Before we preview the 2026 Spring Market Season, let's talk travel. If you know me, you know I LOVE TO TRAVEL!
And this year I had an amazing blessing. I visited our nation's capital to celebrate my birthday—just ahead of our Nation's 250th! It was my first time in Washington, DC, and I absolutely loved it! The history, the tradition, the amazing tributes to our founders should be experienced by every American. Of course the walkability (thanks to our National Guard keeping us safe), the food, the lights...just everything was incredible.
And as you may have guessed, a visit to the US Botanical Gardens was included in the itinerary. It's a very cool place. It has a smallish medicinal plant section where I found my favorite herb...Check it out in the photos below. It was SOOO worth the time!
Speaking of time...it sure is flying by! Whereas we were selecting new varieties just a few months ago, it's now almost time to hit the dirt!! This year we are planning to grow 35 varieties of plants. Of course, the final tally will depend on germination rates and growing habits.
Here are a few of the newcomers we're hoping to bring to market in 2026:
Angelica (Angelica archangelica) - aka Wild Carrot is a biennial in the Apiaceae family. It's both medicinal and culinary with it's main action being digestive support (has a flavor similar to licorice or fennel).
Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea) - a blue flowering vine that will grow as an annual here in North Georgia. Traditionally, it's used as a tea for its powerful antioxidant properties. Fun fact: if you make a blue tea from Butterfly Pea, it will turn pink if you add a few drops of lemon juice.
White Dandelion (Taraxacum albidum) - before you freak out, this is NOT your noxious weed variety! The White Dandelion is actually a Japanese native. Amazingly, it has many of the same properties and benefits of our common yellow weed, but without the urge to spread throughout your entire world!
Lovage (Levisticum officinale) - this is such a versatile herb!!! It looks like parsley, tastes a little like celery, and is so aromatic! Plus, the seeds are used as a spice similar to the flavor of anise. Great as a diuretic, digestive and for skin issues involving inflammation.
Plantain (Plantago major) - this is the broadleaf variety, often found in lawns. Growing a dedicated patch will insure you have an anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and wound-healing powerhouse available to pull and poultice for a bug bite, poison ivy, bee stings, so much more.
Returning stars include Ashwagandha, Calendula, Comfrey, Lemon Balm, Marshmallow, Rosemary, Yarrow and more! This list is by no means exhaustive - for a full list of our planned offerings, visit the Our Plants page. We have a few more surprises in store too so be sure to follow us on Facebook for the weekly list of available plants at this year's Jasper Farmer's Market, opening Saturday, April 4th, 2026.