🪻 WITCH CHALLENGE - Powerful Plants

[Garnet]

WITCH CHALLENGE - Powerful Plant

Challenge Entry :

Ever since the first creature ate a plant and found it made them feel better, the flora of this world for has been used in healing and in many other ways. But it isn’t just the plants, spices, herbs,etc.

If you’ve ever curled up on the couch after a Thanksgiving meal to take a nap, did you ever wonder why?

No, it isn’t your mother in law trying to poisen you. She’d have much more inventive ways to off you.

Basically, it’s the turkey and the tryptophan it contains. Plus all the other goodies.

Tryptophan](How Tryptophan Boosts Your Sleep Quality and Mood) found in turkey, which does promote good sleep and a good mood, according to research published in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews

Tryptophan is involved in the production of serotonin (a hormone that helps regulate mood) and melatonin (a hormone that helps regulate your sleep cycle)

Point in fact.

MY son is ADHD and he never slept…never. So tried melatonin, which did work, after a fact, but it didn’t mean he’d have a full nights sleep. And it hurt me to my heart to drug my baby. Eventually our best solution was to put a lock at the top of our doors.

When his little brain connected with self awareness, he understood that he couldn’t to outside without mommy or daddy because he could get hurt.

Turkey isn’t the only source of tryptophan in the average diet. Other good sources include: milk, cheese, beef. Chicken, nuts and soybeans. But they haven’t been crowned with the tryptophan curse.

Take into account the other foods you eat at the holidays. Mashed potatoes (especially french mashed potatoes.) Squash, stuffing, pie… and on and on.

And I want some… right now!

ok back on track. Consuming such food high in carbohytrates can cause a quick rise in your blood sugar, which in turn can bring on a crash that features fatigue and reduced alertness within the first hour after eating.

Now if you have a nice wine good night
Tryptophan and melatonin the sleep hormone, is geared to start making you sleepy when the day turns dark. So as much as you may want to stay up for more of that football game on Thanksgiving, your body’s circadian rhythms are telling you it’s time to get some shut-eye instead.
So in conclusion Tryptophan need not be vililify. The secret is moderation.

Blessed be

Garnet

I wrote this entry and read it again after posting. It has very little to do with plants but I was on a roll

[Nikki-Phoenix]

@Garnet

I wrote this entry and read it again after posting. It has very little to do with plants but I was on a roll

And what a roll, I enjoyed every moment

x Blessed Be x

[jayne]

@Garnet

I wrote this entry and read it again after posting. It has very little to do with plants but I was on a roll

Not a problem - I can almost smell the delicious aroma! Now I’m feeling sleepy…

[dan3]

@veronica1

Maine it seems Winter has decided to fight on.

We’re not there yet either. Soon, though. Maine has some cold winters that like to linger so we’ll be ready before you. I was in Maine for a while and loved it but the cold gets brutal.

@veronica1

have fun surprises when each plant reaches maturity.

The surprise for me would be seeing anything pop up!

[veronica1]

Challenge Entry

Building of a Witch Garden-Year 3

I have had gardens here for a long time and had been concentrating on hosta and clematis. But I wanted a pollinator garden so a few years agoI started adding more native plants and pollinator magnets. I managed to get my gardens certified as pollinator habitat. That is when it struck me that I should also try and put together a witch garden as well.

It’s going to be awhile before I can put anything into the ground

At least it’s melting

For the witch garden I started out with sage, thyme, chocolate mint and oregano. Then added lavender in a pot. Year 2 I added yarrow, spearmint, peppermint, rosemary, lemon balm and another lavender plant, black cohosh, solomon’s seal, echinacea and comfrey. I need to wait until Spring actually gets here (we still have snow at this point) before I can see if the rosemary and lavender made it through the winter.

One of the piles of garden related things waiting for the growing season. The blue thing with the plug is the hummingbird fountain, the large box is the new arbor (and Mitchell having a stretch in the corner)

Pots for the two new blueberry bushes and all sorts of goodies for the garden

This year, I have plans to add even more witchy plants. Among them, marjoram, culver’s root, marshmallow, motherwort, mullein, St. John’s wort, valerian, blue vervain, cat nip, and witch hazel. I am determined to find some mugwort and sweet woodruff as well.

