I know I said that this would be updated at least every Monday, however, a very large change in my life *may* be occurring sometime very, VERY soon.
As such, I've been preparing the best I can, mentally and other ways.
I will post more about that when I know for sure, as well as eventually spam this thing with a bunch of "Plant of the Week" posts sometime soon, hopefully, by the Monday coming up.
Sorry for the delay ^_^;;
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
(Plant of the Week) Burdock
First off, sorry for the late post. I had this ready to be posted, but monday came and went, and I completely forgot ^_^;;
So without further ado....
The Plant of the Week this time around is Burdock!
Most of the people who know what burdock is are probably raising their eyebrows at the screen right now, but before you decide that I've finally lost what little of my sanity I still had, let me explain ;-)
But for those who don't know, burdock is considered an invasive weed which many gardeners kill the second they see it.
It's also the plant that makes those little brown spike covered ball thingies that get stuck to your socks, shoes, and jeans. In fact, those little guys are part of the reason that burdock IS the Plant of the Week!
First off, I think it's good to note that while we treat Burdock like a weed, there are other countries which sell it as a vegetable. Why? Well... For one, it doesn't taste half bad. Some people describe it a bit like Artichoke, so go figure. Why else? Every part of the plant is edible, and good for you, from the roots to the spiky purple flowers. I don't think you wanna eat the spiky seed pods though... ^_^;;
One thing I like quite a bit about burdock is that it shows us that even the things we're accustomed to in our daily lives can hold surprises - currently, Burdock, and more specifically, the inulin in the burdock, is being researched as it has the ability to halt tumor growth.
And before this, the inspiration for Velcro actually came from the sticky seed pods. I think I'm the only person who finds this neat, but I still need to mention it.
Traditionally, the roots are generally used medicinally, while the rest of the plant is used more for food, however, the leaves and 'fruit' of the plant are still useful for the same reasons as the roots in most cases.
Burdock is even useful for treating Arthritis - though, whether it actually cures it or whether it simply dulls the pain, I am unsure of. I don't have arthritis, so I can't test this. Darn youth and health!
Simply put, this plant has so many uses, both as food and nutritionally, so all I can really say is do your own research on the topic ;-)
As for growing... Half the time you don't need to do a darn thing to grow a nice plant right in the middle of any other plants you were trying to grow, whether you like it or not.
Next time, instead of fretting over this 'weed' though, perhaps you'll try it in a salad?
If you actually want to grow the plant purposefully, it's a pretty quick plant to identify with it's tall stalks, purple flowers (which butterflies seem to enjoy), and signature seed pods spiky things... so if you're trying to collect seeds, it's not hard ;-)
So without further ado....
The Plant of the Week this time around is Burdock!
Most of the people who know what burdock is are probably raising their eyebrows at the screen right now, but before you decide that I've finally lost what little of my sanity I still had, let me explain ;-)
But for those who don't know, burdock is considered an invasive weed which many gardeners kill the second they see it.
It's also the plant that makes those little brown spike covered ball thingies that get stuck to your socks, shoes, and jeans. In fact, those little guys are part of the reason that burdock IS the Plant of the Week!
First off, I think it's good to note that while we treat Burdock like a weed, there are other countries which sell it as a vegetable. Why? Well... For one, it doesn't taste half bad. Some people describe it a bit like Artichoke, so go figure. Why else? Every part of the plant is edible, and good for you, from the roots to the spiky purple flowers. I don't think you wanna eat the spiky seed pods though... ^_^;;
One thing I like quite a bit about burdock is that it shows us that even the things we're accustomed to in our daily lives can hold surprises - currently, Burdock, and more specifically, the inulin in the burdock, is being researched as it has the ability to halt tumor growth.
And before this, the inspiration for Velcro actually came from the sticky seed pods. I think I'm the only person who finds this neat, but I still need to mention it.
Traditionally, the roots are generally used medicinally, while the rest of the plant is used more for food, however, the leaves and 'fruit' of the plant are still useful for the same reasons as the roots in most cases.
