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Herb of the Year - Elder  

Years ago, I planted this twig on the side of my house. I thought I had killed it, and really so not much happening for a few years. In  

fact, I forgot what it was I planted. And then last year - it grew! And it blossomed! And it berried! I was absolutely delighted to discover it was an Elder!  

I didn't harvest much last year, because I wanted it to continue to grow and flourish. The birds were certainly delighted by my decision. This year will be a different story!

Elder is the International Herb Associations Herb of the Year. It is a lovely shrub, with beautiful umbrels of white flowers in the summer, and the tastiest little dark purple berries in the late summer. The flowers help lower fevers. They are also excellent for skin care. The berries are immune enhancing and helpful in fighting flu's, cold and respiratory issues.

My favorite way to use elderberries during cold and flu season is to infuse them into honey. Just fill a jar half way with either dried or fresh berries. Then fill the jar with honey. Let it sit for at least 2 weeks, but the longer the better. When you're ready, strain the honey and use it in tea, salad dressings, other recipes or have some straight off the spoon. So very yummy and soothing to coughs and colds.

Not only is elder flower and berry good for you... it's very tasty! There are some lovely recipes at Mother Earth Living. And to learn more about elder, its history and many, many uses you can check A Modern Herbal or the Herb Society of America.  I can't wait to learn more about my little elder plant. I'll let you know how it does this year.   

 Seeds of a Dream     

I love plants and herbs and trees and all kinds of fresh, lovely growing things. But I have to admit, I don't actually have a GREEN thumb. It's more like a green thumb.  It used to be a black thumb. I would kill everything.  

This time of year has me thinking of my garden. What new things will I try this year? What can be improved? Where did I plant that wild ginger? The Christmas catalog collection has been replaced with the seed catalogs, and the dreaming has begun.

Another admission... I am really bad at starting plants from seeds. When I buy plants for the garden, I've learned where to put them, the light and water they need. Seed starting still eludes me. I've tried, but I keep letting them get too leggy, too wet, wrong light, and so many other things. I'll keep trying though.  

Just like outside, you learn from your mistakes.  The only way I've managed to get any talent in growing my garden is through error and trial and error again. If you feel like you haven't got a plant growing bone in your body, fear not. Plants can be very forgiving (see my elder tale above). And with each mistake, you learn a little more. I've found the perfect place for my Calendula and St. John's Wort only by trying it in a few places first and failing miserably.  

So sow those seeds of a dream and pull out the catalogs or websites. Here are some of my favorite places to buy seeds and plants.

Well Sweep Herb Farm - the best collection of herbs plants in NJ. They are so helpful and knowledgeable too!

Barlow's Flower and Garden Center -  Great selection, lovely place and lots of assistance for lost gardeners.

Mountain Valley Growers - an online store that has wonderful plants. I've usually had success with their plants. If not, it was not their fault.

Richters Herbs - an online store with an amazing assortment of seeds and plants.