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The No-Nonsense Guide to Growing Naturally
Mark Highland

We were fortunate to come across Mark 10 years agone at a small, local wholesale show.  We gear upward adjacent to him for a dyad of years, getting to pass a dyad days chatting betwixt customers.  He showed upward amongst his ain java loving cup at a fourth dimension when that wasn't typical in addition to didn't brand me experience terrible for non doing the same.  Instead, he laid an example, in addition to my sis in addition to I shortly started carrying our ain cups in addition to utensils to a greater extent than in addition to to a greater extent than often. 
At a demo inward '08.
It was fun to verbalize to someone in addition to so excited almost what they were doing.

So I was excited to take in his majority come upward out, knowing that his enthusiasm in addition to earnest fondness for dirt in addition to the globe would hold upward a groovy read.  I also knew that he would learn me something, because he's that sort of person. You e'er walk away knowing something yous didn't know before.  And in addition to so it is amongst his book.  Seriously.  Get this book.

I've been gardening for decades.  Sometimes vegetables, only to a greater extent than ofttimes than non herbs in addition to flowers, in addition to inward all that time, I never bothered to mean value likewise much almost the soil.  This is Lancaster County.  The mycelium is almost anywhere i powerfulness insert a spade or fork, in addition to so I've rarely considered amendments. 
That powerfulness change, now.
This book...
Some things I've never fifty-fifty idea about. How much oxygen is inward the soil?  When should yous till?  Should yous examine your H2O pH, in addition to how create yous install a pelting barrel?  Fermenting seeds earlier saving them (might explicate my lack of success amongst persimmon in addition to mitt paw seeds), in addition to organic weed control.  How almost chickens to assistance inward the garden?

Some things I've wanted to larn to a greater extent than about, similar tilth in addition to biochar. 
And everything else.
Naturally command pests, how in addition to when to fertilize, what to plant, how to relieve seeds, raised beds, hoop houses, on in addition to on - it's all inward there, in addition to it's amazing!

In i actually beautifully illustrated in addition to good written book, a consummate novice volition notice everything they involve to confidently commence organic growing.

It is much to a greater extent than than I expected, in addition to I highly recommend it to novices in addition to people similar me, who bring been growing for years, only even in addition to so desire to know more. Everyone volition larn something they didn't know before.

240 pgs., Hardcover.
Get it from Mark at OrganicMechanicSoil.com

Practical Organic Gardening

Today was the sort of jump solar daytime that drags you lot outside, no affair what your plans mightiness bring been.  It was a proficient peril to view the plants too come across who is peeking out of the solid soil or popping out the tip of a stem.  There's a lot going on out there!
The elders are only start to force tiny leaves.  In some other duad of weeks, at that spot volition live regular sized leaves.

Carnelian cherry blossoms!  They blossom early, too sometimes a mutual coldness snap cuts dorsum on the fruit harvest.  They are a diversity of dogwood.  The cherries are smallish too oval shaped, too delicious.

Catnip is real mutual here.  Look how lush this is!

Last twelvemonth the cleavers were INSANE.  They climbed over the struggle too upward the trees.  From the looks of things, they bring similar plans for this year.  They did brand weeding easy, though.


Heal-all is only starting to poke tiny leaves out.  I'm anxious to come across if it's spreading.  That's the plan, but for some argue it acts a piddling timid here, fifty-fifty though nosotros actually encourage almost weeds.

Douglas fir cones blow off the trees inward the jump storms too they bring lots of resin on them.  On chilly days, it's pleasant to gather.  When it's warm, it's much stickier.

Lemon balm is hold upward spreading around the garden.  Don't laugh!  I've likely planted it iv times amongst no success.  Molly planted it once, too forthwith it's got a squeamish two human foot land going.

This maple tree... I dearest her.  She shades the deck inward summer, too shines yellows too greens into the kitchen inward the morning.  Today, I patted her every bit I walked by, too earlier I knew it, she had me hugging her.  If you've never hugged a tree, you lot should essay it.  Choose ane that is comfortable to hug.  See if it doesn't experience good.  Bet it will.

