Whether you have a container garden on your patio or a 4000 sq. foot garden like me keeping a garden planner and journal is one of the best investments you can make. At least, that’s what all the experts say. I have a confession: I have failed miserably at this important task. I have tried all kinds of planners: purchased and self-made, simple and complex, paper, and digital. But usually around June, I have abandoned my efforts to keep records. In the dark days of winter, I lament my absence of notes, relying on my mid-life brain to recall things that quite frankly, it can’t. But this year is different:…
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Local Medicine: Preserving Medicinal Herbs
“Herbal medicine provides relief while also assisting our immune systems do their jobs.” Herbs offer us many gifts: culinary seasonings, teas, and nutritive medicine. Even though we are nearing the end of the growing season, there is still time to harvest and preserve herbs for use throughout the winter months. Be sure to dry herbs for culinary use and for teas, store them in glass jars to protect their aromatic oils. In this article, I describe a favorite way to preserve medicinal herbs for winter use. Upper respiratory viruses are the most common ailments during the colder months, and we are most vulnerable during the seasonal transitions of fall to…
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Planting the Seeds:
One of the gifts of childhood is an eager and natural curiosity of the young learner’s mind. The study of plants is one of the most interesting and accessible activities to engage learners of all ages.
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Top Ten Reasons to Buy From Local Growers
Shopping in large corporate grocery stores that are open 24/7 is convenient. Supporting a local agricultural economy requires more planning, commitment and thought. Here are ten powerful reasons to do so: 1. Contribute to the Local Economy Buying food from chain grocery stores depends on a large infrastructure to support a global food system that removes about 93% of food dollars from a local economy. When you buy directly from a local grower, 90% of that money is returned to the grower and stays within your local economy. 2. Empower Regional Food Access and Security Most people know the adage “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” as a…
