The Herb Crib, Blairsville, Georgia

 

“The secrets are in the plants. To elicit them, you have to love them enough.”

George Washington Carver

While staying at Trackrock Campground between Young Harris and Blairsville, we noticed the sign for The Herb Crib and knew we needed to stop. This area, in the north eastern Georgia mountains rests in a beautiful and tranquil valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We pulled in and drove up the gravel driveway, passing the chicken coop, and came upon a barn where two large gorgeous dogs came out to greet us. Then we spotted Karin as she came out of the barn to greet us.

She greeted us with a smile and welcomed us to her charming and serene farm. She pointed out the plants she had for sale and then asked what we would like to see. I told her that we would love to see her retail shop. As we walked the path up the shop, we talked about her and the property. She explained how her husband had made her dream come true by clearing the land for her herbal garden. When her garden near her home got established, she started dreaming of a larger garden and opening a shop with her herbs and her homemade organic products.

Later her husband, Cliff with the help of a local carpenter, built a replica of “Spycher” or a corn crib or pantry, like the ones in Switzerland, his homeland. She opened her shop in 2001. This is where her shop is located and it looks charming next to her garden. She explained she learned about herbs and gardening from her family in Germany and then picked up more and more knowledge by herself.

She wanted to get the word out about her business so she started bringing her products to local farmers markets, farms, and local art and craft shows. Now word of mouth, her web page, and many repeat customers help to make her business a success.

She unlocked her shop, opened the doors wide open, and all the lovely scents came flooding out. There were herbs hanging from the ceiling and homemade soaps of many scents made from olive oil, goat milk, honey and beeswax and essential oil or fragrances making walking into this shop a delight. She sells culinary herbs as well as medicinal herbs. She makes herbal teas, salves and tinctures, as well as natural products like hand lotions, insect repellent, dog shampoos, honey, dipping oils, and more. As we looked around the shop, she was out tending to her garden and was nearby if we had any questions. She likes to give her customers space to really have a chance to feel and see what her shop has to offer.              

                                                                                        

After making our selections, we walked through her garden area. Karin loves what she does and shows it and is very knowledgeable about all her plants. She told us what all the plants were and how they can be used medicinally. She has a biodynamic garden which means organic farming with a twist. It is a holistic approach to gardening where they follow the biodynamic calendar as far a preparation, cultivation, planting and harvesting crops and being in sync with the rhythms of the sun, moon, and stars. This enhances the health, vitality, and success of their crops. Off to the side of her garden is where her bee hives are located. She also raises chickens and sells the eggs. 

She told us she does workshops and seminars throughout the year. She offers workshops on how to make Beeswax candles, herbal remedies, herbal first aid, Medicinal mushrooms, pollinator gardens, wildflowers, and more. You can check out her calendar on her web page: www.herbcrib.com.

Karin Rutishauser is the owner/operator of The Herb Crib and is a member of the United Plant Savers, The Native Plant Preservation Committee, and is certified as an organic grower by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. She is also a member of Georgia Organics, a member of United Plant Savers, and a member of American Herbalist Guild.

Walking around her little piece of paradise, you feel a connection and serenity with nature, the mountains, and Karin herself. We came in as strangers and left that day as friends. If you are in this area, this is must stop. You will be glad you stopped in for a visit.

She is open from May through October on Wednesday through Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. The Herb Crib is located at 2998 Trackrock Church Road, Blairsville, Georgia.

Till next time. Bye for now.