Donna’s Dream: A Medicinal Garden for Burns Village & Farm
Donna, a member of Burns Village & Farm, has a personal vision, a thriving medicinal garden filled with plants that heal, soothe, and nourish in her yard at Burns Village and Farm. Luckily, the climate in Burns, Tennessee, offers the perfect conditions for such a garden to flourish.
Disclaimer: The information shared in this video is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before using any plants or herbs for medicinal purposes.
Donna, a member of Burns Village & Farm, has a personal vision, a thriving medicinal garden filled with plants that heal, soothe, and nourish in her yard at Burns Village and Farm. Fortunately, the climate in Burns, Tennessee, provides the ideal conditions for such a garden to thrive.
Here in this video, she shares her medicinal garden that she’s growing right now before Burns Village & Farm breaks ground (See her full list below). This is a true passion for Donna.
Situated in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b, Burns’ seasons bring hot, sunny summers, cool, wet winters, and about 53 inches of annual rainfall. This balance makes it possible to grow an abundance of medicinal herbs, many of which have been used for centuries in teas, salves, tinctures, and home remedies.
Among the top contenders for Donna’s personal garden is echinacea, the vibrant coneflower known for its immune-boosting properties and often found in herbal teas and tinctures during cold and flu season.
Chamomile, with its dainty white blossoms, is another must-have, perfect for calming the nerves, aiding digestion, and making a gentle tea that’s even safe for children. For topical remedies, calendula is a powerhouse; its leaves and flowers can be infused into salves to help heal bruises, sprains, and minor skin injuries.
No medicinal garden would be complete without mint, whether spearmint or peppermint, thriving in our humid summers and offering digestive support, respiratory relief, and a refreshing base for teas.
Lavender is another garden star, valued for its calming fragrance and used in everything from sleep aids to skincare products.
Chicory, a great sedative and analgesic, similar to Ibuprofen. The roots, leaves, and seeds can be used for its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties too. Coffee, tea, poultices, and tinctures can be made from this versatile plant.
Finally, purple giant hyssop adds beauty and purpose, attracting pollinators while contributing to soothing herbal blends with its mint-family medicinal benefits.
Central beds of echinacea and chamomile can provide easy access for regular tea harvests. Most of these medicinal plants thrive in sunny areas with well-draining soil and occasional fertilizing. It’s rewarding when you have created a garden that’s as beautiful as it is useful.
Burns Village & Farm is more than just a neighborhood; it’s a heart-centered oasis where sustainable agriculture, intentional living, and connection to the land come together. From our community-supported agriculture program to seasonal workshops and farm gatherings, everything we do is rooted in a love for nature and each other. Donna’s personal medicinal garden is just one more way we’re cultivating a place where health and harmony can grow side by side.
If you’re curious about life at Burns Village & Farm or want to bring your own garden dreams to life, we invite you to learn more. Attend a virtual information session and discover a community where nature’s wisdom is part of daily living, and where every seed planted tells a story of care, connection, and hope for the future.
Join us for an event or become an explorer to discover how Burns Village & Farm is redefining modern living
Sept 3rd at 7:00 - 8:00 pm (CT)
September 14th at 2:00 - 3:30 pm
September 20th at 12:30 - 1:30
🌿 Donna’s Full List
Chicory
“Chicory: a healer in disguise. Roots roasted for coffee, leaves to soothe pain. 🌱☕ Imagine this in Tennessee soil.”
Yarrow
“Yarrow: the ancient wound healer. Bleeding stopped, digestion soothed, power in every tiny petal. ✨🍵”
California Poppy
“California Poppy: not just beauty, an infusion for calm nerves and restful sleep. 🌼💤”
Echinacea
“Echinacea: immune defense from seed to tincture. A little plant with big strength against colds and flu. 🌸🧪”
Calendula
“Calendula: sunshine for your skin. Petals brewed as tea to calm, heal, and restore. 🌞🌼”
Marshmallow
“Marshmallow root: comfort for the stomach. Cooked down, it eases heartburn and ulcers. 🌿🍵”
Chamomile
“Chamomile: gentle medicine in a cup. A tea for digestion, a nightly ritual for peace. 🌼☕”
Evening Primrose
“Evening Primrose: a women’s ally. Hormone balance, bruise relief, and quiet strength at dusk. 🌙🌸”
Feverfew
“Feverfew: small but mighty. Headache relief, insect repellent, camomile’s lookalike with a twist. 🌿✨”
Lavender
“Lavender: calm in bloom. Anxiety eased, sleep invited, sip it as tea, breathe it as peace. 💜🌿”
What We’ll Grow Year-Round at Burns Village & Farm
Our organic farm will be the heart of the community, a place where neighbors gather, soil is cared for, and food is grown without pesticides. Our professional farmer will keep the fields productive throughout the year, rotating crops to match the seasons and Tennessee’s climate.
At Burns Village & Farm, our organic farm will be the heart of the community, a place where neighbors gather, soil is cared for, and food is grown without pesticides. Our professional farmer will keep the fields productive all year long, rotating crops to match the seasons and Tennessee’s climate. Some members will be more involved, some will just enjoy the harvest.
