Welcome to Weeds of Wisdom
This is more than a series, it’s the beginning of a relationship.
What if the plants we’ve overlooked hold the keys to healing our farms, our food systems, and ourselves?
Each herb in this series is explored through both a written guide and a narrated podcast—designed to meet you wherever you are, whether in the garden, the kitchen, or on a walk through the woods.
We begin with stinging nettle, the first in a growing collection of plants we’ll explore through cultural, medicinal, and agricultural lenses—always tying it back to holistic farming and land stewardship.
My goal is to post every week, offering deep dives into some of my most cherished “weeds”—the very plants many spend money to remove. But what if these so-called nuisances are actually some of our most valuable allies?
This isn’t advice. It’s knowledge—shared for you to interpret.
Recipes for you to test.
Ideas to explore.
And wisdom far older than any of us.
I couldn’t be more excited to launch this journey into the humble, often overlooked herbs growing all around us. These are the quiet survivors. The healers underfoot. The wild teachers that thrive where others don’t. To some, they’re a problem. But to those willing to look closer, they’re portals into a new way of seeing the Earth—and our role within it.
I’ve never seen farming as a system of control. To me, it’s a conversation with land—a living, breathing relationship with an evolving being. The Earth adapts, transforms, and teaches. And if we’re listening, we learn that true stewardship isn’t about control, it’s about participation. Presence. Pattern. Partnership.
Weeds of Wisdom is my first offering in this new chapter. A way to reframe plants not just as tools or remedies, but as intelligent allies. Each profile is more than a botanical entry, it’s an invitation. A conversation starter. A call to remember that nature is not something to conquer, but something to collaborate with.
These wild plants carry a kind of wisdom we’ve only just begun to understand. And my hope is that this series awakens something in you, not just curiosity, but a sense of wonder, connection, and possibility.
So let’s step off the paved path—and walk into the weeds, together.
Summary of “The Living Wisdom of Stinging Nettle”
What if the plant that once stung you… was trying to wake you up?
Across centuries and cultures, Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) has been more than just food or medicine—it’s been a teacher. A protector. A builder of boundaries and ecosystems.
This isn’t just a weed—it’s a living system restorer:
It nourishes depleted soil.
It strengthens weakened bodies.
It thrives in places others abandon.
In this profile, you’ll discover:
Ancient and Indigenous traditions that honored nettle in ceremony, clothing, healing, and seasonal life
Practical tools for farmers, gardeners, and herbalists: compost teas, FPJ, soil-building methods, and foraging tips
Emerging research and regenerative techniques that position nettle as a climate-resilient farm ally
Revenue opportunities that turn nettle from nuisance to niche product—teas, tinctures, and farm-made amendments
Whether you’re just beginning your journey with plants or have spent decades tending the earth, this compilation was crafted to offer something new to discover, a fresh perspective to inspire, and—perhaps—the start of a lifelong love affair with a once-overlooked ally.
Unlock the Amendment Guide
Support the work. Feed your curiosity. Grow your connection to the land.
For just $5/month, you’ll get:
Detailed amendment and usage guides for gardens, orchards, and vineyards
Access to monthly Q&As for deeper exploration
This work is for people who want to farm with nature—not against it.
If that’s you… welcome.
👉 Subscribe Now to Unlock the Full Nettle Amendment Guide
About the Curious Farmer
I’m Jay—a former natural winemaker turned regenerative-systems thinker. I’ve spent years weaving ancient plant wisdom, fermented farm practices, and whole-farm design into tools for a more sustainable tomorrow.
If this resonates:
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or the Substack contact button for consulting (livestock integration, holistic design, and fermentation systems)Or just say hello and share what you’re learning—this is a conversation, not a broadcast
P.S. Want to help grow this movement?
Share this free nettle episode with a friend and invite them into the weeds with us. Each new subscriber helps regenerate more than land—it helps shift perspective.
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