with a snow storm in the forecast for the next 24 hours, i'm still struggling with believing that it is in fact spring. we did have some warm moments over the weekend during which i promptly headed outside to re-pot some houseplants. getting my hands in the dirt for the first time in many months felt so good. monday evening, i got my act together and set up my seed starting area in our basement. i wrote in detail two years ago about how i created this setup here.
i haven't gotten all of my seeds in soil just yet, but so far here's what i've planted:
tomatoes: ace bush, brandywine, big rainbow, yellow pear, sungold, matt's wild cherry
peppers: early jalapeno, hot mix
basil variety
african crackerjack marigold
lovage
i still have to plant kale, chard, calendula, zinnias, amaranth, clary sage, feverfew, chamomile, and more (i'm sure! i'm still on the lookout for some cherokee purple tomato seeds...).
this year, like last year, i will be planting more medicinal herbs and plants to use for dyes. some of the new medicinal herbs i'll be planting this year include lovage, clary sage, and feverfew. i've grown feverfew from plants before, but they didn't survive my front yard and i'd like to try again as it can be really helpful for migraines. these are a few of my favorite books on medicinal herbs. that i use for a reference.
what new plants are you trying this year? any suggestions for medicinals or dye plants?
friend! i think i have some cherokee purple seeds you can have!!! i'll check my stash... email me your address! :)
ReplyDeletethank you natalie! i will send you my address.
DeleteThanks for sharing those book titles! There are so many gardening books out there, and it's hard to know which ones are valuable and useful. Those three will be on the top of my list now!
ReplyDeleteglad i could help- there are many more i like too, but these are my go-to references. i usually check out the library selections to see if a book is worth having at home. i always discover new titles there!
DeleteI have some cherokee purple seeds as well. In case it turns out Natalie doesn't, I'd be happy to send you some.
ReplyDeleteA new medicinal herb for us this year is Epazote. I learned about it while in Mexico years ago. It's used as a culinary herb and is highly nutritious, but also has a number of medicinal uses (intestinal worms being it's most well known use, but it's also for stomach and intestinal ailments like cramps, indigestion, ulcers, etc).
thanks abby- i'll let you know if i need the seeds.
Deleteone of my fellow community gardeners who's from mexico grows epazote. maybe i'll try some this year.
i have cherokee purple seeds as well. let me know if you need some.
ReplyDeletealso: i keep feverfew in a pot indoors. you can chew a leaf a day to ward of migraines.
i'm going to try to grow arnica, tulsi, clary sage, and spilanthes. i'd love to grow some of the chinese medicinals as well. need to do some research.
thanks for the offer shari- i'll let you know if i need the seeds.
Deletethanks for the tip about feverfew- i don't get migraines frequently, but that's a great idea to keep a pot indoors (i'm always looking for more houseplants!)
arnica is a great herb too! maybe i'll try that one...i don't know much about tulsi or spilanthes
i am growing borage for the first time this year which has anti-inflammatory effects.good for eczema and skin disorders.we also grow comfrey which is great for wounds and inflammation. also a great fertilizer for the soil. shari, i too would love to grow arnica, something we use a lot of around here with great success!
ReplyDeletei have TONS of borage and comfrey in my yard. they are wonderful plants (which get gigantic and kind of take over- watch out!) i received both of these for free a few years ago from a woman who was digging them up to thin out her garden. such a gift!
DeleteLove Rosemary Gladstar's books. I am attempting yarrow, mullein, echinacea, calendula, and I think a couple others that I can't think of right now. And, looks like you're covered in the Cherokee purple seed arena, but I have some, too. Just started some today, actually.
ReplyDelete