AKA: Akebia
Planting: Well drained soil in sun, fully hardy climbing perennial. Several plants are needed for fruiting.
Harvest: Stems are cut in autumn, young leaves are picked in spring, fruits are harvested when ripe and used fresh.
Culinary: Dried leaves are used for tea. Fruit pulp is eaten fresh.
Medicinal: A pungent bitter herb that controls bacterial and fungal infections, stimulates the circulatory and urinary systems and female organs, and is a potent diuretic due to the high content of potassium salts. Used internally for UTI’s, rheumatoid arthritis.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: Transplanted spring 2009 in F8.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Satureja Douglasii
AKA: Yerba Buena
Planting: Well drained soil in sun, fully hardy evergreen perennial, 2” high, spreads wide.
Harvest: Leaves and flowers as needed.
Culinary: Dried leaves used for tea.
Medicinal: One of the many varieties of Savory. A tonic aromatic herb sith diaphoretic, anti arthritic, and carminative effects. It has a mint like flavour. Used internally for mild feverish illnesses and stomach upsets. Used externally for toothache, rashes, and prickly heat.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: Live transplant Spring 2009, middle garden
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Planting: Well drained soil in sun, fully hardy evergreen perennial, 2” high, spreads wide.
Harvest: Leaves and flowers as needed.
Culinary: Dried leaves used for tea.
Medicinal: One of the many varieties of Savory. A tonic aromatic herb sith diaphoretic, anti arthritic, and carminative effects. It has a mint like flavour. Used internally for mild feverish illnesses and stomach upsets. Used externally for toothache, rashes, and prickly heat.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: Live transplant Spring 2009, middle garden
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Friday, March 13, 2009
Monarda Fistulosa
AKA: Lavender Bergamot, Horsemint, Wild Bergamot
Planting: Rich moist soil in sun, fully hardy perennial, propagate by seed, 4’.
Propagation Zone 6/7: Seed/Perennial
Harvest: Whole plant used.
Culinary: Leaves are used to flavour meat and beans, young shoots and leaves are infused for tea.
Medicinal: An aromatic stimulant herb that aids digestion and increases perspiration. Used internally for colds, sore throats, catarrh, headaches, fevers, and gastric disorders. Used externally for skin eruptions.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: Spring 2009 in B7
Links: Wiki
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Planting: Rich moist soil in sun, fully hardy perennial, propagate by seed, 4’.
Propagation Zone 6/7: Seed/Perennial
Harvest: Whole plant used.
Culinary: Leaves are used to flavour meat and beans, young shoots and leaves are infused for tea.
Medicinal: An aromatic stimulant herb that aids digestion and increases perspiration. Used internally for colds, sore throats, catarrh, headaches, fevers, and gastric disorders. Used externally for skin eruptions.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: Spring 2009 in B7
Links: Wiki
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
AKA: Bergamot, Bee Balm, Oswego Tea
Planting: Sandy or rocky soil in sun, fully hardy perennial, propagate by seed, 12”-24”.
Propagation Zone 6/7: Perennial
Harvest: Whole plant used.
Culinary: Fresh or dried leaves and flower heads are infused in tea. Flowers added to salads.
Medicinal: An aromatic stimulant herb that lowers fever and aids digestion.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: Spring 2009
Links: Wiki
Planting: Sandy or rocky soil in sun, fully hardy perennial, propagate by seed, 12”-24”.
Propagation Zone 6/7: Perennial
Harvest: Whole plant used.
Culinary: Fresh or dried leaves and flower heads are infused in tea. Flowers added to salads.
Medicinal: An aromatic stimulant herb that lowers fever and aids digestion.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: Spring 2009
Links: Wiki
Phaseolus Vulgaris
AKA: Bean (black-seeded blue lake snap pole bean; Kentucky wonder pole bean; Dry Soup Tiger’s Eye bush Bean; Hutterite Soup Bean)
Planting: fertile rich well drained soil in sun, direct seed after frost danger, half hardy annual, vining to 6’.
Propagation Zone 6/7: Seed/Save
Harvest: Pick long beans when young and tender.
Culinary: Eat whole fruit as vegetable, raw or cooked. Beans can be dried and eaten later, or stored for next season.