Burdock is even useful for treating Arthritis - though, whether it actually cures it or whether it simply dulls the pain, I am unsure of. I don't have arthritis, so I can't test this. Darn youth and health!
Simply put, this plant has so many uses, both as food and nutritionally, so all I can really say is do your own research on the topic ;-)
As for growing... Half the time you don't need to do a darn thing to grow a nice plant right in the middle of any other plants you were trying to grow, whether you like it or not.
Next time, instead of fretting over this 'weed' though, perhaps you'll try it in a salad?
If you actually want to grow the plant purposefully, it's a pretty quick plant to identify with it's tall stalks, purple flowers (which butterflies seem to enjoy), and signature seed pods spiky things... so if you're trying to collect seeds, it's not hard ;-)
(Plant of the Week) Chamomile
Well, in an effort to actually be truthful to my blog's name, I figured I should post a bit about the awesomeness of some sort of plant with useful properties...
So, I've chosen chamomile, which makes a nice tea and looks good to grow ^_^
First off and foremost, chamomile is incredibly useful for... Stomach cramps! This is by far the most nifty use of chamomile in my opinion, because cramps suck majorly... and just drinking a bit of chamomile tea can lessen and even get rid of the pain ^_^ This includes menstrual cramps, or so I hear. No first hand experience on that one ^_^;;
That's just the tip of the iceberg for this plants internal uses too, as it also can be used for gassiness, sick tummy, tummy aches, diarrhea, fever/cold, congestion, headaches, sleeping problems, stress, nervousness (Chamomile is a relaxant, so if you ever feel too tense or fidgety... I *think* that's why it's good for headaches too... but not 100% sure on that one) and it helps digestion!
*phew*
AND it's also useful to help reduce teething pain in babies
Jeeze, that list sounds like the side effects of a bottle of pills...
As for the outside of your body, Chamomile can be ground into a paste (then add oatmeal for desired consistency) and used to help treat burns, rashes, and infections.
Simply put, this herb is useful for a LOT of things, and it doesn't taste half bad neither if I do say so myself. When me and my four siblings (One brother, three sisters) were younger, our mother used to always give us chamomile tea for stomach aches, and we always felt better afterwards.
Chamomile is generally easy to grow, and it's not hard to find seeds for them at your local garden store ^_^ (I got my seeds for it on Gardenweb, though)
Just remember you use the flowers for the tea ;-)
And thus concludes the first Plant of the Week (Which I just randomly made up and decided to do, so yay spontinuity!)
I'll start posting every Monday about the Plant of the week, which might be a plant that's simply easy to grow, something neat, something nice to look at, or more likely something edible with useful nutritional properties ^_^
Thanks for reading!
So, I've chosen chamomile, which makes a nice tea and looks good to grow ^_^
First off and foremost, chamomile is incredibly useful for... Stomach cramps! This is by far the most nifty use of chamomile in my opinion, because cramps suck majorly... and just drinking a bit of chamomile tea can lessen and even get rid of the pain ^_^ This includes menstrual cramps, or so I hear. No first hand experience on that one ^_^;;
That's just the tip of the iceberg for this plants internal uses too, as it also can be used for gassiness, sick tummy, tummy aches, diarrhea, fever/cold, congestion, headaches, sleeping problems, stress, nervousness (Chamomile is a relaxant, so if you ever feel too tense or fidgety... I *think* that's why it's good for headaches too... but not 100% sure on that one) and it helps digestion!
*phew*
AND it's also useful to help reduce teething pain in babies
Jeeze, that list sounds like the side effects of a bottle of pills...
As for the outside of your body, Chamomile can be ground into a paste (then add oatmeal for desired consistency) and used to help treat burns, rashes, and infections.
Simply put, this herb is useful for a LOT of things, and it doesn't taste half bad neither if I do say so myself. When me and my four siblings (One brother, three sisters) were younger, our mother used to always give us chamomile tea for stomach aches, and we always felt better afterwards.
