Introduction to Growing Medicinal and Culinary Herbs. This talk is designed for folks who have some basic gardening experience but want to develop or expand their skills, however it will also be appropriate for new gardeners as well. The first half of the evening will cover topics such as: obtaining seeds, inside seed starting versus starting seeds in the garden, the unusual requirements of some herbs such as cold stratification or scarification, the use of fungal inoculants, how to harvest and preserve your herbs, and favorite growing resources. The second half of the evening will cover as many of our favorites herbal friends as we can. This program will focus on some of the most popular medicinal herbs that can be grown in CT, herbs to promote pollinators, some of the easiest herbs for beginners, as well as a few unusual herbs that may be unfamiliar to some. For many, growing and harvesting our herbal friends can be an essential part of the healing journey, and we will talk about using our senses, instincts, hearts and hands (and a few good books) to expand our skills to work and play with our green allies. Participants will go home with an herb seedling and there will be free seed packets as well (while supplies last).
Melody is the founder of Pleasant Valley Botanicals, a "farmlet" in Northwest CT committed to growing vibrant medicinal and culinary herbs for the local community. Melody focuses her herbal energies on a fresh herb CSA (Community Supported Agriculture program), or as she prefers to think of it, an FSA- Farmer Supported Apothecary. Melody is committed to growing, sharing and educating about medicinal herbs because of her belief in medicinal herbs as integral parts of affordable and holistic health care and agricultural systems. Melody is currently working on a USDA-funded research grant looking at crop yield and disease resistance of crops planted with soil fungal inoculants. Pleasant Valley Botanicals' goal is to work toward sustainable food and health care systems, and a holistic approach to health and wellness of people, plants and planet. Registration requested though not required, directly to the Granby Public Library.
Melody is the founder of Pleasant Valley Botanicals, a "farmlet" in Northwest CT committed to growing vibrant medicinal and culinary herbs for the local community. Melody focuses her herbal energies on a fresh herb CSA (Community Supported Agriculture program), or as she prefers to think of it, an FSA- Farmer Supported Apothecary. Melody is committed to growing, sharing and educating about medicinal herbs because of her belief in medicinal herbs as integral parts of affordable and holistic health care and agricultural systems. Melody is currently working on a USDA-funded research grant looking at crop yield and disease resistance of crops planted with soil fungal inoculants. Pleasant Valley Botanicals' goal is to work toward sustainable food and health care systems, and a holistic approach to health and wellness of people, plants and planet. Registration requested though not required, directly to the Granby Public Library.
