Edible leaves, seeds, flowers, stems or roots, and oil. Adaptogen Herb. Harvest the root for medicinal purposes after 3-4 years is best but can harvest after 2 years. Cook leaves in Soups. Dry and Powder leaves for immunizing chickens against viral avian disease (such as New Castle) It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry soil.
Shungiku (Chrysanthemem coronarium) Value $8.99 lb leaves
Best used for fresh greens for salads or steamed vegetable. Shungiku is a favorite edible. Greens are used in in stir fry, soups, salads, and - blanched with a miso tahini dressing. Best 5 minute meal ever. The flowers are also edible and make medicinal tea. The growing plants help repel pest bugs in garden, and you can process them to make a stronger insect repellants for plants or people. For best eating, they are keptwell cut back. Once they begin to bud and flower, the stems get woody and the leaves thin. The young tender bushy ones are best. Flowers can be used for tea, and saving out seeds. Can look a bit straggly if left totally untended (like wild daisies).
Borage Value $12 lb leaves Value $13 - 100 flowers
Similar in taste to certain types of cucumber, borage is a tasty culinary herb that is widely used in Europe and increasingly popular in the United States. Borage also produces very attractive edible flowers.