Medicinal:
Third Eye Vision: Large seeds are full of power. Pods offer ruffage and cleanse the digestive system from top to bottom. Starch increases in seeds as they age, offering an excellent winter food.
Seeded: Spring 2009
Planting: fertile rich well drained soil in sun, direct seed after frost danger, half hardy annual, vining to 6’.
Propagation Zone 6/7: Seed/Save
Harvest: Pick long beans when young and tender.
Culinary: Eat whole fruit as vegetable, raw or cooked. Beans can be dried and eaten later, or stored for next season.
Medicinal:
Third Eye Vision: Large seeds are full of power. Pods offer ruffage and cleanse the digestive system from top to bottom. Starch increases in seeds as they age, offering an excellent winter food.
Seeded: Spring 2009
Phaseolus Multiflorus
AKA: Bean (Jack and the Beanstalk Snap Pole Bean)
Planting: Fertile rich well drained soil in sun, direct seed after frost danger, tender annual, vining to 20’.
Propagation Zone 6/7: Seed/Save
Harvest: Pick long beans when young and tender.
Culinary: Eat whole fruit as vegetable, raw or cooked. Beans can be dried and eaten later, or stored for next season.
Medicinal:
Third Eye Vision: Large seeds are full of power. Pods offer ruffage and cleanse the digestive system from top to bottom. Starch increases in seeds as they age, offering an excellent winter food.
Seeded: Spring 2009
Planting: Fertile rich well drained soil in sun, direct seed after frost danger, tender annual, vining to 20’.
Propagation Zone 6/7: Seed/Save
Harvest: Pick long beans when young and tender.
Culinary: Eat whole fruit as vegetable, raw or cooked. Beans can be dried and eaten later, or stored for next season.
Medicinal:
Third Eye Vision: Large seeds are full of power. Pods offer ruffage and cleanse the digestive system from top to bottom. Starch increases in seeds as they age, offering an excellent winter food.
Seeded: Spring 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
AKA: Basil (Genovese)
Planting: Rich, well-drained soil in sun, hardy annual to 50 degrees, propagate by seed, 12”-30”.
Harvest: The whole plant can be used including the roots.
Medicinal: Basil is mildly sedative, and is good for lowering fevers, improving digestion, bacterial infections and intestinal parasites. Medicinal uses include helping with fevers, nausea, cramps and more.
Culinary: An important and prevalent seasoning herb in a variety of recipes across many cultures. Best know as the main ingredient in Pesto.
Third Eye Vision:
Links: Wiki
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Planting: Rich, well-drained soil in sun, hardy annual to 50 degrees, propagate by seed, 12”-30”.
Harvest: The whole plant can be used including the roots.
Medicinal: Basil is mildly sedative, and is good for lowering fevers, improving digestion, bacterial infections and intestinal parasites. Medicinal uses include helping with fevers, nausea, cramps and more.
Culinary: An important and prevalent seasoning herb in a variety of recipes across many cultures. Best know as the main ingredient in Pesto.
Third Eye Vision:
Links: Wiki
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Cedronella Canariensis
AKA: Balm of Gilead
Planting: Well drained soil in sun, frost hardy, semi-evergreen perennial, propagate by seed sown at 60 degrees, 4’-5’.
Harvest: can be pot grown, Leaves are picked before flowering and dried for infusions and scented articles.
Culinary: Leaves are infused for tea. Native of the Canary Islands, known as the “the de Canaries”. An aromatic herb with no known therapeutic uses.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: Spring 2009 in B1
Links: Wiki Balm of Gilead
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Planting: Well drained soil in sun, frost hardy, semi-evergreen perennial, propagate by seed sown at 60 degrees, 4’-5’.
Harvest: can be pot grown, Leaves are picked before flowering and dried for infusions and scented articles.
Culinary: Leaves are infused for tea. Native of the Canary Islands, known as the “the de Canaries”. An aromatic herb with no known therapeutic uses.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: Spring 2009 in B1
Links: Wiki Balm of Gilead
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Platycodon Grandiflorus
AKA: Balloon Flower, Chinese Bellflower
Planting: Rich moist well drained sandy soil in sun, Fully hardy perennial, 16”-36”.
Harvest: Roots lifted in spring or autumn, eaten raw in salads, added to soups.
