Just added: "Grow-your-own-Apothecary" packs.
See below under the plant list for details!
See below under the plant list for details!
Plant Sale:
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Thursday May 30, May Meeting of Bionutrient Food Association "Herbs for Medicine and Pollinators", followed by mini-plant sale kick-off.
LOCATION: BFA garden at the George Hall Farm, 180 Old Farms Road, Simsbury CT 06070 TIME: Potluck starts at 6pm, presentations 6:30-8:00 pm, including from Sara Thornton of Ravenswood and Melody of Pleasant Valley Botanicals who will both be speaking on growing herbs. Talks are free but donations to the non-profit Bionutrient Food Association certainly welcome. Afterwards will be a mini-plant sale kick-off. 
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Saturday June 1, Walk in the Woods in Winsted CT, plant sale and talk.
LOCATION: Whiting Mills, 100 Whitening Street, Winsted, CT 06098, suite 310 TIME: 11 am -12 pm FREE talk "Grow Your Own Apothecary" followed by plant sale from 12pm - 4pm. The free herb talk will primarily be a round-robin whirlwind discussion of the herbs available, focusing on their preferred growing location and medicine making tips. PLEASE NOTE: In order to keep the energy up and to minimize distractions, if you intend on coming to the plant talk, please plan to arrive on time. Otherwise, please plan to come when the plant sale opens at 12 pm. Thank you. |
Sunday June 2, Twin Star Herbal Education plant sale and talk.
LOCATION: 57 Bank Street, New Milford CT TIME: 10 am -11 am FREE talk "Grow Your Own Apothecary" followed by plant sale from 11 am - 4 pm The free herb talk will primarily be a round-robin whirlwind discussion of the herbs available, focusing on their preferred growing location and medicine making tips. PLEASE NOTE: In order to keep the energy up and to minimize distractions, if you intend on coming to the plant talk, please plan to arrive on time. Otherwise, please plan to come when the plant sale opens at 11 am. Thank you. |
NEW DATE JUST ANNOUNCED!
Thursday June 6, MarWin Farm Airstream (farmstand) LOCATION: 870 Town Hill Rd, New Hartford, CT 06057 TIME: 3 pm- 6pm. This is an outside venue- light drizzle we ARE ON, but extreme weather or thunderstorm will cancel. MarWin farm carries their own duck, chicken, pork, hot sauce, organic bread, sometimes cheese and other things! A great opportunity for close-to-one-stop-shopping! For more info check out: MarWin Farm |
As a farmer I can not diagnosis nor treat any medical condition. Any written, verbal or website statements are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any medical condition and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. All information provided by this website, Farmer Melody or Pleasant Valley Botanicals is for educational purposes only, and not intended to make any medical claims on safety or efficacy. Information presented is based on traditional uses of herbs, published materials or personal experience. Especially if you have a significant medical condition, are taking prescription medications, or are pregnant or nursing, I recommend that you speak with your health care provider and/or trained herbalist. As with all foods or herbs, if you are trying something new for the first time start with a low dose; if you experience any unusual symptoms, stop using that herb. Use common sense. Take the time to learn about herbs from reliable sources- I have included several recommendations on my resources page. If you are harvesting for culinary or medicinal purposes it is still YOUR responsibility to ensure proper identification as other adventurous seeds and weed seeds CAN and DO make their way into potting soil, neighboring seedling flats and pots, and garden beds.
(Tentative plant list, still subject to change! (Latin names and why I love them continue to be added as time allows......)
Echinacea pallida (Echinacea pallida) From Richo Cech in Making Plant Medicine, "the herb is an immune-stimulant that increases overall resistance to disease. Useful in treating the early phases of bacterial or viral infection....the herb makes an anti-inflammatory treatment for infected wounds....". I'm excited to offer pallida for the first time this year!
Echinacea purpurea (Echinacea purpurea): see above. I think no home garden apothecary is complete until it has an echinacea. Purpurea is typically the easiest to grow and harvest for home use. Echinacea is definitely on my top ten list if I were to be stranded on a desert island.
