Beginning
When the warm weather settles in, I place three seeds into a pot of soil: one for the earth, one for wildlife, and one to grow. The first sign of life arrives as a tender, green shoot pushing through the soil and reaching towards the sun. I feel anticipation and connection grow along with it.
The simple act of pressing fingertips into soil has real physiological benefits like nervous system regulation, immune system strengthening, and natural antidepressant effects. Besides this, something else has begun: a relationship begins to grow between the seed, which will become a plant, and me, the one who tends it.
My role as gardener, as the one who tends this gentle new life, comes with responsibilities. My attention and care, the intention I bring each day, and the knowledge I apply to this endeavor. I pay close attention to its growing conditions: In the absence of rain, my watering can provides a cool drink when the soil is dry. When it’s ready for nutrients, amendments are chosen with the intention of its future as medicine.
Development
As the plant grows, buds form, and blooms develop. In parallel, I am developing skills and discernment through this process and providing protection by weeding out any intruders that may come along. As flowers fade, I practice letting go and making room for new growth by removing spent blooms.
Every day, my plant has grown a little, and so have I. With close attention and affection, my care and skills. I have a reason to pause outside and visit, check for new developments, and practice my new skills. Local wildlife visits my little plant and me; the bees collect pollen, butterflies sample its nectar, and birds wait patiently for spent blooms to become seed heads.
Harvest
When the time comes, the act of harvesting can be bittersweet – some medicine comes from the fruits or flowers, and others from the roots. Either way, I ask permission first and express my gratitude afterward. The relationship between gardener and plant is full of reciprocity and history. In some cases, seeds can be collected and saved for the next season – it’s not really goodbye, just see you later.
So what does being ‘in relationship’ mean, and does it impact the medicine? My input directly contributes to the plant’s output. I know exactly under which conditions my medicine has been grown, and the satisfaction I experience from this accomplishment is medicine of a different kind. Every leaf, every bloom, is a reminder of the abundance surrounding me and within me.
Grow Your Own Apothecary
If you feel ready to take your first step into growing medicine, Calendula is the perfect gateway to medicinal plants. One pack of seeds, a pot filled with good soil, and a sunny spot on your front steps or balcony. Calendula’s happy orange flowers grow abundantly from a single plant all season long. Freshly bloomed flowers are ready to harvest early in the day before the dew has dried.
The medicine resides in the sticky resin of the flower head, which can be used fresh in cold infusions, or the petals can be sprinkled on a salad; otherwise, let them dry. Calendula is a versatile medicine – use it in hot or cold infusions, stocks and broths, marinades, and oil infusions for both dietary and topical use. That jar of gorgeous calendula oil on your shelf — the one you grew, harvested, and made — is a different kind of medicine than anything you can buy.
If you feel ready to start growing your own medicine, the Grow Coaching Guide is a grounded place to begin. It’s free, there’s no obligation, and it will help you find the right path for your space and your season.
Request the Grow Coaching Guide →
From the apothecary, Elizabeth
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