Tag Archives: thyme

April 12, 2026 · 4:12 pm

Herbs 101

 

 

Merry meet all,

I keep checking my seedling pots. The hardest part of growing herbs from seeds lies in having patience. I am not the most patient type, but when it comes to herbs, patience is mandatory. 

Today’s post will be all about herbs. When I’m out on a walk or checking the garden, I see signs of new growth everywhere – the crocuses popped up, the sage leaves have gone from grey to green and birds peck at the ground. I’m growing a pot of mint in the kitchen. New stems and leaves have emerged, arching toward the sun. 

Growing herbs is a great way to get to know the herbs. It helps in identifying herbs (if you’re anything like me and forget what you planted, lol), and learning to understand what they need. Obtain a spray bottle. Save the water you used to boil eggs in and pour that into the spray bottle, then mist your plants every so often. The water saved from boiling eggs in contains calcium and potassium, necessary natural fertilizers. Never drown the seedlings in a waterfall, mist them with water, especially when they are tiny and just growing their true leaves. Place them in a south-facing window so they receive the maximum amount of sunlight. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I ordered organic all-natural clary sage seeds from Strictly medicinal – (https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/).  I sprinkled the clary sage seeds into the seedling pot and waited a week and a half. I’m growing chives, clary sage, spearmint and a few other seedlings have popped up, but I can’t identify what they are yet. I also added stinging nettle, catnip, basil, oregano, ashwagandha and borage to the pot of mint. I am short on space, but I have lots of enthusiasm to grow these herbs. I have to wait and see what comes up. My patience paid off though. Now I get to watch them grow. Spraying them with water lightly also greatly decreases the chances of the seedlings getting that annoying fungus in the soil. 

I’m growing catnip from seed in the mint pot because my cat can’t get up on the kitchen island. So the herbs can grow undeterred by a certain overly curious feline. 

Do not fertilize the seedlings heavily when they are growing their true leaves. Wait until the seedlings are about 6 to 8 inches tall and may be ready to potted up again or brought outdoors to the garden after the frost is gone. This is their most important growing phase right now when they get their true leaves. Herbs really take off after that. They can’t be dunked in water, pot overturned or neglected. They need all the care and attention they can get in their early stages. 

We often forget that herbs such as rosemary, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, sage, oregano, thyme, basil and chives originated in the warm Mediterranean climate. The above mentioned herbs are all part of the Lamiaceae family, the mint family. My mother’s rosemary plant is studded with the most beautiful blue blossoms, seated in the cool basement of her home. All her other plants are upstairs on the main floor. If she let the rosemary live up on the main floor during the winter, it would have dried out. My mint dried out, but now that it is spring, it has new growth. Since the mint plant is more established and growing in a deeper pot, I water it more thoroughly than I would my seedlings. Anyone serious about growing lovely, richly aromatic herbs has to get to know what herbs need. It can help to think about the type of climate the herbs originally had in the Mediterranean. I live in Atlantic Canada, which means they don’t get a longer, hot season and we have harsh winters here. But my Mom’s oregano, sage, lavender and thyme are true perennials and are growing back. 

Sage, oregano, basil, chives, mint, lavender, thyme and basil all need mostly full sun and moisture. Once it is warm enough to plant your herbs outdoors on a sunny deck or straight into the garden, make it a ritual. Pick a day when first, all chances of frost are gone and secondly, pick a dry, slightly windy day after the dew has dried. Bring your herbs outdoors. Bonus points if you are hardening them to the outdoor temperatures. You can always bring them in at night if you still feel it is too cold out. Gather all your tools, such as a trowel, a watering can, a gardening shovel and your organic fertilizer. You ARE using organic fertilizer, right? Dig a hole in the garden, remove the herb seedling from the pot, tear gently or tug the roots apart to encourage new and strong growth and place it in the hole. Add the fertilizer around the roots of the plant, then fill in with the soil. Water the seedling well and admire your seedling. Welcome it to the garden. Yes, you can talk to your plants. Ignore your nosy neighbors. Hold the seedling/s in your hands and feel its energy, and welcome it to the garden. Now let mama nature take care of the rest. Don’t crowd all the seedlings. Check the seed packet to know how much room herbs need from each other. 

