Green Manure

There are many plants than can help to reinvigorate the garden soil. Green Manure generally give back more nutrients to the soil than they take away. They have deeper roots than most plants and can draw nutrients from deep in the soil. The deeper root system also aerates the soil! The plants can be composted or turned directly into the soil, as they decompose they return nutrients to the soil.

Good Green Manure Crops :

Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Mustard, Field Peas, Hairy Vetch, Oats, Crimson Clover, and Winter Rye/Rye Grass.

"Green manure reduces the fossil fuels required to produce fertilizers, they keep the soil rich and ALIVE!"

Healing Salve Recipe

Here is an easy recipe for a healing salve, uses include : psoriasis and scars... but also for cuticles, dry feet, knees, elbows and hands! Great gardeners hand salve.

Ingredients:
1- liter, Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3/4 cup, Comfrey Leaves (Dried)
3/4 cup, Calendula Flowers (Dried)
3/4 cup, St. Johnswort Flowers (Wilted)
1/2 cup, Plantain Leaves (Dried)
1 - tsp, Myrrh Gum Resin (Powdered)
1 - tbs, Vitamin E oil
1/2 cup, Bee's Wax

Method:

1. Warm olive oil in a saucepan over low heat (Just warm it... do not simmer!) **Note: Can be heated in a slow cooker :)
2. Add all the ingredients EXCEPT: Vitamin E and Bee's Wax
3. Gently heat for 12 hours stirring occasionally
4. Strain the herbs from the oil using muslin cloth, and again through coffee filters to get all particulate matter from the oil
5. In a separate pan heat the Bee's Wax on a low heat
6. Stir in the herb infused oil, blending thoroughly
7. Remove from heat
8. Vitamin E acts as a preservative! Now is the time to stir it in :)
9. Pour salve into containers and label

This recipe makes quite a bit of salve, you can reduce the recipe or better yet... give some to your friends!

**Tips:

• Dont throw away the herbs you strain from the oil... use them in your garden compost!
• If you refrigerate the salve it will keep for up to 1 year!
• Clean baby food jars make great salve bottles!