And so many new flowers. I am adding a second rose bush called Ketchup and Mustard, a second butterfly bush, and a third lilac bush. I’m also putting in english bluebells, columbine, various types of crocus to go with my giant fall crocus and my tub of saffron crocuses, Aconite, a third phlox plant, four new types of hosta and a number of other flowering plants.

Ketchup & Mustard Rose

I’m growing tomatoes again this year and adding a second type of rhubarb, 2 dwarf blueberry bushes to go with the 2 I already grow in pots. I’m adding a grapevine and a kiwi vine, asparagus and horseradish. I may try my hand at ginger as well if I find any organic ginger at the grocery store.

I am also adding a bat house to the yard. As well as a fountain which is a bubbler, a kind that hummingbirds tend to like using, a new arbor for the kiwi and a bunch of fun garden art.

Bat house

The challenge for me will be getting all this stuff into the ground but I am determined to do it. Planting things may become my full time job this spring/summer. I’ve already started my list for next year’s additions! I’ve been toying with adding some of the baneful herbs. If anyone has any suggestions on good witchy plants to add, please let me know. Or if you have a mugwort source, please share. I can get seeds but I’m not the best at starting seeds and so am hoping for an actual plant.

A couple new (to me) garden related books

It always feels to me that the plants I grow here and use in any spell work have just that little extra bit of power because they were grown with intention and cared for with love.

Wish me luck!

[georgia]

@veronica1

Mitchell having a stretch in the corner

Hello handsome puppy!

A neighbor planted witch hazel and our rhubarb died. Please avoid our mistake. Rhubarb does not survive anywhere near any kind of nut.

[Jeannie1]

I know I needto trim

Rosa

I’m trying but
I really don’t have much time but I do spend a little bit in the garden!
for this challenge, I decided to go with the ultimate medicinal herb collection

they came in four separate packs and I actually did all four packs and I hope that there wasn’t any reason why they were separated. So I’m gonna look at each one of these and decide when I am going Plant the seeds and where. I have some planters that I’ve had all year around and have not planted anything in them so I’m really happy for this challenge. This gave me the inspiration to grow in the garden.!
@Garnet
this is so bizarre because I was just thinking this the other day that I should get some turkey
Jeannie

@Garnet

Tryptophan and melatonin the sleep hormone, is geared to start making you sleepy when the day turns dark

i’ve been meaning to get this for a while!! Thank you because I wasn’t sure what the name was so I appreciate it. Thank you very much.!!! I guess I’ll make this public, I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD and this is my first time coming out ! Don’t feel bad for medicating your son because I wish that I would’ve been able to know what I was dealing with at a younger age, and at least you care!! because I was able to save all of my school records and everything for my pass I was able to get a diagnosis at 43! Never shame anybody especially your son or yourself for medicating its a real thing that people just don’t understand!! I don’t judge you nor should you!!
Our brains just don’t work the same, it is what it is!
I’m going to burn some sage know

Jeannie

[BryWisteria]

One week to go!

This discussion is blooming into a beautiful garden - thank you to everyone who has shared about plants, green magick, herbalism wisdom, and more with the coven so far!

For those still pondering what to share, no fear - plenty of time remains on the challenge clock. There is one more week until this challenge closes.

Looking forward to seeing your entries!

Blessed be

[veronica1]

I had no idea. Thank you!!!

[veronica1]

I can’t wait to see how this all comes out. You will have a first class herb garden by the time you’re done.

[jessieK]

Challenge entry
I have made it a tradition to grow sunflowers. I already planted my seeds. Both mammoth and regular size. As i plant my seeds I add the energy of Happiness, Self love and positivity. Everytime I water them I re-introduced that energy. Once I put them in the ground and they start to grow you can feel this energy become stronger. Once they bloom in August, family and friends can’t help but smile when they come over. I go outside and enjoy them everyday. A beautiful way to have positive energy in your home

[Artemisia]

The past few weeks have been difficult so I’ve been grateful that the weather has allowed me to be able to work the soil. It’s been grounding and renewing being in nature, tending my herb and vegetable gardens. Last year, I was still planting seeds to start indoors.