Gypsum, fish emulsion and Gaia Green are all options for organic fertilizers. Never add harsh chemicals in any form, pesticides or insecticides to your garden. We need to help our plants grow. Insects are our unsung heroes. They do the hard work! Aphids trying to take over? Get ladybugs to eat them. Hang a bird feeder in your garden to feed  your avian friends, they will hunt rats, mice, voles and bugs in the garden. If you are really feeling ambitous, hang a bat house/ feeder. They eat tons of mosquitoes. Let nature fight nature. The best way to help pollinators, birds and bats who would be more than ready to keep pests down is to have healthy, natural soil. That means using no non organic fertilizers. Strong, healthy plants are able to defend themselves from predators and pests, too. 

Soil is vital. Organic soil is vital, composed of tiny, microscopic microbes – tiny bugs. Organic soil should be rich with nutrients and a good sign of organic soil is it will often contains tons of earthworms. When I would set new soil down in my garden when I lived on Crown Drive, I would work the soil in, then let the earthworms and beetles(!) aerate the soil. Earthworms are a good sign of good soil! Use compost and organic mulching methods and you will be rewarded with rich, nutrient soil just perfect for grow herbs in. Ask mother earth and father sky to bless your plants and/or your chosen deity to bless your plants. Add corresponding gemstones into the soil arranged about the base of the plants. 

My mom just accidentally knocked a pot of my baby seedlings to the floor. I was able to find my tiny seedlings and so I tucked them back into the soil. The roots were more established than I thought. The roots reached way down into the soil. Nature will never cease to amaze me. 

If you take all that care and reverence for the gifts that Mother Nature bestows upon us, whether that is a bee pollinating lavender, birds singing or dragonflies flitting from flower to flower, you will have beautiful and aromatic herbs in your garden. I hope these tips help you in your own gardening journey. 

Blessings, Spiderwitch )O(

Links to organic seed suppliers: 

Strictly Medicinal – https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/

Annapolis Seeds – https://annapolisseeds.com/

 

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March 10, 2025 · 4:07 pm

Painting an old dresser new

Merry meet all,

Today’s post will be about my latest creative project. I am painting my bedroom dresser green. It was a much bigger project than I anticipated. So get yourselves all cozy and let me tell you all about it. 

The dresser was relocated to the kitchen. I set down a drop cloth beneath the dresser and a drop cloth over the kitchen table. Paint can be messy. I had a lot of work to do. First off, I had to clean the dresser. I think scour is the correct word here. I can’t remember when the last time was that the dresser was ever cleaned. For as long as I can recall, the dresser lived in the hard to get to corner of my bedroom, covered in dust and dirt and cat hair. I cleaned, dusted and washed the dresser to the very best of my ability. The clothing that was stored in the drawers are stored in garbage bags in the bathroom. My apartment is a mess! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second task is sanding. I sanded the dresser to make sure the primer and the paint would adhere well. I sanded the dresser too to remove the ‘shine’ of the glaze. The wood was natural but it had a shine which the sanding removed. I tried my best to fill in any cracks with wood filler too. Then I wiped down the dresser with a vinegar cleanser and lots and lots of paper towels. It is amazing how many paper towels I have used during this project. I let it air dry then my cat decided to sit on the dresser top. No! My cat is now visiting at my Mom’s place until I am done painting. She will be thoroughly spoiled! I also cleaned and sanded the dresser drawers. That was a task I want to do my best to forget all about. I was exhausted after all that hard work. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next step was priming. I cleaned and sanded again and painted the dresser and drawers with the white primer. I did two coats on the dresser and the drawers. Finally most of the preparation work was done. I let the dresser and drawers dry overnight. Yesterday I managed to paint the dresser green. The color is called Dried Thyme! Trust me to find a paint color named after an herb! 

