Time to start thinking about creating a Medicinal Herb Garden. For more information check out my video talk that I did for Saratoga Springs Library: Planting a Medicinal Garden video Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqlsuYs6nSA.
Full Sun: six or more hours Part Sun: four to five hours
Part or Filtered Sun: filtered light through the day
Shade: early morning or late afternoon Sun
Put a stick in the ground where you are thinking of putting in a garden. Check it every couple of hours or take a picture of the area every couple of hours to see if you have enough sun. Remember sunlight is different in the spring/ summer.
Soil
Know What kind of soil you have.
Loam: medium texture, combination of sand, silt, clay,
Clay: heavy texture, particles are tiny and stick together, holds moisture and contains nutrients
Sandy: coarse textured, easy to work with, doesn’t not hold water or nutrients
Use your local Extension office for more information about all aspects of growing plants.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Warren County: warren.cce.cornell.edu Saratoga County: cesaratoga.org
Life Cycle of the Plants
Annual – completes its life cycle within growing season; seeds germinates, the plant grows, blooms, sets seeds and dies all within one season. Tulsi, Basil, Rosemary (yes, Rosemary is an annual here in the north county)
Biennial – takes two years to complete their life cycle: the first year it germinates, grows, the second year it blooms, set seeds and dies. Burdock, Angelica, Teasel
Perennial continues to bloom every year. Most herbal plants are perennial plants.
Placement and Design of Garden: Front , Back and Side Yard, Raised Beds, Containers
Make A Plan.
Check out my Blog: What Shall I Plant? Demo Medicinal Herbal Garden 12 feet by 4 feet
Starting Plants from Seed: Check out my Blog: Planting Tulsi (saving Tulsi seeds)
Seed Catalogs are a source of important information.
Product/Species Days Germ. Sowing Time Seeding Method Light Plant Height Spacing Zone
Lemon Balm 7-14 Spring Transplant Sun 18-26” 12” Zones 4 – 8 Lemon Grass 7-14 Spring Transplant Sun 18-48 “ 8-12” Zones 9-11
Echinacea purpurea is the species that grows the best in the northeast. There are several species as you tell by the catalog page. Information on where the specific species originated from and the species growing habits.
Echinacea purpurea ( Latin name) Purple Coneflower (Common name)
Herbaceous perennial. Originally native to the midwest. Widely cultivated. Derived from a rare wild collection and unmodified. This species adapts to a wide array of growing conditions. No cold-conditioning needed. Flower purple, to 3 to 4 feet.
Latin names are how you identify medicinal plants not by the common name.
List of local Medicinal Plants to Grow according to the Body System that they served.
Digestive Herbs: Peppermint, Chamomile, Spearmint, Fennel, Meadowsweet
Nutrition Herbs: Oats, Nettles, Tulsi
Nervous System Herbs: Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Wood Betony, Peppermint, Valerian, Skullcap, Oats Catnip, St. John’s Wort
Respiratory Herbs: Mullein, Horehound, Hyssop, Peppermint, Marshmallow, Elecampane, Catnip, Yarrow
Immune System: Echinacea, Garlic, Elder, Boneset, Yarrow
Skin Care: Calendula, Rosemary, Roses, Lavender, Comfrey, Marshmallow, St John’s Wort
Bug Repellent: Wormwood, Southernwood, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage, Sweet Annie, Rue
Culinary Herbs :Basil, Chives Coriander, Cilantro, Dill, Fennel, Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary, Stevia, Tarragon, Horseradish, Sage, Cayenne, Garlic ,Peppermints, Spearmint
Check out my other Blogs: Drying Herbal Plants
Garbling & Storing Dried Herbal Plants
What Shall I Plant? Demo Medicinal Herbal Garden 12 feet X 4 feet
Planting Tulsi
