It happens every February here in the Midwest. There will be days and days of endless cold and grey and heavy snowfall. Then, our lives are suddenly graced by a couple of bright sunny days with temperatures in the 60s. I’m thrilled by this brief visit of Spring, who is trying her best to re-enter our lives. But I’m no fool. I know that plenty of cold grey days still lie ahead before winter finally backs off to make way for something new.
These sneak peeks at Spring lift my spirits and awaken my soul to begin growing again. I’m already longing to sink my hands into the dirt and plant unusual heirloom vegetables and flowers that will draw butterflies and hummingbirds to my yard.
In the past, at this time, I’ve tried lots of different indoor gardening projects, like growing mushrooms and various sprouts for salads. And I usually start seed flats of herbs and tomatoes. But honestly, I have so many houseplants right now that I don’t have room for seed flats. So, what to do with this itch to be growing?
I’ve decided to focus on a different way of growing this year –growing my skills and knowledge about the natural world. I have long been interested in foraging and, in small ways, have dabbled in the craft for the last decade. The more I learn, the more I want to know, and the more I understand, the more I appreciate my ancestors and the closer I feel to Earth.
My grandparents liked hunting and fishing, finding mushrooms, and gathering walnuts. Perhaps the seeds of my foraging notions were passed down from them. Whatever the reason, I’ve committed to learning more this year by volunteering to present a workshop for our local park district on what I’ve successfully learned about foraging in the wild.
While foraging can be an iffy venture, there are many rewards. The first and most important thing to know is to GET EDUCATED because there are many things you don’t want to forage, as they can cause injury or death.
I recommend reading many books with wonderful pictures and identification tips to help you should you pursue such a venture. Also, it’s best to begin with things guaranteed to be safe – things like dandelions, wild chamomile, or violets.
Foraged foods can offer many health and well-being benefits. Some plants are considered “superfoods,” which are nutrient-rich, while others help build our immune systems. But what I think is most fun is discovering new wild flavors. Tasting things, the way bunnies, deer, or squirrels taste them, can open up an entirely different perspective on food and survival.
This month, I’d like to encourage my readers to learn something new about safe, wild edibles that might be growing right beneath your feet. It could very well change your world. And, at the very least, it will broaden your self-sufficiency.
Some great resources to check out include:
Let’s Eat Weeds: A Kids Guide to Foraging by Annie Raser-Rowland and Adam Grubb
Midwest Foraging: 115 Wild and Flavorful Edibles from Burdock to Wild Peach by Lisa M. Rose
Family Foraging: A Fun Guide to Gathering and Eating Wild Plants by David Hamilton
Foraging With Kids: 52 Wild and Free Edibles to Enjoy with Your Children by Adele Nozedar
For my February Recommended Read, check out my review of The Hike by Alison Farrell.
And begin to learn more about foraging wild edibles with my Dandy Dandelions recipes found in the Activities section of this blog.
Little Seeds Read 