The forest fairy rub-on transfers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I bought the new hardware for the dresser and the fairy themed rub on transfers a couple months ago. I can’t wait to see how it will all look together. I also bought Country Chic natural furniture wax made with beeswax.  I also bought a bottle of Country Chic hemp oil. I plan to seal in the lovely green paint – which makes me think of spring, to the paint once it is fully dry. I will use a lint free cloth and rub the wax on. I can’t wait to see how that looks. The project cannot be rushed. It is hard to wait and wait for the paint to dry. But having patience means that this project will turn out beautifully. I want to use the hemp oil on the interior of the dresser drawers. The paint on the dresser and the drawers will last much longer once the wax sealant is applied. I have yet to decide where I shall apply the fairy rub on transfers. I am so excited to see how it will all look. I couldn’t take seeing the way the dresser looked for one more minute. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The screws that came with the new hardware for the dresser drawers are a slightly different size than the older pieces. I did clean up the older hardware and I will store those pieces somewhere. The above photo is just me testing how the hardware will look on the dresser drawers. I think it looks beautiful and pretty sharp!  There is one coat of paint on the drawer but I still say it looks great. I am sure something can be worked out so that the hardware will fit snugly. I have to sand the inside of the dresser that I painted or the drawers won’t go back in right. I may go for the ‘distressed’ look. 

Hemp Oil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow I shall do a third and final coat of paint on the dresser using a roller and a paintbrush. I want to use the roller so that the paint is spread over the dresser top as smoothly as possible. A paintbrush is ideal for the more detailed sections. I shall do a second coat of paint on the drawers and determine then if they need a third coat too. Then I will wax the dresser once the paint has fully dried. Paint takes time to properly cure. It is also a good idea to sand and clean the paint blobs off the wood so the paint can go on smoothly. Yes, even after you have added the paint. I sand very gently and that way there is minimal damage. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I might even line the drawers but I am not sure yet. I want to protect the top dresser surface from scratches. I shall do a grand reveal once it is all done. I can’t wait.  I guess that there is no telling when I shall wave my magic wand to transform something as mundane as an old dresser into a fairy dwelling! I want the faeries to appear like they really just landed on the dresser. I think I shall try arranging the transfers at odd angles or in unexpected ways on the surfaces of the dressers instead of something boring like perfectly straight. The question is do the transfers go on the sides of the dresser where they won’t be seen or the front of the drawers or the top dresser surface? I guess I will know soon enough. 

Today I added a third coat of paint to the dresser and a second coat of paint to the drawers. I just love how it is all turning out. The dresser will look beautiful. I am not sure if the drawers need a third coat of paint. My apartment is a mess. I am eager to start cleaning but first I have to wait for the paint to fully dry. Then I can put in the new dresser hardware and wax the dresser. The waiting is the hardest part right now. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have to wait for the paint to fully dry before I can wax and add the rub on transfers.  Yes this is the hardest part- the waiting. It is the most important step in this big project. The waiting is the hardest because if I add the wax and the transfers too soon, the paint will rub off, ruining all my hard work. I can take as long as I want to wait. Tomorrow I am sure I can add the transfers and the wax. The wax seals the paint. I also have to apply the transfers before I apply the wax. The transfers will not stick if the wax is added at the wrong stage. I have to decide where I want the transfers and how I plan to add the transfers before I wax the wood. I can’t wait for tomorrow. First I have to be 100% certain the paint is dry. I can even wait a week to add the transfers but I know I can’t wait that long. I found a beautiful brush for adding sealants and stains to wood at my fave local hardware store. I sanded the drawers and cleaned with vinegar and a lint free cloth. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today I was able to apply the rub on transfers. It was way more effort than I thought. I used a spray paint adhesive to make the transfers stick. First I made sure the surface was clean and dry. Then I peeled off the backing of the transfers and decided where I wanted the transfers to go since this is permanent. I sprayed the transfer with the adhesive, laid it on the wood and wiped it several times with a damp cloth. Then I used the wooden stick to rub the transfer onto the wood. It took patience and a lot of effort. I switched between the damp cloth and the stick often as I pressed. The transfer adhered way better. Then I waxed the dresser and the drawers save for one. I saved that drawer for last. I waxed the rails of the dresser till they were so smooth and I waxed the bottom rails of the drawers. The drawers will go in more smoothly now. 

Now the hardware for the dresser is the next step. I want to clean the area of my bedroom where the dresser will go. I have to install the hardware for the drawers and then the clothing can be put back in the drawers and the drawers can be put back in the dresser. I can’t wait. It will be stunning.  The hardware has been added to the dresser. I put the small cat scratching post back on the dresser. I laid a towel down on the dresser next to the post and put the big jewelry chest on top of the towel. I want to avoid scratches. 

