If the Canada goose had not jumped off her nest, I might have stepped on her. I love finding nests, but not when I create a disturbance.
I was delighted to discover Cornell’s Nestcam, which lets me watch the activities of several species of birds, revealing images I might not otherwise get a chance to see.
If you look at the images on the top of this page, you’ll see photos of trout lily, ramps (wild leeks), and wild garlic, which thrive in the woods at this time of year.
One advantage gardening has over foraging is that I don’t have to worry about disturbing poison ivy. I got out to Harmony Farm early enough yesterday morning to harvest enough chickweed for a week’s worth of salads and side dishes.
The chickweed has engulfed the spinach that had been planted last autumn. Any farmer will tell you that a weed is a plant growing where you don’t want it to grow. No one ever told me weeds were not tasty and nutritious. I trimmed the tops of the chickweed with a scissors, but before I got down to uprooting them, my mentor showed up with more important work for me. (more…)
Tags: Add new tag
When I tasted Joe Brandt’s Japanese knotweed salad, I couldn’t wait to try it for myself. Joe is that rare combination of skill and artistry in the field and in the kitchen. Try this first, then read on to see what I did for a variation on this salad.
The price of gasoline is beyond excessive. So, I have a new personal rule: if it’s within four miles, I walk. I have discovered a hiking trail less than a mile from my home. I can walk to the post office, two food stores, three bus stops and a train stop in less than a half hour.
I even passed two car rental agencies in my trek on foot. The bus and train can get me to other hiking trails, a major city and even an airport, should I need it. If I can carry a backpack with camping gear, I can carry groceries in the same pack. (more…)
Tags: Climate Change, Political
I was not the one to find the first morel of the year. Luckily, I’m very fond of my friend Zaac, who has a wonderful ability to spot an emerging morel in leaves.
I was surprised to see how much time this garter snake spent checking me out:
Mycologists in Michigan and West Virginia are already reporting their morel findings. I figure it’s never too soon to begin checking under the leaf litter.
I didn’t find morels, but trout lilies and wild garlic are abundant and easy to gather in this pliable earth. The first violet leaves are emerging. My little woodland patch of knotweed is also sending up tiny shoots.
While I was foraging, so was this hawk. I didn’t click at the right time to get a photo of the catch. But this tolerant bird hung around close enough to let me photograph the feast.
Pictures say more than words when it comes to winter giving way to spring in the Shawangunks. I hiked the recently saved ridge yesterday, lucky to enjoy the best weather we’ve had in weeks.
Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara L) blooms and sends out leaves later.
Yup, that’s snow under the hemlocks. This photo was taken about 90 minutes after the coltsfoot photo was taken on April 10, 2008. (more…)
What began as a lead on one really cool housing idea, led to the discovery of one of the most environmentally-aware websites I have seen in a long time.
A visit to Patti Moreno at GardenGirlTV is time well spent. Patti, a self described, generation xer, “gets it.” Even better, she puts the principles of small scale sustainable agriculture to work in Boston, Massachusetts and documents the results in words and video. (more…)
Tags: Birds, Mammals, Nature Curriculum, Wild Food Recipes
If you’ve got a sapling in one hand and a digging tool in the other, here’s how, thanks to American Forests.
This is one of two organizations I’ve found that will also plant trees to celebrate a rite of passage or commemorate a loved one. That’s my idea of gift giving. Really, is there a better way to honor your mom, a bride and groom, or a graduate?
I’m not simply reliving Earth Day memories; my Dad will be 82-years-old on April 19. Trees seem a fitting tribute. American Forests provides a range of services and tree-planting support. The National Arbor Foundation also has a tree gift certificate.
Tags: Climate Change, Gardens, Internet
I’m a working member of two consumer supported agriculture (CSA) farms this year. One is established, with a paid staff and a member season that starts in June. The other is fledgling, with a member season that started yesterday. The farm lands are in two different ecosystems; both are organic.
I’m directly connected to the source of my food. And I get to observe and participate in two different CSA farm operations.
Under the expert mentoring of Sister Carole, at Harmony Farm CSA in Goshen, NY, I will become a better locavore. (more…)