FW: December Herb of the Month

[Guest guest]

Ellen Zimmermann [ellenzimm]

 

My Dear Herbal Enthusiast:

 

I apologize for not sending out this newsletter last month (did anyone

actually notice?). November and December have been full of classes,

Thanksgiving, 4 birthdays in my family, a trip to Chicago, Christmas,

Hanukah and lots of love.

 

Now we are approaching a brand new year with hopes for peace in the

world, food and shelter for all our fellow beings (especially the

victims of Katrina and the Tsunami). What strange happenings our planet

has been experiencing.

 

I hope that all of you do what you can to create calmness of mind and

spirit, and good health for your physical body. I look forward to 2006

and continuing my teaching of herbal medicine at the Austin School of

Herbal Studies.

 

This Spring I will offer my 10 Session Herbal Intensive beginning in

April. I will keep you posted via email and the schedule should be up

on my website by the end of January. If anyone has questions regarding

the Intensive, or would like to request early registration (I do have

limited space available), please call or email me.

 

Now on to December's Herb of Month. A very Happy New Year to you.

 

 

December 05 Herb of the Month - Winter Herbs

 

 

 

 

It's supposed to be cold outside but it's in the 70's and actually a

great time to get out into the garden and prune those green friends that

can safely survive another freeze, that is if it ever does get cold

again! If the plant stems are completely brown and brittle, and you

possibly see some new green growth on the ground, chances are good you

can prune them. If you have any doubts about pruning, just leave it

alone, and get to it in early spring when the danger of frost is past.

 

 

 

I love the winter garden, even though it is not very colorful or lush;

for it has a quiet, serene beauty that is somehow comforting. I love

growing delicious healthy greens (including mustard greens, spinach,

kale, bok choy, arugula, turnip greens and beet greens), and several

tender young lettuces and we enjoy these throughout the winter. Herbs

that grow well during our winter include cilantro, calendula, fennel,

dill, parsley, garlic chives and numerous others.

 

 

 

December is definitely the time to scatter any poppy seeds you've

acquired by collection or purchase. I usually have a garden full of

Oriental Poppies (that reseed themselves) and I am lucky enough to have

a nice display of Dorothy Poppies (the big, triple petaled rosy

blossoms). I also have many California Poppies sprouting up after an

earlier fall planting. California Poppy is a wonderful and gentle

sedative herb that is safely used by children and adults to ease anxiety

and promote restful sleep. Get those poppy seeds on the ground within

the next few days, and hopefully with some rain to come, you'll have an

early spring full of colorful, delicate and wondrous flowers.

 

 

 

Winter is also the time to dream about your spring garden and collect

and study several seed catalogues for new ideas for your garden. Some

of my favorite catalogues include Horizon Herbs, Johnny's Seeds,

Richter's and The Cook's Garden. I also collect my own seeds every year

and trade with others for new plants I want to try. I always say that

gardening is a grand experiment and it is worth trying just about

anything that stirs your heart.

 

 

 

So even though it is winter, herbs, herbal lore and wonderful herbal

medicine is alive and well in all our gardens and in our hearts and

minds. Enjoy rich, healthful herbal teas these winter nights, fresh

winter vegetables from the garden and healthy soups with lots of herbs

for taste, health benefits and just for the sheer joy of it.

 

 

 

Many Green Blessings to all of you and heartfelt wishes for a healthy,

prosperous and peaceful 2006.

 

 

 

Ellen

 

 

 

Ellen Zimmermann

Sharing the Wisdom of the Plants

www.ezherbs.net

512-301-5838