The dresser looks beautiful! I can’t believe it is the same dresser! Here’s a photo!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dresser has new life breathed into it! My hands and arms have paint on them. I wore sweatpants and an old shirt for this. Sweatpants are perfect for painting. I am off soon to visit my cat at my Mom’s. I am sure she is being spoiled.  I hope this project inspires you to create something fresh for spring!

 

Blessings, Spiderwitch 

 

 

 

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March 11, 2023 · 12:17 pm

Spring Herbs

Merry meet all,

My indoor herb and vegetable seed starting project is progressing nicely. I love my grow light kit. I used to grow plants like herbs and flowers without a grow light. I don’t know how I ever managed. I will never go back to not using a grow light kit. It is amazing. I’m growing tickseed, parsley, thyme, Vietnamese Cilantro, onions, kohlrabi, carrots, radishes, calendula, celeriac, bunching onions, and winter squash. The seedlings are all arranged near or at my grow light kit. I love having a grow light kit. I will never go back to the old way. The parsley and thyme I bought in pots sit at a sunny window in my office. I bought a potted rosemary and arranged that near my grow light. 

I used seed starting soil, water and pots to start the seedlings in. I sprinkled mycorrhizae in the soil and Gaia Organics fertilizer. I sprinkle the seedlings with water. The window faces north but it is the only spot I can have them in that my cat Penny doesn’t disturb. I also have a few tablespoons of patience as this project requires patience. Seeds will germinate in their own good time. Then, once the seedling is up, it needs to receive all the care it can get. They can grow big, or small, wide or narrow, bright green or red, but whatever they do, they need a lot of attention and your time. 

Some plants may need supports or something to grow up on, to be trained on. Some plants grow leggy and stretch toward the light. Some plants need deeper soil. Some plants can take forever to grow into a carrot or a pepper plant. They are all individual green seedlings that depend on YOU. They depend on you for good quality soil, for their growing needs, for getting the adequate amount of light. Using a grow light can help take the load off a lot of the effort for you. Seedlings growing without the benefit of a grow light don’t grow as strong. I leave the light on for my grow light kit from about 7:00 – 8:00 am in the morning till about 9:00-10:00 pm at night. That means that my seedlings definitely receive the necessary amount of light. I mist them a lot during the day. The temperature is warm enough in my kitchen. 

I remove the weak seedlings and tend the strongest seedlings. A nod to Darwin here for his theories about survival of the fittest. I also label what I am growing. It is a good idea to know what you are growing! It is easy to label, you can make artsy labels or use something as simple as a popsicle stick for labeling your precious cilantro seedlings. 

The carrots and parsley were a real headache to get growing. Yes I did thin them out. I waited till the carrot seedlings were about two inches in height and arranged them into rows. I discarded the weak ones. Now they all have more space from each other and are growing their trademark true leaves. I misted them with water from my spray bottle and would gently water them from a measuring cup. I use toothpicks to support them as they grow up. A measuring cup is better than a regular drinking glass. It has that dip for pouring that I love. 

The carrots and parsley are growing in the deep pot for their roots shown in the photo. They were the hardest to get started but the hard work was worth it. 

I also use good quality seeds. I use organic, non GMO, heirloom seeds. Good seeds, good soil and good water and good tending make great seedlings. I watch a lot of videos on Youtube for good gardening inspiration. I store my seeds in their paper packets in a metal box. The seeds stay fresh too with a silica gel packet. I just rearranged the seeds. I store the herbs and flowers in one metal box and the veggie seeds in the other. 

The best tool in your toolbox is patience. They don’t get perfect overnight and grow overnight to their ideal size. They take their time. They grow at their own rate and they are fine with that, your green charges, oh yes. Cultivate patience as you cultivate your little green friends and they will try to grow their very best for you. I hope the tips in this post help you and inspire you to exercise your green thumbs. Happy growing!!

 

Blessings, Spiderwitch

 

 

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September 12, 2022 · 12:07 pm

Autumn wonders

Merry meet all,

I am proud to announce I graduated from the Intermediate level at the Herbal Academy. I look forward to new challenges and learn about new ways to use herbs in the next level, Advanced. I am sure there will be many challenges ahead for me. Bring it on!