Medicinal: A bitter pungent warming herb that dilates the bronchial vessels. It is expectorant and effective against a number of disease causing organisms. Internally used for coughs with phlegm, colds, bronchitis, pleurisy and throat infections.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: Spring 2009 in F1
Links:
Balloon Flower
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Cynara Scolymus
AKA: Artichoke “Imperial Star”
Planting: Deep rich well drained soil in sun, may need winter protection in cold areas, fully hardy perennial, up to 6’.
Harvest: Leaves are cut just before flowering, roots are harvested in winter.
Culinary: Unopened flower heads are boiled and fleshy bases are eaten hot. Young leafstalks, known as artichoke chard, are blanched and eaten as a vegetable.
Medicinal: A bitter herb that detoxifies and regenerates liver tissues, stimulate the gall bladder, and reduces blood lipids, cholesterol, and blood sugar. Used internally for chronic liver and gall bladder diseases, poor digestion, jaundice, hepatitis, arteriosclerosis, and diabetes.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: Spring 2009 in E6
Links:
Artichoke wiki
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Planting: Deep rich well drained soil in sun, may need winter protection in cold areas, fully hardy perennial, up to 6’.
Harvest: Leaves are cut just before flowering, roots are harvested in winter.
Culinary: Unopened flower heads are boiled and fleshy bases are eaten hot. Young leafstalks, known as artichoke chard, are blanched and eaten as a vegetable.
Medicinal: A bitter herb that detoxifies and regenerates liver tissues, stimulate the gall bladder, and reduces blood lipids, cholesterol, and blood sugar. Used internally for chronic liver and gall bladder diseases, poor digestion, jaundice, hepatitis, arteriosclerosis, and diabetes.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: Spring 2009 in E6
Links:
Artichoke wiki
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Friday, March 6, 2009
Lamium Atropurpureum
AKA: Archangel
Planting: Moist well drained soil in sun or partial shade, fully hardy perennial, propagate by seed, 6”-24”.
Harvest: Pick flowers and young leaves as needed.
Medicinal: A slightly bitter, astringent decongestant herb that checks bleeding and reduces inflammation.
Culinary: Flowers are used for herb tea. Young leaves are cooked as a pot-herb and are mixed with sorrel (rumex acetosa) as an ingredient of the French eel dish “anguille au vert a la flamande”
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Planting: Moist well drained soil in sun or partial shade, fully hardy perennial, propagate by seed, 6”-24”.
Harvest: Pick flowers and young leaves as needed.
Medicinal: A slightly bitter, astringent decongestant herb that checks bleeding and reduces inflammation.
Culinary: Flowers are used for herb tea. Young leaves are cooked as a pot-herb and are mixed with sorrel (rumex acetosa) as an ingredient of the French eel dish “anguille au vert a la flamande”
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Crataegus Monogyna
AKA: Apple Hawthorn
Planting: Moist soil, sun or partial shade, but better in sunny. Propagate by seed, can take 18 months to germinate. Fully hardy tree, 15’-25’.
Harvest: Harvest flowering sprigs with leave and dry for infusions, decoctions.
Medicinal: Fruits are collected when ripe and used raw or cooked or dried whole for use in tinctures. An aromatic, sweet and sour, warming herb that improves circulation and regulates heart rate, blood pressure, and coronary blood flow.
Links:
Wiki Apple Hawthorn
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Planting: Moist soil, sun or partial shade, but better in sunny. Propagate by seed, can take 18 months to germinate. Fully hardy tree, 15’-25’.
Harvest: Harvest flowering sprigs with leave and dry for infusions, decoctions.
Medicinal: Fruits are collected when ripe and used raw or cooked or dried whole for use in tinctures. An aromatic, sweet and sour, warming herb that improves circulation and regulates heart rate, blood pressure, and coronary blood flow.
Links:
Wiki Apple Hawthorn
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Pimpinella Anisum
AKA: Anise
Planting: Rich well drained soil in sun, half-hardy annual, 20”. It needs a hot summer to thrive and for seed to ripen.
Harvest: Plants and leaves are cut in summer and used fresh. Seeds are collected as they ripen and used for oil or dried and used whole, ground, or in distilled water and infusions.
