July 2, 2026

Good morning!

It’s Thursday, and today’s unplanned garden occupant hasn’t bloomed yet—but her presence is significant enough to merit a mention before we move on to other things. Like milkweed, tansy has a habit of putting down roots and making herself comfortable. Which this plant did, right across the path from that initial patch of milkweed.

Humans have long prized tansy for a multitude of things, from tonic and insect repellant to face wash and embalming agent. Apparently it’s also good in omelettes, cakes, and custards…when used sparingly, of course.

I haven’t tried it for any of those purposes, we just enjoy looking at is fernlike leaves and cheerful yellow button flowers that should open soon. Once they do, we’ll be set until frost.

“What are herbs?”
“The friend of physicians and the praise of cooks.”

—Alcuin of York

Onwards,

Clara