Tag Archives: herbs

Today John the Farmer planted up Tomato + Sweet basil seedlings.

Roma tomato + Sweet basil

Plant a guild of tomatoes, basil and marigolds for a flavorful and pest-free crop.

Today John the Farmer is fermenting some herbs.

Sceletium tortuosum is a rare succulent plant that has medicinal properties that relieves anxiety and lifts depression in those with a serotonin imbalance.

It is used by the first people of South Africa, the Khoikhoi and the San during hunting expeditions as it reduces appetite and increases stamina.

It can be chewed, drank as tea or snuffed with different effects according to the method taken.

It is prepared traditionally by fermenting and then drying the herb.

It occurs in the karroo regions of the western cape, typically growing prostrate under the shade of other bushes and trees.

Today John the farmer planted up winter seedlings.

Today I am planting up kale, wasabi mustard, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, parsley and spinach for sale at Towerkop Nursery.

Aloe ferox tapping in the Little Karoo.

Tapping

Aloe tappers near Calitzdorp in the Little Karoo arrange the cut aloe leaves in a ring around a depression in the ground lined with plastic. Aloin sap flows from the aloe leaves and is collected in the plastic. It is then boiled and reduced to a resinous form taken as a laxative and for arthritis.

Image

Today John the Farmer is processing mustard seed

Mustard

Spring daisies in bloom at Towerkop Nursery.

daisies