15: Designing the Medicinal Herb Garden

CHAPTER 15 Designing the Medicinal Herb Garden

Ellen Zimmermann

A GARDENER’S PERSONAL ACCOUNT

St. Fiacre—patron saint of gardeners—was a 6th century monk whose gardens grew as his herbal/medical practice for the poor grew. Many of us find our gardens growing as our knowledge and love of herbal medicine deepen, and this nourishes our appreciation for our environment and our relationship to it. Herbal medicine presumes that our cells have a natural relationship with plant chemicals. However, as our medicinal herbs are endangered by their growing popularity, our relationship with the environment becomes much more global, and we are invited—no, required—to learn about and become active in conservation movements—Which brings us back to our gardens.

Many nights in early spring, I awaken at 3 or 4 am and cannot wait to get outside and begin working in the garden. I am infected with spring fever. In Texas, where I live, I am also afflicted with fall fever, as that is our best gardening season. I love to garden. I love being outside with the plants, listening to the birds, smelling sweet, fresh air, and communing with the quiet, the stillness, and the activities of nature. Working the soil and feeling how it has changed and improved since last season feels like a blessing. Planning new garden beds, planting seeds and small transplants and even weeding the garden is work that gives me such pleasure and serenity; I want to share some of that with you.

I am in the garden every day, even on the days I do not touch the soil, I walk through the garden checking plants, perhaps watering a bit and maybe stooping down to pick off some yellowed leaves. Gardening is a practice of mindfulness. If you listen with your heart, the plants communicate their needs. You instinctively know whom to water, whom to transplant, whom to prune, and when to just walk by, heart full of joy, and smile. Gardening is learning and practicing nurturance. I am a mother of two grown children and have realized I am a woman who is meant to nurture and care for others. Those others are not only people, but also dogs, cats, fish, chickens, and all of my dear, green friends. I have a 4000 square foot garden and care for it myself. My sweet husband helps at times when the occasional hard, manual labor is needed to build and maintain a garden space.

Gardening employs many health benefits for both the gardener and the recipients of the harvest. The health benefits derived from planting an herb garden include physical, nutritional, and medicinal benefits. The therapeutic benefits include the feeling of thankfulness and appreciation for the sheer beauty of the plants, the excitement felt as a new seedling emerges to be part of creation, continuous new beginnings, and feeling a sense of community and connectedness to Nature.

Throughout this chapter, you will learn about garden design, conditions of the environment that need consideration, and how to maintain your garden by employing organic gardening techniques. You will also discover how to research and acquire appropriate herbs from your local environment, and how to harvest and store herbs. My thoughts regarding the deeper and intrinsic nature of the plants and their relationship to us are included as well.

While reading this chapter, you will follow the life cycle of one very popular herb, Echinacea purpurea, and will enjoy learning when and how to seed and maintain this important herb, and when and how to tincture it.

Welcome to my world of gardening! My hopes are that by the end of this chapter, you will be eager to go outside, get your hands in the soil, and begin a garden of your own.

GARDEN DESIGN

Looking out at a blank canvas of land and planning your herb garden can be a challenging and sometimes overwhelming task for many beginning gardeners. “Start small” is the best advice I can give to the eager, enthusiastic herb grower. When designing your garden space, it is best, I believe, to incorporate what naturally preexists. You will need a sunny spot to grow most herbs, although some will grow in shade, which will be discussed later. It may be necessary to remove trees or large branches to get the sun you need. Save the removed trees for building fences, gates, benches, and other creative homemade carpentry projects.

When assessing your garden site, you will need to consider the following:

• The topography of the land—Does the land slope? Is it flat? Are you on a hillside?

• Exposure—Most gardens do best when they have exposure to the sun for most of the day. Morning sun is the most advantageous for plants; however, some afternoon shade is a welcome relief for many herbs, especially in the warmer climates. Remember, when planning your garden site, to consider the difference in summer and winter sun exposure.

