This was the second year I’ve had Monkshood in my witch’s garden. I tried growing it from seed with no luck. I have little patience for slow … [Read more...] about Monkshood: A deadly poison and essential ingredient in witch’s flying ointments comes back in the witch’s garden
A Witches' Garden Grimoire
Alchemy in the Witches' garden
A notebook of Witch's garden thoughts, ideas, experiments failed and successful. Since witches are often nocturnal creatures, we also go into moon gardens, and a fair amount of cottage gardening as well.
I cover everything from witches' garden folklore, to the presence of fairies in your garden, as well as day to day issues like layout, planting, sprouting - not altogether successful - as well as the plants themselves.
A collection of tales, potions and spells from a witches' garden
What good is a witches' garden grimoire without some instruction on how they might have been used in the past, or present? Though you should be warned, instructions may come from sources as varied as prestigious universities, to the witchfinder. A good rule of them is if you don't know what you're doing with plants, it's best not to mess with them.
Or learn more about them. This is a good place to start, but learn more before taking any chances.
Also included are progress reports to the witch who watches over me and watches my garden grow.
From healing potions to the dark arts, the articles below make for a great introduction to witch's garden plants ... pick an article below
How I became the witch's gardener. Gardening with a history.
Celebrating the Cowslip on May Day morning in the witch’s garden
Cowslip is a staple of British folklore, herbalism and literature ... And I serve the Fairy Queen To dew her orbs upon the green. The cowslips tall … [Read more...] about Celebrating the Cowslip on May Day morning in the witch’s garden
Dearest Éilis: The witch’s gardener mucks into spring 2018
It was a cold, cold winter, and it ended with the rains which are carrying on still. As I’m due to travel next week, I thought it time I got your … [Read more...] about Dearest Éilis: The witch’s gardener mucks into spring 2018
From the witch’s garden, Meadowsweet, a love potion as well as a balm for aching hearts
Top: Meadowsweet, right, growing along a path by the river Avon, Barton Country Farm, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire. I have a soft spot for Meadowsweet. … [Read more...] about From the witch’s garden, Meadowsweet, a love potion as well as a balm for aching hearts
Laudanum from the Witch’s Garden: The opiate that drove the romantic poets to enlightenment and insanity
Top: Poppy Field by Cate Davies. Click here to view larger or purchase a print. I’m standing in the Tate Gallery, years ago, staring at the painting … [Read more...] about Laudanum from the Witch’s Garden: The opiate that drove the romantic poets to enlightenment and insanity
A last look around the moon garden and the witch’s garden before the autumn’s chill does its work
Top: The last rose of the season Dear Éilis, It’s time again, to start putting away the garden for winter, and I thought you’d like to see how … [Read more...] about A last look around the moon garden and the witch’s garden before the autumn’s chill does its work
Why a moon garden?
Dear Éilis., We are creatures of the night, are we not? It’s like the song says, “the days are okay and the sun can be fun but I live, to see those … [Read more...] about Why a moon garden?
The Witch’s Garden reborn: Taming the feral beast for a new spring
Dear Éilis, I have essentially four beds. Starting at about nine o’clock from your chair is the first one, a feeble attempt at a cottage garden. It … [Read more...] about The Witch’s Garden reborn: Taming the feral beast for a new spring
Witchy plants coming back in the spring from a hard winter
This was a surprise ... Last spring I managed to get hold of three Belladonna plants. Two went directly into the ground, the third into a container. … [Read more...] about Witchy plants coming back in the spring from a hard winter
Witchy Garden Experiments: Sewing seeds on the Winter Solstice to avoid cold stratification
One evening I had a friend over for drinks. The friend in question had run afoul of my good graces some time ago, and though I was certain he knew of … [Read more...] about Witchy Garden Experiments: Sewing seeds on the Winter Solstice to avoid cold stratification
What survived the winter in the witch’s garden?
Relatively speaking it was a nasty winter. It turned cold in November and is still a bit chilly most days in March, as well as dipping down below … [Read more...] about What survived the winter in the witch’s garden?
Starting seeds indoors for a witch’s garden
I think my success in gardening for the past three years (and I'm not about to claim great success mind you, at best about a 75% success rate which … [Read more...] about Starting seeds indoors for a witch’s garden
A Ballad: Sweet William’s Farewell To Black-Eyed Susan
by: John Gay (1685-1732) All in the Downs the fleet was moor'd, The streamers waving in the wind, When black-ey'd Susan came aboard. Oh! where … [Read more...] about A Ballad: Sweet William’s Farewell To Black-Eyed Susan
Were witch’s gardens used by witches and herbalists in the middle ages?
To answer that question, you first have to answer the question "what is a witch?" If your concept of a witch is Miss Almira Gulch and her alter ego … [Read more...] about Were witch’s gardens used by witches and herbalists in the middle ages?