Chamomile is generally easy to grow, and it's not hard to find seeds for them at your local garden store ^_^ (I got my seeds for it on Gardenweb, though)
Just remember you use the flowers for the tea ;-)
And thus concludes the first Plant of the Week (Which I just randomly made up and decided to do, so yay spontinuity!)
I'll start posting every Monday about the Plant of the week, which might be a plant that's simply easy to grow, something neat, something nice to look at, or more likely something edible with useful nutritional properties ^_^
Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Garden Web Seed Exchange...
For my first non-introductory blog, I've decided to write about a nifty little thing I only just learned about a few months ago - Online seed trading!
I found these first on Gardenweb, which I have in my "Linkies!" section for your ultimately uber convenience (No thanks necessary, I'm thoughtful, I know it ^_~ lol)
For even MORE convenience, though... Click here to go to their forum ;-)
While, generally these forums are there for the purpose of TRADING, as a newbie, they often offer some nifty advantages (And randomly some people have too many seeds during fall TO trade, and just give a bunch away)
For what was essentially the cost of 6 stamps, I ended up with about 60 packets of seeds.
Granted, a FEW of these were duplicates, but I still came out with some very nice things, like Judas Tree seeds (which actually grow in my zone! Yay!) various types of basil (including one I can't quite read the persons handwriting on to tell if it's "Cone" or "Cane" basil - I've never heard of either though, so who knows what it really is ^_^;;)
Just to show how awesome this really is... Here's a list of the seeds I had gotten... Sorry about the length ^_^;;
I separated the seeds by where I got them from, which is why there are three groups. The first group is from a website I *found* on the forums, called Wintersown.org.
They'll send you 6 packs of seed (or so they say, I got 11) for a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE for those who don't know)
I'm hoping to be able to harvest my own seeds off some of these plants this year to start trading on the forums...
But yeah, I hope someone gets use outta this.
Best part is as I said - FREE SEEDS (Minus cost of postage... and envelopes if they don't supply their own... lol) (Bubble mailers work good when it's not hot out... if it's hot out, they might fry the seeds >_<;;)
So if you're a newbie gardener or just looking for some random seeds, some of which are a bit 'invasive' (Also, very good Butterfly and Hummingbird attractors!) then I suggest this site. It's free to make an account (though, I think ONE of the forums requires a paid account, but I don't use that forum anyway, so what do I care? Lol) and it's a nice way to amass seeds up without paying 2 bucks a packet.
There are also some pretty rare varieties I've seen (Like the Peter Peppers I got, which are also a little creepy! Can't wait to start growing those and giving the seeds to unsuspecting gardeners who don't know what they look like... seems like it'll be a fun little gag... Muahahahahaha!)
Usually these packets come with about 24 seeds unless they're harder to propagate - this is just because that's generally a good number to start your own group of plants to get your own seeds from. It's pretty efficient...
Anyway, that's it for tonight! Enjoy ;-)
I found these first on Gardenweb, which I have in my "Linkies!" section for your ultimately uber convenience (No thanks necessary, I'm thoughtful, I know it ^_~ lol)
For even MORE convenience, though... Click here to go to their forum ;-)
While, generally these forums are there for the purpose of TRADING, as a newbie, they often offer some nifty advantages (And randomly some people have too many seeds during fall TO trade, and just give a bunch away)
For what was essentially the cost of 6 stamps, I ended up with about 60 packets of seeds.
Granted, a FEW of these were duplicates, but I still came out with some very nice things, like Judas Tree seeds (which actually grow in my zone! Yay!) various types of basil (including one I can't quite read the persons handwriting on to tell if it's "Cone" or "Cane" basil - I've never heard of either though, so who knows what it really is ^_^;;)
Just to show how awesome this really is... Here's a list of the seeds I had gotten... Sorry about the length ^_^;;
I separated the seeds by where I got them from, which is why there are three groups. The first group is from a website I *found* on the forums, called Wintersown.org.
