Farm & Forage Apothecary

28/08/2026

🌼 Calendula: The Sunshine Healer in My Garden 🌼

If you’ve ever grown Calendula, you already know — this little golden flower is pure sunshine. But it’s more than beautiful… it’s one of the most versatile herbal allies you can use in your home apothecary.

✨ Herbal Therapy
Calendula has been cherished for generations for its gentle, skin‑soothing properties. It’s often used in salves, oils, and balms to support:
• Dry or irritated skin
• Minor scrapes and scratches
• Comfort during seasonal skin flare‑ups
It’s one of those herbs that feels like a soft, warm hug for the skin.

🍵 Calendula Tea
Yes, you can drink those bright petals! Calendula tea has a mild, earthy flavor and is traditionally enjoyed for:
• Gentle digestive support
• Emotional calm and grounding
• A little internal “sunshine boost” on stressful days
It’s a simple, beautiful way to bring herbal wellness into your daily routine.

💛 Flower Essence
Calendula’s flower essence is all about communication and warmth. It’s traditionally used to support:
• Kind, compassionate expression
• Softening harsh self‑talk
• Opening the heart to gentle connection
It’s the energetic side of Calendula — subtle, uplifting, and perfect for emotional wellness blends.

🌿 Whether you grow it, sip it, or use it energetically, Calendula is one of those herbs that brings light wherever it goes. A true garden companion.

28/08/2026

It's official! We have acquired everything we need to conduct business in PA. YAY!!! 🥳

I'll be starting off simple with herbs, flowers, and flower essences. Any extras the garden produces will also be out at the stand.

Keep your eyes 👀 open for updates on what's available. Or just stop by, you never know what you might find!!!

16/08/2026

Did you know that some flowers 💐 are edible? I love using them in my baking, ice cubes, teas and salads.

If you were to pick one to try first, which would it be?

15/08/2026

Just because…

The garden is pretty active this time of year. Lots of goodies to harvest! Flowers are seriously my favorite so far.

12/07/2026

Have you heard about the parasite affecting produce and especially lettuce? Nobody wants that!!!

We have seasonally available organic home grown produce!!

What’s currently ready?

🥬 Fancy Leaf Lettuce
🥬 Butter Ball Baby Romaine

$1.00 per head.

27/05/2026

I will be growing this!

17/05/2026

Coming soon…

🌿 Photos 📷 of the garden 🪏
🪏 Steps it took to get here

19/03/2026

Have you ever wondered how growers and farmers seem to know just what to plant, when and where?

There's a whole bunch of complicated science to growing and gardening, but to make things easier many companies offer gardening software to help with the process.

This year I purchased VegPlotter. This program helped me create a visual garden and To Do List. I know where my plants will go, when I need to put them in, whether I'm direct sowing or planting started plants, when to harvest, and what to rotate into that bed so I don't deplete the soil.

If you're an avid gardener, like me, check it out ->

Master the principles of garden design, from companion planting to succession sowing, with VegPlotter’s free 2026 planning tools.

17/03/2026

Have you heard of it? I'm going to start 5 beds this way this year, I'll walk you through the process as I do it.

Hugelkultur, a German term meaning “hill culture” or “mound culture,” is a centuries-old horticultural method originating in Germany and Eastern Europe. It involves creating raised garden beds by layering logs, branches, leaves, straw, compost, and soil into a mound. The decaying wood at the base acts as a sponge, retaining water and slowly releasing nutrients as it decomposes, which supports plant growth over time.

How It Works
The process begins by selecting a site, often sunny and slightly sloped to catch water. Woody debris is piled into a mound, topped with compost and soil. Over time, the mound settles as the wood decomposes, sometimes shrinking from an initial height of 5–6 feet to about 2 feet. The decomposition generates heat, which can extend the growing season and protect plants from frost. Hugelkultur beds can be adapted to traditional raised beds, with logs forming the core and soil providing a level planting surface.

Benefits
Soil Fertility: Decomposing wood enriches the soil with nutrients, creating a self-sustaining growing environment.

Water Retention: The wood acts like a sponge, reducing the need for frequent watering and making it ideal for dry climates.

Extended Growing Season: Heat from decomposition can help plants grow earlier in spring and later into fall.

Sustainability: Hugelkultur utilizes fallen wood and organic waste, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and minimizing garden waste.

Permaculture Integration: It aligns with permaculture principles by working with natural processes and creating resilient ecosystems.

Materials Commonly Used
Logs and branches (preferably partially rotted)
Leaves, grass clippings, straw
Compost or manure
Soil to cover the mound
Avoid using treated wood or materials that may release toxins into the soil.

Hugelkultur is a versatile, eco-friendly gardening method that transforms organic debris into productive, low-maintenance garden beds, making it a popular choice for permaculture enthusiasts and sustainable gardeners alike.