I have been fortunate to meet special people, such as Eva Taylor of Ironwood farm who introduced me to permaculture. Recently, I have gotten to know another amazing person, who has expanded my appreciation of nature and the garden, Leenie Hobbie.
Leenie and I share several mutual friends and I have often heard the statement, “you’ve got to meet Leenie Hobbie!” She is a frequent guide for “Weed Walks” in our area, teaching people about the local flora and showing people how to identify edible plants.
Fortunately, Leenie and I finally connected and we spent some time in my garden, which I admit is not entirely weed free. Perhaps my German heritage makes me more fastidious about it than I need to be, but there were definitely more than enough weed samples to be found. I’ve always felt that their existence in my garden was a source of irritation, taking up precious space for my darling cultivated plants. Until Leenie’s visit.
She quickly identified several edible varieties and even knew their nutrients and historic medicinal use. She described how they could be used in cooking, and those loathsome plants suddenly turned into recipe potential! Lambs quarters in quiche? Sounds delicious!
Invader or Ingredient?
Since her visit, we’ve gathered various types and even made “weed chips” Collecting the leaves of a thorny vine called Greenbriar that Leenie showed me, we fried them in olive oil, producing a delightful crispy treat. And I am willing to tolerate more weeds in my garden, and am even finding some favorite tasting ones, such as Purslane.
Leenie has a delightful and informational blog, 3 Herb Mamas, that I encourage you to follow, and I am placing it on my list of favorite blog links. She is also creating an Etsy store for her herb-based creams and salves, so stay posted for when that is launched!
The repercussions of the chemicals we use on our plants and animals is so huge, and we are only beginning to see. Money has been driving this chem trail, it will dictate how long we see it on our horizon. We all need to send a message with our money…
You’re right Eva. The corporations that are promoting the biggest havoc are also the ones with the greatest financial stake. Its the fight between David and Goliath.