News & Articles

Introduction to Cryptolepis: Nature’s Antibiotic Herb

Cryptolepis, a potent antibiotic herb from West Africa, is traditionally used to treat malaria and fevers. This video explores its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, its use for Lyme disease, and recent research findings.

Creating a Sanctuary of At Risk Plants

As herbal medicine goes mainstream, the demand for wild medicinal herbs strains their supply. Registered Herbalist Penelope Beaudrow explains how you can help by growing endangered herbs in your own sanctuary.

Herbal Anti-Inflammatories and Analgesics

Chronic use of over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can lead to serious health issues. In this video, naturopathic doctor Tiffany Wyse explores herbal alternatives for pain and inflammation.

West African Popping Sorghum

In Dagbamete, West Africa, people pop sorghum seeds for a healthy snack with no fat or cholesterol. Rich in proteins and vitamins, sorghum is also used for porridge, flour, and beer. Grow your own popping sorghum with seeds from Richters.

Women, Herbs and Health

Discover the healing power of herbs for women's health. Clinical Herbalist Carmen Lynde explores plant medicine and how herbs like vervain, holy basil, and motherwort support fertility, hormone balance, and more.

Potager Gardening

Potager, a French term for ornamental kitchen gardens, blends edible plants with decorative flowers and herbs. Learn how to create a beautiful, functional garden that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the taste buds.

Seabuckthorn: An Ancient Plant Rediscovered

Seabuckthorn, known for its skin-healing properties, is gaining popularity in North America. Andrew Wingrove of Bee By The Sea discusses its history, uses, and health benefits.

Forest Gardening in an Urban Setting

Learn how to create a forest garden in your backyard using the natural layers of a forest to grow food, fuel, fiber, and farm-aceuticals. Travis Philps explains the benefits and structure of these sustainable urban gardens.

How to Plan and Plant Your Herb Garden

Koidu Sulev from Richters shares expert tips on site preparation, soil, planting, and maintaining culinary, medicinal, and aromatic herbs, perfect for gardeners of any skill level.

Hot Herbs for Your Perennial Garden

Horticulturist Jeff Mason shares tips on designing a perennial garden with herbs like echinacea, bee balm, lavender, and sage, highlighting their beauty and usefulness.

Boost Your Immune System With Herbs

Herbalist John Redden explores the modern understanding of the immune system, highlighting its connections with the endocrine, nervous, and emotional systems, as well as diet, and offers simple home herbal remedies.

Canning & Preserving: Sugar in Preserving

Christine Manning, a home preserving expert, shares tips on safely reducing sugar in preserves, its impact on shelf life, and best practices for water bath canning.

Creating a Living Garden Sculpture

Artist Heather Rigby shows how to create a flowering sculpture using recycled objects, proper soil, and climbing plants to add beauty and joy to your summer garden.

Wild Edibles in Your Garden

Learn to identify, harvest, and cook with wild plants, creating an edible landscape that connects you to nature and enhances self-reliance.

Healing Salves

Discover the power of herbal salves to soothe scrapes, burns, and more. Registered Herbalist Diane Tait explains how to make these healing balms and ointments using garden herbs, oils, and beeswax.

Fairy Gardening

Marthe Hook, owner of The Fairy Garden, guides you through creating your own magical fairy garden, sharing design tips, ideas, and supplies for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

For the Love of Tea

Explore the history of tea and learn how to select, determine quality, grow, pick, blend, and prepare varieties like white, green, black, and scented teas.

Why Artemisias are Important for Health

Artemisias, used for thousands of years, are known for their digestive, liver-stimulating, and immune-boosting properties. Learn why bitters like wormwood, santonica, and mugwort are essential today.

Useful Artemisias to Grow

Explore the diverse uses of artemisias like tarragon, mugwort, and wormwood. Learn how these hardy, drought-tolerant herbs can add beauty, flavor, and serenity to your garden.

Growing Hops for Brewing

Nicholas Schaut, owner of Bighead Hops and President of the Ontario Hop Growers' Association, shares insights on growing hops commercially, supporting small-scale growers, and marketing locally grown hops.

Lacto-Fermentation: The Secret of Healing

Discover the benefits of lacto-fermentation for gut health. Learn how fermented foods like kombucha, sauerkraut, and kimchi boost immunity and promote digestion.

Organic Pest and Disease Management

There’s an organic solution for every garden challenge. Growing food without chemicals is possible, and with the health and environmental risks of chemical farming, it’s time to return to natural methods.

Rooftop and Balcony Gardens

Learn how to micro-farm a rooftop or balcony vegetable garden in an urban setting using square foot and sub-irrigated planter methods to create optimal growing conditions for beautiful, healthy food.

Home Crops That Wow

Learn to grow a colorful variety of veggies like red okra, purple beans, and rainbow chard, along with exotic crops like bitter melon and Malabar spinach, for a unique harvest you won’t find at the supermarket.

Xeriscaping: Water-Efficient Gardening

Learn how to create a water-efficient garden with xeriscaping. Grow drought-tolerant plants, prepare soil, and protect your garden over winter for a low-maintenance, water-saving space.