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Summer Keepsakes

8/2/2018

12 Comments

 
Yesterday's post was rather hurried and this one will be too, but I couldn't wait to share some of the photos from today. I managed to snatch a few moments in the garden throughout the day, which was a real blessing.  I'm focusing on drying herbs and flowers for winter use, and saving seeds...
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Goldenrod, Yarrow, Mugwort, and Basil
A bouquet of 'Corsican' Basil before I hung it up to dry. It smelled sooo good!
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I'm so thrilled that the Castor Beans are ripening seed!
Catching Valerian seeds at just the right moment can be quite a challenge! Cleaning all the fuzz off isn't easy, either! :D
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This afternoon I settled down on the swing to shell some more Lupine seeds...
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Well, after about half an hour of tedious work, this was all I had done, and I got to thinking there must be a more efficient way!
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And then I had a rare "Aha!" moment. I found an old board and laid the pods out, and then, to the amazement of passersby, I started jumping on them! It did the trick and they were all shelled in no time! It also helped that it was a breezy day, so it was easy to blow off most of the chaff. 
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That's better!
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Anyone care to guess what this is? (And don't worry, it's not blood)! I'll be writing a post about it soon. 
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I'll close with a glimpse of the seed garden this evening. But this is taken at an angle that hides the other half which I never got around to preparing or planting, and so is full of weeds! I do think this garden has a lot of potential, though!
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12 Comments
Eliza link
8/2/2018 08:57:26 pm

You sure are busy! What do you use goldenrod for?
It is humorous imagining you jumping on the lupines! I was going to suggest using a rolling pin to crack the shells, but you wouldn't get as much exercise! ;)

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Joanna link
8/3/2018 08:47:43 am

I'm not sure what all I'll do with the goldenrod yet. I intended the dried flowers for winter arrangements, but would also like to experiment with other uses for this plant while it's in bloom! I have a friend who uses it to dye wool a lovely dark yellow.
A rolling pin would have been a good idea too! :D

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Angela Free link
8/2/2018 09:35:41 pm

Is the red stuff in the jars cranberry jam?

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Joanna link
8/3/2018 08:50:53 am

No it's not, but that does sound good! :D Believe it or not, it's olive oil infusing with St. John's Wort (which is yellow)! One of the most amazing things I've seen!

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JanetLee
8/2/2018 10:46:35 pm

What do you use Golden Rod for?

Thanks.

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Joanna link
8/3/2018 08:52:21 am

Mostly for dried flowers for winter arrangements, but I'll be experimenting with other uses for it while it's in season. I know it makes a great dye for wool, and can also be used in infused oils, teas, tinctures, etc.

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JanetLee
8/3/2018 11:10:16 am

Tell me more please! I am definitely interested in dyeing wool with natural ingredients.

Of course the Golden Rod would need to be processed ousitde mostly. 😏

Joanna link
8/3/2018 06:15:52 pm

I've never done it, but I have a friend who owns a sheep farm and she dyes some of her homespun yarn with it. I thought this was a good tutorial...
http://northcountryfarmer.com/?p=1400
I'll also write a post about it here if I get around to trying it this fall!

Elsa
8/3/2018 12:00:03 am

So fun to read about your seed saving adventures! Will you be selling any of the seed you save this year?

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Joanna link
8/3/2018 08:53:53 am

Yes, I will be selling seeds again...and hopefully will have more of a selection! :)

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Jason link
8/7/2018 03:52:18 pm

We should dry some of our basil. There's lots we don't use. We tried drying oregano but it didn't come out right.

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Joanna link
8/8/2018 09:32:24 am

I'm not sure if the basil is going to dry well either...it's been pretty humid lately!

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    ​I am a passionate gardener and seed-saver, who also enjoys playing the violin and accordion, running, spending time with my 4 golden retrievers, keeping chickens, photography, and reading. ​
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