Wooden Shoe Herb Farm - Specialty Herb Gardens and Teas

You will notice that we have discontinued with the plant list in our annual newsletter. Our plant selection changes from year to year and we feel that if we give you a list, we should have all the plants on it available to you. Over the years it has not been profitable to keep our everlasting plants on the racks for our customers. So we have gone to a "call" method. If you wish to have a flat or flats of everlastings, you need to let us know by the end of March so we can have them ready for you. There are also a lot of plants we do not keep on the racks since the demand for them is small. We have them, so if you do not see the plant you want, be sure to ask and we will do our best to accommodate you.

There are quite a few new varieties this year along with our unique regulars. This year we will again have a LIMITED supply of purple and yellow Tree Peonies. If you have ever seen these gorgeous bushes in bloom, you will want to have one of your own. If you wish to purchase one of these, please call to have us reserve one for you. They are again in short supply this year. We have added to our list of lavenders. We carry quite a few tender lavenders. A lot of people do not wish to take the time to care for a tender plant - one that will not survive our winter if left out of doors. If you keep them in pots all summer, and just bring the pot in the fall, you will have no trouble having the plant survive the winter. They will bloom continuously in your house, and the smell is fantastic. When spring comes, out they go again. Lavenders are easy to care for as a house plant since they are not susceptible to bugs or diseases. We have a few new rosemaries this year also. One that we carried in a limited supply last year was Barbeque Rosemary. This rosemary has a light barbeque taste, great for grilling in the summer. We have a miniature rosemary for those of you that have fairy gardens or trough gardens. Along with the miniature rosemary, we have elfin. Elfin thyme is a very low growing, non flowering thyme. These are just a few of the new varieties we have. Come and enjoy browsing through our plants racks - we know you will find something just perfect for your garden or patio.


Old Fashioned Rose	Attar of Roses

Herb of the Year - Calendula

Calendula, known commonly as pot marigold, is an annual imported from Asia and Southern Europe. It reaches a height of 12-28 inches. The stems are slightly fuzzy and the leaves are soft, long and pale green. The flowers range from yellow to orange and are approximately 1 ½ inches in diameter. The plant can be grown directly from seed and germinates easily after about 7-10 days. This plant in very susceptible to damping off but after the danger has past, will grow in many different types of soil. The plant prefers full sun. Have late plantings so you can have a larger harvest. Deadhead the plants and you will produce more flowers. Pick the flowers in the heat of the day when the resins are the highest and the water content is the lowest. Dry the flowers immediately after picking. Store in an air tight container since it will reabsorb moisture.

The word calendula is derived from the Latin calens meaning the first day of each month because the Romans claimed they bloomed the first of each month. Christians called it marigold because it bloomed at all the festivals celebrating the Virgin Mary. It is not from the same family as Tagetes, our common marigold. Calendula is known as the herb of the sun, because the flowers open in the morning and close in the evening. The culinary use of calendula dates back to ancient Rome. Common people could not buy saffron and they discovered that powdered calendula petals were an excellent substitute. In the early days of this county dried marigold petals were sold in country stores out of a wooden barrel just like other herbs. Use calendula on salads as a garnish to give it some color. The practice of coloring butter made from autumn and winter milk - low in vitamin A and pale compared to spring butter - with skin healing calendula was so common that butter became widely known as a burn ointment. The pigmentation of ornamental fish in captivity can be intensified by adding calendula to regular fish food. The yellow and orange flowers produce a dye for the hair which women used in 16th century Europe and is still used to dye wool. Marigold water is soothing to the eyes and the flowers provide a face cream which leaves the skin smooth and silky. When infused in water, marigold blooms make a tea which tones up circulation. The blooms have healing properties that make a cooled infusion valuable as a skin tonic for oily complexions. It can also be used as a rich skin moisturizer, hair shampoo and a rinse. Laboratory studies show it kills bacteria and fungus such as ringworm and athlete’s foot. Calendula has long been considered a detoxifying herb, and helps to treat the toxicity that underlies any fevers and infections.

Calendula is best used as a salve. Apply for any problem involving inflammation or dry skin, wounds, dry eczema, sore nipples in breastfeeding, scalds and sunburn.

HERBAL HEALING SALVE

Heat twice as many comfrey leaves as calendula flowers covered in olive oil in a low heat oven for over 5 hours. You can leave it in the oven over-night for best results. After cooking, strain out herbs. Place 1 1/4 cups of the herb oil in a pan, add 1 oz. beeswax and heat just enough to melt the wax. You can add essential oils at this point if you wish to do so. 4 drops each of tea tree and lavender oil. Stir. Finally, pour the salve into wide mouthed jars. Store at room temperature.

For more information on Calendula, Herb of the Year 2008, go to www.herbnet.com.