Signs of Spring

 I went into the garden this afternoon to find some signs of Spring in order to alleviate the grey, drizzly, grizzly, damp misery that is currently mid-January. And the signs are there! Firstly, the witch hazel…

I think I’ll introduce some more witch hazel into the garden. It certainly brings a spot of vibrant cheer to a January day and there are many colours ranging from this sunshine yellow through to burnt oranges and vibrant reds. And then…

Snowdrops! There’s quite a spread of them popping up this year. Such simple beauty. Then over by the oil tank, the Angelica is sprouting…

And even some primroses are making a brave show…

There’s a good amount of turkey tail fungus on the apple tree stump, too. The World Health Organisation is pushing for turkey tail to be designated a ‘novel’ food and therefore will be subject to regulations which will likely inhibit its use as a herbal treatment. The World Health Organisation needs to mind its own nosey business but I’m not going to start spouting politics. I shall enjoy the beauty of the fungus instead…

I’ve enrolled on the Betonica Home Herbalist course. It’s fascinating stuff and has kept me busy and engaged whilst the rain rains, the mist mizzles, and the wind cracks and blows its cheeks. I caught myself thinking today that if I was 20 years younger, I well might have made herbalism my career. But I am happy to learn and apply that learning to my private and domestic spheres. Of course, I shall HAVE to buy some herb seeds soon, and I’ve HAD to buy Jekka McVicar’s latest book, ‘100 Herbs to Grow’ AND I shall NEED to buy a certain amount of new equipment so I can make my own home herbal remedies and skin care products. I know, I know…it’s a hardship, all this lovely herb-based shopping, but hey - I’ll survive…