#1 - Tulsi. Also known as holy basil, this plant is aromatic and versatile. It is a mood booster, eases anxiety, improves focus and reduces inflammation (among many other benefits).
Originally from India, we can grow it easily in our climate - and at the farm we grow three different varieties: temperate, rama and vana. Each has their own attributes and flavor profile.
It is an annual, and can be started from seed in the spring or transplanted as a seedling. Like other basils, it grows best in well watered and nutrient rich soil. You can expect large yields of leaf and flower if you are attentive to pinching off flowers throughout the early Summer.
Learn more at our Tulsi Herb Profile
#2 - Gotu Kola
This nootropic plant is known for improving memory, healing nerves and supporting cognitive function.
It is originally from India, and grows as an herbaceous creeping groundcover. In our climate it will die with very low temps, however it is possible to dig up pieces of the plant and keep it alive in a pot all winter long (make sure its well watered and in a sunny window).
It thrives in warm, moist and rich soil and in full to partial sun.
A key tip for gotu kola’s thriving is to make sure its well weeded and that rhizomatous grasses aren’t allowed to establish (like quack grass). Although it can produce large vigorous yields of leaf all season long, it is not a strong competitor with weeds.
Learn more at our Gotu Kola Herb Profile
#3 - Skullcap
One of my favorites and a member of the mint family.
It prefers moist, rich soil with minimal competition and it can grow well in partial to full sun, is a perennial and can produce prolific quantities of leaf and flower all season long.
It dies back to the ground each winter, and if you are not careful you might miss the little white, square tips popping up in the Spring. They look a little bit like cooked ramen noodles.
Like most mint family plants, it gives higher yields when it is harvested several times throughout the season, above a node.
Medicinally, skullcap is known for calming nerves, relaxing muscles, easing pain and supporting a system overwhelmed by incoming stimuli (like noises and lights, etc).
Learn more at our Skullcap Herb Profile
Looking for seedlings? Look for no further! But also… check back next week as we will be launching the seedling pre-orders soon with a special limited time offer.
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