Culinary: Fresh leaves added to salads, vegetables, soups.
Medicinal: A sweet, warming herb that improves digestions, benefits the liver and circulation, and has expectorant and estrogenic effects. Used internally for dry coughs, whooping, cough, asthma.
Links:
Wiki Pimpinella Anisum
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Planting: Rich well drained soil in sun, half-hardy annual, 20”. It needs a hot summer to thrive and for seed to ripen.
Harvest: Plants and leaves are cut in summer and used fresh. Seeds are collected as they ripen and used for oil or dried and used whole, ground, or in distilled water and infusions.
Culinary: Fresh leaves added to salads, vegetables, soups.
Medicinal: A sweet, warming herb that improves digestions, benefits the liver and circulation, and has expectorant and estrogenic effects. Used internally for dry coughs, whooping, cough, asthma.
Links:
Wiki Pimpinella Anisum
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Amaranthus Hypochondriacus
AKA: Amaranth (Warihio)
Planting: Rich well drained soil in sun, half hardy reseeding annual, 6’-8’.
Harvest: Whole plants are cut when coming into flower, and dried for infusions and extracts. Leaves are picked as required and eaten fresh. Seeds are harvested when ripe.
Culinary: Leaves are eaten as vegetable, seed harvested as a grain crop. High protein levels 15%.
Medicinal: An astringent, soothing, cooling herb that controls bleeding. Used internally for diarrhoea and excessive menstruation. Externally for ulcerated mouth and throat, vaginal discharge, wounds, and nosebleeds.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: Spring 2009
Links: Wiki
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Planting: Rich well drained soil in sun, half hardy reseeding annual, 6’-8’.
Harvest: Whole plants are cut when coming into flower, and dried for infusions and extracts. Leaves are picked as required and eaten fresh. Seeds are harvested when ripe.
Culinary: Leaves are eaten as vegetable, seed harvested as a grain crop. High protein levels 15%.
Medicinal: An astringent, soothing, cooling herb that controls bleeding. Used internally for diarrhoea and excessive menstruation. Externally for ulcerated mouth and throat, vaginal discharge, wounds, and nosebleeds.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: Spring 2009
Links: Wiki
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Amaranthus Gangeticus
AKA: Amaranth (Greek)
Planting: Rich well drained soil in sun, half hardy reseeding annual, 6’-8’.
Harvest: Whole plants are cut when coming into flower, and dried for infusions and extracts. Leaves are picked as required and eaten fresh. Seeds are harvested when ripe.
Culinary: Leaves are eaten as vegetable, seed harvested as a grain crop. High protein levels 15%.
Medicinal: An astringent, soothing, cooling herb that controls bleeding. Used internally for diarrhoea and excessive menstruation. Externally for ulcerated mouth and throat, vaginal discharge, wounds, and nosebleeds.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: Spring 2009
Links: Wiki
Sources;
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Planting: Rich well drained soil in sun, half hardy reseeding annual, 6’-8’.
Harvest: Whole plants are cut when coming into flower, and dried for infusions and extracts. Leaves are picked as required and eaten fresh. Seeds are harvested when ripe.
Culinary: Leaves are eaten as vegetable, seed harvested as a grain crop. High protein levels 15%.
Medicinal: An astringent, soothing, cooling herb that controls bleeding. Used internally for diarrhoea and excessive menstruation. Externally for ulcerated mouth and throat, vaginal discharge, wounds, and nosebleeds.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: Spring 2009
Links: Wiki
Sources;
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Angelica Archangelica
AKA: Angelica
Planting: Rich moist soil in sun or partial shade, fully hardy, self-sowing perennial, 3’-8’.
Harvest: All parts used.
Culinary: Foliage is eaten like celery in Greenland and Scandinavia. Young stalks are candied, or may be added to stewed rhubarb, jams, and marmalade. Flower buds, which are enclosed by sheaths, are eaten raw in salads or cooked. Essential oil from roots uses for flavouring of ice cream confectionaries, liquor. It gives the characteristic flavour to Benedictine.
Medicinal: Used internally for digestive problems.
Historical: Medieval belief that it would protect against evil and cure all ills. Connected with the Feast of the Annunciation and the Archangel Michael. Important in 15th century.