I found new  fun ways to use herbs this summer. I dyed a big pile of plain muslin cloth with goldenrod. The fabric dyed a beautiful muted gold/ yellow shade. I’m infusing garlic cloves and garden grown basil in vinegar. I made a potent rose petal elixir, I concocted a St.John’s wort tincture and two salves, and I plan to make a jar of elderberry syrup. I look forward to using my herbal potions and learning more about herbs at the Herbal Academy. This fall I have a grow light. I just transferred the herbs I began from seed and my root cuttings of mint, basil, rue, nettles calendula, thyme and dill. The thyme and dill are growing in a yogurt container so their deep roots have room to grow. The other herbs were transferred to a deeper pot. They are all growing under the grow light. I wonder how I ever managed without a grow light. Grow lights are awesome! I’m trying to grow root veggies too. I hope that goes well. 

I even used herbs on my witch’s broom. I know that cinnamon brooms can be bought online. Why not do it yourself? I coated the broom with glue and dabbed the ground cinnamon onto the broom then I sprinkled cinnamon essential oil. It has dried in a large clear plastic bag for two weeks. The broom that I also made myself smells lovely now. Argh I do believe I have been stung by the very nettle I just transplanted. I grew a big lovely pumpkin vine but no pumpkins. The bees love the male flower pollen but all their hard work is for naught. Every female pumpkin flower has turned brown, shrivelled and died. There are many male pumpkin flowers. The tomatoes are finally growing and the scarlet runner bean vines are flush with beans. I plan to harvest all the herbs from my garden soon and bring the rosemary and oregano in for the winter. 

I’m harvesting lovage which I did earlier and made a lovely jar of lovage salt! Lemon balm, lemon basil, lavender, calendula, mint, sage, borage leaves, chamomile, chives, raspberry leaves, astilbe seeds, elecampane seeds and roots, dandelion roots, cucumbers, shallots, kale ( may overwinter it). The nasturtiums are annuals. I will miss them, I find the leaves so tasty. I will be busy this fall harvesting roots, flowers and seeds!

Being near this abundance of nature sure saves me money for studying at the Herbal Academy. It’s expensive enough to purchase and store the herbs. I have to have enough jars and room to store the jars. I don’t have enough room so I just don’t splurge on a huge amount of herbs at once. I buy 5 grams or more at least and then I can just refill the labeled and dated jars in my apothecary. 

I have to make sure I downloaded all the PDFs for the Intermediate level at the Herbal Academy. I left a glowing testimonial on how much I enjoyed the fun yet mentally stimulating. Herbs have taken over my life. Maybe I should say this course has taken over my life. I find I don’t have much time to do all the other things I need to do, like get back into my writing horror fiction for one. I hope I can manage it all. 

The fall season is off to a great start. On top of that, Mabon and Samhain are not far away. I can’t wait. I look forward to hearing about how all of you readers are spending your fall season too. Comment below!

Blessings, Spiderwitch

 

 

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October 8, 2021 · 11:48 am

Autumn Recipes – Apple Chutney & Applesauce

Merry meet all,

We all feel that telltale chill in the air. My garden must be feeling the chill.. I just harvested tomatoes and a cucumber. The pumpkin vine struggles to grow before the frost claims it and the rest of the garden. The wind blows hard through the trees. I am thankful for the frost blanket that protects my plants. The cucumbers will be the final harvest.

Let’s begin October on the right buckled shoe! It’s time to dig out your favourite cozy winter woollies.  One of my favourite sweaters to wear in the fall hails from Killstar. I love the long black sweater because of the graphic Purr Evil. ( I am but not as evil as my cat, ok, just kidding). I have a few other warm woolly sweaters, and I love the black cable knit pullover cardigan. It matches everything I wear and always looks great. Always wash your sweaters in cold water and allow to air dry. They will last years. Dig out scarves, mitts and gloves. Brush them clean of dust or hair. Put away the summer gear. It’s hard yeah but we need to protect our health.

Now that you are all cozy and styling, venture outdoors for a lovely nature walk. Gather pinecones, acorns, flowers, seeds for next spring, and chryanthemums or marigolds. View the change of the colors of the tree leaves. Feel the fresh crisp air blow your hair. Observe the birds and squirrels storing their seeds away for the long cold rest. Carry a cup of joe or chai tea with you to guard against the chill. Collect apples in a basket – but first get permission if you have to to pick them – to make applesauce or chutney. Grab a pumpkin and now you are all set! You can melt wax in a double boiler and coat gorgeous fiery coloured autumn leaves to preserve them. If  you have a press, save the leaves and then press them into your Book of Shadows. Make your own paper with flowers you saved from your nature walk. Create an original pumpkin carving design. Download herbal tea recipes suited for fall. Invite your friends out to a big pumpkin patch and. or apple picking lot. 

