We were pleased to add some wild edibles to our meals this week. We picked wild lettuce, purple dead nettles, chickweed, garlic mustard, and dandelion leaves and flowers. Some we ate raw–mixed into a salad with arugula and kale that kept growing through the winter. Some we steeped in hot water to make a spring tonic to boost immunity.
Can you tell the difference between the three leaves in the photo? We can show you how! Students in our monthly foraging classes often say that they see the world differently after two hours of looking closely at the plants we often take for granted. Many former ‘weeds’ in the garden are transformed into edible plants! On March 18, our monthly foraging classes will resume. On March 25, the 9-month Foraging Intensive begins. What’s the difference between the monthly classes versus the intensive?
-both are open to anyone regardless of experience level
-class size will be limited on the intensive (15-18 for the intensive vs up to 30 for the monthly)
-with the same group of people going through the intensive throughout the year it gives the chance to customize the course material
-the intensive will be more hands on–learning by doing
-the intensive includes optional homework assignments to encourage further learning
In short, the intensive is designed to go deeper and leave folks with a much more well-rounded knowledge base. There’s more information here.
On the farm this week we’ve been planning and planting for the Heirloom Plant Sale on May 6 as well as for our CSA. Carrots were planted under row cover to protect the seeds from the roller coaster weather we’ve been having. We still have CSA shares available. Share distribution begins the last week in May.
Also coming soon:
- Stone Soup: a Gardener’s Guide to the Soil on Saturday, March 25 from 9 a.m. to noon
- Starting Your Garden on Thursday, March 30 from 6 to 8 p.m
And beginning April 1, our popular Wild Lands Immersion begins! Five full-day workshops designed to reconnect you to the land and develop essential survival skills. Sign up for all five for the price of four. Details here.
These are some of the ways we are connecting you and the rest of our community to local food. Support our work by donating today, every gift means a lot! Thank you.