Lavender
Red sage (Salvia miltiorrhiza) "has the red roots that are a supreme vascular tonic" (Richo Cech, Strictly Medicinals). Also known as Dan shen, it has an AMAZING root to harvest and flower to enjoy. From Peg Shafer in The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm: "Dan shen.....is one of the most important herbs in Chinese medicine for activating and moving the blood an dispelling blood stagnation."
Codonopsis (Codonopsis pilosula), also known as Dang Shen, is an adaptogen which is "used as a qi tonic for people who are weak, deficient and tired. It is often used as a milder and less expensive substitute for Chinese ginseng." (Adaptogens by Winsten and Maimes.) It is also the most sensuous plant I grow on the farmlet, with a climbing habit and lovely bell flowers. Very difficult, if not impossible, to find elsewhere locally.
Catnip
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma): is a red Bee Balm that really should be called Hummingbird Balm, because this sweet plant is quite enjoyed by Hummingbirds and humans alike. It is my very favorite to add into tea blends because the gorgeous red flower and soothing scent can't be beat. There is not as much information focused on the garden red variety, but Mathew Wood writes in The Book of Herbal Wisdom that it's relation wild Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa) is "one of a half a dozen of the most important herbs used by the Indians of North America.... and a "good sort of thing to have around."
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): At a conference several years ago, I was fortunate to hear farmer/herbalist Deb Soule speak about some of her favorite herbs for disturbances of the heart, and to this day it sticks clearly in my mind about Lemon Balm as a perfect fit for people who are overwhelmed. I find Lemon Balm is generous but not pushy, and she is perfect as a perennial in a small raised bed or contained area.
Vana Tulsi (Holy Basil) (Ocimum gratissimum), is known around the Farmlet as the Gratitude Basil. A Tulsi that last year towered OVER my head, so we give gratitude for its' generosity. The praying mantis is grateful for its' habitat and the bees for its' pollen. My body, mind and spirit are all grateful for a pot of tea and all the healing it contains. Offered for the first time this year. I'm gonna be bold and say no garden is complete without some Tulsi, and an extra pinch of gratitude never hurts!
Kapoor Tulsi (Holy Basil) (Ocimum sanctum): If you have ever heard me talk about my love of Tulsi, then you know I already think this should be in the water supply, in every garden, in every farm hedgerow, in every kitchen cabinet, (maybe every doctor's prescription pad !?!?!) The Kapoor variety is the easiest Tulsi to grow, and is also very generous with multiple harvests over the season. In my household GALLONS of tincture get made every year! Grow it, love it, share it. Tulsi certainly engenders a path of devotion.
Thyme
Dill
Wooly Mint
Hops
White horehound
Sage
Lemongrass
Self Heal (also know as "heal-all") (Prunella vulgaris): is a diminutive but lovely plant, and also a great choice choice for beginning gardeners. I was just reading in Guide Mase's The Wild Medicine solution about tonic herbs including Prunella and the role of their polysaccharides to "help the physiology handle cancer directly by increasing immune surveillance, helping to detect and destroy malignancy before it grows out of control." For more information on the research on Prunella and cancer, follow the link: Oral Administration of Prunella vulgaris L Improves the Effect of Taxane on Preventing the Progression of Breast Cancer and Reduces Its Side Effects.
Astragalus
Nettles! (Urtica diocia): makes kale cry! Yup, super excited to have nettle seedlings this year for the first time. Nettles are pretty stubborn to start from seed in any sort of controlled environment, so last year I let a lot of my nettles go to seed in the field and now there are enough happy babies to share. You will find nettles in my tea most days of the year for good reason, though right now I am certainly enjoying it fresh (blanched) in all sort of meals.
Ashwaghanda
Chamomile
Feverfew
Korean Mint
Anise Hyssop
Hyssop officinalis
Marshmallow
Lovage
Papolo
Motherwort
Dill
Lemon Verbena
Calendula
Cilantro
Parsley
Stevia
Valerian
Yarrow
Baikal Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) As Richo Cech from Strictly Medicinals says "This is one of the best Chinese plants to grow organically in America". Also known as Chinese Skullcap, if you aren't growing this plant then clearly you are not ready for the Zombie Apoclypse. If you are familiar with the writings of Stephen Buhner in Herbal Antivirals, then you know how highly he regards this plant, "More than 295 different compounds have been found in S. baicalensis so far..... All are strongly anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antitumor in action."
