Often found in baked goods, mulling spices, herbal teas, and more, star anise is a versatile and fragrant plant used for centuries in herbalism and cooking. And while you can find it in the supermarket, growing, caring, and harvesting a star anise plant yourself is so much more rewarding.
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You’ve likely heard of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana)—it’s a popular sugar alternative—but did you know that it comes from a plant of the same name?
Store-bought stevia packets and all-natural stevia couldn’t be more different. Most of those packets contain...
We have used medicinal plants in healthcare for thousands of years. Studies have been conducted across the world to prove how good they really are, and most of the time, medicinal plants win the argument. Although we can’t always do without modern medicine, curing common ailments and...
Did you know that there are more microorganisms in one teaspoon of soil than there are people on the planet? These microbes are an important part of the ecosystem of your garden, and keep your soil healthy and packed full of nutrients.
The thing is, different plants need...
Elderberries come in two varieties: American (Sambucus canadensis) and European black elderberry (Sambucus nigra). The American elderberry is smaller and grows to be 6 to 10 feet tall. The European elderberry can grow up to 10 feet tall.
The Sambucus elderberry grown in the United...
We've all been there. Our new botanical seeds arrived in the mail, we planted them eagerly into the ground, and then... nothing. They don't sprout; they don't grow, and we're left wondering if our green thumbs have shriveled off.
Did you know, though, this happens because seeds...
Imagine going out to your rose garden to cut a few stems for your dinner plate, not for your sweetheart. Growing edible roses is a time-honored pastime, though it may sound weird at first.
Did you know the Greeks, Romans, and Persians all loved using roses to cook with? They...