Weed Walk at Charlestown Summer Camp

August 5, 2019

It's been over two weeks since I last posted! But not because I've been lazy. I have been very busy preparing and delivering my first foraging workshop, to the students of Clarence R. Edwards Middle School Sustainability Summer Camp in Charlestown, MA.

I captured the plants we identified in this slide show. (Click on the underlined link to view. In the Powerpoint menu bar, click "view" and then select "from beginning." You may need to use arrow buttons to advance to the next slide, and may need to click the black arrow in the lower right hand corner to hear the narration.) (Technology! I'm working on it. . . . )

Plants identified: four old standbys--Purslane, Lamb's Quarters, Plantain, and Wood Sorrel. I chose these four to highlight because they're easy to find and identify (they have long growing seasons), and are mild-flavored. Perfect for a "yard salad"!

The next four, although still very common, seem a little less run-of-the-mill, because of their exotic flowers, or spicy flavor. They are Quickweed, Asiatic Day Flower, Lady's Thumb, and Peppergrass.

Because it's just as important to recognize our "foes" as it is our "friends," I also showed them two poisonous "bad guys" to avoid. What were they? You'll have to view the slide show to find out!!

We closed by discussing sustainability, and how foraging might contribute to an environmentally friendly lifestyle. Finally, I shared Plantain Chips straight from my kitchen--and I include the recipe at the end of the slide show.

I am available to give educational field trips and workshops, for youth and adults, in the Greater Boston area. Let me know if you'd like me to join you for a walk in the park--the garden--or your yard!