Apple folklore
The apple has taken a prominent place in world mythos, often associated with magic, paradise, and the gifts of knowledge and sensual experience. … Apple has been called Fruit of the Gods, Fruit of the Underworld, and the Silver Bough due to her associations with the underworld.

Now what to do with all those apples? Simple. Try making this chutney. Your pals will be impressed. 

ZESTY APPLE CHUTNEY RECIPE

Prep Time: 30 minutes.     Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds apples
  • 1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
  • 1/4 – 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • zest of one orange
  • 1 cup water

Gather all the ingredients. One tip for keeping apples and pumpkins fresh is to combine one part white vinegar with 4-6 cups water. Put it in a bowl and dip the fruit into it. If the pumpkin is large, then rub the mixture over the whole pumpkin then let dry. They will last you longer. Core, peel and chop the apples and the onion. Add the ingredients to a good sized pot. Mix all the ingredients together. Don’t let this burn. Cook at medium heat, bring to a boil then let it simmer for 45 minutes to an hour. Stir frequently. Taste test the chutney to ensure the ingredients are blending nicely. Check the acidity of the chutney. 

Remove pot from heat and allow to cool. Store the chutney in jars. Wipe the rims of the jars before tightening the lids. You can if you wish preserve the jars in  a water bath canner for 10-15 minutes. Label the jar before storing. 

 

APPLESAUCE RECIPE

  • Ingredients
    4 pounds of apples (about 8 to 10 apples, depending on the size), peeled, cored, and quartered (use apples varieties that are good for cooking such as Granny Smith, Pippin, Gravenstein, Mcintosh, Fuji, Jonathan, Jonagold, or Golden Delicious)
    2 strips of lemon peel (use a vegetable peeler to strip the zest only, not the pith)
    3 tablespoons lemon juice or apple cider vinegar (more or less to taste)
    1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    Up to 1/2 cup of white sugar (can sub half of the white sugar with brown sugar)
    1 cup of water
    1/2 teaspoon of salt

Boil peeled, cored, quartered apples with lemon, cinnamon, sugar, salt in 1 cup water:
Place the peeled, cored, and quartered apples into a large pot. Add the strips of lemon peel, the lemon juice or vinegar, cinnamon, sugar, water and salt. (You might want to start with half the sugar at this point and add more to taste later.)

Bring to a boil on high heat, then lower the temperature, cover the pot, and maintain a low simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the apples are completely tender and cooked through.

Remove lemon peels, mash the cooked apples:
Once the apples are cooked through, remove the pot from the heat. Remove the lemon peels.

Use a potato masher to mash the cooked apples in the pot to make a chunky applesauce. For a smoother applesauce you can either run the cooked apples through a food mill, or purée them using a stick blender or a standing blender. (If you use a standing blender, do small batches and do not fill the blender bowl more than halfway.)

If the applesauce is too thick, add more water to thin it out.

If not sweet enough, add more sugar to taste. If too sweet, add more lemon juice.

This applesauce is delicious either hot or chilled. It pairs well with pork chops for savory dishes, it’s terrific with cottage cheese as a snack or light lunch, and it’s great with vanilla ice cream or yogurt. Label the jar before storing it. 

Freezes well and will last at least a year in a cold freezer. If you freeze it, make sure to allow enough headroom in your jar for expansion. At least an inch.

If you are truly keen on harvesting herbs for autumn, elderberries, burdock and dandelion are good healthy choices. Take cuttings of chives, mint, sorrel, sage, lavender, rosemary, thyme, oregano, Harvest all the basil. Dip the cuttings into a rooting hormone powder and plant them in a terracotta pot with fertilizer enriched soil. Save the seeds from the garden. I harvested a huge patch of lemon balm. I now have more seeds than I will know what to do with. When the seed heads of lavender are brown, that is the time to harvest the seeds. Whether you save seeds in a paper bag or a jar, label, label, label!! You need to know sage from sorrel. So you won’t recall what seed is which a few months from now. Don’t leave it to memory. Download pretty labels and get creative! 