The past 2 days, everything has come to life with the mild temperatures and rain showers.

@Jeannie1

your garden looks awesome though Artemis!

Thank you! It’s been a wonderful bright spot after a lot of dark.

@Jeannie1

I’m making some Lavander wands

Oh how fun! Can’t wait to see how they turn out! They are going to smell heavenly

@veronica1

just put them in the ground and have fun surprises

Honestly that’s what I’m going to have to do for half of them I can tell some are tomatoes but the rest will just a surprise!

@veronica1

worst case of Spring fever which led to me ordering so many new plants

I remember that longing for spring. My mother and I used to pour over seed and plant catalogues to plan the next year’s harvest. Oh an arbor sounds fun!! Can’t wait to see when you get it put together.

@veronica1

my gardens certified as pollinator habitat

How wonderful!!! Native plants and pollinators are so important I adding more flowers for the bees as well.

@veronica1

chocolate mint

I am still hunting for a chocolate mint plant! Would be wonderful for tea

ok ok I’m going to stop I’m pretty darn excited about this gardening season and just could go on and on about plants and herbs and vegetable…

@veronica1

Wish me luck!

Best of luck!

@Jeannie1

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Goodness is that Cuban Oregano? Both it and your garden sage look marvelous!

Yep, I’ve hit that stage in life where gardening and bird watching are super thrilling!

[Jeannie1]

@jessieK

i plant my seeds I add the energy of Happiness, Self love and positivity.

Wonderful idea and work from the heart start to bloom and blossom !
@Artemisia
Yep, just looking for a video that will help me make my wands for my lavender.
Jeannie

[Artemisia]

@Jeannie1

looking for a video that will help me

If you haven’t already found one, I think this is the one I used last year

How to Weave a Lavender Wand - full step-by-step version

[Jeannie1]

Unfortunately I don’t have this type of Lavender, I have the English type of Lavender.
Such a beautiful art, though I wish I had the other type of lavender, which I believe is Lavindin.
Jeannie

[veronica1]

I totally share your enthusiasm for gardening and I’m jealous you are already planting things. But I’m also glad that you had gardening to make your bad week just a little less so.

I can’t wait to see how your garden shapes up!

I wonder if I could figure a way to get you a cutting of my chocolate mint once it’s up. It is amazing how you can actually taste the chocolate while chewing a leaf. I’m not a tea person but I bet you’re right that it would make incredible tea. One thing I need to try but haven’t yet is to make some mint ice cream with with it.

Hope this week is going better for you.

[dan3]

@veronica1

Wish me luck!

Oh, yes! You have luck now but more is coming your way. I love your wide variety and the rose is beautiful.

@veronica1

had been concentrating on hosta

Around here hasta plants are like catnip to deer. They will do anything to get it… including jumping fences. We’ve lost so many! Our weather is finally clearing and planting time is very near. I might do a test garden for herbs.

You and others are motivating me.

[veronica1]

Thank you for the luck! The deer are fond of my hostas as well. But most of them are planted very close to the house and they won’t come near as they fear my dogs. I did plant 5 of them at the end of my driveway 2 years ago and the deer have raided those. I’m trying to decide how best to deter them on that. They are planted around the base of a tree so I may try to create a cage out of chicken wire. Or, I’ll divide them, plant the divisions closer to the house and leave half of the plants where they are to divert the deer from looking elsewhere for my hostas.

If you learn of any good solutions in your gardening travels please share.

[dan3]

@veronica1

If you learn of any good solutions in your gardening travels please share.

We have used repellent spray (urine spray) but it wears off with sprinklers or rain and it is really nasty smelling. Our house doesn’t protect them - if the dogs are out, they wait until they come in for the night and chow down. That stuff really attracts them.

It’s the same with all our neighbors. We all call hastas ‘deer food’. It does work well for that.

[georgia]

@veronica1

make some mint ice cream with with it.

Hand raised: double dip in a waffle cone, please!

Have either of you tried any of these?

Want to Keep Deer From Eating Your Garden? Here's What to Plant