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Being the Human Hands for Goldenseal
Goldenseal, Yellow Root, Hydrastis canadensis. It is a plant that has gone by many names and is called Yellow Root for its bright golden yellow root due to the berberine, a potent medicinal component which I’ll include more information on below. Overharvested in the past for its medicinal gifts (alongside ginseng), goldenseal is native and easy to grow in its range where the natural habitat remains intact. It also has a long history of simulated cultivation and for more information on its cultivation I recommend the book Growing and Marketing Ginseng, Goldenseal and other Woodland Medicinals by Jeanine Davis and W. Scott Persons. Because of its history of overharvest and…
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Pawpaw: From Forgotten Woodlands to Center Stage
Could you imagine a tropical-esque fruit tree native to 26 states falling into obscurity? A fruit with flavor profiles ranging from melon to citrus to custard and a texture akin to mango. Sounds unbelievable but pawpaws nearly suffered this fate and are now enjoying a resurgence in popularity, and for good reason! Once as common and well know as apples are today, pawpaws were nearly forgotten until recently. A massive cultural shift away from land based living compounded upon development and habitat destruction reduced pawpaws’ place in the lives of the common folk. We stopped going to the woods for food and medicine, began participating in a more globalized economy…
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Seeding the Permaculture Nursery at Mountain Jewel
This year at Mountain Jewel we have been busy planting seeds for the future. In air prune beds we have planted a variety of hybrid Chestnuts (Chinese x Japanese x American x European), Select Chinese Chestnuts, Persimmons, Select Pawpaws and English Lime. All of these plants thrive in our bioregion. These trees will be available fall 2020 to purchase through our website. We offer shipping and local pickup.
