Wild Valley Natives

10/12/2026

This morning has been spent chopping up more dried yarrow and checking my books for a specific plant.

While playing a video game I noticed a plant called Dittany in one of the healing potions. I remember this plant from our woods so I went searching. The only books I had that held information on this plant were (not pictured) Wildflowers and Ferns of Indiana Forests: A Field Guide and Sam Thayer's Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: of Eastern and Central North America.

I was sad to not find it in my herbal books.

This plant is ALL OVER the property where I inhabit. It has properties similar to yarrow so I will be going out to collect some and I’ll be adding it to my collection of plants that I use in my small batches of salves.

I’m so happy the land has provided me with something to make into healing remedies PLUS it’s an Indiana native as well. It’s a species of sub shrub. It can be used in teas or as garnish for food or certain alcoholic beverages as it is in the mint family.

10/10/2026

It first starts with the gathering.

This in itself is a form of therapeutic medicine. The soft leaves. The beautiful herbal aroma. The heaviness of my foraging bag on my body.

Second the drying

We must get this right or it all goes to waste. Every bit goes into the dehydrator. They need their space so I must take care to not overcrowd them. If I have moisture in my oil it will be ruined. All the little leaves are now tucked in for a spell. Now we wait. Move the trays so each get their turn near the heat. We wait again. My house smells of Yarrow. My family is happy with the scent of flowers all around.

Next we chop them up

This part isn’t quite as therapeutic. It’s loud but it’s necessary. Chopping them up into tiny pieces ensures that the oil reaches all of the nutrients within the plant. The oil soluble properties that is.

Now that my jar is full I can finally add my oil. I’ll be using sweet almond oil for this extraction. I have an abundance of it and it pairs well with the calendula infused jojoba oil I intend to use for my healing salve.

You could wait 6-8 weeks for this to sit in the dark. It’s long slow process. The other option is the heat method with a crockpot on low some water and time. The key is not getting the oil to hot. If it gets hot you will ruin your medicine.

I’ll report back when it’s all finished so you can see the oil after the extraction and after I’ve removed all the plant matter. That is a very crucial step so the oil doesn’t go rancid.

If you can tell already it’s going to be a few days.

10/08/2026

Mums are beautiful but they provide nothing for pollinators sadly. Try switching to asters for fall. There are many varieties available.

10/07/2026

Come out Saturday 10/10 to Starlite Antiques & Flea Market Seymour IN for the last market day of the year! I’ll have some plants for you!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1F2uUzzPx4/?mibextid=wwXIfr

10/03/2026

We are setup and ready to see you for our last plant sale of the year! Come grab what you can. Everything is buy one get one free!

*If you purchase a higher priced item the lower priced item will be the free item

🪴🍂Saturday October 3rd is the plant meet/swap with Flower and Herb Barn Nursery come enjoy great food and shop plants. See you then🍂🪴

09/29/2026

Will we be seeing you Saturday?

🪴🍂Saturday October 3rd is the plant meet/swap with Flower and Herb Barn Nursery come enjoy great food and shop plants. See you then🍂🪴

09/29/2026

The window to order is closing soon!

Canvas Tote Bag PRE-ORDER

Inspiration: Rudbeckia hirta found in the valley
Name: Radiant Rudbeckia
Original Artwork by Amanda Shuey

Cream Small (9x7): $15 - 26 AVAILABLE

Cream Medium (10x11): $20 - 39 AVAILABLE

White Large (13x15): $25 - 7 AVAILABLE

Shipping available US only
Shipping cost: $10

Message us or comment below to claim yours!

Preorders end September 30th, 2026

09/24/2026

Small victories. I finally got a new canopy. It’s going to make life so much easier when setting up at shows. I love the green!

09/21/2026

Need help with planning a native garden or identifying invasive species?

No problem!

We are booking one hour walk and talk consultations!

Schedule yours today!

Click the link below to schedule or send us a message. 💚

http://bit.ly/4gKCqFB

We also offer native landscape design services. This can be discussed during or after the consultation.