Mullein - Wild Harvest

OP A first glance at this plant often catches the eye. The beautiful large fuzzy leaves draw the onlooker in, and when in flower it produces 2m tall spears of yellow flowers. I always want to touch it! A plant with many uses, from many medicinal properties to a great bush replacement for toilet paper! Native to Europe, northern Africa, and Asia this weed has spread throughout most of the world. It prefers disturbed soil and can be found in the wild. We have it growing on our farm, and knowing its medicinal qualities, I wanted to make it available for those who do not have it growing wild. The leaves, seeds and flowers can all be used medicinally, for things ranging from bursitis, ear infections, as a disinfectant, for respiratory health, chest infections, wounds, hair care, inflammation, heart health and stomach upset. Preparations vary from making a tea, tincture, oil, dried herb for smoking, or a paste, so best to consult a herbalists when preparing for specific treatments. It is the only plant I know of that is good for your lungs to smoke and I have seen it used to help people quit smoking tobacco. Has a general habit of an annual but can also sometimes wait and become biennial or triennial for producing seed.  

Mullein seed prefers to be direct sown as it is a wild plant and does not transplant well. Scatter sow outdoors in autumn where they will germinate the following spring. Do not cover the seed and make sure the soil is moist in spring if the rain does not do this for you.  Or, sow seed in trays after stratification in the fridge for 4-6 weeks. Prick out to 4cm diagonal spacing when true leaves appear. Mullein seeds require light to germinate.  Plant out or thin plants in an unfertilised garden bed at 40cm diagonal spacing. Get creative with where you plant it, as it does not need the same treatment as most cultivated plants, preferring disturbed, rocky soil.

100 seeds.