Herbal/Gardening


An herb garden may have meant the difference between life and death for some Medieval people. Some may have had the social status to have more advanced medical care and not relied as heavily upon the garden for this reason, but anyone would have gained benefits from the herb garden. Foods were prepared with certain herbs both for taste and for health. Some things grown were dried to be used throughout the winter so as to provide at least some amount of vegetation in the diet.

Today we garden for some of the same reasons - for fresh foods, both fresh-picked and preserved for later. And while we may not have to use our garden space as a medicine garden, we still can and do, because not everything that helps can be bought off a pharmacy shelf! Even if it's just for novelty, and not the serious pursuit of herbal medicine, anyone who enjoys gardening can find some pleasure in gardening herbs. Not only are they delicious in the kitchen, but they can also be fragrant and functional in other places in the home. Studying what people of the past did with their gardens is but one part of our pursuit; enjoying the fruits of our labor however we may is another.

I'd like to learn more! Where do I start?

In the Barony, we do have a few folks with green thumbs you can meet up with. Mistresses Alianore and Magdalena, THLord William, and THLady Anne are some others who share this interest. I can also help you get started with some information!

Find the Meridian Herbal guild on Facebook.

You may also find THLord William and THLady Anne's merchant pavilion, Grovewood Spices, at a local event.