Well, the season is now upon us… what season, do you ask? Elderberry season! This extremely important wild edible and medicinal plant starts getting ripe berries any time from July to September, depending on your specific location and elevation. Here in southern Oregon elderberries are perfect from mid August to early September. Before the berries,…
summer favorites
15+ Ways to Preserve Zucchini: Freeze, Can, Ferment, and Dehydrate
Some summers are zucchini summers, and we are in the midst of one right now! Preserving zucchini to last through the winter is actually easy to do. There are four main methods for how to preserve zucchini: freezing, canning, fermenting, and dehydrating or drying. How to Preserve Zucchini Zucchini can sometimes grow a little bit…
10 Reasons to Grow Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis, is a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean, but now grows rapidly throughout the world. It’s a member of the mint family and because all mints have square stems, identifying this herb is as easy as crushing a leaf between your fingers. If the aroma released is sweet, lemony, and slightly…
Herbal Popsicles with Lavender and Lemon Balm
Sipping a cup of herbal tea is something I like to do throughout the year, but when it’s hot outside I want something cool and refreshing. Of course, I can always make an iced herbal tea like my wildflower infusion or white clover tea, but sometimes a frozen treat is the only thing that sounds…
20+ Elderflower Recipes: cordial, liqueur, tea, jelly, cake + more!
Summertime means elderflowers, and that couldn’t make me more happy! They have a delicate floral flavor that is delightful and perfect in drinks and desserts. Just like the elderberries they turn into, elderflowers have amazing medicinal benefits. They are also great to use in skin and body care recipes. I gathered up some of my…
