seed starting

 If you plant a little you will have a lot in the the coming years. Here you can see Alchemy harvesting french chervil..but I didn't plant it. It grew nearby last year and shot seeds all over the labyrinth, she's harvesting from the pathway. Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow . Right now you can start seeds of many herbs and veggies. So get out in this wonderful winter weather and start that delicious culinary garden you've been dreaming of. Take back control of your food and ensure you and your loved ones have something delicious and healthy on your table. 

Plant these seeds NOW

parsley

chervil

cilantro

carrots

parsnip

beets

turnips

spinach 

lettuce

garden peas

onions (sets)

chives

take cuttings of:

mint

rosemary

sage

oregano

thyme

More herbs for drying

pictured: 

Top- Borage ;Dukat Dill, Bronze Fennel; Oregano; Stinging Nettles

   I've decided to dry some culinary herbs along with the medicinal ones. I started with the Shepherds Purse and added Nettles, Borage, Oregano, Dill , and Bronze Fennel. They're almost through the drying process. The Nettles and Borage will be combined to create a nourishing tea for all us women (men too!) who are in need of Calcium, Magnesium  and Potassium. It's particularly helpful during nursing and pregnancy when you need an ample supply of these nutrients. Mature women and people who get muscle cramps, charlie horse, or other types of tendonitis would benefit from taking this tea daily. 

The culinary herbs I will combine to make a spice blend suitable for adding to salad dressings, marinades ,fish, meats,  cooked veggies, biscuits and bread too!

Herb drying fun

My friend just got a beautiful excalibur 9 tray food dehydrator and she has  generously lent it to me for use in exchange for some babysitting.  My first project was to take all the wild shepherds purse and dry it so that I can make a fresh tincture from the herb. This herb is often referred to as mother's heart because the little seed pods look just like little hearts. This herb can be used during the birth of a child to prevent loss of blood. It's also used for heavy menstruation. I'm preparing this tincture specifically for my friend who loaned me the dehydrator. She has a history of blood loss - in her last birth she lost a lot of blood. It's a good herb to have on hand in the occurence of any situation where clotting of blood is needed. The herb contains a high concentration of vitamin K which is the vitamin sometimes administered to newborns after birth in the incidence that the baby might lack this essential vitamin.