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Tag: Groundcover

Where and How to Grow an Herbal Groundcover

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| Categories: Growing Hints, Herbal Wisdom, Richo's Blog
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The urge to muck about and create plant habitat goes hand-in-hand with the urge to grow more and more species of plants that need individualized growing conditions.   As your species list increases, you will probably feel motivated to prepare specific plant habitats.  After all, making your plants happy is a way to spread a groundcover of happiness into yourself….

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Strictly Medicinal Seeds

strictlymedicinalseeds

Organic growers of medicinal herb seeds, medicinal herb plants, organic vegetable seeds and organic garden seeds.

Saffron (Crocus sativus) bulbs, certified organica Saffron (Crocus sativus) bulbs, certified organically grown, now available online at Strictly Medicinal Seeds. We have put them on sale--a spice to entice.
(Link in profile)Excellent in potted culture, they may be planted immediately on receipt. Here are some photos from over the years and a bit more info:Saffron, Holy Saffron (Crocus sativus)
Family: Iris (Iridaceae)
Hardy to Zones 6 to 9
(Zang Hong Hua) Perennial cormous plant flowering to 6 inches, native to Southern Europe, Asia Minor and Iran. Blooming in Oct, the flowers are purple, cupping the long orange-red stigmas–the spice. Plant prefers rich, sandy, well-drained soil in the part shade or sun.
Source of the spice “saffron.” Just a few threads will impart a lovely color to rice and other dishes, lending a delicious taste and fragrance. Traditional uses (always very low dosage): Stomachic, antidepressant, oral cleanser, sedative and analgesic. Saffron water is often used in ceremonies to cleanse and make ready for empowerment. As a dye plant, produces the golden yellow color associated with the robes of spiritual adepts.Cultivation: Plant these bulbs immediately on receipt for emergence in the fall. Usually flowers the second year, although the biggest bulbs may flower soon after planting. The bulb sends up a spear-like growth of green (see photo accompanying this write-up). Plant bulbs “tip up” in well drained soil, 3 inches deep and 6 inches apart. Depending on when the bulbs are purchased and in what season they are planted, emergence may take as little as 3 weeks or as long as 5 months. The bulbs work excellently in pots, and planting in 3-gallon pots is a good way to assure success while increasing the size and number of bulbs in short order. This technique also protects the bulbs from predation by ground squirrels or gophers. Saffron can also be gainfully grown in raised beds protected by hardware cloth underneath. The soil used to fill the beds should be sandy yet rich, kept well-weeded and watered infrequently.
Mormon Tea (Ephedra nevadensis) germinating well i Mormon Tea (Ephedra nevadensis) germinating well in a (very) warm greenhouse. Excellent quality seeds available online at Strictly Medicinal Seeds.
(Link in profile)Traditional usage: Mormon. Used as a non-stimulating bronchial dilator for palliative treatment of the common cold or asthma. Despite the lack of the Asian Ephedra alkaloids (ephedrine, etc.), the plant makes a bright and slightly astringent tea that does seem to have a bronchial-dilating effect. A very popular plant, I'll be working these up for potted plant sales. You could do the same.Family: Joint Fir (Ephedraceae)
Hardy to Zones 6 to 12
Perennial, primitive shrub with jointed stems. Native to the American Southwest. Plant prefers full sun and alkaline, dry to mesic soils. Probably best to pot up to bigger pots and grow out for a year or two before transplanting to landscape. Plant prefers full sun and very fast draining soil. Scarify lightly, soak overnight in water or in willow-tip tea and sow seeds about 1 inch deep in warm, fast-draining mix. Germination is usually a bit spotty, starting at 2 weeks and continuing on for some time. Individuate the plants and grow out in pots for a year or two before transplanting to landscape.
Sinapis alba (White or Yellow Mustard) is the sour Sinapis alba (White or Yellow Mustard) is the source of mustard seeds used to produce the popular condiment. You can see the cross-like pattern of the petals that puts this plant in the mustard family (Cruciferaea). The leaves are smooth and edible, too, slightly piquant, good in salads and sandwiches. Following the natural growth cycle of wild mustards, these were direct-seeded to the field on April 6, now in flower in late May. An early harvest of seeds should allow for another crop or perhaps a nice row of summer-sown buckwheat to honor the soil. Give and ye shall receive.
Styrian pumpkin, the so-called naked-seeded pumpki Styrian pumpkin, the so-called naked-seeded pumpkin, off to a good start in a hill of compost out in the middle of the field. I'll keep a sharp eye for the standard pests but so far a very clean year. I think if the seedlings are weak, usually caused by too-cold soils or too much wetness, the pests come after them. I plant only one C. pepo per year, so as not to cross, which can easily happen. Home-grown protein and oil, a worthy goal. Still time to get seeds at Strictly Medicinal Seeds.
(Link in profile)Pumpkin, Styrian (Cucurbita pepo)
Family: Gourd (Cucurbitaceae)
Annual. 90 to 120 days to maturity.
