Elizabeth Barrette - Llewellyns 2021 Herbal Almanac

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Contents

to Llewellyns Herbal Almanac

by Elizabeth Barrette

Plants by Diana Rajchel

by Charlie Rainbow Wolf

by Thea Fiore-Bloom

by James Kambos

by Kathy Martin

by Natalie Zaman

by Suzanne Ress

by Mireille Blacke

by Annie Burdick

by Linda Raedisch

by Holly Bellebuono

by Vannoy Gentles Fite

by Monica Crosson

by Kristen Schuhmann

by Divine Cornick

by JD Hortwort

by Autumn Damiana

by Kathy Vilim

: USDA Hardiness Zones

by Anne Sala

by Sandra Kynes

by JD Hortwort

by Rachael Witt

by Susan Pesznecker

Introduction to

Llewellyns Herbal Almanac

H olistic care for the mind, body, and soul starts in the garden. Gardeners of all skill levels and climates can find common ground in early morning weeding, combating pests, marveling at this years abundant harvest, and impatiently waiting to plan next years plot. The work is hard, but the rewards are bountiful. Growing herbs is good for the spirit, and using them in home-cooked meals, remedies, and crafts is clean, healthy, and just plain delicious.

The 2021 edition of the Herbal Almanac is a love letter and guidebook to the hands-on application of herbs in our daily lives. With sage advice appealing to novice gardeners and experienced herbalists alike, our experts tap into the practical and historical aspects of herbal knowledgeusing herbs to help you connect with the earth, enhance your culinary creations, and heal your body and mind.

In addition to the twenty-four articles written by Master Gardeners, professors, and homesteaders, this book offers reference materials tailored specifically for successful growing and gathering. Use this book to log important dates, draw your garden plan, practice companion planting, find a helpful herbal remedy, and keep track of goals and chores in the personal logbook pages.

Reclaiming our connection to Mother Earth in our own backyards can bring us harmony and balanceand a delicious, healthy harvest. May your garden grow tall and your dishes taste divine!

Note: The old-fashioned remedies in this book are historical references used for teaching purposes only. The recipes are not for commercial use or profit. The contents are not meant to diagnose, treat, prescribe, or substitute consultation with a licensed health-care professional. Herbs, whether used internally or externally, should be introduced in small amounts to allow the body to adjust and to detect possible allergies. Please consult a standard reference source or an expert herbalist to learn more about the possible effects of certain herbs. You must take care not to replace regular medical treatment with the use of herbs. Herbal treatment is intended primarily to complement modern health care. Always seek professional help if you suffer from illness. Also, take care to read all warning labels before taking any herbs or starting on an extended herbal regimen. Always consult medical and herbal professionals before beginning any sort of medical treatmentthis is particularly true for pregnant women. Herbs are powerful things; be sure you are using that power to achieve balance.

Llewellyn Worldwide does not participate in, endorse, or have any authority or responsibility concerning private business transactions between its authors and the public.

Growing
and
Gathering

Late-Season Herb Gardening

Elizabeth Barrette

A t the end of the growing season, the tasks of herb gardening change pace. The emphasis shifts from creation to conclusion. Before you start, its helpful to browse some possibilities. Then make a list of what must get done and what you also want to accomplish. Lets take a look at how that works.

What Is Late-Season
Herb Gardening?

The nature of late-season herb gardening depends considerably on where you live. Bear in mind that the seasons are reversed in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. That means autumn south of the equator happens some time in March, April, May, or thereabouts. Watch for seasonal cues in your yard to determine the exact timing.

Most people live in whats called a temperate climate . It typically has four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, winter. Late-season gardening in this context usually means late summer and early fall. In many places, it spans August and September. Here in the Midwest, I do much of my gardening in September through October when the weather is cool and before it turns frigid.

However, some variation due to climate occurs. The colder the climate overall, the more compressed the seasons become, which is why those in Upper Peninsula Michigan make jokes like June, July, August, and winter or nine months of winter and three months of bad skiing. It is more essential to work fast in such settings, and you shouldnt expect anything to grow over the winter. You may only have a couple of weeks in July and August.

The warmer the climate overall, the more extended the seasons become. In the South, much planting happens in the late season to take advantage of cooling temperatures and because mild winters allow plants to keep growing slowly. You have more time to work in this context, but you also have to contend with plants still growing, so some tasks may need to be repeated. It often spans September, October, and November.

Then there are some completely different climates. The most relevant to herb gardening rely on rain. This can be a four-beat pattern: rainy, dry, rainy, dry. It can be a two-beat pattern: monsoon, not monsoon. Deserts often have a one-beat pattern: it rains very rarely, so that defines a boom of activity and then shortly thereafter the late-season effects arrive, regardless of the time of year. Most places with a rain-driven climate rather than a temperature-driven climate are closer to the equator. However, they all have common caretaking requirements: you have to clean up after the wet season and prepare for the dry season, which means a lot more attention to water management than temperate climates typically require.