Seeds & Weeds Podcast

All About Echinacea and Plants That Heal 2026-09-23 04:00:00

Echinacea – one of our favorite perennial native flowers!

In this episode:

• the different species we grow
• how to propagate echinacea through root division
• the challenges of growing from seed
• when to harvest the flowers, leaves, and roots

We’ll take echinacea from the garden into the apothecary and talk about teas, tinctures, decoctions, topical preparations, and even a few creative ways to bring this beautiful plant into the kitchen.

We also explore the fascinating differences between harvesting the aerial parts of the plant and its roots, including why late fall and early spring are the ideal times to dig roots. 

Along the way, we share some traditional uses for echinacea, ideas for combining it with other herbs, and why this beautiful native plant deserves a place in the garden – not only for its herbal potential, but for the pollinators and birds it supports.

Then, we are joined by author and artist Susan Ottaviano to talk about her beautiful new book, Plants That Heal: Plant-Based Wisdom for Body, Mind, and Soul. 

We talk about the many ways plants can support our well-being, the role mindfulness plays in our relationship with plants, and how creating art, cooking, gardening, and even simple everyday rituals can help us slow down and reconnect.

It’s an episode about echinacea, herbal wisdom, creativity, mindfulness, and the many ways plants can become part of our everyday lives.

Shop Echinacea seeds at Baker Creek: https://www.rareseeds.com/store/plants-seeds/herbs/echinacea-seeds

Buy your copy of Plants that Heal: https://link.amazon/B0hPPogTK

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Support for the Seeds & Weeds Podcast comes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company which invites you to the National Heirloom Expo in Mansfield Missouri September 27 and 28. The Expo has been called the World’s Fair of Pure Food, with music, food, fun, garden experts from around the world and the wildest flowers, fruits, and vegetables you’ve ever seen. Learn more at Rareseeds.com

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