The Mysterious Plants

Weed or not weed, what to do about all the plants I didn't plant here? I'm starting to learn the kind of weed management required to keep crop breathing. Not all weeds can go, they have all grown up here for a reason. Not all space can be cleared. That would be a waste of effort. It occured to me I don't know the names of many of the plants I am pulling, although I've heard a rule of thumb - you shouldn't remove any plant you aren't familiar with. Looking around online at the King County Noxious Weed List. It will take me forever to work over this list. Better to learn from a mentor, quicker. For now I have to settle for the Noxious Weed List. As if I should be in school for this stuff.

Day 2 News

I think I'm detoxing because I'm bored. Started the dandelion brew. Researching online how to make herbal salves.  Will be nice because I can't help myself from gardening without gloves, often times. Here is at least one resource although there are many. http://www.naturalhomeandgarden.com/natural-remedies/herbal-salves-how-to-make-a-healing-salve.aspx I will make a medium-sized batch from plants around the North Beach property to distribute to Dita, a few family members and friends. Before I mow the lawn. Also making a batch from dried Motherwort herb, Calendula, and grapeseed oil. Motherwort was traditionally used by midwives as a uterine tonic. Traditional Chinese Medicine regards it as a blood tonic. Calendula is a key herbal ingrediant in most natural wound healing products available at stores. Flower power!

I've also got this quarter oz of Eyebright herb sitting here. Someone I know happens to be dealing with some eye inflammation so I will make some tea today. But other than that - what to do? Not only is Eyebright happy for the eyes, but also allergies. Another compounded tea is on the way, with Stinging Nettle and Rosemary. All from dried plants although now is certainly the time to harvest baby nettle.

Dandy De-Tox

Speaking of dandelion botanicals... http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/dandelion-herb.html

I am weeding a bunch of dandlion plants out of the beds, not using the root because it's not strong enough. But the flowering tops. Oh yes.

Here is a recipe for dandelion fritters, which I've always wanted to try but haven't yet. Still can't because I'm detoxing dairy/eggs out of my body right now. But still worth mentioning for down the line, before I mow the yard. http://www.learningherbs.com/dandelion_recipes.html
http://susan-onedayatatime.blogspot.com/2011/05/eating-dandelion-flower-tops.html

So what am I going to do instead? Another recipe I've always wanted to try is Dandelion Wine. Something that's A-OK for during a detox. http://www.all4naturalhealth.com/dandelion-recipes.html

Class Digest

Because I subscribe to herbdigest I read herbalist's posts about various ailments and remedies, questions and answers. I probably read a quarter of what gets sent around because the conversations aren't presently relevant to me. I'm also on the WA-AHG list and continue to find out about upcoming learning opportunities. I read about them and think how interesting and worthwhile they'd be, but how financially expensive, and the fact that I can be studying these things on my own... Just can't seem to make the commitment yet.

Not in online learning courses. http://herbcollege.com/main.asp

Not in local clinical courses. http://www.clinicalherbalistprogram.com/
http://www.bastyr.edu/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=63

Not at Dandelion Botanical. http://www.dandelionbotanical.com/

Not good enough for me. Apparently. Except I don't have something to show for these interests of mine. Except this damn blog.

Going Out

Just purchased outdoor light from the Re-Store for $1. What a great investment! Just perfect for nighttime activities like weeding or poking cloves of garlic around the perimeter of the beds. I need to figure out a system that gives me more lighting, though, because the one lamp is not quite enough. I'll make do for now though, it's definitely gonna make for some fun... What a godsend.

Peas Please! Please.

Dita! I planted those peas you asked for. I did the crosshatched trellis with sunflower stalks harvested from your crop. Unfortunately I did not get any pea seed from your crop because I improperly dried the pods, but luckily...

Aaron! I planted those peas you gave me. The climbing snap peas from your Territorial crop from 2011. And still have a bunch left for the community center kids.

Please let me have done everything right. Gee.

Trying not to fool around this April...

Yesterday at a baby shower my aunt gave me some resources from her Master Gardner's binder. Perhaps outdated but I'm totally grateful and excited to review them starting now. I will put these in the "Garden Club" binder I'm maintaining at work for the kids. The first document presents information on propagating herbaceous plants from cuttings. * She lives out in Maltby, WA and I visited her home once. She has a thriving garden there. My stepmom and I recieved some herb cuttings.  Thank you for the handwritten note inviting me back to your home, on the cute stationary with flowers, watering can, with a bird perched on its handle. So good.

It's the first day of April, and the kale, asian greens, catnip and sage have been in the ground now for some time. We had a good amount of rain all week  and today is finally sunny. Besides the artichoke, all the plants are looking nourished and happy.

(Catnip! My stepmom asked me why I'm growing it. I've thought about this a little and now believe it's to attract this one particular cat I saw poking around last summer with a beautiful white coat. Come back!)

(Red and golden sage! This woman I went to the plant sale with asked me why I'm growing it and I might as well tell you, it's for biscuits and gravy.)

The next project is to take all the rose cuttings and stick em around the property. I cleared out ivy and need to continue clearing out weeds within the cascading beds, because that will be the best place. Therefore they won't be traveling far from the mother plant. Seems appropriate.

By the way here is one of the mother rose plants 2 weeks after pruning. Do you see the changes??

Ok, ok, it's the differences are subtle... I just have to prove to my roommate I didn't mess up the pruning job... lol.