About us
What we do
Backyard Patch Herbs is a home-grown endeavor of me - herb gardener, Marcy Lautanen-Raleigh. For the last 20+ years I have been gardening and creating with herbs. Using the surplus and later the main abundance of my herb gardens, I invented dozens of herbal cooking blends, teas and bath products. The main mission is to provide quality dried herb blends for home, bath and tea that are preservative and chemical free.
My husband had allergies to MSG and other food enhancers and preservatives, as well as sensitivities to pesticides. As a result I wanted to create a line of products that you, the consumer, could enjoy and not have to worry about ingredients so often listed under “other spices.”
Now you can enjoy low salt or no salt blends, free from preservatives, for making your own dips and dressings, rubs and marinades, as well as other cooking and tea needs. Since we can blend herbs to order, if you need a new formula or an ingredient removed, we can easily adapt the recipe for you.
Where we do it
Our products are available here on this website. For detailed listings of products, check out the Product Pages, but we also have items online through our Etsy store (www.backyardpatch.etsy.com) and on Ebay. We can be found seasonally in outside markets and Garden Walks and Shows in the Northern Illinois region. Join our mailing list or Facebook page for locations and times of upcoming events and shows. We never sell or share the information provided!
If you just enjoy learning about herbs ask your library (100 mile radius of Elmhurst, Illinois only, please) to have me in for a presentation on growing or using herbs. Or you can check out our Blog – www.backyardpatch.blogspot.com - where you can delve into all things herby! The Mailing List Newsletter shares recipes and folklore for herbs and only comes once a month so we do not overwhelm your inbox.
What our Customers are Saying
And what don't you do? You write, grow, bake, cook and shake cocktails!
I took so many notes and can't wait to try these new cocktails! I'll will keep you in mind for future programs. I enjoyed how personable you were and how much prep-work you did for our program.
Take care,
Emily Kofoid
Director
Graves-Hume Public Library
How it all started
I started growing herbs in 1994. I love the scents, the shades of green, and the scent and texture of the leaves. I love everything about them!
My first herb garden resulted from my need for good tea herbs. To this day, tea is among my favorite creations.
My husband does not use salt or preservatives, as a result all my seasonings and mixes, are all salt free, organic and preservative free.
Explore all my posted herb knowledge
Commonly asked Questions
FAQ
Do you use preservatives?
All of our blends are created with no preservatives, flavor enhancers or anti-clumping agents.
We grow our herbs organically, no chemical fertilizers, no pesticides and only organic methods. The herbs are grown in "hills" placed in rows. This allows us to walk among the plants but keep a high-quality soil and easy watering methods that makes plants drought resistant.
Are your items salt and gluten-free?
All our herb blends are crafted with no salt and no gluten. Our baking mixes will be clearly marked if they are gluten-free, but all will be low salt. However, since we make all the blends ourselves if you wish no salt in a baking mix (scones, breads, etc.) just ask and we will blend them without salt.
How and where do you ship?
Due to restrictions on plant materials, we only ship to the US or US territories. NO international orders are accepted. All items can be shipped either UPS or USPS depending on weight.
Where do your herbs come from?
We grow almost all of the herbs we use in our blends at our 3/4 acre herb garden. We have been growing herbs since 1994 and created our garden space in 1998 growing our herbs production style in hills and rows.