As Kerry, Ember and the rest of the crew ready the fields for harvesting all the delicious produce we will be enjoying, Tina Alexander, the Penelope’s Garden work-for-share extraordinaire, has been busy planning, planting and pruning away in Penelope’s Garden.
Beginning this week, the following herbs are ready to cut (just look for the yellow circles):
Peppermint – alleviates pain and reduces anxiety.
Chocolate mint – really tastes like chocolate and pairs well in cakes, ice cream and even salads.
Spearmint – high in antioxidants, it’s used to combat nausea and strengthen the immune system.
Field mint – perfect for easing indigestion, colic and halitosis.
Buena verba/Sweet mint – this type of mint is best for mojitos and mocktails (Mentha x suavis).
Apple mint (which is everywhere!)– also called the woolly or pineapple mint, it’s often used in culinary recipes with fresh fruits.
Catnip – this herb may drive your kitties wild but did you know its tea also soothes menstrual cramps?
Kapoor Tulsi/Holy basil – famous for its anxiety-reducing effects, it’s also used to clear the respiratory tract. Makes a delicious tea.
Chamomile – among its many uses, aids in treating colic, insomnia and digestive issues.
Lemon balm – helps with headaches and great for liver health.
Lime balm – calms the nervous system and promotes sleep. Has a more gentle flavor than lemon balm.
Anise Hyssop –related to mint but tastes like licorice, it can help with healing burns, improving circulation and ridding the body of parasites.
Yarrow – hailed by both the ancient Greeks and Native Americans, it’s applied to wounds and makes a great addition to any garden, as it repels pests and attracts pollinators. Please note that yarrow is toxic to cats, dogs and horses.
Motherwort – famous for supporting women’s reproductive health and calming nerves.
Comfrey – Bumblebees love their flowers and its hairy leaves have been traditionally applied to bruises and sprains and for relieving aching muscles in a soak. However, internal indigestion is not encouraged, due to potential liver issues.
And depending on the upcoming rainfall, we should expect calendula, skullcap, feverfew, borage and dandelions to be ready for harvesting in the coming weeks.