Third Eye Vision:
Links:
Wiki Angelica
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Planting: Rich moist soil in sun or partial shade, fully hardy, self-sowing perennial, 3’-8’.
Harvest: All parts used.
Culinary: Foliage is eaten like celery in Greenland and Scandinavia. Young stalks are candied, or may be added to stewed rhubarb, jams, and marmalade. Flower buds, which are enclosed by sheaths, are eaten raw in salads or cooked. Essential oil from roots uses for flavouring of ice cream confectionaries, liquor. It gives the characteristic flavour to Benedictine.
Medicinal: Used internally for digestive problems.
Historical: Medieval belief that it would protect against evil and cure all ills. Connected with the Feast of the Annunciation and the Archangel Michael. Important in 15th century.
Third Eye Vision:
Links:
Wiki Angelica
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Hedeoma Pulegioides
AKA: American Pennyroyal, Squaw Mint
Planting: Rich, sandy soil in sun or partial shade, hardy reseeding annual, 4”-15”.
Harvest: Whole plant used, cut when flowering and dried for use in infusions and liquid extracts.
Culinary: Use fresh or dried leaves for herb tea, or as a culinary flavoring. A popular digestive tea.
Medicinal: A pungently aromatic herb that stimulates the uterus, induces perspiration, improves digestion, and ie expectorant. Used internally for colds, whooping cough, indigestion, wind, nausea, painful menstruation, and childbirth.
Third Eye Vision:
Date: Seeded Spring 2009
Links:
Wiki American Pennyroyal
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Planting: Rich, sandy soil in sun or partial shade, hardy reseeding annual, 4”-15”.
Harvest: Whole plant used, cut when flowering and dried for use in infusions and liquid extracts.
Culinary: Use fresh or dried leaves for herb tea, or as a culinary flavoring. A popular digestive tea.
Medicinal: A pungently aromatic herb that stimulates the uterus, induces perspiration, improves digestion, and ie expectorant. Used internally for colds, whooping cough, indigestion, wind, nausea, painful menstruation, and childbirth.
Third Eye Vision:
Date: Seeded Spring 2009
Links:
Wiki American Pennyroyal
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Alkana Tinctoria
AKA: Alkanet
Planting: Well drained soil in sun or partial shade, propagate by seed in spring, fully hardy perennial, 4”-12”. .
Harvest: Roots are lifted in autumn and dried for powders, or macerated fresh, used as a purple colorant for wood, foods, and cosmetics.
Medicinal: Used externally for varicose and indolent ulcers, bed sores, and itching rashes. Internal use not recommended.
Third Eye Vision:
Date: Seeded Spring 2009
Links:
Wiki Alkanet
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Planting: Well drained soil in sun or partial shade, propagate by seed in spring, fully hardy perennial, 4”-12”. .
Harvest: Roots are lifted in autumn and dried for powders, or macerated fresh, used as a purple colorant for wood, foods, and cosmetics.
Medicinal: Used externally for varicose and indolent ulcers, bed sores, and itching rashes. Internal use not recommended.
Third Eye Vision:
Date: Seeded Spring 2009
Links:
Wiki Alkanet
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Monday, March 2, 2009
Medicago Sativa
AKA: Alfalfa, Lucerne
Planting: Well drained soil in sun, seed sown, fully hardy perennial 12”-32”.
Harvest: Whole plant used, cut before flowering and dried for infusions.
Culinary: Young leaves used fresh, seeds are germinated for 3-6 days for eating raw and have a pea flavour. . Eat in moderation.
Medicinal: Leaves are a source of chlorophyll, carotene, and vitamin K. A sweet, astringent cooling herb that cleanses toxins from tissues, controls bleeding, lowers cholesterol and is a diuretic. It acts mainly on the urinary and circulatory systems. Rich in nutrients including protein, minerals, vitamins ABCDE and K Important as a fodder crop, it is a long lived, deep rooted plant that can be cut five times each season for hay or silage, excellent for honey production.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: 2008 in C8; 2009 in F3
Links:
Wiki Alfafa
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Planting: Well drained soil in sun, seed sown, fully hardy perennial 12”-32”.
Harvest: Whole plant used, cut before flowering and dried for infusions.
