Volume 8, Issue 5, October 1999
The Black Swamp Herb Socity, with Gardens at the Wood County Historical Center
Odds and ends of the season
Thanks to all who came out to put the garden to bed for the winter. October 9 was such a lovely day, that the gardeners ended up saying, “too soon” to some of the planned tasks. A hard freeze would simplify decision making. Even now the basil stands all ruffled purple and healthy. The nasturtiums have taken on a new vigor. The Russian sage is still a wall of blue glory, and the thyme of spring has decided it is time to bloom again. This is the season of glory for the pineapple sage – its splashing red is still luring insects. Astonishingly there is a lone bachelor button holding up its blue head.
We were thankful for some unexpected help. It was daunting looking at the hundreds of pounds of bagged “well rotted manure” and the thought of digging up our beloved but evergrowing potted bay trees was enough to make the back ache. Five juvenile detainees who were raking leaves near by were enlisted to help. They had the trees out of the ground and the manure spread in no time. Best of all they carefully balanced on our stone paths to avoid compacting the soil and asked so many questions it was like a plant review for the gardeners. The aromas of the medicinal garden were alluring.
Thanks to Mark and Matt Moats who delivered the bay trees to Valerie’s and thanks to Valerie and Lavender Blue Farms for the winter refuge as well as many other favors and gifts given this year.
Valerie also provided a rapid fire hands-on information feast for our September meeting. On the first warm day of March, 2000 every member will be out checking lavender plants for signs of green and trimming the plants back – “no more than one third.”
September’s meeting was made notable by “Who has the key?” and a conivial sharing of food by the light of the parking lamps. It was like a coven of jolly witches were meeting in the flickering pink light. Only things missing – a bonfire and a black steaming kettle.
Wood County Day, September 18 seems forever ago but it was a day when members greeted and toured literally hundreds of visitors. The gardens looked their September best. Thanks to Cinda Davis for the lovely sign explaining the new Oak-Savannah garden.
Making Bag-a-bags
These are our easy answer to “how to store those messy but useful plastic bags”. If you would like to help we have cut sets ready for you.
Cut a yard of material into 18” squares. (One yard of 36” yields four bag-a-bags)
Cut twelve inch length of matching or contrasting bias tape (wide enough to be folded and sewn for each “bag a bag.”
Cut two eight inch lengths of 1/4 elastic for each “bag a bag.”
Hem top and bottom sides.
Run basting stitch 2 inches from top and bottom. Mark material at half and quarter intervals. Do the same with elastic. Pin elastic in place, matching markings. Machine tack elastic at both ends. Lightly draw up basting stitch and use as a sewing guide and to distribute material. Stretch and sew. Pin “handle” (which has been folded over and stitched, or zig zag stitched down the middle) at the quarter markers.
Stretch and sew!! (Catch handles in stitching.) Remove basting stitches.
Fold bag lengthwise and stitch seam either with a serger or seam with zig-zag.
Turn right side.
Old Home Christmas or this is going to be fun!
Dear Members,
I want to take this time to update you on what is going on for Olde Home Christmas.
The workshops are in place. Please check your new program booklet, the workshops are listed in there.
At our next scheduled meeting, which is Monday. October 25, 1999 at 6;30 P.M., at the County Museum, we will be doing multiple workshops. Something for everyone.
We will be cutting out patterns for mug rugs and trivets, dream pillows and herbal wraps. Please bring a pair a scissors, rotary cutters, and pencils or fabric markers and an iron, if you have one. Patterns, instructions and materials will be provided. Ruth Steele will be chairing this project.
If you are unable to help with the above projects we will also be packaging herbal teas and potpourri.
And if that isn’t enough, Harriet Rosebrock is chairing making Christmas ornaments. I’ve left this up to Harriet so I can’t tell you what the ornaments will consist of.
Don’t forget to keep collecting ideas for Christmas Wreaths for the workshop in November.
The miniature Christmas Trees are in and anyone who wants to pick some up to decorate are welcome to do so.
I will have sign-up sheets for projects taken home to work on. Please sign on the appropriate sheet for the project(s) you take home so we can keep track of these items.
All ideas and suggestions are welcome.
MANY HANDS MAKE LITTLE WORK
P.S. All your time and work is sincerely appreciated. Thank You. Come anytime after 6:30 pm. We will be ready to go then.
Kathy Hicks
Hair, glorious hair
Remember, before Clairol, Revelon etc. discovered the wonderful market nitch for hair rinses pouring cider vinegar over your youthful head as a final rinse and if it was the final rinse indeed, smelling like a pickle for two days? The October, 1999 Herbal Companion lists hair enhancing properties for a number of herbs that can help you choose products. For the dedicated they include recipes for homemade rinses promising a variety of special effects.
- Basil – cleanses and invigorates the scalp.
- Calendula – heals an irritated scalp and subtly highlights light hair.
- Chamomile – soothes itching scalp and enhances blond hair.
- Comfrey – this root’s mucilage alleviates damaged hair and soothes the scalp.
- Henna leaf extract – colors hair. Extracts of the flower, stem and root won’t impart color but will increase shine and reduce oiliness.
- Jojoba oil – coats the hair shaft and repairs split ends.
- Nasturtium – strengthens thin, weak hair and decreases oiliness.
- Nettle – cleanses hair without drying, leaving it shiny and soft.
- Onion – strengthens brittle hair while adding shine and bringing out auburn tones.
- Peppermint – makes a cooling, antiseptic hair rinse that is good for dry hair.
- Rosemary – invigorates the scalp, kills bacteria, relieves oiliness, and enhances natural color.
- Sage – conditions hair and darkens it slightly. Tea tree oil is antimicrobial and is an ingredient of many dandruff and psoriasis treatments.
- Walnut leaf – adds sheen and deepens the color in dark hair.
- Yucca – shines lackluster hair.