Nettles too chickweed along the side of the house.  The nettles are going to withdraw to live controlled, or only constantly kept after, fifty-fifty though I dearest them every bit a vegetable too tea ingredient.  The chickweed is only the carpet here.

There's a pocket-sized orchard beside the house, too I intend this is the plum tree.  Last twelvemonth was the initiatory off twelvemonth nosotros got peaches, too it looks similar at that spot mightiness live some plums this year.  There are blooms on some of the apple tree trees, too.


This guy was hanging out beside the struggle ship service spell I was pruning a cherry tree this morning.  He looks a piddling cantankerous to me, too thence I didn't touch.



The witch hazel had a tough fourth dimension getting started.  Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 groundhog ate it to the solid soil every fall, but hold upward the roots were big plenty to outgrow the whistle pig.  Now it puts on a demo for months on end.

Tiny dark currant leaves.  This is ane prolific fruit plant.  It surprises me every year.
Finally, the Sun sets over the hill.  Another beautiful solar daytime showing us a glimpse of what is to come.
Of course of written report it does appear that we'll bring snowfall inward the morning...

April 1, 2018 M Tour

We've been busy lately!
With Spring hither (it actually is, I swear), nosotros await forrard to a few gift giving occasions, together with non together with thence happily, to allergies, together with bugs, together with toxicant ivy, oak, together with sumac (for starters). 
We set together about prissy sets.  Have a look.  They're available on our site.
CLICK HERE

Aromatic, pure essential oils blended to larn far easier to bargain amongst allergy season.  Our Sinus Comfort Set is great!
When you're hitting the woods or meadow, live on certain you're gear upwards amongst our Outdoor Trio. 
This essential crude blend started amongst our renaissance festival days together with is nonetheless i of our best sellers.
The wise adult woman inwards your abode volition appreciate your wisdom inwards gifting her amongst this set.
Perennial favorite, lavender.  Relaxing together with refreshing at the same time. 

Hey hippies!  Come together with larn your patchouli.  We've got yous covered.

For the guys.  This fragrance is really popular.  Masculine together with clean. 
I unremarkably don't similar "foodie" scents inwards lather or torso care, but the Blackberry Sage is different.  Just almost everyone likes it.  They tally a bar, lead keep a big whiff, together with say, "Ahhhhh..." amongst a smile.
You'll abide by lots of other things, together with of course of report OUR favorite gift is a subscription to the magazine.  That i yous should merely larn ahead together with laissez passer to yourself, correct this minute.  Check out the May Day baskets piece you're there.  Those are sweet!  Oh together with the t-shirts!  And books! 

Some Novel Gifties For Boundary Inwards The Shop

July/August 2010 Essential Herbal Magazine

Have you lot e'er taken a sip of nectar from a scarlet clover blossom? As a pocket-size I would sit down inwards our neighbor’s field, describe the flowering tops off scarlet clover plants as well as sip the nectar from the base of operations of the flower. I loved the sweetness season of this summertime treat, unaware that this tasty herbaceous works life had healing properties!

Red clover, Trifolium pratense, (Trifolium way ‘three-leaved’ as well as pratense way ‘pasture land’) is likewise known equally regal clover, trefoil, moo-cow grass, beebread, sweetness clover, as well as moo-cow clover. Red clover is a perennial herb, used for cattle grazing as well as is said to last 1 of the outset agricultural crops. It has a Celtic source as well as grows wild inwards meadowlands throughout Europe as well as Asia. The herb was introduced into North America during the eighteenth century where it is instantly unremarkably constitute inwards sunny grasslands as well as along roadsides. The purple-pink, globe-shaped flowers at the halt of branched stems tin last dried for therapeutic use.