"Mad-dog" Skullcap
Borage
Chickweed
Elecampane
Spilanthes
Bee Balm
Scarlet Runner Bean
Cayenne Pepper (Make your own FREE FIRE CIDER!)
and maybe a few culinary basils and tomatoes, and probably a few more I've forgotten!.......
Echinacea pallida (Echinacea pallida) From Richo Cech in Making Plant Medicine, "the herb is an immune-stimulant that increases overall resistance to disease. Useful in treating the early phases of bacterial or viral infection....the herb makes an anti-inflammatory treatment for infected wounds....". I'm excited to offer pallida for the first time this year!
Echinacea purpurea (Echinacea purpurea): see above. I think no home garden apothecary is complete until it has an echinacea. Purpurea is typically the easiest to grow and harvest for home use. Echinacea is definitely on my top ten list if I were to be stranded on a desert island.
Lavender
Red sage (Salvia miltiorrhiza) "has the red roots that are a supreme vascular tonic" (Richo Cech, Strictly Medicinals). Also known as Dan shen, it has an AMAZING root to harvest and flower to enjoy. From Peg Shafer in The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm: "Dan shen.....is one of the most important herbs in Chinese medicine for activating and moving the blood an dispelling blood stagnation."
Codonopsis (Codonopsis pilosula), also known as Dang Shen, is an adaptogen which is "used as a qi tonic for people who are weak, deficient and tired. It is often used as a milder and less expensive substitute for Chinese ginseng." (Adaptogens by Winsten and Maimes.) It is also the most sensuous plant I grow on the farmlet, with a climbing habit and lovely bell flowers. Very difficult, if not impossible, to find elsewhere locally.
Catnip
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma): is a red Bee Balm that really should be called Hummingbird Balm, because this sweet plant is quite enjoyed by Hummingbirds and humans alike. It is my very favorite to add into tea blends because the gorgeous red flower and soothing scent can't be beat. There is not as much information focused on the garden red variety, but Mathew Wood writes in The Book of Herbal Wisdom that it's relation wild Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa) is "one of a half a dozen of the most important herbs used by the Indians of North America.... and a "good sort of thing to have around."
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): At a conference several years ago, I was fortunate to hear farmer/herbalist Deb Soule speak about some of her favorite herbs for disturbances of the heart, and to this day it sticks clearly in my mind about Lemon Balm as a perfect fit for people who are overwhelmed. I find Lemon Balm is generous but not pushy, and she is perfect as a perennial in a small raised bed or contained area.
Vana Tulsi (Holy Basil) (Ocimum gratissimum), is known around the Farmlet as the Gratitude Basil. A Tulsi that last year towered OVER my head, so we give gratitude for its' generosity. The praying mantis is grateful for its' habitat and the bees for its' pollen. My body, mind and spirit are all grateful for a pot of tea and all the healing it contains. Offered for the first time this year. I'm gonna be bold and say no garden is complete without some Tulsi, and an extra pinch of gratitude never hurts!
Kapoor Tulsi (Holy Basil) (Ocimum sanctum): If you have ever heard me talk about my love of Tulsi, then you know I already think this should be in the water supply, in every garden, in every farm hedgerow, in every kitchen cabinet, (maybe every doctor's prescription pad !?!?!) The Kapoor variety is the easiest Tulsi to grow, and is also very generous with multiple harvests over the season. In my household GALLONS of tincture get made every year! Grow it, love it, share it. Tulsi certainly engenders a path of devotion.
Thyme
Dill
Wooly Mint
Hops
White horehound
Sage
Lemongrass
Self Heal (also know as "heal-all") (Prunella vulgaris): is a diminutive but lovely plant, and also a great choice choice for beginning gardeners. I was just reading in Guide Mase's The Wild Medicine solution about tonic herbs including Prunella and the role of their polysaccharides to "help the physiology handle cancer directly by increasing immune surveillance, helping to detect and destroy malignancy before it grows out of control." For more information on the research on Prunella and cancer, follow the link: Oral Administration of Prunella vulgaris L Improves the Effect of Taxane on Preventing the Progression of Breast Cancer and Reduces Its Side Effects.
