From the Garden: Our Biointensive Brassica Bed

In our annual veggie garden, we incorporate a variety of permaculture methods to increase yields, reduce pests and maintain healthy soil. One such method is biointensive gardening, where a single garden bed is inhabited by a variety of compatible plants for maximum use of space. It has been our experience that plants grow better in a diverse bed rather than a monocrop, so we plant biointensive beds just about everywhere.

Baby broccoli in the early spring greenhouse

One such bed we call our "brassica bed" because the primary crop is range of brassicas - Kale, Cauliflower and Romanesco Broccoli (known as hippy broccoli on the ranch). We planted our brassicas in staggered rows, so that each plant is approximately 18"-24" from one another on a diagonal line.

Hippy Broccoli - Fall 2014

These brassicas grow upward, with most of their food value harvested from the "canopy" of the garden bed (imagine it's a tiny forest). This leaves plantable area below and just above ground. The gaps in between our brassicas were filled with low-growing lettuce and carrots (beets are technically a better companion, but we eat more carrots). So in the end, we will be harvesting food from the flowering tops of our brassicas (2'-3' above ground), the leaves and whole heads of our lettuce (about 1' above ground) and the roots of our carrots (up to 12" below ground). That's a lot of vertical growing area!

Now, we are admittedly very chaotic with our gardening habits. What little space that is left in beds is filled with scrambling peas, aromatic herbs and a ridiculous amount on Calendula (for use in Wild Rose formulas, of course). We combine biointensive gardening with lasagna gardening (no-till) plus whatever else sounds good and organic. Diversity is key!

Summer Scents: Cove Beard Care

Our four classic Beard Conditioner scents -  The Original, Raven, Tundra and Cove - were formulated with the seasons in mind. As Summer looms, we take a closer look at our favorite warm-weather scent, Cove.

Cove captures the sweet and refreshing flavors of Summer. We start with a base of tart and juicy cold-pressed lime essential oil. We source our oil from certified organic lime growers who then press the lime peels to extract this magnificent, green oil. There is absolutely no heat applied during this process, so the freshness of the lime flavor is left fully intact. Lime is an optimistic and joyful scent, perfect for your Summer adventures.

Lime is an amazing scent all on its own, but it really shines with a complex pairing. A bit of earthy, grounding sage essential oil is included to help balance the bright scent of lime. Sage is a stimulating and thought-provoking scent that harnesses lime's positivity for fruitful mental work.  We finish Cove by adding just a bit of refreshing and cool tea tree. Tea tree is a powerful essential oil used to cleanse and purify the body and mind. Tea tree offers clarity with a fresh undertone, though it is very subtle in the overall blend.

Cove is available in Beard Conditioner, Beard Wash and Beard Cream. We like to pair it with Limeade or Piña Colada Lip Balm for full Summer flavor.

Cove is predominantly sweet lime accompanied by grounding sage and purifying tea tree. The perfect blend for Summer; Cove inspires us to use the optimism of the season wisely.

Product Spotlight: Elderberry Lip Balm

Late Summer brings us ripe elderberries for jams, medicine and.. lip balm! Our Elderberry Lip Balm is infused with wildcrafted Elderflower and Elderberry. We use locally made Organic Elderberry Extract for a genuine, sun-ripened Elderberry flavor. Foragers, rejoice!

The soft berry color of this lip balm is achieved by infusing organic elderberries in coconut oil. This beautiful shade actually goes on clear and will not color the lips. But it does impart a rich elderberry flavor!

Elderberries are ripe for such a short time, but our Elderberry Lip Balm can be enjoyed year-round!

Clear Summer Skin with Wild Rose's Clarity Line

For those of us with oily or blemish-prone skin, keeping skin clear through the Summer can be tricky - particularly during these hot, dry spells! Rising temperatures can increase oil production and sweat, which in turn requires a more intensive cleaning regimen. But, extra washing combined with the dry air can leave skin parched, causing oil glands to work overtime. Thus, more washing, and the cycle continues.

Our Clarity skin care line has been developed with balance in mind. Clarity is an aromatherapy-based system that supports clear, blemish-free skin for all ages and skin types by working with your skin's natural cycles to reduce breakouts. Clarity combines pure botanicals with organic essential oils for an effective regimen that will not over-dry or irritate sensitive skin. All without chemicals or synthetic materials, this system is 100% plant-based. Perfect for blemish-prone and oily skin, beneficial for all. Clarity is a three-step daily regimen plus a weekly/as needed mineral facial mask.