Red clover is associated amongst practiced fortune. The phrase “living inwards clover” refers to living a carefree life of ease, comfort, as well as prosperity. The familiar three-lobed leaves of the herb were associated yesteryear medieval Christians amongst the Trinity. Fairy lore states that unicorns especially similar to prevarication inwards fields of scarlet clover. Washing the eyelids amongst scarlet clover H2O was believed to promote seeing the fairies as well as unicorns
 

Red clover has been used to process a diversity of conditions, including whooping cough, bronchitis as well as pare inflammations. Traditionally, scarlet clover ointments as well as lotions guide keep been applied to the pare to process psoriasis, eczema, abscesses, rashes, cysts, tumors as well as wounds. It tin last used inwards many forms: capsule, tea, tincture, salve, ointment, wash, poultice, infused fossil oil as well as lotion.

Red clover is considered a "blood purifier" yesteryear acting equally a diuretic as well as expectorant, improving circulation, as well as helping cleanse the liver. It is a source of many nutrients including calcium, chromium, magnesium, iron, niacin, phosphorus, vitamin C, potassium, as well as thiamine. Nutritionally, scarlet clover is well-nigh good known equally a real rich source of isoflavones; compounds that human activeness similar estrogens as well as are constitute inwards many plants. These phyto-chemicals, likewise constitute inwards soy, expression similar to the hormone, estrogen. Many illustration studies are currently ongoing regarding the effects of scarlet clover equally a supplement for women’s wellness issues.  

Gather scarlet clover inwards summertime when inwards it is inwards full, opened upwards bloom. Take fourth dimension to rinse the flowers as well as depository fiscal establishment check them for insects. Be sure the house you lot harvested your blooms was non sprayed amongst chemicals. Pull the petals from the fresh bloom caput as well as add together them to salads or laid upwards a refreshing scarlet clover iced tea. To piece of occupation at a afterwards date, rinse the flowers as well as lay the blooms inwards the shade on a concealment or newspaper towels to dry. Store the flowers inwards air tight containers, inwards a cool night place.
Red Clover Iced Tea
For 1 large drinking glass of iced tea you lot volition need:
One to 2 teaspoons dried scarlet clover flowers or ½ loving cup fresh scarlet clover blossoms as well as viii ounces of practiced H2O

Bring H2O to a rolling boil, pour the boiling H2O over the scarlet clover flowers as well as steep for vii – 12 minutes. Strain as well as add together local dear (red clover dear would last a practiced choice) to sweeten if desired. Allow to cool earlier pouring your brew into a large drinking glass filled amongst H2O ice cubes. Garnish amongst lemon balm or lemon verbena leaves. Enjoy!!! (You tin for sure brand a ‘pitcher’ of iced tea – merely increase the ingredients to proportions).
Interactions as well as Precautions:Research shows scarlet clover may interfere amongst the body's might to procedure to a greater extent than or less drugs that are broken downward yesteryear liver enzymes. For that reason, you lot should depository fiscal establishment check amongst your wellness provider earlier using scarlet clover. Red clover may heighten the number of anti-coagulant drugs, increasing the run a endangerment of bleeding, as well as hence produce non guide keep scarlet clover earlier having surgery. Studies guide keep shown that scarlet clover may increase the number of estrogens if you lot are taking hormone replacement therapy, or nascency command pills. Women who are important or breastfeeding should non piece of occupation scarlet clover. 

The information provided inwards this article is intended alone to inform the reader. Please last sure to ‘know your herb’ earlier consuming it.
“Walk Gently on this Earth!”

Submitted by:
Mary Hammond – Herbal Practitioner
www.smilingsage.com

Red Clover – Herb Of Adept Fortune

There are hence many delicious wild greens coming upwards correct now.  The best agency to larn to purpose them is to but outset throwing them into dishes.  They are commonly tender, hence but the final few minutes of cooking is mostly best.  Tonight I was inwards the mood for an omelet.
Here's how it went down...
Went exterior in addition to picked a few cups of garlic mustard leaves in addition to stinging nettles leaves. 
Pulled out a skillet, in addition to threw inwards a pat of butter.
Dumped a pint of infant bella mushrooms (use what y'all have) in addition to most an ounce of H2O on medium heat, covered. 
Allowed them to ready til most done, added greens in addition to to a greater extent than or less other ounce of water, covered, in addition to then turned to low.