You can have tons of fun during autumn and be creative in the kitchen. If you grew a bounty of herbs during the summer, why not use them in your favourite recipes? Or learn a new recipe. I never made chutney before but it sure enlivened my tastebuds. Wow. 

Blessed Be, Spiderwitch

 

 

 

 

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October 2, 2021 · 9:40 pm

October Harvest

 

Merry meet all,

October is here!! I am so excited I hope you are too. I have a small pumpkin dwarfed by my  HUGE pumpkin. I am storing them for Samhain. I’m busy prepping for Samhain I look forward to reading the honking’ huge October newsletter produced by the Horror Writers Association. My blog post about doing a paranormal investigation goes live on October 11th, as part of the Halloween Haunts blog event. I was interviewed by Amanda for the Feminine Macabre interview. That went live on the 29th. Lots happening!!!

This is the time to stock up on root veggies! I have a few squashes, pumpkin in chunks, applesauce, elderberry jam stored away. Yup the cold season has arrived. Like it or not though, it does entice us with the gifts it brings, such as ciders, stews, foods to keep us warm and healthy. I have to puree the pumpkin, which I will do tomorrow. The rind on the squashes is so hard it’s like wood. I have no idea how to cut through that. Pumpkins can be cooked into breads, soups, pies and cookies. I buy smaller pumpkins for cooking – and roasting seeds. I get larger pumpkins for carving. Pureed pumpkin can be stored in the freezer. Once you puree squash, you have a variety of healthful options available for you. Butternut squash also makes good soups. Add ginger, cayenne, and lemon for some tantalizing flavour. 

 

I want to harvest the remaining herbs from my garden before the heavy frost sets in. I have to collect all the lemon balm ( a huge task in itself(, the oregano, some thyme, lavender, and mint. I’m letting the tomatoes ripen on the vine. There is a risk of mildfrost tonight. Later in the month, the frost will be heavier. I bought a huge herb drying rack to dry my herbs. I am grateful for the space but it is too big. I figured it would cost too much to return it to Amazon. I nailed in a big hook in the wall. I need to store away a lot of herbs. The size of it helps. That is the only corner where I can hang it up. I’m just anxious because of the resident overly curious cat who may snoop and sniff out the herbs. Here is a photo of the rack:

 

But it will prove useful this fall and many years to come. I love fall. It is the most beautiful and magical time of year. The leaves are turning, pumpkins regal front decks and store baskets.This is a good time to harvest the herbs you grew with care all summer. Harvest herbs in the morning after the dew has dried but before the frost kills them. Let them dry completely before storing in jars to prevent mold from ruining the herbs. Put them in brown perforated paper bags, tie them upside down to dry or arrange them on cookie sheets to dry. Then, once totally dry and crisp, you are free to use them for tincture making, syrups, teas, cordials or whatever suits your fancy. Know the herbs from each other too. It is so easy to mistake lemon balm from mint. They look and smell alike when dry. It’s easy to confuse yourself. 

I went to the Farmers Market this morning. I forgot a turnip, but I did come home with carrots, leeks, basil + oregano sea salt, and parsnip. – and alcohol cider.  I love parsnip and crunchy sweet carrots. Later, I bought hamburger meat. I can now make stew. Yum!! The farmers market at the Forum was smaller than the market at Seaport. But since we are in a pandemic, a smaller market pleased me. I loved the cider. Oh my gosh it tasted so good. That man is a master at brewing cider wine. Wow I never tasted anything so fine. I am all set for fall. The people at the market ( forum) were so pleasant. I may return there. 

Last night, I removed mullein seed pods from the stalk. Unfortunately for me, the seed pods were hard as rock. I stored the seeds in a labeled jar. The seeds are toxic so I was careful. I am truly blessed with a harvest of herbs, veggies, seeds, and flowers. This is an ideal time to focus on what we harvested and to thank those who bestowed it upon us. Besides Mother Nature and Father sky, we can take the time to reflect who else is so generous to us. It’s a good time to give as generously to those who were good to us. That is an exchange of good energy and is a way of ensuring good energy follows you!!! The Universe hears everything you ask for, so keep sending out good energy and it will reciprocate. 

