Chestnut Herbal School

Gardening

Magnolia blooms.
Last updated on November 15th, 2023

Joys of the greening

Joys of the GreeningWritten and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor Blue Cohosh, Caulophyllum thalictroides, Berberidaceae Here is the second set of the greening photos I promised earlier in the week. For those of you who play/learn on facebook with me, you may have already seen some of these. And I figure enough of you do not [...]
Close up of a toad.
Last updated on June 9th, 2023

The greening

The GreeningWritten and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor Our neighborhood farmers' precious daughter My excitement for springtime is punctuated with the hurriedness of the tending - our nursery, school and gardens. Anyone tied to the land in the northern temperate world knows this springtime reality. And yet it is such a juicy time. In between my [...]
A pollinator visiting passionflower.
Last updated on June 9th, 2023

Passionflower, from seed to fruit and back again

Passionflower: From Seed to Fruit and Back AgainWritten and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor Passionflower Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata, Passifloraceae) is a short-lived perennial native vine to the southeastern US, with gorgeous flowers and interesting foliage. It is weedy in much of its native range; and fairly easy to grow elsewhere, especially if its given a wall or [...]
Replanting a meadowsweet divisionling.
Last updated on June 9th, 2023

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 Planting meadowsweet divisions into pots - Division is the easiest form of vegetative propagation. It involves digging up and severing a portion of the root system of a plant, and replanting it. Depending on the plant species and [...]
River bed
Last updated on June 8th, 2023

Water

WaterWritten and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor - Cherished water, teacher of infinite lessons and giver of life, May I possess the grace and wisdom to know when to rest in a shallow still pool and when to jump into the current’s strong pull.  As I bump up against the temporary solidness of rocks and yield [...]
Oak Gall powder puff.
Last updated on June 9th, 2023

Oak Apple Galls

Oak Apple GallsWritten and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor Oak Gall powder puff - Oak Apple Galls make nice powder puffs, once they are vacated. Another lesser-known use is a wet willy-tickler, as demonstrated by the adventurous Megan Riley. These are some of the most common galls I see in the southern Appalachians, and can be [...]