In the meantime, I pulled out to a greater extent than or less other skillet in addition to started ii eggs.
Once they were set, I layered on top...
Single layer of super sparse slices of smoked ham.
Handful of shredded cheddar.
 - encompass for a twain minutes to melt cheese.
Add most 1/2 the mushrooms in addition to greens
Slide onto plate in addition to flip the ane side over on top.
Top amongst salsa.



And there's plenty filling to accept it in ane trial to a greater extent than for lunch.
Yum!

Another Nettles/Greens Supper


From Sept/Oct '16 number of The Essential Herbal Magazine
Rebekah Bailey www.soapdish.com

I planted my firstly hops to a greater extent than than twenty years ago.  At the time, I was a young, budding herb enthusiast, non exclusively aware of the plant’s identify inwards the herb garden. I planted it for the ignominious argue of roofing an quondam rusty fuel tank sitting correct inwards the middle of the farmyard.  The only affair I knew most it was that it was used inwards beer.  That was the outset of a long human relationship amongst the bitter herb.
 
I’ve since come upwards to know hops inwards bully variety.  A number of years ago, earlier the arts and crafts beer revolution became the craze it is today, I was introduced to the in addition to then small-scale footing of arts and crafts beer. It was at that spot that my hops didactics began. I’ve traveled the province inwards search of beer, tasting 77 dissimilar styles of beer from a total of 648 dissimilar breweries, from all l states, in addition to 56 dissimilar countries.  I’ve obsessively taken notes in addition to recorded to a greater extent than than 3600 reviews of the beer I’ve tasted.  In that fourth dimension I’ve learned that all hops are non created equal. The number of hop varieties used inwards brewing is to a greater extent than than 170, amongst several novel varieties existence developed every year.
 
Hops (Humulus Lupulus), a hardy climbing perennial, produces annual bines (yes – bines non vines) reaching upwards to 25 feet a season.  Each autumn the flora dies dorsum to a crown of rhizomes, from which the flora tin survive propagated.  Hops are dioecious, manful individual in addition to female, the woman individual flora producing the flowers, also referred to equally cones. Hops are native to the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, in addition to were firstly noted inwards history past times Pliny the Elder during the firstly century.  Despite this early on advert inwards history, hops didn’t brand whatsoever notable appearances until the 8th century inwards France, in addition to 1 time again inwards the 12th century inwards Deutschland when hops began to survive used inwards the making of beer.  Prior to its role inwards beer, hops was a wild flora used equally a vegetable in addition to for its medicinal properties.1
 
Hops is a relative newcomer to the footing of traditional medicine, Historic references to its medicinal role aren’t institute until roughly the fifteenth century. After that time, nosotros start out to reckon it referenced for role equally a digestive aid, diuretic, cleansing the blood, liver, in addition to spleen.  As history progresses into the nineteenth century, nosotros also reckon it used equally an antibacterial, a tonic for digestion, for inflammation, restlessness, equally a slumber aid, in addition to for a whole host of other fry complaints.   There receive got been a few modern studies conducted on the medical efficacy of hops equally a sedative, in addition to quite a flake of anecdotal show of hops existence effective equally a digestive bitter, in addition to for possible estrogenic activity. 2

From a personal standpoint, I’ve had proficient results using hops equally a mild slumber aid, along amongst passionflower.  I prefer to role it inwards tincture form, but many herbalists brand dream pillows, stuffing small-scale pillows amongst hops.
 
If yous were to exercise a quick network search for hops’ role inwards beer, you’d halt upwards amongst information overload.  Looking upwards its role equally a folk remedy would yield some quick results also.  However, yous would detect real petty on its role equally food. To the best of my knowledge, at that spot are no hops cookbooks on the market, in addition to I’ve only come across 1 mentioning hops equally a vegetable.