Blessings, Spiderwitch 

 

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September 30, 2021 · 12:50 pm

Autumn Herbs

Merry meet all,

Tomorrow is October 1st. I have a new rolling cart to store my multiple jars of herbs. By. herbs, I mean of course seeds, bark, leaves, flowers. I had to assemble the cart and that was a nightmare. Are you all getting ready for Samhain? I am! I am also preparing for the Materia Medica course I am taking at the Herbal Academy in addition to the Introductory Herbal course I am already taking. That does involve getting more organized, which is why I bought the cart.

I ordered seeds from a company on Etsy. They are as follows; German chamomile, black swan poppy, Scott bonnet pepper, black cumin, purple echinacea, halloween calendula, Howden pumpkin, borage, sunflower, black tar poppy, chef’s pick parsley, Larkspur, anise, purple echinacea, purple salsify, Vietnamese cilantro, and foxglove blend. Next spring, I will be having fun planting all that!  I gathered the Chinese lanterns, burdock seeds, mullein seeds, and I will soon gather the nasturtium seeds from my garden. I gathered mullein in an empty field and it also grows on the nature trail. A witch hazel grows on the trail too! 

A materia medica means healing materials. It basically means a book about herbal profiles. The profiles are called monographs. I plan to have the most amazing material media by the time I am done studying. The material media course teaches you how to complete a herbal profile. I have access to the Herbarium. I can download any herb monograph I choose to. I ordered a herb journal – titled My Herbology journal, A Green Witch Journal from Amazon. I also ordered a paper making screen deckle and mold! 

Here is the link to the journal: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08TQ7DX6J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 Several herbs that I need for the course grow on the nature trail. Goldenrod, burdock, mullein, asters, raspberry, elderberry, chokeberry, coltsfoot, queen Anne’s lace, black elderberry, staghorn sumac, creeping juniper, perennial sow thistle, red clover, and  thistle all grow on the trail. I may have already mentioned this. I have an app on my phone that helps me identify plants. If you want to forage in the wild, bring gloves to protect you, a charged cellphone that has an app for identifying plants, wear something to protect you from bug bites and poisonous plants, a water bottle to stay hydrated, and scissors. It helps to carry a big plastic bag or cloth bag to hold the herbs you gather. Don’t consume anything if you are not sure. You could make yourself sick. I want to gather goldenrod next summer to dye a piece of fabric yellow. I just want to try it. !!!

I still have to dehydrate the elderberries. I brewed a jar of elderberry, rhubarb and blueberry am.  I should added cinnamon and clove. I am making a jar of elderberry tincture. The berries were dried and I added vodka. I labeled the jar and also lined the top of the jar with natural waxed paper. The metal can’t contaminate the mixture. I can’t wait to try it. But I do want to caution: elderberries contain cyanide, so please if you make a remedy using elderberries, use black or purple berries – not green, and be careful. I will make the tincture last a long time. I don’t plan to consume it every day. The berries are not cooked for making a tincture. Some cyanide could still be present in the berries. Everything in moderation. 

I gathered herbs for my first lesson in the materia medica course. They were lemon balm, goldenrod, thyme, lavender, mint and chamomile. It grows in the garden and on the nature trail.I need to study the herbs for the courses. (What a hardship, eh?) There are so many herbs to learn about and I live in the right environment. Fall is here. Many of the plants are winding down for the long cold rest. The nature trial is now full of the thistles, queen Anne’s lace, burdock, goldenrod all going to seed. The queen Anne’s lace seedbeds resemble bird’s nests. 

I have to collect the raspberries from my garden. The tomatoes are still ripening. The pumpkin patch is growing! I have tried for 11 years to grow a pumpkin patch and now I have! Hopefully the frost will hold off! I pickled my own cucumbers. The flavour is truly divine. I stored two jars of applesauce in the freezer too. I am well stocked. I have to puree the pumpkin. So much to do, so little time. 

I am enjoying my studies at the Herbal Academy. Well obviously right? I decorate my binder with butterfly stickers, protect the notes and printouts in sheet protectors, and do my best to keep it organized. I want to be a herbalist and work in a trade that involves herbs. It will be a long road but an interesting one!!

The link to the Herbal Academy- in case you want to study there!!

https://theherbalacademy.com/my-account/?awt_a=5cXw&awt_l=Bv79G&awt_m=mUTf3FOR61wS3Xw

Blessings, Spiderwitch

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