As the light returns and the soil warms, I'm absolutely giddy knowing that soon the perennials will begin unveiling their lush greens, and the tulips will bravely poke their heads out of the earth. While growing cut flowers has been a more recent adventure for me, I've always cherished tending to my potager garden filled with vegetables, herbs, and medicinal blooms. Here are some of my beloved herbal companions:
Nettles has been my trusted herbal ally over the past year. I love enjoying it dried in tea, sweetened with a touch of honey and a splash of creamy oat milk. On its own, nettles offer a mild, pleasant taste without the bitterness common to many herbs. As a calming nervine, nettles gently support my nervous system. I also adore incorporating it into a hair rinse alongside rosemary, appreciating its silica-rich nature that adds shine and vitality. Another delight has been infusing nettles and horsetail in olive oil for a nourishing shampoo bar - which always runs out too quickly! Although nettles thrive in the wild, I prefer cultivating them safely in pots to avoid their stinging hairs. Remember, wear gloves or carefully handle nettles by their leaves - the stinging needles live along their stems. In the garden, nettles can even be used to create a nutrient-rich compost tea by soaking the fresh plant in water for a few days and diluting a tablespoon of the finished brew per gallon of water.
Calendulas are radiant bursts of sunshine in my garden. I truly can't seem to grow enough of these cheerful blooms. Every winter solstice, calendula plays a special role in my rituals as an offering welcoming the sun’s return. This herb is wonderfully beginner-friendly; simply scatter seeds in a sunny patch and watch them flourish. Medicinally, calendula shines in soothing minor scrapes, burns, and eczema. You'll find its golden petals featured in our salves and soaps, but I especially love infusing the dried blossoms in oil to nourish a dry scalp. It's also edible; sprinkling vibrant calendula petals on a salad adds both charm and flavor, delighting any dinner guest.
Yarrow holds a special place in my memories, particularly one magical Fourth of July camping trip surrounded by fields of gently swaying yarrow. Its graceful stems are lovely additions to bouquets and wreaths, drying beautifully while retaining their delicate colors. Although hybrid varieties like "Summer Berries" possess some medicinal value, my heart remains loyal to the white yarrow native to Colorado, renowned for its potent healing properties. Traditionally valued for its wound-healing and blood-stopping abilities, yarrow can be chewed into a quick poultice and applied to minor cuts (though always clean your wound first). You'll find yarrow featured proudly in our all-purpose salve.
Chamomile is the ultimate soothing herb in my herbal cabinet, nothing quite lulls me into restful sleep like chamomile tea. Just its gentle apple fragrance is enough to signal my brain that it's time to unwind. In my garden, I cultivate both German (annual) and Roman (perennial) chamomile varieties. German chamomile grows taller, making it suitable for bouquets, though I often favor feverfew in arrangements due to its sturdier stems. Historically, chamomile has been cherished for easing menstrual cramps, inflammation, insomnia, and mild skin irritations. My favorite way to enjoy chamomile is, naturally, dried and steeped into a comforting herbal tea.
Gardening and herbalism continue to deepen my connection to nature’s rhythms and cycles. Do you have a favorite herb or gardening ritual that brings you joy? I'd love to hear how you celebrate nature's return each spring!