• Soil quality—Assess what you have, take notice of what presently grows there. Adding appropriate amendments will be discussed in detail later.

• Drainage—Check your garden site after a rainstorm, and see how well the rainwater drains. Are there areas where the water pools? Most herbs require good drainage and do not like to have their feet wet. An exception to this would be Horsetail (Equisetum arvense), which likes to grow in a pond or bog.

Gardens have been evolving for centuries. Examples include formal knot gardens, sprawling rose gardens, classical circular herb gardens, practical garden plots, and natural, personal herb gardens. Determining what type of garden you would like is one of your first decisions. The veterinary herbalist who chooses to grow medicinal herbs might wish to forego a formal design and plan a garden with consideration of the following organizational plans.

Which Herbs Would You Like to Grow?

Choose herbs that you use for yourself and your family, so you can have fresh herbs to harvest for your personal health and nutritional needs. Also, choose the herbs that you most often recommend for the animals you treat. Knowing what plants you want to use and grow will help you determine your garden design more efficiently.

Design by Plant Uses

Many herbalists plan their gardens by grouping plants by their uses and functions. This design has been referred to as a Pharmacy Garden or a Physic Garden. If you are in Europe, you will often notice a Physic Garden in the back of the local pharmacy or herb shop. One design possibility would be to group together digestive herbs, respiratory herbs, and so forth. This design, however, does not take into account the specific needs of the plants. If you are planning to create a teaching or research garden, grouping herbs by their function may work well for you (Table 15-1).

TABLE 15-1 Design by Body Systems

System	Herbs
Digestive system	Fennel, Dill, Anise, Gentian Root, Senna, Peppermint, Ginger, Cascara Sagrada
Immune system	Echinacea, Garlic, Chaparral, Burdock Root, Golden Seal, Ashwagandha, Ho Shou Wu
Nervous system	Chamomile, Saint John’s Wort, Passionflower, Valerian, Skullcap, Lemon Balm, Oatstraw
Reproductive system	Nettles, Red Clover, Red Raspberry, Vitex, Motherwort, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh
Respiratory system	Comfrey, Horehound, Mullein, Pleurisy Root, Sage, Licorice Root, Slippery Elm, Elecampane
Urinary system	Uva Ursi, Cleavers, Chickweed, Cornsilk, Dandelion Leaf, Juniper Berries, Goldenrod

Design for Beauty

Aesthetically minded gardeners may wish to design a garden by considering the colors of the flowers, the texture and shape of the foliage, and the types of plants (i.e., shrubs, perennials, and annuals). For example, a white garden uses very light green-leafed plants such as the Artemesias, Mullein, and some Sages. Some gardeners like to group their color patterns. Other gardeners like to design while thinking ahead of what is blooming in the spring and summer and what will bloom in fall. It is wonderful to have colorful blossoms painting your garden for as much of the year as possible. Some of your herbs may be deciduous, loosing their leaves in the winter; some will die back to the ground, ready to bloom again in spring; and some herbs may be evergreen. So when thinking of the beauty of your garden, remember to consider these previous concepts. Tables 15-2 and 15-3 suggest a few herbs for seasonal bloom and identify flower colors.

TABLE 15-2 Herbs in Bloom

Spring Blooming Herbs	Summer Blooming Herbs	Fall Blooming Herbs
Borage	Saint John’s Wort	Betony
Calendula	Echinacea	Roses
Crocus	Vitex	Goldenrod
Dandelion	Salvias	Angelica
Elder	Chamomile	Chicory
Motherwort	Asclepias	Burdock
Nasturtium	Passiflora	Gentian
Poppies	Comfrey	Hops
Roses	Monardas	Lemon Balm