Astragalus
Nettles! (Urtica diocia): makes kale cry! Yup, super excited to have nettle seedlings this year for the first time. Nettles are pretty stubborn to start from seed in any sort of controlled environment, so last year I let a lot of my nettles go to seed in the field and now there are enough happy babies to share. You will find nettles in my tea most days of the year for good reason, though right now I am certainly enjoying it fresh (blanched) in all sort of meals.
Ashwaghanda
Chamomile
Feverfew
Korean Mint
Anise Hyssop
Hyssop officinalis
Marshmallow
Lovage
Papolo
Motherwort
Dill
Lemon Verbena
Calendula
Cilantro
Parsley
Stevia
Valerian
Yarrow
Baikal Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) As Richo Cech from Strictly Medicinals says "This is one of the best Chinese plants to grow organically in America". Also known as Chinese Skullcap, if you aren't growing this plant then clearly you are not ready for the Zombie Apoclypse. If you are familiar with the writings of Stephen Buhner in Herbal Antivirals, then you know how highly he regards this plant, "More than 295 different compounds have been found in S. baicalensis so far..... All are strongly anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antitumor in action."
"Mad-dog" Skullcap
Borage
Chickweed
Elecampane
Spilanthes
Bee Balm
Scarlet Runner Bean
Cayenne Pepper (Make your own FREE FIRE CIDER!)
and maybe a few culinary basils and tomatoes, and probably a few more I've forgotten!.......
The Nitty Gritty on Pricing.....
CASH OR CHECK ONLY PLEASE!
PLANTS ARE $5 EACH. BUY 8 PLANTS, GET ONE FREE!
ALSO EXCITED THIS YEAR TO OFFER THE GROW-YOUR-OWN-APOTHECARY SAMPLERS:
These four packs with herb selections subject to change. Due to the cold, wet weather this spring (i.e. 22 out of 30 days in April rained), some of our friends coming out of the greenhouse are a little smaller than usual, so they get to go on bargain adventure with friends! Currently, one per customer of each variety, but they can be included in the buy 8, get one free option! More options coming soon.....
I refuse to buy new 4 or 6 pack plastic planters as they are flimsy, generally not re-usable and not recyclable in CT. However, thanks to friend Caitlin who gifted me with some of her leftovers from her farming days, I am able to offer these Grow-your-own-Apothecary samplers.
Also, bring in 30 recycled plastic pots and get ONE PLANT FREE.
POTS MUST BE: small 3", 4", or 5" SQUARE POTS in decent condition. No oversized honkers please. I will also take back 3", 4", or 5" round pots, but they don't count towards a free plant. Sorry, but roundies make greenhouse life harder. UPDATE: I WILL take back flimsy 4 and 6 pack plastic planters. But they must be gently used, clean-ish and nicely stacked. PLEASE don't ease your trash guilt by bringing me torn or crumpled ones that I can't re-use next year and will have to throw away. These also don't count towards a free plant, but in the spirit of recycling I will re-use them!
Some thoughts on pricing:
Yes, it sometimes feels as if organic costs more. But the reality is, non-organic foods and plants actually cost us all more in the long run, in poisoned air, water, soils, plants and bodies. When I might cringe at the slightly higher cost of organic at the cash-register, I think to myself: "If not me, who? If not now, when?". High quality seeds, potting soil and making efforts to limit waste takes additional time, effort and money. But you are worth it, the plants are worth it, our friends and family and communities are worth it, Mother Earth is worth it.
Perhaps you are like me, with a high deductible "health insurance plan"? Perhaps like me, you have to pay $4000 (or more!) out of pocket, on top of monthly premiums, before your "health insurance" kicks in? Americans pay 25% more for health care than any other country. Overall, Americans also pay less for their food than anytime in history, and less for their food than almost any other country in the world. Perhaps we all would be better off paying more for high quality food and less for "sick care"?!?
And randomly:
This year as we run out of recycled pots, we are trying out coconut coir pots which are a by-product and are compostable. I welcome your feedback on how they worked out for you.
CASH OR CHECK ONLY PLEASE!
PLANTS ARE $5 EACH. BUY 8 PLANTS, GET ONE FREE!
