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.