TABLE 15-3 Flower Colors

Cool Colors Pink, Purple, Blue	Warm Colors Red, Orange, Yellow	White
Borage Echinacea Garden sage Germander Joe Pye Weed Lavender Motherwort Passionflower Rosemary Scutellaria Vitex Wild bergamor	Agrimony Arnica Bee balm Calendula California poppy Dill Fennel Goldenrod Mullein Pleurisy root Rue Saint John’s Wort	Basil Black cohosh Catnip Datura Elder English and French thyme Horehound Marjoram Mugwort Nettles Oregano Valerian

Specific Plant Needs Design

Conserving water is becoming more and more important in many parts of the world. A practical method of planning your garden design is to group your herbs according to their needs, particularly water and sun requirements. For example, many Mediterranean herbs, such as Rosemary, Thyme, and Sage require dry soil, so they are grouped together. Sun-loving plants, shade-loving varieties, and plants that require more frequent moisture are planted together. You will be surprised that this practical method is quite beautiful. Conserving our water sources is a great gift to the planet, the people, and future generations.

Cottage Garden Design

My favorite way of gardening is the English style of cottage gardening. Herbs and flowers are planted instinctively, with consideration of specific needs and uses, but the plant, or seeds, along with the voice of your heart, will tell you where to plant your herbs. The garden matures looking a bit wild and beautiful, and full of many colors, textures, and styles. The plants will naturally tell you if they’re in the wrong spot, and every gardener knows that moving plants around is just part of your gardening day. I like this method best because it simulates Nature. Plants are often found together in Nature, grouped by their specific needs and also by their uses. For example, I often see Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) near one another in open fields. Both of these herbs are used for respiratory problems. Another example is Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), which is often found near poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) and is used as a remedy for that pesky plant.

A variety of considerations and thoughts are part of your garden design. It is most important that you go deep inside yourself and discover which design works for you. When I designed my garden, I just went out to the area close to the back of our house, walked around quietly, and began arranging white limestone rocks as borders for garden beds. I knew I wanted large paths in between the beds, and I incorporated many of the native trees and shrubs that were already in the garden space. I feel that it is wise and important to use native and local material that you already have either on your property or near your home. Using native and local material is cost effective, provides a continuum of design, and is consistent with the philosophy of “What we need is all around us.” Patronizing local organic nurseries and community plant organizations is essential to consider and will be discussed in greater detail further in the chapter.

Conditions for Growing Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea likes to be in the sun and enjoys some water, particularly at the beginning of its growth cycle. Once the plant is established, reduce watering. Echinacea prefers a well-drained soil, as do most herbs, but it will grow well in most soils. You should place your plants 1 to 2 feet apart because they will likely grow to a height of 2 to 3 feet. Echinacea is a perennial herb that will return and multiply each year. It can also be planted in partial shade but will not flower as readily. If Echinacea is planted by seed, be sure to acquire fresh seeds, either commercially or from a friend. Scatter the seeds on the ground, lightly step on them, and water them in. At least three times each day, spray the planted area with a misting spray. The ground must be kept moist, so the seedlings will emerge. If you miss a misting, do not worry, especially if it is cloudy or cool outside. When the seedlings emerge, you can begin to limit your watering.

CONDITIONS TO CONSIDER

In addition to deciding how you want to design your garden, you must evaluate several important factors before you begin planting your herbs—the SAWS, that is, Soil, Air, Water, and Sun. Be familiar with your climate and which zone you live in. In the United States, we have a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) zone chart. The country is divided into zones, and plants are sold and labeled by the zone in which they grow best. Know the average temperature of your area, when you have your first and last freezes of the seasons, and how much average rainfall you receive. These factors will help you determine which plants you choose to grow.

Soil

It is vital to determine what type of soil you have in your garden space. If you are lucky, you will have soft, viable soil that drains well and is easy to dig in. The gardeners I know in Texas strive to amend their soil to the consistency of a devil’s food cake (a very rich, dark chocolate cake). It is important to get your soil tested by a local agriculture extension office or a private company that provides soil testing. This inexpensive test will give you information regarding the ph level of your soil, which minerals are present, and what is lacking. Always inform the service of your objective in the garden—to plant herbs! If your soil is rocky, you might wish to build raised beds for planting. If your soil is hard packed clay, you may want to add sand. Whatever the consistency of your soil, you will want to add good-quality compost (either homemade or purchased locally) at least twice each year. Spring and fall are great times to add compost to your existing soil; over time, any garden soil can be amended until you have “chocolate cake.”

