TOTM December '14 - Herb Gardens

I know this is jumping ahead but it was something I struggled with after harvesting my garden herbs. IMO houses today are not built for gardeners. Many older houses had sun rooms or porches that served as places to dry out herbs and other produce. I over planted basil this summer and was faced with the where to dry issue.

See more at: How to Dry Your Garden Herbs : HGTV Gardens

 

That one looks much better IMO Moto. I still think I'm going to build mine. The cost should be a bit cheaper than the above and it will still be a bit larger.

While I don't have that issue to deal with anymore, having been raised in snow country I tend to build with that mindset. It's second nature for me and I can't seem to shake that mentality I guess.

 

One last word about greenhouse then back to the topic- herbs

Old windows-


I know that you can also use old slider doors-

 

I do love cooking with fresh herbs(everything tastes soooo much better IMO) but we really want to concentrate on medicinal herbs. If you've watched the series "Deadwood" then you've seen the inside of Doc's cabin. All these plants and herbs hanging from his ceiling. He always reaches up and pulls down a few and is able to make what ever he needs. While I know it isn't that simple in most cases, that's kinda what we're aiming for here.

 

Cilanto- this is one easy growing herb. It smells great and has a refreshing taste. Cilanto also is good for you. It has health benefits that can aid ailments.

The clipped article below gives more health benefits of cilantro. It mentions prevention of diabetes.

What are the health benefits of cilantro? - Medical News Today

According to this article-

I know that some worry about loved ones with diabetes and SHFT. I am not saying that cilantro will cure diabetes nor am I implying that one should throw their diabetic medication away and go the cilantro way but this is an herb that could help if there was ever a collapse. Research and consult with proper health officials. Remember raw consumption is key to getting the health benefits.

 

I really like getting all this information in one place. One thing I would like to see is an illness listed with the the herb that would help the most. I dont like the one size fits all approach. If I take every herb recommended for a certain thing, I will be consuming all herbs and no room for the food.
I realize that alliopathy shadows my approach and feelings, but as a nurse I also know that healthy food and healthy living contribute way more to good health than a pill. But I would like to see more things like......... blood pressure regulator ( equals) 1 tsp dried (whatever herb). I know this may not be that simple. But I would like more specific information on what a specific herb or plant does inside the body, what processes does it affect and in what way. For example, the plant nightshade is where man discovered, beladonna and atropine. I want more information on what happens on the molecular level. If anyone can direct me to a good source, this would be great.

 

THAT looks very cool!! The rolling pins must be spendy.. Looks like a fair amount of work, and workout, but I bet its worth it.

 

Consider using a series of rain gutters to plant your herbs in you can make a 5-6 rain gutter high garden on your back fence (sun allowing) and have more space for other garden plans...

 

@tulianr just posted this thread Chickweed | Survival Monkey Forums while researching for seeds I found this place-
Medicinal Herb Seeds Packets – Mountain Rose Herbs It sells "medicinal Herb packets" just thought I would pass along because the site seems to have info the correct varieties for healing.

@Tully Mars have your spouse look at the mountain rose site, will love it.

 

@Motomom34 Thanks for sharing that link ! Great find !

Exactly what I've been looking for. When I talk about "medicinal herbs" at the local garden center the mental midgets there believe I'm referring to the "420" herb.

 

THANKS! Looks like she'll have plenty to explore!

 

Something I did when Lee was doing herbs was make a planter from roof gutter hung from the railing around our deck. I hung it off the outside the same way it hangs on the side of roofs and ran a soaker hose through the bottom (used small hose and punched very small holes along it so it was easy to control the amount of watering). Not only did it give enough space for a lot of herbs, it was a decorative border around the deck and was convenient to just go out and cut some of whatever she wanted. She also would put in small annual flowers each year to add to the decorative part...but I digress.

EDIT: I see Witch Doctor already mentioned rain gutter...someday I will read through a thread before I comment...

 

Love the rain gutter and soaker hose idea. Brilliant. Planter boxes are so big and consume more water but a gutter is shallow and perfect for herbs.

 

As this month is winding down and we will soon have a new year and a new survival topic of the month, I felt compelled to say that this month's was an excellent choice. My thanks to Ghrit for coming up with it and especially to Motomom34 for all the links and info-YOU rock chick!! We are looking forward to using all that info and I've been told to make sure the greenhouse has plenty of room for her medicinal section! The monkey tree truly is a remarkable place. Thanks again to all of you that posted here

 

I got it, then "vacuum, and how it applies to preppers"

 

Was just going off the initial post