New Frontier-out of the comfort zone and into the weeds

JennyT Upstate South Carolina

So my gardening looks a little different this year with us moving. I'm mostly transplanting into my pots, so they can move with us, some cuttings and new seedlings that have sprouted from seed from last years plants.

But I'm determined to keep learning despite the craziness. And seeing all the dandelions coming up, I was inspired to pick some, along with some chickweed. I've place both into a glass jar and covered it with some good quality olive oil I have. I plan to make a salve from these two wonderful weeds for my youngest and her skin issues.

I've never done anything like this before. Never made an herbal oil. Never made a salve. I've read about how to do it many times. I've even seen how to make a salve a couple of times. But now, I'm attempting to do this myself, a whole new frontier for me.

How about all of you? Are you trying something new this year? Are you stepping out into the unknown to try for yourself what you've seen done?

Monek Marie

Fantastic! The first steps are always the hardest. I am impressed

There will be many firsts fro me mainly with herbs and so called weeds.

Using tree parts and barks is totally new to me. Fermented drinks are something I want to try and learn. I expect it to be a every day adventure and am looking forward to the experience.

I have a lot to do on the land and ryi8ng to get over the hard hurdles is going to be interesting. These hurdles have stopped me every year but this year - I'll figure something out.

Love your two creations! Keep us informed on how it goes

Linda Bittle

Good on you for making a start into herbal oils and salves! I predict they will be the first of many.

JennyT Upstate South Carolina

Thank you. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes @Denise Grant.😊

Thanks, @Mary Linda Bittle, West Plains, Missouri. I hope so too. I'm currently studying herbalism and permaculture, well taking a break with moving and all, but I am trying. 😉

RustBeltCowgirl

@JennyT good for you. I'll be trying to do more things this year. Need to work on the lab, so I can play out there. Camping stuff will move into it. Need to learn what medicinal plants I have here.

SuperC

@JennyT i took organic garlic in between two metal bowls and shook them vigorously for a few minutes. Removed the skins and then used a small glass bowl (depends how much garlic you have to the size of bowl) a d poured in some EVOO; extra virgin olive oil, to cover the garlic with a lid and put that in the fridge. The garlic lasts quite a long time this way. I even placed a napkin under the bowl in case of drips.

Torey

@JennyT Congratulations on your first oils. It can be intimidating to get started. We have all been there at some point, regardless of what we do. You will have many more firsts. First salve, first tincture, first poultice, and so many others.

And of course, speaking from experience, you will have your first failures, too. But those are to be expected with anything, especially when you are working with plant material that can be different, even from the same plant, in different seasons or years. I always find those mistakes to be valuable lessons.

Now that you have started, I encourage you to keep at it with all the new plants that keep emerging as your spring and summer progress. Cheers to your expanding apothecary!

vickeym

JennyT Congratulations! Isn't it exciting to finally take the first step on making something new with your herbs and weeds? The one thing I learned very quickly is to make sure you label everything as soon as you make it. You will forget if you wait. And do not trust just writing on the top of the lid.

I have three jars that I know when I made them and what menstrum I used but now have no idea what the herb or weed was that I used ad that part has somehow worn off the lid. lol

Won't make that mistake again. Don't have much for labels and use our printer so infrequently that the ink is always either out or dried up. So...I have taken to keeping a roll of wide blue painters tape on hand. I use that for my labels now. So far it is working great.

JennyT Upstate South Carolina

@vickeym Yes, labels I should do that really quick. Thank you for reminding me.😁

And I always use painters tape anymore myself. Great minds think alike.😉

JennyT Upstate South Carolina

So I was out transplanting to pots and found some decent size dandelions. Usually they're small, the ones in our yard, so I was quite excited to find these. I've pulled them up and plan to dry them.

Another "first" I've been wanting to try.😊

Monek Marie

Nice sized roots!~

shllnzl

@JennyT Glad to know that I am not the only person trying to take outdoor plants with me when I moved. My poor husband tried to convince me that it wasn't worth moving houseplants either, but he gave up. I even moved large cactus cuttings.

I guess I am just too fond of my green ones.

JennyT Upstate South Carolina

@shllnzl I'm with you. My husband was like where're not moving yet why don't you wait. Or is this even necessary? I told him it was easier when they were small then as things fill in you'd never know some was taken, plus the more I can take the less I need to buy later.

He then proceeded to help me dig up and pot up all I wanted, even the "weeds".😁