Danielle Gehl Hagel

Stacy Witscher wrote:I also use different strategies for different weeds. I reserve black tarping for things like bindweed that at least for me have been resistant to other methods. And even then I work on a small area at a time. Most areas I prefer cardboard and mulch.

Stacy, in your experience, how long does a tarp need to be on to slow or dissuade bindweed? I have a bindweed and thistle-dense area that I tarped in September. I'm torn between leaving it on for another year or removing it and sheet mulching with cardboard and woodchips as others have suggested.

I want to add another shout out to stinging nettle, which packs a bunch of protein, vitamin A and K and other nutrients into one scraggly plant. They're tastiest as young shoots in the early spring but can be harvested for tea any time. I add them to broths all winter. Nettle seeds are also nutrient dense and medicinal, too.

For those who prefer native plants, there's also the wood nettle.

They're not as calorically dense as other plants mentioned here, but berries like currants, elderberries and aronia (black chokeberry) are pretty indestructible, low-maintenance and nutritional powerhouses too. If you don't want to can/preserve you can always freeze and add to oatmeal.

Thanks, Anne and James!

Hi all,

As I embark on my 9th year of growing medicinal herbs and my second year on a new acreage, I'm looking for insights on guilds and polycultures from folks who work with medicinals and northeastern natives.  I can't seem to find anyone out there who is doing what I'm doing

I have 2 acres on a community farm here in southern ontario. My primary focus is growing medicinals for my herbalism practice and herbal remedy CSA. I'd like to keep things low-till, integrated into the local ecology and easy on me, so my secondary focus is creating an edible and medicinal landscape with native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. I'm in zone 5b.

An example of a guild I have set up is a chokeberry surrounded by yarrow, lavender, thyme and angelica. I'll be adding silverberry, plum, hazelnut, and local leguminous perennials this year too.

I'd LOVE to hear from anyone in who incorporates medicinals into their guilds, or herb farmers who use natives in a permaculture-ish way.

Thanks!