Category Archives: foraging
Wild but Mild – Common Chickweed
Now that cool weather is upon us common chickweed (Stellaria media) is everywhere. It’s that light green carpet-like weed with the tiny white flowers taking over flowerbeds and gardens right now. In fact, recent mild weather probably has facilitated exponential … Continue reading
What’s up Dock?
Now that winter is here, most of us don’t have to mow our lawns. Our flower gardens have probably fizzled out too, but we still have weeds. Curly dock (Rumex crispus) is one of those ugly coarse textured plants that … Continue reading
Whistle Pig
Since Groundhog Day is this week, I decided this varmint deserved mention. Farmers and gardeners experience their destructive behavior. Most consider them a cute little rodent. These squirrel relatives also called woodchucks or whistle pigs have a portly body, and … Continue reading
‘Gourmet Rabbit’ – The American Muskrat
I attended high school and college in the 70s. Back then people weren’t criticized for wearing fur, a renewable resource. To make money I trapped muskrats on the Stillwater River behind our home in Old Town, Maine. Furs brought a … Continue reading
Live Oak – The Heritage Tree
When the topic of survival food comes up, acorns can’t be far behind. Unfortunately, not all are created equal. Oaks are divided into two groups, white oaks and red oaks. The acorns of red oak species like water, willow, scarlet, … Continue reading
Sow Thistle: Versatile Wild Green
It sure doesn’t look very appetizing. The name won’t arouse your palate either, but sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus) makes a tasty salad or cooked green. Sonchus is Greek for hollow (referring to the stems) and oleracea means vegetable or herb-like. … Continue reading
Long Live the Beech
You’re probably familiar with the word beechnut, but likely your first thoughts pertain either to smokeless tobacco, baby food or chewing gum. American beech (Fagus grandifolia) is one of our more common trees and yes, the nuts are edible. Small … Continue reading
The Versatile Sassafras
If you’ve strolled around the edge of the woods you’ve encountered a sassafras tree, though it might have been only a seedling. Unless you knew what you were looking for you probably walked right past without giving it as much … Continue reading
Purslane – A Hot Weather Green
You’ve probably seen it in your garden when the weather has been so dry that nothing else will grow. You might even plant one of its cousins in your flower garden. The plant in question is purslane (Portulaca oleracea). The … Continue reading
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