UPS conference 2013 Horticulture of Herbs: Growing At-Risk Herbs in the Midwest

Jane Hawley Stevens Four Elements Organic Herbals Jane Hawley North Freedom, WI. Stevens

Four Elements Organic Herbals North Freedom, WI.

Woodland Plantstaken from the UPS at risk list

American Ginseng, Panex cinquefolius Goldenseal, Hydrastis canadensis Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis Black Cohosh, Actaea racemosa Blue Cohosh, Caulophyllum thalicroides Trillium spp. Maidenhair Fern , Adiantum pendatum Pipsissewa, Chimphila umbellata Spikenard, Aralia racemosa Turkey Corn, Dicentra canadensis Mayapple, Podophyllum peltatum Goldthread, Coptis trifolia Slippery Elm, Ulmnus rubra Rhamnus cathartica
American Ginseng - Panax quinquefoliusBloodroot - Sanguinaria canadensisBlack Cohosh - Actaea racemosa L.Blue Cohosh - Caulophyllum thalictroidesEchinacea - Echinacea spp.Eyebright - Euphrasia spp.False Unicorn Root - Chamaelirium luteumGoldenseal Hydrastis canadensisLadys Slipper Orchid Cypripedium spp.Lomatium - Lomatium dissectumOsha - Ligusticum porteri, L. spp.Peyote - Lophophora williamsiiSandalwood - Santalum spp. (Hawaii only)Slippery Elm - Ulmus rubraSundew - Drosera spp.Trillium, Beth Root -Trillium spp.True Unicorn - Aletris farinosaVenus Fly Trap - Dionaea muscipulaVirginina Snakeroot - Aristolochia serpentariaWild Yam - Dioscorea villosa, D

Woodland Plants from Seed

Seeds, developed inside fruits, take a few years to germinate. Remove germinationinhibiting fruits from seeds Stratify for 2 years in refrigerator. These plants like around 80% shade Goldenseal Ginseng Blue Cohosh Black Cohosh Spikenard

Prairie Plants/ Wetlands usually grow well from seed

Wild Indigo, Baptisia tinctora Butterfly Weed, Asclepias tuberosa Gentian, Gentiana spp. Goldthread, Coptis trifolia Arnica spp. Echinacea spp. Lobelia spp. Turkey Corn, Dicentra canadensis

Edge Species
Wild Yam Ladies Slipper Virginia Snakeroot Mayapple Partridgeberry

Cultivated Wild Yam

Dioscorea villosa

Out of our Range

Sandalwood, Kava, Piper methysticum Lomatium Osha Cascara sagrada, Frangula purshiana Chaparro, Castela emory Elephant tree, Bursera microphylla Oregon Grape, Mahonia spp. Aralia racemosa, A californica White Sage, Salvia apiana Yerba Mansa, Anemopsis californica Pinkroot, Spegalia marilandica Stoneroot, Collinsonia canadensis Stream Orchid, Epipactis gigantea Peyote

We will cover: Starting seeds, taking cuttings, dividing perennials, site selection, soil improvement, various tricks of the trade and then take cuttings.

Why grow your own?

Freshness and quality You know the species is true to type, usually. Quality control You can harvest at peak potency You really get to know the plants, Grow it to Know it

Soil Fertility
Add organic matter; adds water holding capacity to light, sandy soils, and adds air to heavy, clay soils. Use cover crops whenever possible. Buckwheat, Oats, Alfalfa, Dutch red clover, winter rye and vetch. Aged manure should be added100 days before harvest. Can add a bit of compost to each hole at transplanting time.

Starting Seeds
Start 6 -8 weeks before transplanting time Use a sterile medium Pot up when seedlings get large enough to handle Plants are ready to go when roots show out the bottom of pot Harden off before planting in field Make sure and put a date on the label.

Taking Cuttings
Use a very sharp knife Take cuttings from juvenile growth not too woody, not too soft. Cuttings are 4-6 inches Remove bottom leaves Use a light medium like 2 parts perlite to 1 part peat Make a hole with a stick before placing cutting in. Carefully place cutting in medium Keep very humid for about a week, slowly acclimate. When roots are developed, pot into your potting mix.

Transplanting into Field

Make sure plants are hardened off Cool, overcast, still day ideal Make sure plants are hardened off Plant is straight rows for cultivation Cool, overcast, still day easier ideal Water in immediately Plant in straight rows for easier after planting cultivation Can pick microclimates to accommodate different Water in immediately after planting plant requirements

Can pick microclimates to accommodate different plant requirements

SITE SELECTION

Black Cohosh
Cimicifuga racemosa

Woodland herbs planted under the shade of Hickory Trees: Goldenseal Wild Yam Black Cohosh Solomons Seal

Your efforts pay off with incredible harvests3 year Astragalus crop

Burdock

Wild Yam

Bupleurum Balloon Flower

Poke Root

Dried Herbs
The Still Room Store herbs in a dark place in airtight containers.
D

Colored glass or tins work well. Identify plant name, date and lot number on label.

Harvesting and Drying Herbs

Harvest after the dew is dry, but before the heat of the day when the volatile oils have burned off in the sun. Herbs are best harvested when the plants are just coming into flower. Pick flowers 2-3 times per week. Roots and barks collected in spring or fall.

Janes Gardening Tips

b Start slow growing or cool season plants first, usually around Valentines Day. b Stratify some perennial seeds in refrigerator, if they have not been treated yet. b Use heat mats then lights to conserve on space and boost germination. b Root cuttings in a mixture of 1 part peat to 2 parts perlite b Move plants outside to harden off before planting, preferable on a still, overcast day. b Be attentive of days till harvest for annual vegetables. Some crops can be planted every week or 2 for continual harvest.

More Gardening Tips

b Let annuals re-seed in same place for up to 3 years to conserve energy! (Like dill, cilantro, chamomile and calendula even lettuce will) b Harvest flowers every couple days, to twice a week. b Keep sowing seeds on beneficial days throughout the season. b Heavily mulch perennials! You can use cardboard under the mulch for extra reenforcement. Realize that even with the best of care, perennial areas may need to be replanted every 3-5 years to reduce weed pressure. b Soil improvement is key. Keep adding organic matter yearly. Occasionally take soil out of production and cover crop.

Lets preserve Nature with its beauty and healing for the future generations!
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Four Elements Herbal Teas

Contain: Nettles Basswood Flowers Sumac Berries Mullein And more