education.



Through the Society, I became aware of the , situated along Gold Coast Springbrook Road, Mudgeeraba. The is open on a Monday or Tuesday from 9.00am to 4.00pm or on certain weekends. Dates for these weekends can be read on the website. I have recently ordered online and was delighted when my purchases arrived in the mail, however, on the designated weekend in October, a girlfriend and I took a drive to the Herb Cottage. You can also order online and the Herb Cottage will arrange a time for you to collect.



As soon as we left the highway and onto the road to our destination, we could feel the change in nature and the renewed atmosphere in the air all around. We were in the country! There is a reasonable amount of free parking at the front of the Cottage and during the time we were there, people were coming and going without hassle.

Hundreds of healthy herbs were located in a segregated area to the left of the parking lot. I had not heard of some of the herb names, but there were still plenty I wanted to purchase. Each herb pot had the name of the herb and use on the label and between the two of us, we had quite a few to take home and plant.



After putting a selection in the basket, we headed round to the back of the cottage to find a glorious pergola area made from natural timbers with vines and plants surrounding the edges and roof of the paved area. There was definitely a wow factor as we admired the construction of the area and wondered if we could create something similar at home. While pondering of these thoughts and trying to decide whether to have a hot cup of herbal tea or a cold herbal drink, we took a seat at one of the tables to enjoy the coolness of the pergola shelter. Pumpkin and Rosemary biscuits were for sale at $2.50 for a packet of two, which topped off our Herbal Tea break to perfection.



Apart from herb plants, the has a gift shop with dried herbs, herbs for cooking, seeds to grow your own herbs, essential oils, books, soaps, creams, gardening tools, gloves and fertilisers, organic pest controllers, tea strainers and infusers, herbal tea blends and many more products. If you know someone who is an advocate of herbal products, the is the place to go to purchase a special gift for a friend or family member.



After our cup of herbal tea, we took a wander around the garden giving us plenty of things to see and garden tips we may not have thought of ourselves; what we could plant together, how gardens can resemble a natural environment without being too pedantic about overgrowth and everything in its place. Sometimes we can be too fastidious, and we can lose the natural look we were trying to create in the first place.



The business all began in the seventies by enjoying a cup of chamomile tea, when owner Sandra, realised she could fulfil her life-long passion of studying and growing herbs while giving others the opportunity to enjoy the benefits and aromas of them too. The garden started small but soon grew to a thriving family business with the combined assistance of husband Michael and son Bart.



On the website, you will find a tab called " Blog " In here, you will find tips on protecting your herbs from winter frosts, recipes for vinegar cleaning , health tonic, soups, herb muffins , herbal infusions and more. You may like to purchase the 2022 Astrological Calendar and Moon Planting Guide, which will give you all the information for growing in the right conditions and seasons.



An interesting thing I learned was that some of those pesky garden weeds can actually be eaten. The five top edible weeds are Mallow, Chickweed , Nettle, Dandelion and Purslane . I have an abundant supply of Dandelion and Purslane and wonder how they can constantly return each year as I avidly weed them out. Now perhaps part of them can actually go into the pot at dinner!

For more information, you can contact the on (07) 5530 3253, fill out the FAQ form on the website or take a drive on one of the weekends the Cottage is open to the public. I was so glad I did, and you will too.

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