Kirsten Profile

Urban farmer with contraband chickens and as much edible ornamentals as a gal can fit in a tiny yard. I do organic square foot gardening in raised garden beds. I am interested in permaculture and four season gardening. I am constantly studying the power of herbs. I have a passion for canning and discovering wildfoods and heritage/native foods(Grandma's no-name best applesauce in the world apples) as well as an ecological interest in local sustainable food sources. Plus I have a worm bin which makes me cool:)

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Jul

2010

Anyone know if the rose hips used in tea and for vit C are a special kind or can I use the ones from my yard? And how do I go about doing so if that is the case? Also how do I harvest my Chamomile?

Kirsten
Portland | | Zone Pacific Northwest

For chamomile, I found this link:
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/herbs/msg0614225131637.html

For rose hips, I think you can use any type of roses, although some roses have larger hips than other. But I don't really know all that much other than what I've read.

Maybe try this link?
http://oldfashionedliving.com/rosehips2.html

Anyone else have any advice?
Jade
Jul 29, 2010

I believe you can use any rose hips, but the smaller ones are the ones I always use. I love the ones from the smaller wild roses. (As opposed to the giant 1" diameter ones.) You want to try to dig out the innards prior to drying because the filaments inside are irritating to your throat. Just set out to air dry, and turn often so they don't mildew. Chamomile you can harvest when the flowers have just burst, and lay out on a paper towel over a mesh rack so air gets in everywhere. I try to keep my herbs from touching a bunch of metal...just a personal preference.
Rachel
Jul 29, 2010

Thanks you guys!! I am finally getting some chamomille and I was curious how to harvest them for tea. Now I know!!! :)
ShannonTomey
Jul 30, 2010

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Jul

2010

My purple bush beans are finally on. I love bush beans, they take up so little space, make lovely ornamentals and the purple ones turn green in boiling water which is still magical for a kid like me. On a sadder note the green bell pepper I was monitoring has been munched by a rodent(I suspect a rat) and there are no other blossoms but I remain hopeful and will leave the plant in the ground for bit.

Kirsten
Portland | | Zone Pacific Northwest

I love purple beans too, although mine aren't bush beans. I like them climbing up my chain link fence -- fun. I'm also trying growing them up my tomatoes this year.
Jade
Jul 29, 2010

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