The Gardening has begun!!

So I have almost cleared out all that mess in the garden and have started expanding my medicinal plants. I had to get some St. John's, or as Susun Weed likes to call it, St. Joan's (Hypericum perforatum) in hopes of using it not only for my family but as part of my business stock. Also planted are Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis), Vervain (Verbena officialis), Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum), Licorice (Helichrysum petiolare) which is not to be confused with Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) thought their uses are similar, Hyssop Anise (Agastache foeniculum), Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), Calendula (Calendula officinalis), Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) and some other culinary herbs and spices... whew... there are more, I just can't think of them all right now. 

On top of my personal gardening efforts, I have also spent this last week creating a biome survey of a local park where I like to collect herbs, you might have read my other blog about Nettles. In this park, just in a small radius, I found over 70 medicinal plants, about 40 I have been able to identify and I am working on the rest. It has been a huge learning experience about identification. Once the database is complete to the best of my knowledge, I am considering publishing it. I have a feeling it will take a few years to complete as I am hoping to expand my range. I learned so much already though, and wish I had more time to sit in the forest and really figure out the many plants there.