They'll send you 6 packs of seed (or so they say, I got 11) for a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE for those who don't know)
- Sweet Annie (Artemesia annua)
- Broadstem Green Chard (Beta vulgaris [Cicla group])
- Sensation Mix Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) (2 packets)
- Aquilegia sp. Blend (P) (Columbine)
- Blue Flax (Linum perenne)
- California Giants Zinnia
- Rose of Sharon Mix (Pink, Lavender, or White) (Hibiscus syriacus)
- Zebrina (Malva sylvestris)
- Foxglove Assortment (Digitalis sp.)
- Tomato Blend
- Pumpkin "We Be Little"
- Blue Mirror Larkspur (Delphinium grandiflorum [I think])
- Black Cherry
- Mary Washington Asparagus
- Lilac
- Feverfew
- Table Queen Squash
- Sage
- Mexican Bush Sage
- Licorice Basil
- Cane (Cone?) Basil
- Sweet Italian Basil (Large Leaf)
- Becky's Marigold (Two Packs) [Anyone know the story on these? The packages all say "She lived in Pharr, Texas" on the back...]
- Scarlet Runner Beans
- Lemon Thyme
- Bodegold Chamomile
- Pepper Ace
- Morning Glory
- Alderman Tall Telephone Shell Pea
- Chervil
- Black Cherry Tomato
- Japanese Moon Vine Red
- Butterfly Bush
- White Anise Hyssop
- Borage
- Winter Density Bibb/Romaine Lettuce
- Yarrow (Achillea spp.)
- Mallow Zebrina (Malva Sylvestris)
- Nicotiana Sylvestris
- Hardy Hibiscus
- Mini Bar Rose Morning Glory
- Purple Morning Glory Mix
- Red Bud Tree/Judas Tree (Cercis canadensis)
- [Coufe Date? Coupe Date? Coup D'etat?] Rose
- Red Castor Bean
- Peter Pepper
- Teddy Bear Sunflower
- Purple Giant Hyssop (Agastache Rugosa)
- Blue Lake Bush Bean
- Hollyhock - Various Pink
- Rose Campion - Magenta And White mix (Lychnis coronaria)
- Nigella 'Love in the mist'/ 'Miss Jeckyll'
- Heirloom Tomato Korny's Jelly Bean (Small Grape Type)
- Common Milkweed [Great for Monarchs!]
- Geum 'Mrs. Bradshaw'
I'm hoping to be able to harvest my own seeds off some of these plants this year to start trading on the forums...
But yeah, I hope someone gets use outta this.
Best part is as I said - FREE SEEDS (Minus cost of postage... and envelopes if they don't supply their own... lol) (Bubble mailers work good when it's not hot out... if it's hot out, they might fry the seeds >_<;;)
So if you're a newbie gardener or just looking for some random seeds, some of which are a bit 'invasive' (Also, very good Butterfly and Hummingbird attractors!) then I suggest this site. It's free to make an account (though, I think ONE of the forums requires a paid account, but I don't use that forum anyway, so what do I care? Lol) and it's a nice way to amass seeds up without paying 2 bucks a packet.
There are also some pretty rare varieties I've seen (Like the Peter Peppers I got, which are also a little creepy! Can't wait to start growing those and giving the seeds to unsuspecting gardeners who don't know what they look like... seems like it'll be a fun little gag... Muahahahahaha!)
Usually these packets come with about 24 seeds unless they're harder to propagate - this is just because that's generally a good number to start your own group of plants to get your own seeds from. It's pretty efficient...
Anyway, that's it for tonight! Enjoy ;-)
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
A semi-short introduction
Well hello there ^_^
Welcome to my first blog post :-P
Anyway, since I'm new here, I figured my first post should just simply be a 'short' introduction about who I am, and what I like, so here goes.
As a forewarning, I tend to be long winded, so 'short' is usually a bold faced lie.
My name is Billy, I'm 20, and I love to research random things. In particular I like to look up random plants, or herbal remedies, and other natural health topics. I live as closely to the 'natural health' lifestyle as I can at the moment, but not nearly as much as I'd like to. I'm hoping that changes in the future, though.
