BURDOCK, GOBO (Arctium lappa) 

Other names: Niu-bang

100 Organically Certified Seeds / package

Open-Pollinated / Untreated / GMO Free

Burdock is a versatile player in the kitchen: its sweet, subtle flavor and meaty firm consistency lend themselves well to cooking, pickling, and grating raw. Combined with Dandelion, a trustworthy blood cleanser for treatment of many ills, including staph.

APPEARANCE: Big, soft basal leaves mark the first year. Leaves are bright green on top, lighter in color on the underside, and are covered in velvety fuzz. The basal rosette of leaves can grow to about 18 inches across. Second-year plants send up large leafy flowering stalks. The thistle-ish flowers are a magenta puff of disc florets surrounded by spiky green bracts. These hooked bracts are what turn into the brown clinging burred seedpods, which host a few hundred seeds each. Burdock roots grow deep, averaging depths of around 2 feet; brown outer flesh, which can hold a lot of dirt, covers the dense creamy white interior. 

GROWING INFORMATION:  Biennial, overwintering in Zones 3 to 9, otherwise grown as a spring-planted annual, requiring 50 days to harvest. Plant thrives in deeply spaded garden soil in the sun to part shade. Sow the seeds 1/2 inch deep and about 3 inches apart, tamp firmly and keep evenly moist  until germination, which takes about a week. Thin to 6 apart. Dig in the first year.

CAUTION: Steer clear if you have a known allergy to the sunflower family (Asteraceae) plants. An allergy may show as itchiness or stomach irritation. 

CHAMOMILE, GERMAN (Matricaria recutita)

500 Organically Certified Seeds / package

Open-Pollinated / Untreated / GMO Free

Dried Chamomile flowers make a gently sedative and decidedly delicious tea that is calming to the stomach and improves digestion. 

APPEARANCE: Aromatic flowers yellow and white to 3 feet tall.

GROWING INFORMATION:  

Self-seeding annual plant native to Eurasia. Flowers occur in 90 days. Plant thrives in regular garden soil or alkaline soils in the the to part shade. Mix small seed with sand to provide even distribution. In the fall or early spring, strew on disturbed soil or a weed-free seedbed, work in shallowly, and tamp securely. Germination is in about a week. Thin to 3 to 6 inches apart.

USE: This is the delightfully aromatic Chamomile of tea fame.

CHAMOMILE, ROMAN (Chamaemelum nobile)

300 Organically Certified Seeds / package

Open-Pollinated / Untreated / GMO Free

Dried Chamomile flowers make a gently sedative and decidedly delicious tea that is calming to the stomach and improves digestion. 

APPEARANCE: Creeping perennial ground cover flowers white and yellow to 12 inches tall. Plants spread and interlock to form a tough mat, which can be mowed.

GROWING INFORMATION:  Zones 4 to 9. Plant thrives in regular garden soil or alkaline soils in the sun to part shade. Mix small seed with sand to afford even planting. In the spring, strew seed on surface of soil in a pot or a weed-free seedbed, work in shallowly, and tamp securely. Germ in about a week. Thin or transplant to 8 inches apart. May be mowed to maintain as a mat.

CILANTRO / CORIANDER (Coriandrum sativum) 

100 Organically Certified Seeds / package

Open-Pollinated / Untreated / GMO Free

The herb and seeds are stimulant, aromatic, and carminative.

APPEARANCE: Aromatic, flowering white to 3 feet tall.

GROWING INFORMATION:  Annual, requiring 30 days to harvest of fresh leaf, 90 days to seed. Plant thrives in regular garden soil, preferring full sun to part shade and frequent watering. Direct seed in early spring be planting in a shallow furrow. Tamp, keep evenly moist, with germ in 13 days. Very hot conditions ofr greenhouse planting sometimes retards germ. Tin to 6 inches apart. Cut and come again.

USE: The herb and seeds are stimulant, aromatic, and carminative.

TRUE COMFREY (Symphytum officianale) 

100 Organically Certified Seeds / package

Open-Pollinated / Untreated / GMO Free

True Comfrey is the original medicinal herb as detailed in all the ancient literature. Flowers vivid purple, dangling. Multipurpose healing, permaculture, and animal food plant. Roots and leaves contain the cell-proliferant allantoin.

APPEARANCE: Dangling flowers of vivid purple to 2 feet tall.

GROWING INFORMATION:  Hardy to Zones 3 to 9. Plant thrives in rich, moist but well-drained soil in part shade or sun. Sow in cool soils of early spring, with germination in 3 to 6 weeds. Or, give 30 days refrigeration in moist potting soil in a sealed plastic bag or glass jar and then sow in the garden or in pots. Thin or transplant seedlings to 18 inches apart.

USE: True Comfrey is the original medicinal herb as detailed in all the ancient literature.

LAVENDER, ENGLISH (Lavandula angustifolia vera) 

50 Organically Certified Seeds / package

Open-Pollinated / Untreated / GMO Free

Woody evergreen perennial native to southern Europe. Exceptionally graceful heirloom variety. This is the original plant (vera means true) from which many hybrid Lavenders were produced.

APPEARANCE: Flowers lavender to 2 to 3 feet tall. Lovely blue flowers.

GROWING INFORMATION: Hardy to Zones 5 to 10. Plant thrives in sunny, dry to mesic, well-drained soil. Sow in early spring to take advantage of cool soil, which is ideal for germination, or give 30 days refrigeration in moist sand in a sealed jar or plastic bag. Sow seed in pots or nersery bed. Barely cover seed, tamp firmly, and deep evenly moist and in the light in germ, which takes 4 to 6 weeks. Thin or transplant to 3 to 4 feet apart.

