Dandelion was one of the first “weeds” I learned to forage/wildcraft.
Maybe it was yours as well.
The day I discovered that dandelion wasn’t just a weed, and had been deliberately planted by early American settlers as a spring tonic, was exciting, to say the least.
Suddenly a seemingly annoying weed became a health ally and nutritious food.
I grieve when I walk through neighborhoods and see lawns full of dandelions going unnoticed – or even worse, receiving every negative thought of the homeowner or lawn care specialists. It’s a shame that we have chosen the meticulously-groomed lawn over the ease of cultivating a nearly effortless source of food and medicine.
Help! I have a black thumb
I’ve talked to many people who claim to have a black thumb, but in reality, they have a difficult time growing the modern, common plants that they want to grow. In the meantime, they have dandelion, yarrow, violets, cat’s ear, pineapple weed, plantain, mullein and other amazing plants growing prolifically all around them. Unfortunately, they see these plants as pesky invaders that need to be eliminated.
Is that you?
Weeds are our friends (Yes, I’m channeling the sharks from Finding Nemo here)
This spring, I’m going to challenge you to change your perspective on “weeds.” Make a concerted effort to shift your beliefs so you view them as helpful allies instead of pests. Allow these plants to grow so you can get to know them by sight, taste and how they interact with your body.
Imagine how amazing it would be if you didn’t need to take extra time, spend more money, or eek out some extra space to plant a garden of food. You can enjoy the benefits of fresh, nutritious and medicinal food springing up around you screaming “I’M HERE!”
In this mini series, I’m going to cover the basics of wildcrafting/foraging so you can feel safe and confident when doing it. Then I’m going to share some easy-to-find and recognizable plants you can start foraging this spring.
To learn more about the herbs we’ll be covering in this series, join our Herb-a-Month course!