I love learning about what herbs can help in what way, and I love trying them out for myself. Chamomile tea is a new favorite of mine, and I am attempting to grow some very very very old lavender seeds which, realistically, should never be able to sprout. Here's hoping I've got more luck than brains!
I grow random plants on my windowsill - more or less. I have a little table/stool thin that my plants are on. I think it's supposed to be a shoe rack, but it's the perfect height for my window, and I don't have many shoes, so it just seems more logical to have plants. Right?
For the most part, I don't have *too* many plants inside right now. I have a small Purple Smoke Tree (which is currently recovering from a nasty shock it got when I was transporting it), several mint plants (I make mint cuttings for friends and family ^_^;;) a ground ivy that has sprouted from nothingness (Seriously, I thought it was dead, I yanked it out and everything and just assumed creeping plants cannot be constrained and still be healthy... then it reappeared) and a Burdock seedling because I was testing to see if the seeds I collected were viable.
I also have a Japanese Eggplant (More commonly known as an easter eggplant) which is only a few inches tall so... no free food for me yet *snaps fingers* and a purple Oxalis (Oxalis regnellii 'Atropurpurea' I think) Literally just one. All alone. Poor little guy... Very strong plant it seems like though, so I'm hoping it'll grow it's own friends sometime during spring.
On top of that, I also enjoy video games, but I probably wont post too much in this blog about that, seeing as how I'm pretty sure people aren't going to a Blog called "Healing Plants" to hear me rant about spawn campers or the new Smash Brothers game ^_^;;
And yeah, a bit random, and a bit out of order, but as an introduction it shall suffice.
Thanks for reading ^_^ My later posts will hopefully be more interesting and informative.
-Urak
Welcome to my first blog post :-P
Anyway, since I'm new here, I figured my first post should just simply be a 'short' introduction about who I am, and what I like, so here goes.
As a forewarning, I tend to be long winded, so 'short' is usually a bold faced lie.
My name is Billy, I'm 20, and I love to research random things. In particular I like to look up random plants, or herbal remedies, and other natural health topics. I live as closely to the 'natural health' lifestyle as I can at the moment, but not nearly as much as I'd like to. I'm hoping that changes in the future, though.
I love learning about what herbs can help in what way, and I love trying them out for myself. Chamomile tea is a new favorite of mine, and I am attempting to grow some very very very old lavender seeds which, realistically, should never be able to sprout. Here's hoping I've got more luck than brains!
I grow random plants on my windowsill - more or less. I have a little table/stool thin that my plants are on. I think it's supposed to be a shoe rack, but it's the perfect height for my window, and I don't have many shoes, so it just seems more logical to have plants. Right?
For the most part, I don't have *too* many plants inside right now. I have a small Purple Smoke Tree (which is currently recovering from a nasty shock it got when I was transporting it), several mint plants (I make mint cuttings for friends and family ^_^;;) a ground ivy that has sprouted from nothingness (Seriously, I thought it was dead, I yanked it out and everything and just assumed creeping plants cannot be constrained and still be healthy... then it reappeared) and a Burdock seedling because I was testing to see if the seeds I collected were viable.
I also have a Japanese Eggplant (More commonly known as an easter eggplant) which is only a few inches tall so... no free food for me yet *snaps fingers* and a purple Oxalis (Oxalis regnellii 'Atropurpurea' I think) Literally just one. All alone. Poor little guy... Very strong plant it seems like though, so I'm hoping it'll grow it's own friends sometime during spring.
On top of that, I also enjoy video games, but I probably wont post too much in this blog about that, seeing as how I'm pretty sure people aren't going to a Blog called "Healing Plants" to hear me rant about spawn campers or the new Smash Brothers game ^_^;;
And yeah, a bit random, and a bit out of order, but as an introduction it shall suffice.
Thanks for reading ^_^ My later posts will hopefully be more interesting and informative.
-Urak
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