Learning to be a Home Herbalist

Herbs
Written By Steven Biggs
Herbalist Bevin Cohen talks about using, growing, and foraging herbs

Herbalist Bevin Cohen talks about using, growing, and foraging herbs

In a broadcast that originally aired live on The Food Garden Life Radio Show, we chat with herbalist Bevin Cohen about using, growing, and foraging herbs. He talks about culinary, medicinal, and cosmetic uses.

He also talks about his journey into the business of herbs and building his herb business.

Cohen is also an author and seed saver. His new book is The Artisan Herbalist: Making Teas, Tinctures, and Oils at Home.

He is also the author of Saving Our Seeds, and From Our Seeds & Their Keepers.

In this episode he talks about:

  • Tips on how to make herbal teas

  • The difference between an infusion and a decoction

  • How a tincture is made

  • The steps in making an infused oil

  • The difference between a salve, balm, and a lotion

  • Common foraged herbs

  • Easy-to-grow herbs for beginners

Emma’s Tomato-Talk Segment

In Emma’s Tomato segment, she describes some of her favourite varieties that she will be growing in 2021.

Biggs-on-Figs Segment

In the Biggs-on-Figs segment we head to Philadelphia to talk with YouTuber and Millenial fig enthusiast Ross Raddi.

He tells us about the method he is using to speed up his fig harvest by a month.

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Steven Biggs

Recognized by Garden Making Magazine as one of the "green gang" of Canadians making a difference in horticulture, Steven Biggs is a horticulturist, former college instructor, and award-winning broadcaster and author. His passion is helping home gardeners grow food in creative and attractive ways.


He’s the author of eight gardening books, including the Canadian bestseller No Guff Vegetable Gardening. His articles have appeared in Canada’s Local Gardener, Mother Earth News, Fine Gardening, Garden Making, Country Guide, Edible Toronto, and other magazines.


Along with over 30 years working in the horticultural sector and a horticultural-science major at the University of Guelph, Steven’s experience includes hands-on projects in his own garden including wicking beds, driveway strawbale gardens, and a rooftop tomato plantation—to the ongoing amusement of neighbours.


When not in the garden, you might catch him recording his award-winning Food Garden Life podcast or canoeing in Algonquin Park.

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