Newsletter Archive

3. The Gardens Are Here

It's Official: The Gardens Are in Full Bloom.​

~July 2025 Edition

A Season of Growth: Our New Website, New Offerings, and a Heartfelt Invitation.

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🌿After months of tending, crafting, and dreaming behind the scenes, it’s finally time to share the harvest.

With so much love and care, I’m honored to introduce The Gardens Division—a soulful expansion of Grounds to Gardens that brings together healing plants, handcrafted goods, and regenerative practices rooted in my family’s legacy.

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🌸 What’s Blooming:

The Gardens now offers:

• Lavender & Strawberry Plants (1 QT containers)

• Herbal Remedies (coming soon): Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Comfrey, Mullein, Lavender, White Sage

• Small-Batch Earth Goods:
   • Pit Paste Natural Deodorant
   • Comfrey + Honey Healing Salve
   • Earth-Conscious Laundry Soap

• Seasonal Garden Harvests & Cut Flowers

• Seeds for Your Own Garden

Every leaf, salve, and seed is grown or crafted with integrity—using no-till, chemical-free practices inspired by local organic farms and the wisdom of my mother and grandmother, Rose.

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🌿 Farm Shop - Coming Soon

We’re building an online Farm Shop.  Where you’ll be able to explore our offerings online.  Soon you will see our products available in local shops and at our farm cart, its all in the works!  From seasonal bundles to custom orders, you’ll soon be able to browse, reserve, and shop with ease—right from the garden gate or the glow of your screen.

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🌐 New Website Now Live

Take a look around our freshly remastered website! It’s been redesigned to reflect who we are and where we’re headed—rich with seasonal offerings, grounded philosophies, and a new, easier way to stay in touch.

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📬 Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter subscription to receive exclusive updates, herbal highlights, and behind-the-scenes peeks throughout the year.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or you’re just discovering what we do, your support helps this small, soil-loving business grow something beautiful—again and again.

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With love and dirt under my nails,
– Crystal  | Grounds to Gardens

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“Is It a Weed?” – Yarrow

🌸 Yarrow – The Guardian Herb

With its delicate, feathered leaves and flat-topped blooms, yarrow often hides in plain sight. But this is no ordinary plant—it’s an ancient wound healer, named after the Greek hero Achilles. Yarrow is revered for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and circulatory-enhancing properties, supporting the body during colds, cramps, and fevers.

💚 Herbal & Energetic Uses:

• Brew a strong yarrow tea to ease menstrual discomfort or break a light fever

• Use as a facial steam or toner to tighten and clarify the skin

• Burn dried yarrow with sage for energetic clearing and protection

• Add to herbal bath soaks for immune support and grounding

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🌼 Culinary Tip: Finely mince young yarrow leaves into herb butters, vinegars, or salad dressings—just a little adds a floral, earthy bitterness that supports digestion.

🌬 Folklore says yarrow planted near the front door brings protection and clarity of vision. This one’s a spiritual and physical ally—and certainly not a weed.

2. Soft Washing + Staff Highlights – "Fresh Faces, Fresh Spaces

Meet the Team & Discover Our Newest Service: Soft Washing.​

~MAY & JUNE 2025 Edition

A Fresh Season of Possibility — From Lawn to Siding.

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​Meet The Team:

We wouldn’t be who we are without the crew that makes it happen. This season, meet:

• Dawn – Our Lawn Care Specialist / Admin Asst / Product Specialist

• Maxwell – Our G2G Farmer / Team Leader / Plant & Pruning Specialist 

• Alan – Our Landscape Technician / Team Leader

• Kevin – Our Landscaping & Pruning Apprentice

• And me, Crystal, Founder

We’re a small team with big heart—and we’re grateful for the opportunity to care for your space.

Now booking summer soft washing + landscape services.

📱 Call or text: 734-945-7441​

📬 Email - FarmerCRC@gmail.com

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“Is It a Weed?” – Yarrow

Yarrow, with its feathery leaves and umbrella-like clusters of flowers, often shows up along driveways or the edges of lawns. But this hardy perennial is a pollinator magnet and a potent medicinal plant, traditionally used to stop bleeding and reduce inflammation.

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🌼 Garden Tip: Plant yarrow near your veggies to attract predatory insects like ladybugs and lacewings. It boosts your garden’s natural pest control.

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🧹 Landscaping Hack: Yarrow thrives in poor soil and full sun—perfect for dry, tricky spots where grass struggles to grow. Instead of fighting it, let it fill in and mow it gently—it’ll give you a soft, drought-tolerant groundcover that bees love.

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Weed? Nope. That’s wild wisdom growing.

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Bonus -“Is It a Weed?” – Purslane

Known as the "Omega Powerhouse of Land." You’ve probably seen purslane crawling along sidewalks or between rows in your garden—but what you may not know is it’s one of the most nutrient-dense greens on the planet. This juicy, lemony succulent is incredibly rich in omega-3 fatty acids (especially alpha-linolenic acid), making it a rare plant-based source of brain and heart support.

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🥗 Garden Tip: Add young purslane leaves to salads or sauté them like spinach. Harvest in the morning for the best flavor, and rinse thoroughly.

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🧱 Landscaping Hack: Purslane loves disturbed soil—so if it’s popping up, it might be telling you your soil needs rest or cover. Consider adding mulch or low-growers to reclaim the space naturally.

