A Pioneer Garden of Used-to-Be

Today is the birthday of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the beloved author who needs no  introduction, I'm sure. I discovered the following passage in my China Bayle's Book of Days this morning:

"Planting a pioneer garden - a "Garden of Used-to-Be," as Laura called it - can be especially fun for children and will help them learn something about the great variety of uses for important herbs. It also makes an interesting theme in an established garden. If you'd like to include a pioneer coner in your herb garden, consider these plants:

• Medicinal herbs: thyme, lavender, yarrow (also called woundwort), horehound, feverfew, echinacea (a favorite Indian remedy for colds)
• Tea herbs: mint, beebalm, lemon balm, catnip
• Culinary herbs: sage, thyme, dill, horseradish, mustard, rosemary
• Housekeeping herbs: southernwood, santolina, and lavender (repel moths), tansy and pennyroyal (repel fleas), mint (repel mice), bay (keep weevils out of flour and grains), soapwort (wash fabric), lemon balm (polish furniture), sorrel (polish copper)
• Insect repellant: catnip, pennyroyal, basil

This is just the right inspiration for today! The temperature is dropping, the wind is wicked, and we're huddled at home. I think we might begin our own garden wish list, and a cup of peppermint tea is not out of the question either - so long as it is sweetened with honey!

A few favorite catalogs:

• Abundant Life Seed Company
• Seed Savers Exchange
• Nichol's Garden Nursery
• Pinetree Garden Seeds
• The Cook's Garden

Ooh, and have you seen the latest Martha Stewart special issue -Outdoor Gardening? It must be very new, I can't even find a link for it!

And speaking of pioneer days, we're not actively studying American history this year, but I am planning a few activities for Lincoln's birthday next week. If you happen to be studying pioneer times, a great book is A Pioneer Sampler; The Daily Life of a Pioneer Family - wonderful illustrations and lots of information.

Warm winter wishes to you wherever you are!