Culinary: Young leaves used fresh, seeds are germinated for 3-6 days for eating raw and have a pea flavour. . Eat in moderation.
Medicinal: Leaves are a source of chlorophyll, carotene, and vitamin K. A sweet, astringent cooling herb that cleanses toxins from tissues, controls bleeding, lowers cholesterol and is a diuretic. It acts mainly on the urinary and circulatory systems. Rich in nutrients including protein, minerals, vitamins ABCDE and K Important as a fodder crop, it is a long lived, deep rooted plant that can be cut five times each season for hay or silage, excellent for honey production.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: 2008 in C8; 2009 in F3
Links:
Wiki Alfafa
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Smyrnium Olusatrum
AKA: Alexanders, Black Lovage, Horse Parsley
Planting: Moist rich sandy soil in sun, propagate by seed, fully hardy perennial, 2’-5’.
Harvest: All parts are used fresh, and seeds are collected when ripe and stored whole or ground.
Culinary: Leaves, young leafstalks, shoots, and roots are cooked as vegetables and added to soups and stews. Flower buds can be added to salads, and spicy seeds may be ground as a condiment.
Medicinal: A bitter diuretic herb with celery like flavor, that aids digestion. Once used for asthma, menstrual problems, and wounds.
Third Eye Vision: A prolific grower, a plant often eaten during the growing season.
Date: Seeded Spring 2009 in A5
Links:
Wiki Alexanders
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Planting: Moist rich sandy soil in sun, propagate by seed, fully hardy perennial, 2’-5’.
Harvest: All parts are used fresh, and seeds are collected when ripe and stored whole or ground.
Culinary: Leaves, young leafstalks, shoots, and roots are cooked as vegetables and added to soups and stews. Flower buds can be added to salads, and spicy seeds may be ground as a condiment.
Medicinal: A bitter diuretic herb with celery like flavor, that aids digestion. Once used for asthma, menstrual problems, and wounds.
Third Eye Vision: A prolific grower, a plant often eaten during the growing season.
Date: Seeded Spring 2009 in A5
Links:
Wiki Alexanders
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Natural Beehive, Natural Backyard
This all leads up to (or follows from, depending on your eye's point of view). the "natural" beehive and "natural" backyard.
The natural beehive is not moved, its produce is not harvested, and it receives no medicine. It is designed and operated for the happiness and health of the bees, not for the harvest of bee products. When the bees are happy, the plants will be happy (and vice-versa).
The natural backyard grows on its own, it receives no chemicals, fertilizer, or water. It is designed and operated for the happiness and health of the family - for the quality of its produce, not for the quantity of its produce. Plants are harvested as needed, but enough plant is left behind to continue through to the next year. If the plant cannot overwinter, seed is collected and replanted the following season.
The symbiosis among the bee, plant, and person predates modern times by millennia, but modern man has forgotten the relationship and engaged in its own systematic destruction. Returning to the natural state will take many generations. In this first step, we have to make decisions to bridge the gap. For example, we eat too much food and cannot support ourselves completely from our backyard crop, so we must supplement with store produce. We have to design and build a beehive, which is an artificial construction from the bee's perspective. We have to deal with unnatural pests and challenges like rampant deer, poor air and soil quality, chemicals sprayed by neighbors, and acid rain.
Please, please, please, contribute your comments and suggestions to this blog. If at all possible, link to this blog ("Bee Vision") and I will link back, so we can spread the word. The purpose of this blog is to chronicle the challenges and experiences of this struggle to change our environment one backyard at a time, for the benefit of bee researchers, latent backyard gardens, and hopefully farmers.
<< Back Continue >>
The natural beehive is not moved, its produce is not harvested, and it receives no medicine. It is designed and operated for the happiness and health of the bees, not for the harvest of bee products. When the bees are happy, the plants will be happy (and vice-versa).
The natural backyard grows on its own, it receives no chemicals, fertilizer, or water. It is designed and operated for the happiness and health of the family - for the quality of its produce, not for the quantity of its produce. Plants are harvested as needed, but enough plant is left behind to continue through to the next year. If the plant cannot overwinter, seed is collected and replanted the following season.