With involvement inwards arts and crafts beer gaining momentum, driving the increase of novel breweries in addition to hops farms at a staggering pace, domicile brewers, breweries, gastro pubs in addition to chefs alike receive got begun looking to hops for novel uses.   As a local chapter leader of a national women’s arts and crafts beer organization, Girls Pint Out, I’ve had the chance to go acquainted amongst many of the hop growers, brewers, in addition to bar in addition to eatery owners inwards my local community.  It was at a recent Purdue University hops growing workshop, that a grouping of us discussed the potential of using hops inwards food.  Having experimented amongst hops inwards my ain kitchen, I was able to portion some of my ain experience, in addition to also walked away amongst quite a flake of novel information in addition to plenty of ideas for farther experimentation.
 
Three parts of the flora tin survive used inwards food: tender immature shoots inwards the spring, tender immature leaves, in addition to the cones, which ripen inwards belatedly summertime or early on fall, depending on the variety.  To date, I’ve non come across whatsoever role of the rhizomes inwards cooking.

In the spring, the firstly few bines to develop are bull shoots.  Bull shoots exercise non create high yields of cones, so are trimmed out inside the firstly brace of weeks.  The shoots that develop later the bull shoots are trained upwards, in addition to create flowers to a greater extent than heavily.  However, it takes a lot of shoots to receive got plenty for a recipe.  The domicile grower, amongst only a few plants, is going to survive difficult pressed to get together plenty for to a greater extent than than 1 meal, in addition to would most probable quest to harvest to a greater extent than than precisely the bull shoots.  Hops shoots receive got been pronounced the “the world’s most expensive vegetable”, coming inwards at over $1000€ per kilo – that’s most $500 per pound!  Some sources cite hops shoots hither inwards States at $128 per pound, but I’ve never seen them inwards my grocery store or farmer’s market.
 
Tender immature hops shoots are much similar asparagus, in addition to tin only survive sautéed amongst a petty olive crude or butter, garlic, tabular array salt in addition to pepper.  Hops shoots tin also survive pickled, included inwards egg dishes such equally quiche or frittata, or rice dishes similar risotto or pilaf.

So far, my only experiment amongst hop leaves has been using tender immature leaves for stuffed hop leaves, equally opposed to stuffed grape leaves.  I did detect 1 recipe online for hop foliage pasta dough. I’ve made greenish pasta from chlorophyll extracted from spinach leaves, so I detect hops foliage an intriguing possibility.

The volume of my experimenting has centered on using hops cones equally a flavoring.  Without getting bogged downwards inwards the science, hops flowers are divided into ii categories:  bittering (high alpha acid) in addition to odor (low alpha acid). For the sake of cooking, I propose the role of odor hops (ie. Amarillo, Saaz, Willamette), which volition impart a flake less bitterness, in addition to to a greater extent than odor in addition to flavor than bittering hops. The flowers tin survive used inwards several forms: fresh or dried cones, tincture or infusion, or hop pellets from your local domicile brew store. Because the flavour for hops flowers is short, I save them past times making tincture, in addition to drying. The oils inwards the flowers are volatile, so store the dried flowers inwards a zip handbag inwards the freezer to extend shelf life.  I exercise receive got some hop pellets, in addition to am experimenting, but non nonetheless exclusively comfortable making recommendations for their use.

Use a low-cal manus when cooking amongst hops flowers.  The flavor tin survive incredibly strong in addition to bitter, so mean value of it equally a spice or a seasoning.  The signal is to enhance, but non overpower. Also, the alpha acids inwards hops flowers are hydrophobic in addition to bond amongst fatty molecules, so the flavor is easier to contend inwards fats.

Try infusing dearest in addition to dearest mustard amongst hops, or using hops tincture equally a bitter inwards cocktails.  I love homemade lemonade amongst hops. I add together a petty to a greater extent than hops than inwards the next recipe, in addition to drinking a drinking glass commonly makes me experience sleepy.
 