ALSO EXCITED THIS YEAR TO OFFER THE GROW-YOUR-OWN-APOTHECARY SAMPLERS:
- "Medicine for the People" four-packs: includes "must haves" for every home garden such as Tulsi, Calendula and Chamomile. Currently one per customer
- "Food as Medicine" four-packs: includes culinary herbs that still pack a medicinal punch such as Dill, Cilantro, Nasturium, Parsley. Currently one per customer.
- "Winter Wellness" four-packs: includes Hyssopus officinalis OR Sage, Lemongrass, Lavender and Elecampance. Additional varieties TBD. Currently one per customer.
These four packs with herb selections subject to change. Due to the cold, wet weather this spring (i.e. 22 out of 30 days in April rained), some of our friends coming out of the greenhouse are a little smaller than usual, so they get to go on bargain adventure with friends! Currently, one per customer of each variety, but they can be included in the buy 8, get one free option! More options coming soon.....
I refuse to buy new 4 or 6 pack plastic planters as they are flimsy, generally not re-usable and not recyclable in CT. However, thanks to friend Caitlin who gifted me with some of her leftovers from her farming days, I am able to offer these Grow-your-own-Apothecary samplers.
Also, bring in 30 recycled plastic pots and get ONE PLANT FREE.
POTS MUST BE: small 3", 4", or 5" SQUARE POTS in decent condition. No oversized honkers please. I will also take back 3", 4", or 5" round pots, but they don't count towards a free plant. Sorry, but roundies make greenhouse life harder. UPDATE: I WILL take back flimsy 4 and 6 pack plastic planters. But they must be gently used, clean-ish and nicely stacked. PLEASE don't ease your trash guilt by bringing me torn or crumpled ones that I can't re-use next year and will have to throw away. These also don't count towards a free plant, but in the spirit of recycling I will re-use them!
Some thoughts on pricing:
Yes, it sometimes feels as if organic costs more. But the reality is, non-organic foods and plants actually cost us all more in the long run, in poisoned air, water, soils, plants and bodies. When I might cringe at the slightly higher cost of organic at the cash-register, I think to myself: "If not me, who? If not now, when?". High quality seeds, potting soil and making efforts to limit waste takes additional time, effort and money. But you are worth it, the plants are worth it, our friends and family and communities are worth it, Mother Earth is worth it.
Perhaps you are like me, with a high deductible "health insurance plan"? Perhaps like me, you have to pay $4000 (or more!) out of pocket, on top of monthly premiums, before your "health insurance" kicks in? Americans pay 25% more for health care than any other country. Overall, Americans also pay less for their food than anytime in history, and less for their food than almost any other country in the world. Perhaps we all would be better off paying more for high quality food and less for "sick care"?!?
And randomly:
This year as we run out of recycled pots, we are trying out coconut coir pots which are a by-product and are compostable. I welcome your feedback on how they worked out for you.
The Nitty Gritty....
** For example, it is beyond me why an Echinacea seedling popped up in the Milkweed tray. If something similar were to happen once they are in your garden, you need to be able to identify the plants 110% before consuming in any way.
- You are strongly encouraged to bring a cardboard box or flat to travel home with your new friends. Pleasant Valley Botanicals is pro-recycling, and you will see a hodgepodge of plant containers since we are pro-recycling!
- The above plant list is for informational purposes only, and not a guarantee of the availability of any specific plant. There are also a few friends that are not yet ready to come out of the greenhouse. Sign up for the mailing list if you might be interested in an end of summer perennial plant sale.
- Any previous Pleasant Valley Botanicals CSA member receives one free seedling (your choice) just for stopping by- no purchase necessary.
- All our plants are grown with love and our seeds are from sources that have taken the safe-seed pledge or are otherwise reliable (*). However, if harvesting for culinary or medicinal purposes it is still YOUR responsibility to ensure proper identification as other adventurous seeds and weed seeds CAN and DO make their way into potting soil, neighboring seedling flats and pots, and garden beds (**). Any information presented here or during the sale is not intended to diagnosis, prevent, cure or treat any medical condition nor make any medical claims about the safety or efficacy of herbs.
- For more information or questions, you can email thru the contacts page or ask to be put on Pleasant Valley Botanicals' email list.
** For example, it is beyond me why an Echinacea seedling popped up in the Milkweed tray. If something similar were to happen once they are in your garden, you need to be able to identify the plants 110% before consuming in any way.
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