The symbiosis among the bee, plant, and person predates modern times by millennia, but modern man has forgotten the relationship and engaged in its own systematic destruction. Returning to the natural state will take many generations. In this first step, we have to make decisions to bridge the gap. For example, we eat too much food and cannot support ourselves completely from our backyard crop, so we must supplement with store produce. We have to design and build a beehive, which is an artificial construction from the bee's perspective. We have to deal with unnatural pests and challenges like rampant deer, poor air and soil quality, chemicals sprayed by neighbors, and acid rain.
Please, please, please, contribute your comments and suggestions to this blog. If at all possible, link to this blog ("Bee Vision") and I will link back, so we can spread the word. The purpose of this blog is to chronicle the challenges and experiences of this struggle to change our environment one backyard at a time, for the benefit of bee researchers, latent backyard gardens, and hopefully farmers.
<< Back Continue >>
Problems in the Backyard
Inner strength required,...
Changing a backyard from the suburban stereotype to a mini-ecosystem is not a simple task. The biggest problems are the most mundane ones:
1) Convincing your spouse that digging up the lawn to plant herbs, fruits, and vegetables is a good idea.
2) Surviving the eyes of neighbors who do not understand why you are not mowing your lawn anymore.
3) Removing the old garden fence and having the vegetables decimated by deer, and trying to convince your family that that was a good idea.
4) Figuring out how to keep out the deer without lethal means.
5) Planting seeds where lawn used to be, and wondering why they won't grow (answer: lawns lead to poor soil quality).
6) Reassuring spouse, children, friends, and neighbors on a daily basis day that you haven't gone insane.
7) Planting seeds and seeing them either not grow, or worse, grow to a respectable size and then get destroyed by deer, mice, squirrels, or woodchucks.
...euphoric moments,...
I started to enact my vision in the Spring of 2008, and during the course of that first growing season accumulated this list of barriers. Counterbalancing that, I experienced an amazing string of euphoric moments:
1) Hours spent browsing through seed catalogs envisioning what the yard could look like.
2) Planting seeds and feeling the energy of that fully grown plant living in that spot I am planting in.
3) Seeing the plants rise from seed, flower, and bear fruit.
...but mostly, strategic choices.
We are lucky to have three acres to work with, and the land has maybe 20% tree cover, 50% lawn, and 30% buildings/driveway. This may turn out to be too little arable land for 300+ varieties, but I will let you know on that. Many people have smaller backyards and/or much more tree cover. If you have an acre or less to work with you may be thinking, "Well, I can't do this then." Or, you may have five acres or more, but it is all covered in trees, or water, or rocks. If trees, you may be reluctant to cut some down, if water you may not want to or be able to change the terrain, and if rocks, it may not seem possible to grow anything.
I am taking a somewhat radical course, but I am not cutting down trees or tearing down buildings. Everyone has to approach this with their own personal energy, for what feels good to you, and this will change over time. It is not important how radical is your approach; what is important is that you plant something, and preferably a diverse variety of plants, as diverse as you can. The quantity of produce from a plant is not the goal here. The goal is a diversity of plantings that are also self-sustaining; plants should either be perennial in your zone, or easily reseed themselves. Why? So that your garden is a joy, not a chore for you.
In areas where lots are smaller than three acres, and especially where lots are one-half acre or smaller, the community becomes more and more important. Because you cannot support 300 varieties in your yard means that you are relying on your neighbors to complete that ecosystem. If your community of say 20, half acre lots all are growing just 10-20 genus of plants, with a few beehives, the community will flourish in love, trade produce, and enjoy communal living. In this scenario, all of the neighbors rely on each other for the success of their own garden. When one garden fails, bees cannot draw the nutrients from those varieties and the hive is weakened, thus weakening the entire community.
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Changing a backyard from the suburban stereotype to a mini-ecosystem is not a simple task. The biggest problems are the most mundane ones:
1) Convincing your spouse that digging up the lawn to plant herbs, fruits, and vegetables is a good idea.
2) Surviving the eyes of neighbors who do not understand why you are not mowing your lawn anymore.
3) Removing the old garden fence and having the vegetables decimated by deer, and trying to convince your family that that was a good idea.
4) Figuring out how to keep out the deer without lethal means.
5) Planting seeds where lawn used to be, and wondering why they won't grow (answer: lawns lead to poor soil quality).
