GG's Garden

Today I wanted to write about the other garden that is going on right now at the Leadership Center. Suzette Goodwin(GG to her grand kids) is the Executive Director's wife and lives with him on the main level of the Leadership Center. Suzette has a medicinal herb garden. For this year it is mainly indoors but next year she hopes to expand to the side yard garden bed that she made. I interviewed her on what she is growing and why she is growing them.

WHAT-Peppermint:
WHY-She said she wanted to grow peppermint for teas.
FOR-Peppermint is used for stomach aches and sore throats.

WHAT-True Comfrey:
WHY-wanted to grow this because it is the Neosporin of herbs.
FOR- Comfrey is used to heal cuts, abrasions, athletic injuries and broken bones.

WHAT- Feverfew:
WHY- Because it is like an aspirin.
FOR- Helps migraines, aches and pains.



WHAT-Saint John's Wort (note: this is a type of sage):
FOR- This herb restores nerve tissue, deadens pain and strengthens urinary organs.



WHAT-Orange Calendula:
WHY-Good for bug bites.

FOR- The flowers of this herb are a healing agent when made into a salve.



WHAT-True Lavender:
WHY- To mix with her peppermint to make teas to help stomach aches.
FOR- Because of the calming qualities it has.
 
WHAT-Lemon Balm:
FOR-Lemon balm has a calming effect. It also helps high blood pressure and migraines.
  
WHAT- Pansies:
When I asked her "Why Pansies?" she said "I know they're not medicinal" then she stopped and laughed and then said "I guess they are for me because they make my heart happy because my grandma had them when I was growing up."

I asked her what her favorite part of gardening was this year and she said "Seeing things finally come up." Then I asked her what her least favorite part was and she said " it was hot, dry and not a lot  of out door plants came up." I also asked her what she would do differently next year and she answered, "Start (seedlings) indoors earlier." and "Get a water hook up outside." With our plan for next year we will be able to provide the hook up she needs and help her start her seedlings as early as she needs.