Waste not, want not. According to the Dictionary of American Proverbs, this well-known saying can be traced back to 1772. It is a mantra for many homesteaders. Herbs are delicious straight from the garden, but their freshness can fade quickly. You should discard herbs when their leaves turn dark or brittle, or if their stems show any traces of … [Read more...]
10 Herbs and Flowers That Can Ease Your Aches and Pains
Nature has provided everything we need to survive, including medicinal plants that relieve migraines, clear up rashes, ease aches and pains, reduce swelling and bruising, and treat various illnesses. At one time, natural remedies were used in homes every day. Carefully cultivated herb gardens supplied medicine for the family and were often shared … [Read more...]
10 Edible (and Healthy) Plants from Your Own Backyard – Summer Edition
As the summer sun begins to shine, you may notice new plant life popping up in your yard. Many homeowners overlook these plants, either assuming they’re pesky weeds or not even noticing them at all...but wait a second! Many of these wild and organic plants are packed with nutrients and are super delicious. Better yet, they’re free! Foraging can … [Read more...]
8 Things To Do With All Those Dandelions
I fondly remember the toddler days when my children would pick small bouquets of dandelions and lovingly present them to me. I would thank them and then place the “pretty flowers” in a small vase on the kitchen windowsill. Other than those delightful moments, however, I harbored dark thoughts about those bright yellow blooms. How dare they crop up … [Read more...]
7 Perennial Herbs to Plant for Culinary and Medicinal Use
Credible clinical studies verify that many herbs have significant medicinal benefits… and oh yeah, they taste good, too. Planting and growing herbs is surprisingly simple, and you don’t need an herb garden to do it. Many people make herbs a part of their regular garden, planting in between the flowers and the groundcover. Herbs also grow well in … [Read more...]
Companion Planting With Herbs to Improve Yields
When people plant their gardens, usually each vegetable gets a plot of land all to itself--potatoes over here, cucumbers over there, and so forth. But many gardeners also plant herbs alongside their vegetables. This is called "companion planting" and it has many benefits. For example, companion planting can enrich your garden soil and make … [Read more...]
11 Most Useful Medicinal Herbs You Can Grow
Learning to use herbal remedies can be a great way to increase your self-reliance. While there’s no way to totally eliminate the need for modern medicine, herbal remedies can help you avoid some trips to the doctor. Unfortunately, good quality organic medicinal herbs can be expensive. Luckily, there are many healing herbs that are easy to grow … [Read more...]
11 Powerful Medicinal Herbs You Should Be Growing
For centuries, people have used herbs both to nourish and to heal the body. In addition to adding flavor to food, many herbs are high in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. While many grocery stores sell fresh herbs, it is easy and inexpensive to grow your own at home. In fact, most herbs do well in a backyard garden or … [Read more...]
How to Grow and Use Aloe Vera
If you're interested in growing medicinal plants at home, the first plant you should start with is aloe vera. The reason I suggest this particular plant is because it's very easy to grow. Just put it in a pot on your windowsill and check the soil once a week to see if it needs water. That's all there is to it! Having success with your first … [Read more...]