(Hull-less Pumpkin, Naked-seeded Pumpkin–Standard Vining Type) This is a unique pumpkin cultivar developed in the province of Styria in Austria. These pumpkins have a seed that is encased only in a thin membrane, which may be consumed along with the seed. The seeds can be lightly toasted with a little salt or eaten raw and uncooked. Traditional usage (TWM): prostate health. Source of a high-grade dark fixed oil used in cookery. The flesh of the pumpkin is thin, bright yellow, coarse textured, tasty. The Styrian pumpkin plant is problem-free, fast-growing and a rewardingly prolific producer of the large fruits. Prepare the hill or the bed with plenty of aged manure or compost, direct-seed the seeds, and be careful not to overwater–these seeds have no testa and can rot. Just sow in warm, moist soil and don’t water again until they germinate. Choose the three best seedlings from the hill (or if row cropping, thin to 1 plant every 3 feet). Keep weeded and watered. Vines will soon become self-mulching. Harvest and processing: Harvest pumpkins after maturity (they go from green to striped orange/green) or right away after first frost. Split open and scoop out seeds and spaghetti onto a table screen. Using your hands, work the mash until the seeds are free of spaghetti. It is usually best to not use water. Scoop up the seeds and spread them out on screens to dry, stirring several times per day, until the seeds are dry and stable. Store in paper bags.
A Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) finds purch A Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) finds purchase to scramble on a Dragon Tree (Dracaena draco). Plant companions may be attracted to the same conditions, occupy different horizons, provide support, attract pollinators.... I suppose the role of the gardener is to intercede if companionship turns into competitiveness--what supports may start to be strangled, for instance. Gives one a sense of purpose. It is often the mediator that best embodies peace.Passionflower seeds available at Strcitly Medicinal Seeds.
(Link in profile)
Greek Mountain Tea (Sideritis scardica). A plant t Greek Mountain Tea (Sideritis scardica). A plant that extracts well in the fresh state, especially if the herb is finely chopped before covering with hot water and steeping. What comes up for me is, there is no reason to buy anything, no ripping of little paper packets, no string, no box. And, if one misses the little messages stamped on the tab on the end of the string, one can make something up. It isn't hard to be equally wise. Something like: "Bless this herb." should do nicely.Both seeds and plants available at Strictly Medicinal Seeds.
(Link in profile)Greek Mountain Tea (Sideritis scardica)
Family: Mint (Lamiaceae)
Hardy to Zones 7 to 10
(North Greek Mountain Tea, Ironwort) Woody perennial growing to 18 inches, native to Bulgaria, Greece and Yugoslavia. A comely plant, highly desired for those of us blessed with hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters. Tea of dried flowering tops is sweetish and pleasant. Traditional usage (TWM): colds and restless insomnia. Plant prefers full sun and very fast draining soil of raised bed or rockery, needing water to establish but drought tolerant once established. Plant prefers full sun. In the spring or anytime in warm soils, sow in pots or flats. Barely cover, tamp well and keep warm, evenly moist and in the light until germination, which occurs in about 10 days. Individuate seedlings to gallon pots and grow until sufficiently sized to transplant successfully to garden or landscape. Space plants 18 inches apart.
One of our best Native Plants for the diverse medi One of our best Native Plants for the diverse medicinal herb garden: Spicebush (Lindera benzoin). 8 month germination cycle. When the seedling did come up, they came up together, albeit almost invisible to the human eye, due to their sparse leaves and thin, elongated stem. Patience! The only way to keep away from anxiety is to grow so many things that every success is in some way unanticipated. Ah, another benefit of diversity--filling the moment with bliss!Seeds available at Strictly Medicinal Seeds.
(Link in profile)
European Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) trees i European Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) trees in full blossom right now. The blossoms themselves are a remedial, if one dares rob them from the bees and other tiny pollinators. If there is great abundance, it is easier to justify... Snip the flowering heads in the late morning after they are dry of dew. Lay out on paper on screens. Turn frequently until crispy. Make the tea or tincture. Don't forget to use the pollen that has accrued on the paper. The flu has been going around and it is nice to have something to treat it with, otherwise one is just a victim of the nasties. Here are a few photos of my favorite black elderberry tree in habitat, and some closeups of the flowers. Coupla things to note: It is planted in the shade of a Cascara Sagrada tree. Elderberries do well that way. The roots are covered with cardboard and then heaped with compost. Elderberry is a heavy feeder, and dislikes weeds. Nice 9-inch potted plants still available at Strictly Medicinal Seeds.
(Link in profile)Much more info on cultivation and use in "Growing Plant Medicine Vol 2."
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About

Richo is an internationally recognized expert on the cultivation, processing and usage of medicinal plants. He is the author of the popular herbal, Making Plant Medicine. His life-long interest in seed saving lead to extensive travel and plant exploration, largely in the USA and Africa but also in South America, China and Europe. This collection of seeds, including numerous unique introductions and rare plants as well as many common medicinal plants and permacultural trees, is currently conserved and multiplied in his greenhouses and gardens.

Strictly Medicinal, LLC is the name of this organic seed company and nursery based in Williams, Oregon. The mission is to sow seeds worldwide for the benefit of people, plants and the planet.

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