Wiccan herbal garden...?

Question

I am making plans for a near future herbal garden. If mainly I do healing (a wide range), what plants (at least 5 - 15 at most) do you recommend I grow?
I live in Texas, and they would be grown outside. Thank you in advance!

Answer 1

I have an herbal garden in California, but didn't know what qualifies as "Wiccan". I did a quick search for Wiccan herbs - and wow-- you have a WIDE range available!!!

Ok, here is how you should think about your garden:

1. The SIZE of your available garden will dictate many choices. Some of the plants/trees require a lot of room. So you will have to make some choices. Also, do you have full sun (8+ hours a day) or do you have shade? In Texas, you may need both!!! You may also want to scout out your neighborhood/city to find some of these plants. For example, BAY leaves are a requirement. They grow on a VERY large tree (I have three in my yard). But you will probably only need the leaves on ONE or TWO branches per year!!!!. (I dry the leaves from the pruning of any branches for my cooking or for my friends).

2. You need to think about perennials (plants that return next year) and annuals (only grow this year -- although many will "self sow" for next year). Some healing leaves come from trees!!

3. Many herbs are "exotic" plants and are not easy/practical to grow.

4. It may be too late to grow some annuals this year (they should be started in March or April).

Ok if you have to pick 5-15, here is what I would recommend from a gardener's stand point:

1. Basil -- an annual. Use as much as you can fresh (Pesto!!) and dry the rest. Let the last of the season go to seed. Save the seed and you are ready to plant for next year. I have had good results from planting seeds that are as much as 4 years old!!! This is an excellent herb -- both fresh and dried. To dry it, pull the leaves off the stem (do NOT cut up the leaves). Place the leaves in a colander in your kitchen. "Toss" the leaves several times a day until they are dry. Put the whole leaves in a jar and close tight. Don't cut or crush the leaves until you are going to use them to get the MAX effect.

2. Garlic-- easily grown in a garden. you may have to start in fall in your area. This is also easily purchased.

3. Mint (including peppermint) will grow in shade anywhere. DO NOT plant it in the ground!!! It will take over your entire yard (LOL). Plant it in pots that are sitting on a cement patio in the shade. If the roots touch the ground, they will take off. If you have a planting area that is bounded on all sides by cement, then you could let mint go to town!!

4. CATMINT - Nepeta (official name). WARNING: cats love these!!!!! Cats may roll all over these plants. These are periennials.

5. Cayenne Peppers : these are annuals that will do VERY well in your area (save the seeds for next year!!). It is probalby too late to start this year. After you pick the peppers, you need to hang them until they are dry. Then you divide the peppers (remove the seeds and stems). Whirl the rest in a Cuisanart and you have cayenne powder.

6. Rosemary. You can start this from a small herb pot ($2). You can plant it in a pot or in the ground. It will grow a 6 by 6 feet in a year or two. Make sure that you plant it in an area that you are OK with such growth. You can cut off branches to use in cooking or to put in a paper bag to dry in a cool place. When they are dry, then you can put in a jar for future use.

7. Sage -- Part of the Salvia genus--which is the largest genus in the MINT family. Some are perienneial, or annuals.

Many of the Wiccan spices (which have been MAINSTREAM SPICES for centuries!!!) are not something that you can grow without a GREAT deal of effort: like, Cinnamon. Cloves, Curry, Nutmeg


OK -- here is the site to check for more info:

http://www.wejees.net/herbs.html

Good LUck!!!

Answer 2

There are no longer any "Wiccan" organic books, there are in simple terms books on herbalism. **suggestions** Magic and medicines of vegetation - Readers Digest e-e book Herbs Demystified - Holly Phaneuf organic treatments - Michael Howard therapeutic Spirit of vegetation - Clare G. Harvey and Amanda Cochrane Please be careful with wild vegetation, many tend to seem alike. do no longer ingest unfamiliar vegetation. do no longer ingest culinary vegetation in extra. Dont assume that as a results of fact something is "all organic" ability innocuous.

Answer 3

There are too many to list so here is a web site that sells wiccan herbs. You can go through their extensive list and decide what you want to grow. Good luck
http://themagickalcat.com/page/mxct/Shopping.html