LEMON BALM (Melissa offincinalis)

100 Organically Certified Seeds / package

Open-Pollinated / Untreated / GMO Free

APPEARANCE: Evergreen perennial flowering yellow to 2 feet tall.

GROWING INFORMATION: Zones 4 to 8. Plant thrives in regular garden soil in the shade or sun. In the spring, lightly scarify seed by rubbing on fine grit sandpaper and plant in pots or directly in the garden. Sow seed on surface, barely cover with soil, then press in firmly and keep evenly moist and it the light until germ, which takes 10 to 14 days. Thin or transplant to 2 feet apart.

MARSHMALLOW (Althaea officinalis) 

100 Organically Certified Seeds / package

Open-Pollinated / Untreated / GMO Free

Herbacous perennial native to Europe.

APPEARANCE: Impressive soft-leaved plants to 4 feet tall, with large, white flowers on multiple stalks. Flowers white with highlights of pink to 4 feet tall.

GROWING INFORMATION: Hardy to Zones 3 to 7. Plant thrives in rich, moist garden soil in the full sun to part shade. In the spring, lightly scarify seed by rubbing on sandpaper and plant in pots or directly in the garden. Barely cover seed, tampl securiely, and keep warm, evenly moist and in the light until germination, which occurs in 1 to 2 weeks. Thin or transplant to 2 feet apart.

USE: The entire plant contains high-grade, immune-stimulating mucilage. Soothing to throat and urinary tract.

MOTHERWORT (Leonurus cardiaca) 

100 Organically Certified Seeds / package

Open-Pollinated / Untreated / GMO Free

APPEARANCE: Flowers purple in multiple upright racemes to 5 feet tall.

GROWING INFORMATION: Herbaceous perennial in Zones 3 to 8, otherwise grown as an annual, requiring 60 days to harvest. Plant thrives in moist soil in full sun to part shade. In the spring, sow seed in pots or directly in the garden. Barely cover seeds with soil, tamp firmly, and deep evenly moist until germination, which takes 1 to 3 weeks. Thin or transplant to 18 inches apart. 

USE: Invigorates blood, regulates the menses.

STINGING NETTLE (Urtica dioica) 

200 Organically Certified Seeds / package

Open-Pollinated / Untreated / GMO Free

APPEARANCE: Stolonaceous herbaceous perennial to 4 feet tall.Stolonaceous herbaceous perennial to 4 feet tall.

GROWING INFORMATION: Zones 4 to 9. Plant thrives in moist to sodden soil of garden, forest or roadside, in sun to shade. In the fall to early spring, sow seed in pots or directly in garden. Barely cover seeds with soil, tamp firmly, and keep evenly moist until germination, which is rapid. Thin or transplant to 1 to 2 feet apart.

USE: Premier spring tonic.

BROADLEAF PLANTAIN (Plantago major) 

100 Organically Certified Seeds / package

Open-Pollinated / Untreated / GMO Free

APPEARANCE: Herbaceous or evergreen perennial making a large, leafy rosette that flowers white to 18 inches tall.

GROWING INFORMATION: Zones 3 to 10. Plant prefers moist soil of garden or grassland in the sun to part shade. Sow in early spring, directly in garden bed or in pots. Barely cover seeds, tamp in and keep evenly moist until germ, which can take up to 6 weeks. Cool nights and warm days assist germ. Thin or transplant to 1 foot apart.

PURPLE CONEFLOWER / ECHINACEA (Echinacea purpurea) 

100 Organically Certified Seeds / package

Open-Pollinated / Untreated / GMO Free

Herbaceous perennial native to the prairies of North America. This sepecies is the most adaptable of all, a dependable choice for gardeners, often used by herbalists. Widely cultivated and easy-to grow.

APPEARANCE: Flowers purple to 3 to 4 feet tall.

GROWING INFORMATION: Hardy to Zones 3 to 8. Plant prefers moist but well-drained, fertile soil in the full sun. Sow in the spring, directly in a prepared garden bed or in pots. Germination may take up to 30 days. Thin or transplant to 1 to 2 feet apart.

VALERIAN (Valeriana officinalis) 

100 Organically Certified Seeds / package

Open-Pollinated / Untreated / GMO Free

Clumping herbaceous perennial native to temperate Eurasia.

APPEARANCE: Flowers pink and white to 5 feet tall.

GROWING INFORMATION: Hardy to Zones 4 to 8. Plant thrives in moist yet well-drained soil in the sun to part shade. In the spring, sow seed in pots or directly in the garden. Press seed into soil surface and keep evenly moist and in the light, with germination in 10 to 16 days. Seedling leaves do not resemble mature Valerian leaves. Thin or transplant 1 to 2 feet apart.

USE: Tender, edible leaves and narcotically scented flowers typify these demure, sedative plants.

WILD LETTUCE (Lactuca virosa) 

50 Organically Certified Seeds / package

Open-Pollinated / Untreated / GMO Free

APPEARANCE: Flowers yellow to 6 feet tall.

GROWING INFORMATION: Biennial overwintering in Zones 5 to 9, readily grown as a spring-planted annual, requiring 90 days to flowering. The most cold-hardy of all lettuces. Barely cover seed and keep moist until germ. Lettuce will not germinate when soil temperature exceeds 85 degrees F. Thin to 1 foot apart.

YARROW (Achillea millefolium) 

200 Organically Certified Seeds / package

Open-Pollinated / Untreated / GMO Free

APPEARANCE: Mounding and creeping herbaceous or evergreen perennial, native to temperate zones worldwide. Flowers white to 2 feet tall.

GROWING INFORMATION: Hardy to Zones 4 to 8. Plant thrives in regular garden or woodland soil in full sun to part shade. Press seeds into soil surface and deep evenly moist until germination, which can take up to 3 weeks. Thin or transplant to 18 inches apart.