New to Foraging? Start in Your Backyard
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Let’s talk about foraging a minute. I’ve found several blogs for your further research and included those within this post. I am not affiliated or associated with the blog owners or writers but sharing for your further research options.
Simply put, to forage is to look for food (or other provision). Many plants that are considered weeds or property invaders hold surprising secrets. These plants may be used for food, medicine or other uses. Today, we will point out a few plants that you might easily find near you. This will be a starting point for your exploration and research
Begin in your backyard, neighborhood or daily walks along a quiet road.
Strolling down the country roads in the cool of the Tennessee spring mornings is my idea of a good walk. I am a fair-weather walker. (Yeah, I know, I know. I should be walking year ’round. Maybe I’ll find an indoor place to walk during hot weather… maybe.) The Tennessee heat becomes too much for me in late spring through mid-fall, but I take advantage of the cool spring mornings.
Honeysuckle
Growing up in the country in the 1970s, I took lots of walks and bike rides on our dirt road. The sweet smell of honeysuckle still allures me. Did you grow up learning how to suck the drop of nectar from the small yellow and white trumpet-shaped blossoms like I did? You may not be aware that there are so many species of honeysuckle and some are even toxic. Learn more about honeysuckle and a delicious drink from my sweet friend’s video. Christa Swartz shares her knowledge and joy with us in this informative video.
Walking Past Food and Medicine
Are you aware of the many edible plants that you pass during a walk, a hike or stroll through the fields? Last week, without even looking hard, I spotted honeysuckle, thistle, white and red clover, narrow- and broadleaf plantain, mullein, dandelion, Queen Anne’s Lace and elderberry. All of these are consumable in some form. I also spotted a tricky plant who tries to look like something good but is actually toxic. We’ll discuss him in a minute.
Thistle
Yes, even thistle, is used medicinally. Although it is the bane of farmers, thistle may be beneficial for liver health as mentioned here.
Plantain
Plantain is most commonly known, in our family at least, as a quick remedy for insect stings. If a wasp or bee sting occurs while working or playing outside, quickly choose a clean plantain leaf, put it in your mouth and chew it until it makes a paste-of-sorts. Apply the paste to the sting to relieve pain and possibly reduce swelling.
Here is an interesting blog about the benefits of plantain, one of the most common “weeds” in most yards.
Mullein
A plant known by herbalists as soothing for lung issues and complaints, mullein grows abundantly on roadsides in the summertime. Mullein seeds are also found in birdseed blends which explains why beautiful mullein plants, with their fuzzy leaves, grow near or under bird feeders. This is a very informative blog about mullein. Our family has been aware of mullein’s properties that help respiratory issues but it wasn’t until this month that we learned from an herbalist friend how mullein helps with blood sugar, as well.
Queen Anne’s Lace vs. Poison Hemlock
Heed the fate of Romeo and Juliet who drank a liquid of hemlock to end themselves! Know the difference between Queen Anne’s Lace and her evil look-alike, Hemlock. Queen Anne’s Lace (QAL) is not toxic. In fact, it is in the carrot family and has the scent of carrots when bruised or crushed. Various parts of QAL are edible and all parts are safe to touch.
Queen Anne’s Lace
Queen Anne’s Lace has a reddish-brown dot in the center. The story goes, when Queen Anne was sewing, she pricked a finger and a drop of blood fell. Noticing a reddish-brown dot in the center of the white flower will help with proper identification.
Another characteristic of QAL are stems that appear “hairy.” Just remember, “The Queen has hairy legs.” These are funny ways of remembering which plants are toxic and which are perfect for food and natural healing and you may even giggle the next time you notice the “hairy” stems of QAL.
Hemlock
Hemlock does not have a reddish-brown dot in the center. Hemlock’s “legs” are not hairy but smooth. A good book is helpful when learning to identify edible wild plants. I like this one and refer to it for identification as well as the many uses of foraged plants. It is more of an herbal remedy book but it is a favorite of mine.
Have Fun Learning about Foraging
Foraging can be a fun way to explore your own backyard. Daughter, Missy, and I have made jelly from dandelions and wild violets. Dandelion jelly resembles honey and wild violet jelly resembles grape jelly.
My friend, Christa Swartz of Prepsteaders YouTube channel and blog, has many helpful videos on the topic of foraging.
A dear friend of ours, Mr. Perry, is super knowledgable about foraged foods. He highly recommends these two books.
Here is one of my favorite resource books about foraging and how to use foraged plants. It is an herbal remedy book but I use it a lot for foraged plants.
Check out this Heritage Ways video of my touring a backyard with two herbalists.
Family Favorite Recipes
Years ago my Mr. Patient and children encouraged me to write down many of their favorite recipes in one book. My first cookbook, From Katie’s Kitchen, Vol. One, includes 205 of the recipes that they requested. This book has become a fan favorite with Heritage Ways homemakers world-wide. Get your copy HERE and start cooking our many of the recipes that our family has been cooking for generations.
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The Heritage Ways Diligent Homemaker’s Commitment
As Diligent Homemakers, we do the best we can with the resources we have at the time. These resources include our time, physical health and energy, money and possessions. We commit to using these God-given resources to the best of our abilities and give ourselves grace in the process.
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Mrs. Katie of Heritage Ways
