christine lawson

Another thought (although it may have occurred to you), the Malvas (ie neglecta, sylvestris) are biennial, the roots harvested the first autumn or early the second spring. They’re pretty much interchangeable with the true marshmallow. Perhaps an alternative while you wait for the marshmallow to mature?

From my experience with Echinacea I would say that the 3 year wait has more to do with the health and propagation of the crop than strength of the medicine. By about 3 years the plant has produced a good sized crown that can be divided while you harvest. This means you not only get good sized roots but next year you’ll have half a dozen new plants.

Waiting for the plants to mature is frustrating. Luckily flowers and seeds from *home grown* plants make nice medicine when tinctured fresh.

Hope that helps.

Hi - long time lurker here. My husband’s chemotherapy was awfully hard on his cognition so we tried lion’s mane tincture twice a day during treatment and continued for a couple of months afterward. Short term results were quite remarkable- if he missed a dose or two it was fairly obvious. Long term, he’s pretty much himself again, 6 months out. He still can’t remember passwords but he can do the New York Times crossword - go figure!

Brenda Groth wrote:myself I think I'd attempt to find a way to smash or crush them up..otherwise I'd follow the above advice

Yep, Brenda, that's likely how I'll go, it's just getting the gooey stuff out that had me stumped. I'm not easily made queasy but...ewwww! So I'll let nature takes its course and crush them once they're clean.

Rubbing them with dry, coarse salt. Or a piece of a broken brick. I've had success with both.

Thanks everyone! right now the horns are at the bottom of the garden and the birds are loving the bugs. Those that were buried have been unearthed, of course, as predicted. I'm fine with this, it's all going on a safe distance from the beds.

Some of the horns are a decent size, so we may keep some and see what we can make out of them.

Bokashi, eh? I'd never heard of it but a quick googling has me really intrigued. Love the idea of quicker composting/friendly bacteria.

R wannabe wrote:

Tyler Ludens wrote:

R wannabe wrote:Do NOT put them directly in your beds.

Aside from critters digging them up, what would be wrong with burying them in various places in beds? Not all in one hole, but here and there?

That is enough of a reason, but you will also get bugs that will move to your roots next. And I would never put animal product in my beds unless I was 1000% sure they were healthy.

I am absolutely sure the animals are healthy, as well as grass fed, no antibiotics etc.

Could you elaborate on what you mean by "bugs"? Insects or microbes?

c

Ooops, I'd better clarify - I'm wondering about ways to use them to enrich my soil. Should I leave them buried in the compost, or dig them up and rebury them within, say, the beds where I'm planning to put the leafy greens? I understand (I think?) they'll be a slow acting source of nitrogen - but I just don't know, that's why I need advice

C.

Hi all-

A farm hand friend has just given me a bag of very stinky fresh horn from young cattle, and I'm not sure what to do with them all! I've got a couple of dozen ranging in size from about 3 - 8". Most still have the squishy, marrowy stuff in them, and hair attached.

A google search just brings up instructions for the biodynamic manure horn technique, not something I'm up for, I can't imagine how I'd get them cleaned out to get the manure in. (Did I mention they're really stinky?)

The local raven sure was interested in them, and if I hadn't buried them there'd be turkey vultures circling - I like vultures but not sure my neighbours would appreciate it.

Any advice/suggestions?

Oh and by the by, thanks for all your help last spring re my young fruit tree guilds, they're all doing really well!

  I just happened upon this site:

  http://www.ladybarbara.net/

  She's been working with teasel for Lyme. You may find it interesting.

good luck!