Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Let's Not Forget Nature

We often think about stocking our pantry with our garden items and store bought items, but with many times forget about nature!
There is so much growing in our yards that we can use each and every day during the spring, summer and fall.  We just need to look around and do a little research.
I think we all need to learn to play with our food!!!!

Now is the time in much of the U.S. that folks can find mushrooms flourishing in the woods, there are fiddle heads and wild onions and garlic.  There is much out there that can be eaten and much that is quite nutritious.

I like making jellies with different items.  So many flowers and 'weeds' can be used.  Dandelions, violets, clover, peonies, lilacs, honeysuckle, roses, lemon balm and mints can all be used to make jelly.  I have used several of these and they are quite tasty and just fun!

These are so good for you.  The greens are tasty in salads, soups, and homemade salves.

Don't forget to take care of the bees as well.  PLEASE don't kill the beneficial weeds (flowers) and plant lots of lovely flowers.  Without bees - we will have no crops.  They are unsung heroes in the plant kingdom.

I will be doing posts on beneficial weeds.  There are so many yard plants that add to our diets and health and well being.  There truly is no reason to be hungry.

Please do not use weed killers.
NEVER eat plants that have been sprayed with chemicals and beware of animal "locations"!  If you know what I mean.
My kitties always go to certain areas to potty - so I know much of the yard is SAFE!

Take care of nature and it will take care of you.
We all need to educate ourselves of the benefits of 'wild' plants and lovely flowers.  The may someday be the secret stash of food that we all will need!

I advise everyone to get a book or two to have on hand about all the benefits.  OR read and copy from posts and other internet sites.  Make yourself a binder with all the oddball information that you can - you never know when it might be needed!

LOVE THE BEES AND WEEDS AND FLOWERS!  

25 comments:

  1. I just killed all the weeds in the driveway cracks with a homemade safe weed killer.

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    1. Glad it wasn't chemicals. I do use a homemade version in areas I can't mow as well. I don't kill anything in the lawn. I figure they are all God's flowers.

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  2. I recently read that Hostas are edible -- pick before the leaves unfurl. They supposedly taste a little like asparagus. We have Hostas in our yard so I may try them this year or next. Also day lilies are edible. They are good in salads and you can stuff them and eat them as you would squash blossoms.

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    1. Mary I just read about day lilies today and also read tulip petals are edible. I have heard about the hostas as well. Isn't it neat that God gave us so many options?
      There are so many edible plants - it is just really neat.

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  3. I have never tried to make any jelly from flowers or weeds. That is something on my list for sure. I need to open my mind a little bit more I guess.

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    1. Vickie the ones I have made taste so good. Many are similar to honey - which means taste great but FREE from the garden.

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  4. Years ago we had a shady patch of garden which wouldn't grow anything except ground elder. We tried to eradicate it in vain. Then we found posh hotels in Europe serve it up. So we started eating it and it was delicious cooking up like spinach. My husband used to be great at foraging fungi but you do have to be careful with that.

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    1. If you can't beat 'em - join 'em! We have a lot of dandelions and I figured the same - just try.

      It is amazing that things we try to get rid of or wouldn't think to eat is a delicacy some where else.
      Different strokes as the saying goes.

      IF hungry - I'd try about anything!

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  5. When we lived in western NC, hubby used to forage for morrell (sp?) mushrooms. We would fry them up and they were so good!

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    1. They are so good. A person who has never had one - just can't understand!!!!

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    2. People here never reveal where they find their morels! I don't like mushrooms, but I love to listen to people trying to trick others into giving up their secret slot! It's the same with wild sand plums. They make delicious jam.

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    3. No, they never tell!!!!! People have their secret areas. It's almost like ginseng - they are a treasure and location is secret and everything!

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  6. I am a big believer in planting things in my yard that will grow wild and can be eaten for years to come even after I am long gone. I was asked one time why I did this? I told lil snarky pants (lol) that one day their could be a terrible apocalypse and the survivors might be walking by my place and what do they see? Wild plants they can eat, or make medicine or even clothes.

    My home use to be the homes of an Native American Tribe, then it was an old farmhouse before it became my Craftsman home. My yard is a treasure trove full of wild plants from the the beautiful tribe and the farm couple. I am so grateful and awed when I see my beautiful gifts. I take care of them and keep them growing for the next family who I hope will need them and love them as much as I do.

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    1. I meant to write there and not their. Goofy tired. :)

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    2. Sounds like a wonderful place. So much history! I love having edibles all around the yard. There are so many people that have no clue they could survive quit well from the wild. It really is sad.
      Thanks for continuing to take care of nature!

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    3. I replied earlier - must not have posted it.
      That is just such cool history on your property. I love that you are continuing the saga of the land.
      People just don't realize what might happen IF SHTF - those native and wild plants could save lives.
      I am glad we are all trying to learn and teach about these things. At least maybe we will have full bellies!!!!

      Thanks for taking care of the land.

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  7. I just got a book about foraging in NY. I have learned a lot. There are edibles all around us. People are used to going to the store to get food when they can look outside like our ancestors.

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    1. Our ancestors lived off the land in years past. we all need to do learn too. Glad you are learning - it is a gift we can all pass on.

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  8. I have made wild violet jelly from the violets in my yard. Also dandelion vinegar as well as wilted dandelion greens with bacon.

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    1. YAY! Mmmmm dandelion greens with bacon! Sounds like wilted lettuce - which I LOVE!
      Love that we are all experimenting and learning.

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  9. Our HOA playground was over grown with weeds several years ago. It's just dirty under the equipment. Everyone is squabbling about which kind of weed killer to use that won't harm children. I pop up with "How about boiling water or vinegar? That's what I use on my driveway." Nobody had even considered something so simple. It's cheap and totally safe.

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    1. Exactly. I use vinegar, Epsom salt and water mixed with just a dab of dish soap (to make it cling). It hurts only the weeds and not the birds or animals.
      I do believe that people LOVE to make things complicated!!!!

      We need to remind them of the K.I.S.S. theory. Keep it simple stupid!!! LOL

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  10. Dirt... I hate spellchecker sometimes.

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  11. Cheryl,

    Good morning and Happy Easter! I wanted to let you know that I ordered the book you recommended, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, A Year of Food Life and look forward to reading it.

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    1. Happy Easter to you and yours.
      I think you will enjoy. There is a lot of science and chemical history in it - but the whole premise of the book is THEIR journey and the people they meet and the goodies they eat and try.

      I try to read it every year - just to remind myself!

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