Herbaceous Game Rules

Welcome! I’m here to explain the game rules of Herbaceous, a delightful game where you plant, collect, and appreciate delicious herbs in your own garden.  Let me break it down for you.

Goal of the Game

The goal of Herbaceous is to score the most points by strategically planting and potting beautiful herbs.

Setting Up

First, each player chooses a garden mat and places it in front of them. The deck of herb cards is shuffled, and four cards are placed face-up in the center of the table.  This is where we’ll be drawing cards from.

Playing the Game

Herbaceous is played in rounds.  Throughout each round,  players will take turns, doing one of three things:

1. Planting an herb card on their garden mat.
2. Potting one or more herbs from their garden mat.
3. Drawing a new herb card from the deck and adding it to the center.

When planting an herb card, you may place it either in your private garden or the communal garden.  However, once you’ve made your choice, you can’t change your mind!

If you decide to pot herbs, you can pot them from your private garden only.  The potting area on your garden mat can hold up to five herbs.  But beware, if you over-pot and can’t complete the set, those herbs are wasted!

After potting or planting, you can choose to draw a new herb card from the deck.  You can add it to the center immediately or save it for a future turn.

Scoring

Scoring in Herbaceous is based on the herb collection you’ve created. Each herb has a different set of scoring conditions, so choose wisely.  For example, some herbs score points based on the total number of that herb in your private garden and communal garden, while other herbs score based on the arrangement of colors in your pot.

End of the Game

The game ends when the deck of herb cards has been completely drawn or when all players have finished potting their herbs.  Once that happens, it’s time to calculate the final scores!

Winning the Game

The player with the highest score wins the game and earns the well-deserved title of Master Gardener!

So, are you ready to embark on this herbaceous adventure? Grab your garden mat and let’s get planting!

If you enjoy gardening, then Herbaceous is the perfect game for you. It’s a beautiful and classy game where you can relax and have fun while picking and planting herbs. You’ll feel like a true expert in no time!

What’s the Goal of the Game?

The goal is simple: collect and plant as many herbs as you can to score the most victory points. You can find herbs in the Community Garden and your own Private Garden.

What’s in the Box?

When you open the container, you’ll find several components that make up this game. Let’s take a look at what’s inside:

Components

• Container Cards Herb Cards
• 4 Garden Markers in 4 player colors
• 63 Herb Cards
• 9 Special Herb Cards
• 16 Container Cards
• 1 Herb Biscuit Card
• 4 Quick Reference Cards

How to Prepare

Now that we know what’s included, let’s talk about how to set up the game. Here are the steps:

So here’s the deal: each player gets 4 Container Cards, and the color on the back of the card represents that player. Pretty cool, right?

Step 1: Shuffle the Herb Cards and Special Herb Cards to create a deck with a total of 72 cards.

Step 2: Without peeking at the cards, take out a certain number of cards depending on the number of players:

• For 4 players, no cards need to be removed.
• For 3 players, remove 12 cards from the deck.
• For 2 players, remove 24 cards from the deck.

Step 3: Place the deck face-down to create a Draw pile.

Let me break down the steps for you:

1. Find a spot for the cards. In the middle is the Community Garden A, and in front of each player is their Private Garden B. Just put your Garden Marker between your Private Garden and the Community Garden. C.

First, place the Herb Biscuit Card to the side where everyone can easily access it.

How to Play

The person who has recently cooked or planted herbs will start the game and take the first turn. From there, the game will continue clockwise until the game ends (check page 6 for the conditions).

During each turn, follow these steps:

Step 1: Plant the Herbs

Hey there! I want to talk to you about a cool thing you can do in a game–pot herbs! It’s totally your call, but if you decide to pot herbs, here’s what you need to do:

• When you play the game, you start by choosing one of your four Container Cards.
• The Container Card you choose determines which set of Herb Cards you need to collect.
• You collect the specified Herb Cards and tuck them under the Container.
• You can collect the Herb Cards from the Community Garden or your own Private Garden, or a combination of both.
• Remember, each Container Card can only be used once in the game.
• And you can only pot one Container per turn.

Just so you know: You can only plant Special Herbs in a Glass Jar Container. It’s important to get the right container for your plants!

Container Options

There are four container options, and each option has its own unique requirements for planting:

Big Pot

If you want lots of herbs, here’s what you do: gather between 1 and 7 Herb Cards of the exact same kind and put them in this large pot. So, for instance, you could put 4 Basil herb cards or even 7 Parsley herb cards. It’s up to you!

Wooden Planter

If you’re looking for a unique way to grow your favorite herbs, a wooden planter is the perfect choice. With its rustic charm and natural beauty, it’s sure to elevate your garden to a whole new level.

When it comes to choosing the right herbs for your wooden planter, there are a few factors to take into account. First, think about what herbs you love to cook with. Do you enjoy the bold flavors of basil and cilantro, or do you prefer the delicate aroma of lavender and chamomile? By selecting herbs that you enjoy, you’ll be more likely to use them in your cooking.

Another factor to consider is the compatibility of the herbs. Some herbs are known to work well together, while others can inhibit each other’s growth. For example, basil and tomatoes are known to be great companions in the garden, as they enhance each other’s flavors. On the other hand, dill and fennel should be kept separate, as they can cross-pollinate and produce undesirable results.

