Elderberries grow all over where we are, at the foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range. My grandfather used to tell me that when they first moved here, they would go up and down the country roads collecting elderberries. 

I firmly believe that our Creator left us all sorts of useful plants that...

Basil is my favorite summertime herb! I love growing fresh basil and adding it to pizza or using it to make homemade pesto for pasta and grilled veggies. And that’s just the beginning! Basil is not only incredibly tasty, but it’s also full of wonderful medicinal properties.

In today’s guide, we ...

Our hoop house greenhouse is one of my favorite places to go when it is cold and wet out in the Pacific North West. It is a peaceful little oasis where I can garden while listening to the rain, and best of all… where I can grow food for my family without getting too soaked.

We have had our origi...

Milk thistle is one of my favorite medicinal herbs. Some of its best medicinal uses include liver support, digestion, and gallbladder health. These systems are highly critical to making sure that we are healthy all over. 

I’ll be honest with you: milk thistle is not necessarily a plant you would...

If you have clay soil on your property, you are likely no stranger to the fact that it turns into a rock in the summer. This type of soil is difficult to work in, doesn’t take water very easily, and will either flood until it’s muddy or just not get enough water to the plants. 

Thankfully, raise...

Did you know you can make stunning floral arrangements year-round using flowers planted in a cutting garden? Bouquets from homegrown flowers are just as beautiful as those from a store or florist — or, dare we say, even more beautiful? — for a fraction of the cost. We’ve been growing flowers in a cu...

Did you know that certain flowers are edible and can be used for both decoration and cooking? Edible flowers have been growing in popularity in both gardens and kitchens because of their unique and delicious flavors as well as their beautiful appearance. We love to experiment with them here on the f...

Lilacs are one of the most loved plants for gardeners and herbalists alike. Their flowers — which can range from white to violet, blue, light purple, dark purple, and even a light yellow called Primrose — add a pop of color and charm to any garden or yard. Plus, the flowers also boast medicinal bene...

Turmeric has become more well-known over the years with golden milk and turmeric lattes popping up in coffee shops, but we’ve been using this powerful plant for years! Recognizable by its bright orange color when dried and ground, there’s a reason they call it the golden spice.

For those of you ...

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.

Star a...

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb! You likely recognize the name licorice — it’s also seen in candy. And while most store-bought options you find today aren’t made with the actual licorice root plant, that familiar sweet flavor is still there. 

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 a sugar derivative, while the plant is pa...