Herb of the Month – Yarrow- Achillea For a durable garden plant that will bloom enthusiastically in full sun, poor soil, and limited water, yarrow is hard to beat. It has ferny leaves and blooms in pink, red, yellow, and the wild form, white. Perhaps its only negative is its invasive tendencies. Put it in […]
Herb of the Month – Stinging Nettle – Urtica dioica Nettle is a powerhouse of antioxidants, minerals, and phytonutrients. It is used for seasonal allergies, to help balance blood sugar, for healthy skin and hair, as an anti-inflammatory, and a diuretic. The roots have been used for enlarged prostrate. The above-ground plant is a wonderful […]
Herb of the Month – Dandelion That’s right, dandelions. Emerging dandelions are plentiful and tasty right now. Taraxacum officinale, dandelion, happens to be one of the top five most nutritious vegetables, ahead of broccoli and spinach. It contains Vitamin A, calcium, iron, thiamine, riboflavin and trace minerals. Europeans have been eating dandelions for centuries and […]
One of the first plants to peek out from under the snow in spring, this sweet little herb makes a great ground cover for cool, moist, shady places. Chickweed leaves and flowers are a tasty edible plant, full of B complex vitamins, calcium, and vitamins A and C. It is a demulcent herb, great for […]
The first bulbs are blooming, the days are getting longer and even though winter surely has a few more tricks up its sleeve, the glorious season of growth is on the way. March is Colorado’s snowiest month. I always stock up a few extra provisions for the inevitable power outages and road adventures. Upcoming Classes!
Here we are in October of 2020, the weirdest October ever. With the pandemic, stolen election fears, crazy weather, and a general feeling of anxiety pervading the air what have what is there to enjoy? Gorgeous fall colors, harvest bounty, corn mazes, and the crisp cool air of autumn, that’s what. With cooler temps that […]
A time of warm (hot?) days, fresh spring produce, gardening, and nature bursting forth in all it’s abundance. Strawberries, artichokes, asparagus, radishes, and spring greens are in the markets and it’s time to get serious about getting the garden in order. In this newsletter, I’m going to cover how to get better sleep, the many […]
In the early days of the pandemic I had the news running on a never-ending loop with the latest dire predictions, tragic world scenes, hoarding shoppers, and political mismanagement. After three days of increasing worry and insomnia, I turned off the screens, took a nap on the porch in the sun, did some garden clean […]
February will bring us our first glimpses of spring. Buy yourself some blooming tulips, daffodils, or primrose for your interiors. To be greeted with fragrance and a beautiful pot of color is so uplifting. We need to add touches of wonder to help override the anxiety and hyperactivity all around us. Enjoy the last true […]
Juniper has been used since ancient times for its cleansing properties. Used to purify temples and protect from witches, today the smoke from juniper branches is used in sweat lodges. It is said to cleanse the air of bad energy and make it easier to commune with the spirits. The berries are highly aromatic and […]
I love the holiday season for all the long-treasured activities. The sumptuous array at the Christmas Eve appetizer party, the Nutcracker Ballet, the zoo and botanic garden light displays, and the lighting of the Yule log. Count your blessings, not your deficits, get out there and celebrate! Instead of succumbing to the annual onslaught of […]
Mint is one of those plants that enable a love/hate relationship. As a cook I love it, as a gardener, mint is usually pushing the boundaries. It is a great groundcover for cool, wet places. There are several different mints available these days. Lemon, lime, chocolate, peppermint, and spearmint to name a few. They all […]