Once you’ve chosen your herbs, it’s time to plant them in the wooden planter. Make sure to give each herb enough space to grow, as overcrowding can lead to stunted growth and nutrient deficiencies. You can plant the herbs directly in the planter or use individual pots for each one. Just make sure to provide adequate drainage to prevent waterlogged roots.

Now that your wooden planter is filled with an array of herbs, it’s important to understand how to care for them. Herbs thrive in well-draining soil and require regular watering to keep them hydrated. However, be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot. Additionally, herbs benefit from regular pruning to promote bushier growth and prevent them from becoming leggy.

By following these simple tips, you can create a beautiful and functional wooden planter filled with your favorite herbs. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or new to the world of herbs, this is a project that anyone can enjoy. So why not give it a try and see the amazing results for yourself?

Little Planters

Hey there! Let’s talk about these cute little planters, also known as small pots.

When it comes to these containers, you’ll want to gather 1 to 6 pairs of herbs that look different from each other.

For instance, you could go for a pair of Sage, another pair of Dill, and a third pair of Bay.

Glass Jar

You can use the Glass Jar to pot Regular and/or Special Herbs. Simply select any 3 Herb Cards and place them in the jar. The cards can be the same or different.

First Turn – No Potting

During the first turn of the game, you won’t be able to pot any Herbs. This is because no cards have been played yet.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when potting:

Tips For Potting

As the game progresses, the gardens will start to grow as players plant their Herb Cards. It’s important to pay attention to what Herbs your opponents have in their Private Gardens and what is available in the Community Garden. This can help you make strategic decisions when selecting Herbs for potting.

Herb Biscuit Card

I have a confession to make. I have a deep love for biscuits. And not just any biscuits – herb biscuits. There’s just something about the scent of herbs filling the air and the taste of warm, buttery biscuits that brings me joy. It’s a simple pleasure that I can’t resist.

Now, when it comes to making herb biscuits, there are a few things you need to take into account. First, choose the right combination of herbs. You want a mix that will complement the flavor of the biscuits without overpowering them. I personally love a combination of rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Their earthy and fragrant qualities are just perfect.

Next, it’s important to understand the importance of using fresh herbs. Dried herbs simply won’t give you the same burst of flavor that fresh ones will. Trust me, it’s worth the extra effort to use fresh herbs. Your taste buds will thank you!

Now, onto the biscuit itself. The key to a perfectly flaky and tender biscuit is to handle the dough as little as possible. Overworking the dough will result in a dense and tough biscuit – not the light and airy texture we’re aiming for.

When someone takes a bite of one of my herb biscuits, I want them to experience a moment of pure bliss. That’s why I take the time to brush the tops of the biscuits with melted butter and sprinkle them with a touch of sea salt. It’s these small details that elevate a simple biscuit to a truly memorable experience.

So, if you’re like me and you can’t resist the allure of herb biscuits, I invite you to give my recipe a try. With the right combination of fresh herbs and a delicate touch, you’ll be able to create a biscuit that will have everyone clamoring for more. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Hey there! Let me tell you about a cool game I know. It’s all about collecting special herbs and planting them in your garden. And guess what? You even get a tasty treat called the Herb Biscuit if you collect all three kinds of herbs!

Now, let’s talk about how the game works. First, you have the option to put the special herbs into a Glass Jar. If you collect all three values of herbs, you earn the Herb Biscuit. Keep it safe under the Glass Jar, because it’s worth 5 extra points at the end of the game. But remember, only one player can get the Biscuit in each game.

Step 2: Plant (mandatory)

After the optional Step 1, it’s time for Step 2. This step is mandatory, so you have to do it if there are still cards left in the deck. In Step 2, you get to plant your herbs! You have two options: you can either plant them in your own Private Garden or in the Community Garden. It’s up to you!

1. First, I draw a card from the deck.
2. Next, I have to make a decision. Do I want to put the card in my Private Garden or the Community Garden?
3. After deciding, I draw another card.
4. Now, I have to place the second card in the location that I didn’t choose for the first card. For example, if I put the first card in the Community Garden, the second card must go in my Private Garden (and vice versa).

If You’ve Used All Containers

Even if you’ve used up all your Containers, you still get to participate in the Plant step on your turn.

The Game’s Conclusion

Once the deck is all used up, we keep taking turns to collect Herbs. When you can no longer pot any more herbs, you stop. We’ll keep going until everyone has used up all their container cards or until it’s just not possible for anyone to pot anything anymore.

Determining Your Score

I want to talk about the points system in the game. At the bottom of every Container Card, you’ll find out how many points you earn for collecting cards. Let me break it down for you:

• If you have a Glass Jar, each Special Herb card gives you a bonus. The amount of the bonus is shown on the card. And if you manage to get your hands on the Herb Biscuit, you’ll add 5 extra points to your score.
• You’ll also earn 1 point for each unpotted Herb that you still have in your Private Garden.

So, it’s all about collecting points. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins. If there’s a tie, the player with the Glass Jar that has the highest total points wins. And if there’s still a tie after that, well, those players are all winners and should celebrate together!