Step one: Clarity Calendula Cleanser. A gentle, yet effective botanical cleanser balances and purifies for clear and healthy skin. This liquid facial wash is enhanced with organic Calendula extract plus organic essential oils of Tea Tree, Pink Grapefruit and Pacific Northwest Lavender for deep cleansing. Clarity's scent is refreshing, fruity and slightly floral.

Use just a few drops of this concentrated wash to lather in wet hands before applying to the face. Massage gently in a circular motion with fingertips or your favorite facial brush. Rinse well with warm water and lightly pat dry.

Step two: Clarity Purifying Facial Toner. This all natural astringent is made with soothing organic Witch Hazel extract plus organic essential oils of Tea Tree, Grapefruit and Pacific Northwest Lavender. These powerful plant-based ingredients work together to draw out stubborn impurities and tighten pores. 

After cleansing, apply just a few drops to a dry face using a clean cotton ball to remove excess impurities and tighten pores.

Step three is the Clarity Balancing Moisturizer. This lightweight, highly absorbent oil-based moisturizer combines Grapeseed and Borage Seed oils to balance and nourish picky skin. Enhanced with organic essential oils of Tea Tree, Pacific Northwest Lavender, Pink Grapefruit, Palmarosa and German Chamomile to soothe and hydrate skin without clogging pores. Clarity Balancing Moisturizer is designed to mimic your skin's natural oils and will leave your face feeling soft, clear and hydrated with sparing, recommended use.

 After cleansing and toning, allow face to air dry. Then rub just a few drops between the palms before gently patting onto the face and neck. Generally, 3-5 drops will be enough to hydrate the entire face depending on your skin type.

For best results, we recommend including our Clarity Purifying Facial Mask in your skincare regimen at least weekly, or more as needed. This gently purifying mask combines detoxifying French Yellow Clay with exfoliating Witch Hazel Bark for an effective, yet enjoyable spa experience. Enhanced with organic essential oils of Tea Tree, Pacific Northwest Lavender, Lemon Peel, Carrot Seed and German Chamomile. This unique blend will purify skin and fill your bathroom with a calm herbacious, lightly floral therapeutic aroma.

This is a dry powder mask that you mix at home. This eliminates the need for nasty preservatives, allows you to mix the mask to your desired consistency and gives you at least double the product! This jar pictured above will last for at least 24 treatments.

In a small dish, combine 1 tsp mask with 1 tsp water. This will activate the essential oils, filling the air with a rich, botanical aroma. Apply to face and let dry for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water, gently rubbing to exfoliate. Use as needed depending on skin type, at least once a week. 

So stop fighting your skin this Summer! Healthy and balanced skin is possible with gentle, natural products like those found in our Clarity line. 

New Lip Balms for Summer & Spring!

Spring has arrived, along with four new lip balm flavors! Let's meet our new favorites:

In Southern Oregon, the harbinger of Spring is the pear blossom bloom - so we've captured this magical Springtime event in our new Pear Blossom Lip Balm! Sweet and slightly floral, a little Spring for your lips! Enhanced with juicy Organic Pear and Sweet Violet extracts for a delectable, unique lip treat.

Our Catnip Lip Balm was inspired by our resident feline and catnip connoisseur - Rydley. Infused with pure Catnip Essential Oil for an herbacious, fresh and minty flavor. This lip balm is enhanced with extracts of stimulating Gunpowder Green Tea and strengthening Gotu Kola. May cause kitty snuggles. Catnip Lip Balm has a much higher rate of cat theft than any other lip balm - do not leave unattended with know thief-cats. If missing, check under the couch or refrigerator.

Rydley approves this message.

For those of you who have an active countdown to beach days, we've concocted the most delicious Piña Colada Lip Balm you will ever find. Creamy Organic Coconut lip balm spiked with tangy-sweet Pineapple. A Summertime favorite made with organic, true-to-source fruit extracts for deliciously genuine Piña Colada flavor. It's no substitute for a vacation, but it might help you handle the wait.

And finally, we haven't forgotten our friends in the Southern Hemisphere who are faced with Autumn and Winter. Banana Bread Lip Balm captures the flavor of your favorite comfort food for year-round enjoyment. This creamy lip balm is made with real Organic Banana Extract for a delicious, genuine flavor that no synthetic ingredient can beat! We added just a touch of Organic Walnut Extract for sweet banana bread perfection.