Chestnut Herbal School
Partridgeberry in fruit.
Last updated on November 15th, 2023

Partridgeberry Materia Medica

Partridgeberry Materia MedicaWritten and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor Partridgeberry in fruit My botany professors in Florida first introduced me to partridgeberry, and with excitement I recognized the scientific name as a medicinal from one of my herbal books. This was back in the late 80s when the modern herbal literature was scanty, computers were not [...]
Replanting a meadowsweet divisionling
Last updated on February 25th, 2026

Root Division: Multiply Your Medicinal Herb Harvest with These Plant Propagation Tips

Root Division: Multiply Your Medicinal Herb Harvest with These Plant Propagation TipsWritten and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor Dividing meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) with a garden knife (hori-hori) for replanting Want an easy and free way to get more herb plants? Who doesn’t, right? When I discovered how simple it is to multiply the herbs in my [...]
Closeup of Ruby Rose.
Last updated on November 15th, 2023

My Lovely Office Assistant

My Lovely Office AssistantWritten and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor Ms. Rose driving a hard deal I would like to introduce my lovely office assistant, Ms. Rose, whose many talents include: Finding new and unusual ways to incorporate post-its and scotch tape into thought-provoking and controversial art installments throughout the workplace. Asking for a snack repeatedly [...]
Fresh picked greens.
Last updated on October 11th, 2024

Cold Season Wild Greens and Pecan Feta Wild Greens Pesto

Cold Season Wild Greens and Pecan Feta Wild Greens PestoWritten and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor Creasy greens Creasy greens (Barbarea verna, Brassicaceae), also known as wintercress, is a common weed in the Southeast and the pacific Northwest. Its close relative, Barbarea vulgaris, has a more widespread distribution, occurring throughout most of temperate North America. Here in the southern [...]
Chestnuts
Last updated on January 10th, 2024

Chestnut Harvest

Chestnut HarvestWritten and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor Chinese chestnuts freshly picked and washed - Chinese chestnuts (Castanea mollissima, Fagaceae) are a common yard tree in the southern Appalachians, and can easily be found this time of year, with their spiny burrs and nuts falling from the trees. - - The Chinese Chestnut is not affected [...]
Garlic mustard
Last updated on June 9th, 2023

Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)Written and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor - Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata, Brassicaceae) is one of our earlier wild spring greens. With a flavor slightly reminiscent of mild arugula and roasted garlic, it makes a nice addition in salads with milder wild greens like chickweed and violets. I find that its flavor doesn’t [...]