Herbs > Southernwood Herb

Information on, uses of and how to grow southernwood:

Name
Artemisia abrotanum.

Family
Compositae.

History
Traditionally Southernwood was used as a stimulant and antiseptic. It was an old remedy for baldness.

Growing pattern
Perennial.

Seeds
Buy Herb Seeds (Organic and Non-Organic) from The Green Chronicle (Pay in $US, £, Euro).
Herbs, Seasonings and Spices - Buy Organic Herbs and Spices from Mountain Rose Herbs ($US).

How to grow
Southernwood is best propagated by root division in the autumn. Take cuttings of about 15cm and put them 9cm deep in sand. Layering also works. It is suitable for container growing.

Soil condition/position
A sunny, shelter spot is best. Well drained good garden soil is suitable for Southernwood.

Appearance
This is a woody shrub with hair-like grey/green leaves which smell of lemon. Its tiny yellow flowers are rarely seen in temperate climates.

Uses
Tea made from Southernwood needs to be sweetened with honey and the leaves can be bitter. Dried leaves put into a muslin bag will keep away moths. the leaves are also very pretty for flower arrangements.


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Land For Food Production

Sat May 15, 2010 9:18 pm // 8 comments // granny_nuts


I wonder just how much land it would take to feed a family of, say, 4? I know that if my family didn't buy fruit and veg we wouldn't have enough to eat but is self sufficiency down to amount of land or method of growing? Last year I overcrowded my small veg plot with counter-productive results like mildew and snail infestation that went unnoticed until we came to pick the tomatoes (all holes!). I wonder if anyone has ever been totally self providing or whether the local market and barter played...