Here’s a look at what we might expect from our fields in each season, and why these vegetables are as good for your health as they are for your taste buds.
Spring – Fresh, Green, and Nutrient-Rich
We imagine as winter fades, the fields come alive with cool-season vegetables.
Broccoli, cabbage, and kale – Packed with vitamins C and K, folate, and cancer-fighting antioxidants.
Spinach and peas – Excellent sources of iron, vitamin A, and fiber.
Carrots and parsnips – Sweet, earthy roots rich in beta-carotene for eye health.
Asparagus – A spring delicacy full of antioxidants and B vitamins.
These early crops thrive in the mild spring air and bring vibrant color and flavor to our community tables.
Summer – Sun-Ripened and Flavor-Packed
Warm, sunny days call for heat-loving vegetables that soak up Tennessee’s long summer light.
Tomatoes – Bursting with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to heart health.
Peppers – High in vitamins C and A, with a range from sweet to spicy.
Eggplants – A source of fiber and phytonutrients that support brain health.
Corn and beans – Together, they make a complete plant-based protein, along with fiber and B vitamins.
Cucumbers and summer squash – Hydrating, crisp, and low in calories.
Summer harvests are abundant, perfect for fresh salads, grilled meals, and preserving for cooler months.
Fall – Crisp Air, Sweet Flavors
As the air cools, we return to hardy greens and root crops that love shorter days.
Kale, spinach, and lettuce – Loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Carrots, radishes, and turnips – Roots become sweeter after a light frost, offering vitamin C and potassium.
Cabbage and collards – Dense in nutrients, excellent for soups and braises.
We also plant cover crops like rye and clover in fall to naturally enrich the soil, preparing for the next growing season.
Winter – Hardy Greens Under Cover
Even in the coldest months, our farm keeps producing with the help of simple season-extension methods like row covers and unheated hoop houses.
Spinach, parsley, arugula, and winter kale – Cold-tolerant greens that keep vitamins A, C, and K on our plates year-round.
While much of winter is devoted to resting the soil, planning crops, and adding compost, these fresh greens remind us that farming is never fully dormant.
At Burns Village & Farm, growing food is more than a seasonal activity; it’s a year-round rhythm that connects us to the land, our health, and each other. Whether you’re harvesting kale in February or tomatoes in July, you’ll know exactly where your food comes from and the care that went into growing it.
About Burns Village & Farm
Burns Village & Farm is a planned neighborhood and working organic farm in Burns, Tennessee. Our vision is a place where people live in harmony with nature, share in the bounty of the land, and enjoy a strong sense of community.
Join us for an event and discover how Burns Village & Farm is redefining modern living
August 17th at 2:00 - 3:30 pm
August 20th at 7:00 - 8:00 pm (CT)
August 23rd at 12:30 - 1:30
The Essential Features of an Agrihood
What Makes an Agrihood Different from a Traditional Neighborhood? Burns Village & Farm is being carefully planned to align with ULI’s best practices for agrihood development. But what exactly defines an agrihood?
What Makes an Agrihood Different from a Traditional Neighborhood?
Burns Village & Farm is being carefully planned to align with ULI’s best practices for agrihood development. But what exactly defines an agrihood?
Key Features of an Agrihood
Working Farm → Which will be professionally managed to provide fresh, local food.
Clustered Housing → Maximizing green space while promoting walkability.
Edible Landscaping → Fruit trees, herb gardens, and community garden plots.
Preserved Open Space → Protecting farmland and maintaining a natural environment.
Walkability & Trails → Encouraging outdoor activity and sustainable transportation.
Farm-to-Table Experiences → Our common house will gather members for farm-to-table meals.
Burns Village & Farm will be designed with these core agrihood principles in mind. Stay tuned as we develop a one-of-a-kind community focused on food, health, and sustainability!
Curious? Want to learn more?
Attend one of our upcoming events:
May 24th at 12:30 - 1:30
May 28th at 7:00 - 8:00 pm (CT)
June 1st at 2:00 - 3:30 pm
A Chance Encounter That Changed Everything
For Rusanne, joining Burns Village & Farm wasn’t something she had planned. “I had no intention of joining Burns Village and Farm. But then I ran into John Patrick at Earth Day, and I just kind of stumbled upon this idea of cohousing and agrihoods.”
Discovering Cohousing & Agrihood Living by Accident
For Rusanne, joining Burns Village & Farm wasn’t something she had planned.
“I had no intention of joining Burns Village and Farm. But then I ran into John Patrick at Earth Day, and I just kind of stumbled upon this idea of cohousing and agrihoods.”
She was drawn in by the vision of communal care, sustainability, and access to fresh food. Living steps away from the farm means waking up to the scent of fresh herbs, picking your own produce for dinner, and knowing exactly where your food comes from, every single day. But the real turning point?
“I went to a meeting and I loved all the people. Well, most of the people,” she laughs. “I thought, ‘Wow, this is a group of like-minded individuals. This could be something I’m interested in.’”
Like many who first heard about cohousing, Rusanne didn’t immediately see herself in this lifestyle. However, through small steps, like attending a virtual information session and then a site visit, and finally meeting the community, she found herself intrigued and ready to become a member.