185. Relationship, Observation & Wonder: Caroline Parker on Permaculture Herbalism

What happens when we stop trying to control our gardens and start listening to them instead?In this delightfully rambling conversation with herbalist, gardener, author, tea maker, and all-round cottage herbalist Caroline Parker, we explore the magic that unfolds when gardening becomes less about perfection and productivity and more about relationship, observation, and wonder.Together we chat about medicinal gardens, fairy gardens, Brambly Hedge dreams, wandering herbs, stubborn chamomile, weedy goldenrod, climbing roses, community gardens, and the lessons plants teach us when they refuse to follow the plans we've made for them. We dive into creating gardens as experiences rather than designs, learning from place instead of imposing upon it, and why sometimes the most medicinal thing in a garden isn't what you harvest—it's simply being there. We also discuss gardening for renters, container gardens, public green spaces, compost, sheet mulching, accessibility, and how anyone can begin building a relationship with plants, even if all they have is a single pot on a windowsill. Along the way we reflect on value, productivity, seasonal living, and the radical idea that neither people nor gardens need to constantly produce something to be worthy. This is a conversation about cultivating awe, creating beauty, embracing experimentation, and allowing plants to become our teachers. So pour yourself a cup of tea, settle into your favourite garden nook, and join us for a gentle exploration of medicinal gardening, seasonal living, and the enchantment that begins when you plant a single seed and see where it leads.THE HERBAL APPRENTICE ONLINE Doors Open Now (21st - 26th June 2026) **BUY ME A CUPPA**If you liked the episode and want more, a cuppa fuels mywork and time, which is given for free. Leave a comment and a few bucks here: ⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/theeldertree⁠⁠**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠here⁠⁠and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to haveaccess to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus supportthe Elder tree at the same time!To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠https://www.theeldertree.org/makeadonation⁠⁠.You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠Facebook⁠and ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠signup to the newsletter⁠.Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠here⁠.Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠[email protected]⁠The intro and outro song is "⁠Singfor the Earth⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠here⁠and ⁠here⁠.** TAJ SCICLUNA / BOTANICAL EDUCATION OFFERINGS**Taj Scicluna is a Botanical Educator, Bioregional Herbalistand Awe Seeker.Rekindling Herbal Enchantment whilst Honouring the Science.THE HERBAL APPRENTICE ONLINE https://www.botanicaleducation.com.au/the-herbal-apprentice-onlineDiscover her offerings here:⁠⁠http://www.botanicaleducation.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/botanical_eduation⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.facebook.com/botanicaleducation⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.tiktok.com/botanicaleducation⁠⁠