Photo: Herbs on a kitchen window sill

Here’s a list of things you need to keep in mind to grow healthy herbs.
1) Begin with hardy herbs like Basil, Dill, Mint, Oregano, Sage, Parsley, Rosemary, Cilantro, and Thyme. They are easy to grow and can be used for culinary and medicinal purposes.

2) Keep herbs in full sun. Herbs grow best in full sun, though they do survive in partial shade. Full shade is a complete no-no.

3) Shelter delicate herbs like coriander from sharp breezes.

4) Do not allow herbs to flower as they make the leaves lifeless and bare.

5) Do not water herbs very often. In fact, water only when the soil seems dry, except in the case of Mint, which needs moist soil.

Herbs in containers

6) Sow seeds in rotation to enjoy new plants every season.

7) To get rid of pests, use the garden hose to jet a stream of water and flush the soil.

Pinch off the stem tips of herbs, to increase growth.

9) Pinch off the tops of herbs when you need some for use. They grow back faster that way.

10) Do not over fertilize herbs. Slow-release fertilizers or organic fertilizers are best.

Photo: The Female Force Michelle Obama comic book cover

First Lady Michelle Obama is going to appear as a superhero in Bluewater’s new Female Force series.

The Female Force Michelle Obama comic book will be launched on April 25, 2009.  The comic created by Neil Bailey, Joshua LaBello, Vinnie Tartamella, has already presold 40,000 copies and is available at Amazon for $3.99.

Michelle will be the third in the Female Force series, after former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. She will be followed by Caroline Kennedy and Princess Diana.

Female Force Hillary Clinton comic book cover photo

Bluewater President Darren Davis has been quoted as saying, “Strong, independent women is what we’re known for. So doing the ‘Female Force’ series was organic for us - we try to show women in a positive light and tone down the ‘T and A’ angles. They’re no different from a Wonder Woman type of comic.”

The Female Force Michelle Obama  comic book will chronicle the life and career of Michelle Obama and examine her role “a mother, political force, and now, wife of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama.”

Davis has said, “I don’t think people know everything there is to know about Michelle. There’s a lot of information in her thesis, and she worked for the company that represented Barney the Dinosaur … [it's] not just about her arms.”

Female Force Caroline Kennedy comic book cover photo

While the Female Force Michelle Obama comic book does profile Michelle as a mother, it does not depict her daughters Sasha and Malia. Bluewater has said that it will keep out Sasha and Malia out of the comic out of respect, particularly after the Ty Girlz dolls controversy.

Ty brought out dolls named Sweet Sasha and Marvellous Malia in the likeness of Barack and Michelle Obama’s daughters. Michelle Obama slammed the products saying it was inappropriate to use young private citizens for marketing purposes.

The Female Force Hillary Clinton and Female Force Sarah Palin comics have sold around 10,000 copies each.