Seedlings Sprouting & Kids Growing

Well, the kids reported back that the seeds we planted last week in class all sprouted (except the dill). They were all excited, and one kid even brought the seedlings back to show me! Some of the kids had forgotten their plants or were not there when we planted, so I brought them home and kept them in my truck (in a plastic tub to catch the water). They sprouted the same as everyone else's, but it became apparent that they did not keep the seeds confined to one of the planting squares each, because calendula was sprouting where the clover was planted and the chamomile was coming up in each... Oh well, at least you can tell them apart!
I brought in fresh herbs for the younger kids to make infused herb vinegar with, and they enjoyed that. After we put the herbs and vinegar together we usually each shake the jar, but since it was so big I decided to have them drum on the jar and say something like "become great vinegar for us". The kids loved the drumming, and it really stirred up their playful energy.
I brought in dried marshmallow tops that were full of seeds for the older kids to help me separate.  We had three stations, and each one figured out a way to do it that was best for them. They got to take the leaves home as tea, and I took the seeds home to plant. I have been meaning to do this job, but it is tedious so I put it off- many hands do make light work! I also brought in Nettles tea for the older kids. Some just watered the plants with it, but others drank it or took it to their moms.
I was amazed how just touching and smelling the herbs, the kids became more calm and talked about how they use the herbs in cooking or teas. I also love how the kids all want to help heal their parents and other relatives with their ailments.  One of the parents mentioned that her grandmother was a plant person and healer from Mexico, and how happy she was that her own daughter was following the tradition. I was so touched... I love that stuff!
peace-
Jayne

Sorrel tastes great in salads, or right in the yard!

I love to eat sorrel when I am out in the yard or at the farm, and I have been trying to feed it to lots of people I meet, and every time anyone walks through the farm I offer it. The other day I was there and my friend's kid Eloise and her two girlfriends came over with food for the pigs and she said " I love sorrel". I love when I hear that! I told her she could have as much as she wanted! Here is an article I found at Mother Earth News about Sorrel. I grow the regular variety, and don't mind cutting the bolting stalks.  Last year the chickens on the farm ate it to the ground and scratched up the area around it.I don't know if they are just craving the minerals or what, but they look great now. I would love to run chickens through for about a week every four to six months to freshen it up.

What vegetables are you growing this year?

This is my friend Willi Galloway's blog  Diggin Food- She is always talking about stuff that is relevant to the season, and cool to check out.  Right now she is asking for comments on your favorite veggie varieties and giving away cool tools made in Seattle to someone selected from those who comment on her blog. I love the old standards that  will get me through the winter, but if you ask me this summer, I will probably tell you about one of the varieties of tomato I grow. I have not had much luck with lemon cucumbers, but I will be growing the marketmore's down at the community garden since we got some donations.

Planting Herb Seeds with Kids

I brought seeds to the after school program I teach so that they could plant something for Earth Day. I brought chamomile, clover, calendula & dill, and had them try to ID them.  Everyone got chamomile right (we made chamomile tea, too), but the others were more difficult. We talked about what a seed needs to grow into a plant - sun, soil, air, water, care & love; and how the different shapes of the seeds could help them get themselves planted... the round ones can roll, the smallest ones can fly through the air, the pokey ones can grip onto things and get carried to another spot, and the flat ones can slip into cracks and still put down roots.  We went outside (the best part for the youngest ones) and planted them in four compartment pots with labels. The small kids definitely mixed all the seeds into all the compartments, but the older kids were writing their own labels and making sure they put their seeds in the right place.  They took them home since there is no greenhouse at the school,  and are to report when the plants sprout. They are all excited to grow plants somewhere in their gardens. Some of the kids already knew who would help them keep the plants alive! All in all it was quite rewarding for me & them.

Happy Earth Day!