💚 Nourishing Culinary Uses:

• Toss fresh leaves into salads with tomatoes, cucumber, and goat cheese

• Sauté lightly with garlic and olive oil for a tender, tangy side

• Blend into smoothies for a subtle citrus note and mineral boost

• Stir into tzatziki or yogurt dips for a refreshing summer spread

🌿 Herbal Insight: Purslane is considered cooling and anti-inflammatory—ideal for the body during high summer or after illness. It’s also mucilaginous, helping to soothe the gut.

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🧡 Once you welcome this little plant, you may find it returns year after year—offering a gentle reminder that abundance often grows in unexpected places.

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So, is it a weed? If it is, it’s a delicious and powerful one.

1.  Early Spring – "Awakening the Soil"

Spring is Stirring — Let’s Grow Something Beautiful Together.

​​ ~MARCH & APRIL 2025 Edition

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Early Spring Reflections & Offerings from the Ground Up.​

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As the first green shoots begin to break through the soil, we’re reminded that every season brings a new opportunity to begin again—with intention, care, and fresh energy.

At Grounds to Gardens, we’re preparing for another vibrant season of land care and garden building. Whether you’re looking for a fresh mulch install, a garden clean-up, or a new no-till bed designed with long-term health in mind—we're here and ready to help bring your outdoor spaces to life.

We’re also taking on new clients for the 2025 season. If you know someone who values conscientious land care and is looking for a trusted team, feel free to pass us along.

Current Services Include:

• Spring clean-ups & edging

• Mulch installation

• Mowing & maintenance packages

• Custom garden planning and consultation

Let’s get your landscape ready to bloom.

📱 Call or text: 734-945-7441​

📬 Email - FarmerCRC@gmail.com

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“Is It a Weed?” – COMFREY

Meet Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) – With its deep roots and lush green leaves, comfrey is often yanked up before it’s understood. But this powerhouse plant is a garden healer—literally. Comfrey supports cell regeneration and has long been used in salves for sprains and bruises and has long been revered as a medicinal marvel.

Known historically as “knitbone” for its ability to support the healing of broken bones, sprains, and bruises. Its roots and leaves are rich in allantoin, a compound that stimulates cell regeneration and tissue repair. Internal use can lead to liver-related concerns, always consult a medical professional before use.

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💚 Herbal Use:

• Make a healing comfrey poultice by crushing fresh leaves and applying them to sore joints or bruises

• Use dried comfrey in infused oils to create soothing salves for skin irritations, cuts, and sore muscles

Comfrey "Tea Bath" -​

Soak your body in the ancient healing power of comfrey with this simple, soul-soothing bath tea. 

• To prepare: Place a handful of dried or powdered comfrey leaves in a heat-safe bowl or large jar. Pour boiling water over the herbs, cover, and let steep for 10–15 minutes to draw out the plant’s soothing properties.

• Once infused, strain out the plant matter and pour the warm herbal tea directly into your bathwater.

• Enhance the experience:
  Add a scoop of Epsom salts, a few drops of your favorite essential oil (like lavender or frankincense), and a sprinkle of flower petals for extra relaxation and ritual beauty.

• Let your body soften, your skin absorb the plant’s wisdom, and your spirit rest.

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🌿 Bonus Tips:

Mix comfrey with calendula and plantain leaf for a well-rounded all-purpose healing balm.

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🌿Comfrey is a compost accelerator and makes a brilliant homemade garden tea—just steep leaves in water for 3–5 days (beware the smell!) and use as a foliar spray or soil drench for tomatoes and squash.

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🌿Comfrey is a nutrient accumulator. Chop and drop its leaves to make a mineral-rich mulch for tomatoes, squash, and fruit trees. The roots pull up calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, giving your garden a slow-release natural boost.

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🌱 Landscaping Hack: Plant comfrey along the edge of your compost pile or chicken coop—it helps break down organic matter faster and keeps odors in check.

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Can Farm Animals eat Comfrey?

Hint: They don’t just eat it—some of them love it.

Comfrey isn’t just good for people and gardens—it’s a valuable ally on the homestead, too. Rich in protein, calcium, and trace minerals, comfrey can be offered in small, mindful amounts to many farm animals as a nutrient-dense treat.

Safe For:

• Chickens – boosts egg production and overall health

• Goats & Rabbits – high-protein forage with soothing digestive properties

• Pigs & Cattle – great as a supplement, especially in dried or chopped form

Use with Care:​

• Horses – occasional nibbling is okay, but avoid large quantities due to the plant’s pyrrolizidine alkaloids

• Pregnant/lactating animals – best to limit or avoid comfrey during these sensitive times

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💡 Tip: Let your chickens self-regulate by planting comfrey near the coop. They'll take what they need and leave the rest.

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Can Dogs and Cats Have Comfrey?

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Internal Use:

• Not recommended for dogs or cats due to comfrey’s pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which can affect the liver over time.

• Ingesting comfrey (especially in large or regular amounts) can lead to liver toxicity, particularly in smaller pets.

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Topical Use (With Care):​

• Yes, you can use comfrey externally on dogs for minor wounds, sprains, or sore joints—especially when blended into healing salves like our comfrey + honey balm.

• Avoid open wounds or prolonged use without veterinary guidance.

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Just like with people, moderation is key. Think of comfrey as a nutritive supplement, not a main course.

Want more tips like this? Let us know what animals you keep—we’d love to share more homestead-friendly herbal wisdom in future issues.

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So… is it a weed? Not in my book—it’s a botanical blessing.

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