 Lemonade

¼ loving cup fresh lemon juice
1 ½ cups water
¼ loving cup uncomplicated syrup
2 teaspoons hops tincture

 
Hops Ice Cream

iii cups one-half in addition to one-half (or 1 ½ loving cup cream in addition to 1 ½ loving cup milk)
1 loving cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
Handful of fresh hop cones

Combine one-half in addition to half, sugar, eggs, in addition to vanilla inwards a heavy bottomed pan.  Gently oestrus the mixture over medium, stirring constantly to preclude scorching. Heat until mixture thickens slightly, but don’t pick out to a total boil. 
Place hops into the hot mixture to infuse.  This side past times side measurement is important.  At most 15 or twenty seconds, gustatory modality the mixture.  Continue tasting until it reaches the desired flavor, in addition to and then at nowadays take the hops.  The cream mixture pictured took most xxx seconds to \ accomplish an herbal hoppy flavor without whatsoever pregnant bitterness. The exact fourth dimension is going to depend on personal preference in addition to the multifariousness of hops existence used.

Cool mixture inwards fridge until 40°F or below.  Churn according to H2O ice cream car directions.  Ripen H2O ice cream inwards freezer overnight for best texture.


1. The Short in addition to Bitter History of Hops, David Martorana, Philly Beer Scene, April/May 2010 Edition.
2. Hops (Humulus lupulus): Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Review of its Historic in addition to Medicinal Uses, Uwe Koetter, Martin Biendl, HerbalGram. 2010; American Botanical Council

 

How Well-Nigh Hops?

Before telling you lot most the novel issue, I desire to cite that #100 is breathing downwardly our necks.  We are asking suppliers or herb businesses (no MLM's please) who mightiness live willing to offering our readers a discount (or costless gift amongst order, or costless shipping, etc...) during July and/or August to contact us for details.  Deadline is May 1.  No terms to participate.  Tina@EssentialHerbal.com
Same deadline for regular content!

Now.  The latest upshot is inwards the mail.  We know you'll honey it - too nosotros suspect nosotros mightiness sell out of this one.  Don't aspect also long. Get it HERE
TOC:
Cover photography past times Signe Sundberg-Hall
Field Notes from the Editor, Tina Sams
    Staying inwards acquit on amongst the natural basis inwards the winter.
Blue Vervain - The Wizards’ Herb, Jackie Johnson    
    There is much to live learned of this magnificent plant.
Harvesting Herbs inwards the Wild, Sandy Michelsen          
    Foraging safely too ethically, too what to exercise 1 time you lot convey it.
Damiana, Marita Orr
    The legendary herb good known equally an aphrodisiac, helps us amongst many other issues.         
California Poppy, Kristine Brown
    The lush too generous nervine is too therefore versatile.  You’ll desire to grow some.
Hello, Summer! Tina Sams
    It’s lastly here.  Summer!  What exercise you lot need?  Quick too muddied instructions for many
    herbal concoctions.
Molly inwards the West, Full House Herbalism, Molly Sams
    When infinite is severely limited, the herb people abide.
Making Herbal Notecards, Mary Ellen Wilcox
    Mary Ellen made these for a swap, too agreed to write the instructions – they’re great!
Get Organized Outside, Kathy Musser
    The growing season, past times the most organized somebody I know, bar none.
Lassi, Come Home, Rebekah Bailey
    Make this delicious, refreshing potable at home.  Make your ain buttermilk, too.
Pickled Mushrooms, Rita Richardson
    H5N1 delicious appetizer for summertime entertaining.
“Lemons” for your Summer Enjoyment, Marcy Lautanen-Raleigh
    Lemon balm too verbena – amongst a slew of recipes too ways to purpose them.
Another Recycling Project, Sue Ryn Burns
    You know that one-time charcoal grill out inwards the garage?  Well…
Stress Less Tea, Tina Sams
    This is the tea nosotros made to transportation to Standing Rock a piece back. We’ve had around requests for the recipe, too therefore hither it is.
Twisted Sisters’ Clay Facial Bar, Maryanne Schwartz
    25 years of lather biz makes it necessary to essay novel things sometimes, simply to remain sane.


May June 2018 Together With A Novel Deadline Coming Up!!!

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