When it comes to being an herbalist and a gardener there is something magical about growing your own herbs for a true garden to apothecary experience. Creating herbal preparations of the highest quality is one of the main reasons I started growing more and more medicinal herbs. (I say medicinal, but herbs labeled as culinary herbs also have medicinal properties.) My love for growing herbs is a big part of what led me to enrolling in the 1,000 hour Herbal Immersion program with Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine back in 2021. The course was absolutely phenomenal and I loved every project and assignment. I was already a Certified Garden Coach, but I was so grateful to be able to really hone my skills and education around all aspects of growing herbs.

There are many reasons for you to grow your own herbs, below are a few:

• Highest Quality – Growing your own herbs allows you to really control the quality of the plants.
• Harvest Timing – Harvesting herbs when they are at their prime allows for peak medicinal constituents.
• Starting Your Own Seeds – When starting your own seeds you are able to ensure that you have the exact variety of herb you intend to use in your herbal recipes. (Purchase seeds based on the scientific name of the herb versus garden centers which may not tell you the exact variety.) It also enables you to start enough plants for your needs.
• Selecting The Variety You Want – As mentioned above you are able to grow the exact variety you want. There may be more than one variety of a plant with medicinal benefits, but certain varieties might have more medicinal properties than others. 
• Cost Savings – Growing your own herbs allows you to save money, starting them from seed brings even more savings.
• Bioregion Education – Learning what grows best in your region allows you to really connect with the plants that can nourish you and your family through the seasons. It also opens the door to explore foraging.

There are so many more reasons for growing your own herbs. Being able to grow herbs to nourish you and your family through the seasons is such a powerful gift.The garden is an immense teacher with many, many benefits that will reveal themselves to you as your time in the garden grows. Creating a garden to apothecary rhythm in your life allows you to support your family holistically.