A Guide to the Best of Southern California : GARDENS : Thyme Outing

If wormwood and mugwort sound to you like ingredients in a witch’s brew, consider taking a quick course in the actual uses of these and more than 130 other fresh herbs at Taylor’s Herb Gardens in Vista, one of the West Coast’s largest growers.

Its manicured grounds contain several microclimates, a 2 1/2-acre display garden where the air is laced with the scents of lemon verbena and thyme, a picnic area under trees lining a duck pond and a retail stand. A free tour, sometimes led by founder Ken Taylor, is offered on the first Saturday of every month at 11 a.m.; no reservations necessary.

Taylor’s Herb Gardens, 1535 Lone Oak Road, Vista; (619) 727-3485.