We are going to be discussing Catnip at this months herbal workshop. There are so many great things that catnip has to offer us. As always our workshops are the last Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm. Sacred space holistic center hosts us and that is where we gather together.
Every month we offer a taste of the herb in the form of a snack and beverage. Everyone who attends receives a folder with information about the Catnip. They also go home with a gift bag. Full of goodies that we make and some items are samples of stuff we sale. There is always infused oil, and a small amount of the herb we discuss. Then we switch it up with the other three items. Sometimes there will be herbal infused sugars or herbal infused simple syrups. You may find herbal infused salts, seedlings, or smudges. Occasionally, there are chap sticks, salves, or lip balms. We do two creative projects within the workshop.
It is always a great night with beautiful people. We fill up quickly. So you have to RSVP with payment to save your spots.
We love growing sunflowers! They are amazing for our gardens and beneficial to us. They bring in so many pollinators. We have bees just buzzing all around. And the birds have been keeping their little eyes on them as well. One of my favorite things is to watch all the little finches feeding on all the huge flower heads. I planted some seeds one year at my mom’s house almost 20 years ago. The next year there was a mini sunflower forest. The birds loved them. They come back every year, swarming the flowers. Those little birds then help replant the seeds for the next year. Every year my mom ends up with all kinds of volunteer sunflowers growing everywhere.
Growing Sunflowers
This year we planted a roll of sunflowers between our yard and our neighbors yard. I really liked the way they grew there. Next year I’m going to expand our sunflower garden. I want to plant little groups of them randomly around our yards. I hope the bees continue to pollinate everything we are growing back there. We drive past this really big amazing garden all the time. and we noticed all of their patches of sunflowers and all the beautiful wildflowers in front of their sunflowers. I just love the way all the flowers are growing around their main crops. I mean its not just the beauty as to why all the flowers surround all the food crops.
Sunflower Varieties
There are many different varieties of sunflowers. They differ in size, color, and petal arrangement. Some exist because of selective breeding by humans, others arise from natural hybridization. Sunflower species can interbreed and sometimes this leads to a new species with even more unique traits. Sunflowers are some of the coolest flowers. They bring color to our garden and life to our garden.
Flowers grown around food crops serve as a trap crop. This is a plant grown strategically to attract pests away from the main crop. By attracting pests to the trap crop, the main crop becomes less susceptible to insect damage. This approach makes pest management easier.
Health Benefits of sunflowers
Sunflower seeds, and the leaves offer a range of health benefits. They are a great source of magnesium, vitamin E, selenium. They have been known to reduce inflammation, support heart health, and boost the immune system. Sunflower seeds even contribute to better skin health, and even regulate your mood.
Sunflowers in my opinion bring happiness. They are always buzzing with love. Swaying with the wind. And their colors always make my soul smile. They are super easy to grow and grow best planted straight into the ground from seed. I have learned through trial and error that sunflowers do not like to be transplanted. It always seems to stunt their growth. From personal experience I say plant in late spring, once the ground has warmed. They love to be in a sunny location with well draining soil.
We grew a bunch of home grown veggies and lettuce from seeds in spring. The seeds were in one of those variety packs. We ate on the plants until they turned to flower. One plant in particular has flowered with flowers I have never seen on a lettuce plant. So now I wonder what have we been eating? What type of plant is this? Does anyone know?
This month we will be discussing Calendula at our monthly herbal workshop. We discuss different herbs each month. Sacred Space Holistic Center in Modesto hosts us the last Tuesday of every month at 6:30 pm. If you are local in Stanislaus County, we would love you to come down and join us for a workshop. Always RSVP in advance so that we can make you a gift bag. Our gift bags are made with products that we sale on our website.
Calendula has been growing in our yard for years. Once our plants begin producing flowers, we begin to harvest and dry them. Once they are dried, we put them in jars. We use them when needed to add to our herbal tea blends. We also infuse oils with the Calendula flowers. Then we use the oil to create herbal salves, lip balms, lotions, chap stick, and body butters.
This flower is super helpful for our skin. It has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. We create salves to be used topically to help soothe irritated skin and to reduce inflammation. Calendula also carries antibacterial and anti-fungal properties which may help prevent infections in wounds. This wonderful flower can be used to treat various skin conditions. And it is even gentle enough to be used on diaper rash. It is known to help with eczema and even athletes’ foot. Its antimicrobial properties help promote faster healing.
*Calendula is considered generally safe for topical use. It’s best to ALWAYS consult with your doctor before using herbal products. Calendula should be avoided during pregnancy.
Benefits of Orange Peel Infused Vinegar for Cleaning. Its an effective cleaning solution. The infused vinegar can cut through grime and grease, deodorize surfaces, and leave behind a pleasant citrus scent. It also acts as a natural pest repellent especially with ants.
We decided to test the theory. Orange peels soaked in vinegar for two weeks in a dark cupboard produce a solution. This solution will remove ants. We used it in the kitchen area and it definitely has made a difference. But it seems to work best as a cleaner not so much as an ant repellent. As far as we are concerned.
Orange peels infused vinegar helps break down grease, grime, and soap scum. It is a powerful cleaning agent. The citrus scent of orange peels helps to mask the strong smell of vinegar, leaving behind a fresh, clean aroma.
How to make orange peel infusion
Fill a jar with orange peels (any combination of orange, lemon, or lime peels). Pour white vinegar over the peels to ensure they are fully submerged. Let the mixture sit in a cool, dark place for 2-3 weeks to infuse. After the 2-3 weeks we drain the vinegar from the peels and add water. Use a 1:1 ratio. If you have a cup of vinegar, add a cup of water. For two cups of vinegar, add two cups of water. Put it in a spray bottle for everyday use.
Growing Turmeric has been a interesting experience. A good friend had me buy some from this yummy Asian store. She told me that is how her family grew it. We both bought some roots. Then I planted them into a pot not knowing what to expect. I knew nothing about growing this magical plant. The pot is a pretty big. I am still learning about turmeric and its growing needs.
We have been using turmeric root powder in some of our herbal tea blends. It is great for inflammation. Turmeric’s main active component is curcumin and that is what gives the spice its yellow color. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties. Making this spice a potential treatment for a number of health conditions. Such as for pain, asthma and decreased movement in people with osteoarthritis.
Cold and Flu Season is coming. Be Sure and check out our Elderberry Kits we have available. Everything you need to make your own syrup, just add honey!