Compost is not only beneficial to your plants and your garden soil, it also conserves waste and promotes recycling of organic matter. Every time you prepare a meal, keep your vegetable and fruit scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, and other meatless products in a plastic container or compost bucket near your sink. I gather enough organic material to bring out to my compost pile or to feed my chickens almost daily. A compost pile is composed of fallen leaves and grass clippings, organic scraps from your kitchen and garden, and some type of manure. I have used horse manure, cow manure, chicken manure, and llama manure. Just about any herbivorous animal manure will do.

It’s fun to layer leaves, manure, and organic scraps in your compost pile. It is good practice to turn the pile every 2 weeks and keep it moist. I have used blood meal to get the compost cooking (heating occurs during the bacterial degradation process). After a few months, you will be delighted with rich organic matter called “compost” that you will need to strain and use generously in your garden. Composting feels good. You recycle your waste, help keep our Mother Earth’s cycle continuing, and create rich, healthy plant material that is useful for food and medicine. The Cycle of Life continues.

Air

Herbs and most other plants need good air circulation around them if they are going to thrive. Many new gardeners make the mistake of planting their new transplants too close together. We want to fill in the space because that is quite appealing, but it is important to give your herbs space in which to grow. Again, it is the ultimate lesson of patience. If plants are overcrowded, they will not grow to their full potential and they may become more prone to disease. Remember to do your research and know the potential size of your plant, and give it the proper space.

Water

All plants need water to grow. It is important to discover the watering requirements for your individual herbs and then plan accordingly. Most herbs, however, after they are established, require less water than other types of garden plants. Many people use overhead sprinkler systems for their gardens. This is really not the best method of watering your garden. I feel strongly that using a drip irrigation system or soaker hoses is a more efficient, economical, and practical way of irrigating. The water that evaporates into the air from a sprinkler is a waste of water resources. With a drip irrigation system, you can place an emitter (the device from which the water flows) at the base of each plant. You can use emitters of different sizes, depending on the needs of the plants. For example, in my garden, I place a 2-gallon emitter (that means the plant will receive 2 gallons of water each hour) on my large rose bushes, but the Rosemary plant gets only a ½-gallon emitter because it requires much less moisture. Of course, if you live in an area where you get abundant rainfall, you might not need a watering system at all. Most likely, you will need to supplement by watering by hand periodically. It is remarkably therapeutic to go out into the garden in the morning or evening, turn on the hose, and walk around the garden spraying liquid nourishment on your plants. It is mindful, relaxing, and calming to the soul. You also get the opportunity to check out each plant and evaluate its immediate needs.

Where and When to Plant Echinacea?

A friend has given you some viable Echinacea purpurea seeds for your garden. Echinacea is a wildflower, grows naturally in North America, and can be grown easily in many parts of the world. Plant your seeds by just scattering them in the fall or very early spring. With natural rainfall and perhaps some weeding around the seedlings, your Purple Coneflower (one of Echinacea’s common names), will emerge in the spring, grow strong and sturdy, and flower beautifully for you in the summer. Echinacea does like full sun the best but will tolerate some shade; it just won’t bloom as much. Echinacea is a perennial herb and will return and multiply every year. Echinacea provides a great lesson for the herbalist, and that is the lesson of patience. You need to wait 3 years before harvesting your Echinacea root for medicine. Harvesting will be discussed later in the chapter.

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Tags: Veterinary Herbal Medicine

Jul 18, 2016 | Posted by admin in PHARMACOLOGY, TOXICOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS | Comments Off

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