Plant Something into the Earth today, and give appreciation for the cycle of life, death & rebirth!  Every time I plant, something dies...even if it is a microscopic bug. I try to give respect to those things that I cannot see that have given their life so that we can gain sustenance. That is also why I try to eat only things that will rot- I want to make sure the loop is closed in my food system! What ever you do to honor Mother Earth today, do it in health! Peace- Jayne

Cough got you down?

If you or anyone you know is experiencing a cough right now (and many people I am in contact with are) try my Cough It Up! Tincture for fast acting relief. I am always amazed how quickly it breaks up the phlegm. I know it is gross, but if you can get it out of your system from your mouth, the mucus doesn't go into your digestive system, too. Try to stay away from dairy and orange juice, but dose up on Vitamin C & D and drink lots of hot water. If you have thyme, oregano, sage rosemary, or hyssop growing in your yard, pick it and make a tea with it. You can put the stems in a pot of hot water and then put a towel over your head and inhale it up. Hyssop is the main expectorant, but the other herbs are all good for respiratory issues.

Spring Training? Try Arnica Salve

If you have been hitting the slopes hard like I did last weekend, or trying to get into that bikini, and your muscles are burning try my Arnica Salve. I grow these beautiful plants on my farm, harvest them and infuse them in olive oil. Then I add wax to the infused oil and make them into Salves. I make several types each year, usually scent them with chamomile or clary sage essential oils, but not too much because I don't like heavily scented things. I plan to make more infused oils to sell as a bulk item in the future, so if you are interested in buying some, email me for details and prices at jayne@sistersageherbs.com
peace-
Jayne

Treating colic with natural remedies

I have been a nanny for the past 4 years every winter, and I have found a few things that work well for cholic in babies. One is Chamomile, and the other is Catnip. I sell either tinctures or glycerines in 1, 2, and 4 oz sizes. If you want the Catnip (or either herb in glycerine), please order the chamomile and email me with your special order at jayne@sistersageherbs.com. For one kid who cried a lot, I gave a couple of drops of the catnip glycerine on my finger. She  enjoyed it as much for the distraction as for it's calming properties.

If your friend's are sick, stay well

Yesterday I gave some advice on what to take if you got hit by that flu like virus that has been going around. My friend's room mate got it when my friend got back from a trip visiting family... Today, I am suggesting caregivers and others who are around sick people, or people who's kids are sick...Take Echinacea tincture or Calendula & Echinacea tincture on a ten day on and ten day off cycle until you don't hear anyone else talking about how sick their significant others are. Make sure you take lots of vitmin C & D, wash your hands often, and use an antibacterial salve like the Calendula & Lavender Salve I make, to keep germs at bay.

If you have the late season virus, I have what you need!

My sister's mentor, Madeline Guillard always used the combination of Calendula flowers and Echinaeea roots. I have created this formula based on her original, but with herbs I grow on my farm on Vashon Island, WA. I have been recently informed that there is a flu like virus that is just knocking people out right now. Take this Calendula & Echinacea  tincture, along with some emergen-C, zinc lozenges, vitamin D, and drink lots of water and non caffeinated teas. Give it to people who have not become sick yet, so they won't get it from you.If there is stuffy nose and unproductive cough, add Cough It Up! tincture.  It works so quickly to break up the phlegm and literally cough it up.  Wash your hands often when you are ill, and consider a whole house cleanse as soon as you feel better.

Greens at your Windowsill!

Check out these photos of window boxes that a NY city company called Windowfarms is now offering to help you install! They are hydroponic systems, so you don't have soil problems. You have to keep on a nutrition regime, but you have a great view of your dinner and can harvest anytime you are cooking. It is a great idea if you have lots of sun. The hydroponics makes it cleaner, because sometimes you can get knats in the potting soil in other house plant containers, then it is no fun at all! My friend is ordering one, so I will keep track of how she likes it.

TV on the Internet

This is a really cool program called  City Farmer TV. In this episode they interview a chef on his roof top herb garden about what he has and how they manage and use the herbs in his restaurant! It is a big beautiful garden, and he has some great ideas for what to do with your herbs in the kitchen.
peace-
Jayne