6) Reassuring spouse, children, friends, and neighbors on a daily basis day that you haven't gone insane.
7) Planting seeds and seeing them either not grow, or worse, grow to a respectable size and then get destroyed by deer, mice, squirrels, or woodchucks.
...euphoric moments,...
I started to enact my vision in the Spring of 2008, and during the course of that first growing season accumulated this list of barriers. Counterbalancing that, I experienced an amazing string of euphoric moments:
1) Hours spent browsing through seed catalogs envisioning what the yard could look like.
2) Planting seeds and feeling the energy of that fully grown plant living in that spot I am planting in.
3) Seeing the plants rise from seed, flower, and bear fruit.
...but mostly, strategic choices.
We are lucky to have three acres to work with, and the land has maybe 20% tree cover, 50% lawn, and 30% buildings/driveway. This may turn out to be too little arable land for 300+ varieties, but I will let you know on that. Many people have smaller backyards and/or much more tree cover. If you have an acre or less to work with you may be thinking, "Well, I can't do this then." Or, you may have five acres or more, but it is all covered in trees, or water, or rocks. If trees, you may be reluctant to cut some down, if water you may not want to or be able to change the terrain, and if rocks, it may not seem possible to grow anything.
I am taking a somewhat radical course, but I am not cutting down trees or tearing down buildings. Everyone has to approach this with their own personal energy, for what feels good to you, and this will change over time. It is not important how radical is your approach; what is important is that you plant something, and preferably a diverse variety of plants, as diverse as you can. The quantity of produce from a plant is not the goal here. The goal is a diversity of plantings that are also self-sustaining; plants should either be perennial in your zone, or easily reseed themselves. Why? So that your garden is a joy, not a chore for you.
In areas where lots are smaller than three acres, and especially where lots are one-half acre or smaller, the community becomes more and more important. Because you cannot support 300 varieties in your yard means that you are relying on your neighbors to complete that ecosystem. If your community of say 20, half acre lots all are growing just 10-20 genus of plants, with a few beehives, the community will flourish in love, trade produce, and enjoy communal living. In this scenario, all of the neighbors rely on each other for the success of their own garden. When one garden fails, bees cannot draw the nutrients from those varieties and the hive is weakened, thus weakening the entire community.
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Agrimonia Eupatoria
AKA: Agrimony
Planting: Well-drained soil in sun, propagate by seed, fully hardy perennial 12”-24”.
Harvesting: Whole plant is used, plants are cut when flowering then dried for use in infusions, extracts, pills, and tinctures.
Culinary: Fresh or dried flowering plant makes a pleasant herb tea.
Historical: A great wound herb in the Anglo-Saxon (“garclive”) and French 15th C. (eau d’arquebusade) worlds, it helps cuts and wounds and bleeding. Name may come from the Greek arghemon an eye disease (albugo) which it was reputed to cure.
Medicinal: Used to promote clotting due to its high vitamin K content. A bitter, mildly astringent, tonic diuretic herb that controls bleeding, improves liver and gall bladder function, and is an anti-inflammatory. Used internally or externally.
Third Eye Vision: Soft to the blood, slow and smooth.
Date: Seeded Spring 2009 in A5
Links:
Wiki Agrimonia Eupatoria
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
Planting: Well-drained soil in sun, propagate by seed, fully hardy perennial 12”-24”.
Harvesting: Whole plant is used, plants are cut when flowering then dried for use in infusions, extracts, pills, and tinctures.
Culinary: Fresh or dried flowering plant makes a pleasant herb tea.
Historical: A great wound herb in the Anglo-Saxon (“garclive”) and French 15th C. (eau d’arquebusade) worlds, it helps cuts and wounds and bleeding. Name may come from the Greek arghemon an eye disease (albugo) which it was reputed to cure.
Medicinal: Used to promote clotting due to its high vitamin K content. A bitter, mildly astringent, tonic diuretic herb that controls bleeding, improves liver and gall bladder function, and is an anti-inflammatory. Used internally or externally.
Third Eye Vision: Soft to the blood, slow and smooth.
Date: Seeded Spring 2009 in A5
Links:
Wiki Agrimonia Eupatoria
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
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