Glorious, beautiful spontaneity cared for and guided by loving hands, healing intent and reverent awe; that’s how I would describe the medicinal cottage herb garden of Carolyn & Josh, The Homesteading Family.
I recently paid a visit to these good folks up in Northern Idaho. It was a twelve-hour drive and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Why? Because Carolyn and Josh really get it. They are truly committed to getting the most joy, health, happiness and satisfaction from life. They’re pursuing that end by focusing on principles that really matter; principles like humility, curiosity, the joy of learning, hard work, reverence for God and His gifts and selflessly loving and serving others. Those are principles that lead to success in any endeavor. They have a wonderful website they’ve developed to help others learn principles of self-reliance and independence, Homesteadingfamily.com. They have a wonderful Homesteading Family YouTube Channel as well where they’ve documented their amazing journey to self-reliance. You’d be crazy not to go there right now and subscribe regardless of how far along you are on your own journey to growing your own food and medicine and living a more self-reliant, sustainable lifestyle.
Carolyn has been a student of The HomeGrown Herbalist School of Botanical Medicine for some time and invited me to come up and visit with her and Josh and their beautiful kids. She asked me to have a peak at her little cottage garden where she grows medicinal plants for her beautiful family. She seemed a little nervous as we stepped through the arch into the little garden. What would her crazy herb teacher say about her efforts? Were things as they should be? Was she missing anything important?
I wish I had the words to describe the feeling I had as I stepped into that little garden. It was visually lovely to be sure, but there was also a palpable sense of peace and loving care. Even if you never used any of the wonderful plants that were growing in that little garden as medicine, I think you could sit on the bench that rests at its center and be healed of any number of life’s ills just by the lovely tranquility of the place.
Carolyn has embraced what is, in my opinion, the most important principle of herbal gardening. And what is that principle? It is the willingness to accept that the plants know best what they need and a joyful resolve to respond to their ideas on the subject. As we wandered through the little space, Carolyn talked about each plant and the adventures they’d had together as if they were old friends. She would say things like: “I started these guys over here, but they’ve been moving over to this spot and seem happier. Or, “This one pops up here and there unexpectedly, but I don’t mind. They’re beautiful wherever they want to grow and I can still harvest them.”
The other great thing about the garden was the content. Now understand that this isn’t a huge garden, I’d say maybe 15 by 80 feet or so, and some of that is paths and veggies and a wonderful little seating area. Yet in that space, are growing plants to cover every medicinal category one could need for a large family’s regular health needs. In fact, if I were to move in next door to Josh and Carolyn and start up my naturopath practice there, I’d be perfectly content with what is growing in that little patch. And that my friends is a testament not only to Carolyn’s focus and intent to cover her bases medicinally, but also to the fact that one really can produce what’s needed without enormous space or resources. Josh and Carolyn took out a strip of lawn along the side of their house a couple of years ago and have transformed it into a medicinal paradise. In addition to producing what their family needs, there is enough production there that they could be sharing or selling to others if they wanted.
So, what grade would the crazy herb teacher give to this project? I’d give it an A+. They are doing wonderful work without massive input of money or labor. They’re feeding and healing their family. They’re learning and loving their plants and they’re making their home a beautiful place. What more could one want from a garden than that?
If you’d like to learn more about The Homesteading Family and the wonderful resource they can be, click the links below.
Homesteading Family YouTube Channel
If you’d like to Join me and them and others in the joy of embracing and being blessed by the principles of herbal medicine have a look at The HomeGrown Herbalist School. We’d love to have you join us on that journey.
The HomeGrown Herbalist School of Botanical Medicine
Totally agree, Doc Jones. What a beautiful little garden! I have followed this family for several years and they are a treasure trove of information.
Yup. They’re amazing folks. There are a lot of people on YouTube “talking the talk”. But Josh & Carolyn are really walking the walk.
As always, I learned something new today watching this awesome video, in a beneficially beautiful garden!!!! Love it!!
It was everything you could want in a personal herb garden. They’ve done a beautiful job.
My mother used to say that your plants tell the world your personality. The hops are hopping, the plants are leaning into you and looking so vibrant. Such a quaint herb garden adorned by two humble humans. It is easy to see the aura and how happy the entire atmosphere is. Thank you for sharing.
The wonderful thing is that having a little patch of paradise like that is well within the reach of absolutely anyone that has a bit of dirt.
Carolyn’s wonderful little garden is a testimony that we really can be surrounded by beautiful botanical blessings if we’re so inclined.
What a wonderfully written tribute to an amazing family and the rich blessings of our bounteous planet and a plant based lifestyle.
Yup. Josh and Carolyn have learned some wonderful things about how life can be and they’re doing a great job of sharing their journey with others.
Loved it!
:0)
I have followed you and the Homesteading Family for a few years. Loved the video of you in Carolyn’s Cottage Garden and learned from you on the video with Josh. You are all great teachers!!
Glad you enjoyed it Rose.
Loved the article and video. Question about the Venom & Sting tincture. You mentioned hobo and brown recluse venom dissolves the “glue” that holds our cells together so they can have a good drink. We live in Arkansas. Do you have any experience with chiggers? Their venom supposedly does the same thing to one’s skin. My wife has a severe reaction to chigger bites and I would love to find something to minimize that.
I haven’t tried it on chigger bites, but theoretically it would be great. If she’s having severe reactions, that implies there might be some allergic things going on as well so some herbs like Brigham tea or nettles might be worth a look as well.
https://homegrownherbalist.net/?s=venom&post_type=product&title=1&excerpt=1&content=1&categories=1&attributes=1&tags=1&sku=1&orderby=date-DESC&ixwps=1
https://homegrownherbalist.net/?s=histamine&post_type=product&title=1&excerpt=1&content=1&categories=1&attributes=1&tags=1&sku=1&orderby=date-DESC&ixwps=1
I love this family and what I’ve learned so far from them. I prepped a small little area by my house for spring. I’m in zone 3 Alberta Canada. Will have this already cold winter to plan it ❤️
I’m confused by the idea of a cottage garden versus intermixing in my annual beds where these aromatics that deter pests and bring in good pests.