Garlic mustard: while known as “invasive,” this plant can be consumed in its entirety and has great nutritional value. Plus, the garlic-flavor is a perfect addition to any recipe that calls for mustard! The following are excerpts from Beyond the War on Invasive Species by Tao Orion and The Wild Wisdom of Weeds by Katrina Blair. They have been adapted for the web. Garlic Mustard: What Is It? Classification: Alliaria petiolata Geographic location: Northeast, Midwest, Southeastern Canada Description: Garlic mustard is a herbaceous biennial plant growing from a thin, white taproot. In the first y ..read more

Peregrine falcons, while known as predators, are essential to our environment. These stunning birds have a rich history, an interesting present, and an uncertain future. The following is an excerpt from Feather Trails by Sophie A. H. Osborn. It has been adapted for the web. Who Are Peregrine Falcons? Though relatively uncommon wherever it occurs, the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is the most widely distributed, naturally occurring bird species in the world and one of the most widely occurring vertebrate animals on Earth. A top predator, it is found on every continent except Antarctica a ..read more

Want to see your crops thrive this upcoming growing season? The key is in soil fertility and health. Spend time maintaining your soil’s health to guarantee bigger and better crops come harvest time! The following is an excerpt from No-Till Intensive Vegetable Culture by Bryan O’Hara. It has been adapted for the web. What Is Soil Fertility? Soil fertility refers to the overall ability of a soil to produce abundant healthful crops. As growers it is one of our primary duties to manage the soil to bring it into an increasing state of fertility. Factors that work against this effort incl ..read more

Introducing…your new favorite brunch dish! This whole broccoli frittata is packed with fresh, wildcrafted flavors that are bound to help you start your day off on the right foot. The following is an excerpt from The Forager Chef’s Book of Flora by Alan Bergo. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Whole Broccoli Frittata Serves 4–6 as a light entrée The first time I walked through a garden growing broccoli, I noticed straightaway the large, collard-like leaves—something you never see in the store. Broccoli is more than just florets. The leaves are one of my favorite fall greens. Cousins ..read more

Many know the effects of catnip on our feline friends, but few realize that catnip has medicinal effects for humans. From stomach aches to reducing fevers, catnip is a versatile herb with many benefits. The next time you grow this plant for your cat you may end up taking a few cuttings for yourself! The following is an excerpt from The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer by Jeff and Melanie Carpenter. It has been adapted for the web. Catnip. Photograph courtesy of Kate Clearlight Catnip – Nepeta Cataria Life Cycle Catnip is a short-lived herbaceous perennial that is hardy to USDA zones ..read more

It’s time to take control of your seeds and become a plant breeder! Saving your seed allows you to grow and best traditional & regional varieties, and develop more of your own. The following excerpt is from Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties by Carol Deppe. It has been adapted for the web. Becoming A Plant Breeder Developing new vegetables doesn’t require a specialized education, a lot of land, or even a lot of time. It can be done on any scale. It’s enjoyable. It’s deeply rewarding. You can get useful new varieties much faster than you might suppose. And you can eat your mistakes. Garden ..read more

Wondering where to forage for greens this spring? Look no further than hedges, which serve as natural havens for wild greens and herbs! The following is an excerpt from Hedgelands by Christopher Hart. It has been adapted for the web. Food from Hedges: Salads and Greens Let’s start by looking at all the wild foods and remedies available just in the hedge at Underhill. After blackberries, the green leafy abundance of the hedgerow in March is probably what most people are familiar with. And the choice on offer at this particular salad bar can be dazzling. The Underhill hedge alone, for instance ..read more

There’s a whole new world out there when it comes to koji. It doesn’t matter if you’re making bread, cheese, or ice cream, koji helps you pump up the flavor! Growing Koji in Your Own Kitchen Koji, the microbe behind the delicious, umami flavors of soy sauce, miso, fermented bean sauce, and so many of the ingredients that underpin Japanese cuisine. After you’ve mastered growing your koji, a whole new world of culinary opportunities will be at your fingertips! To start, all you need is a baking tray, rice, koji spores, and a little bit of heat. Enjoy this delicious mold! Read More ..read more

Rewilding is one of the best things you can do for the biodiversity of your farm or garden. By no longer mowing your lawn, flowers will start to grow, creating a meadow and a habitat for creatures that often get forgotten. The following is an excerpt from The Healthy Vegetable Garden by Sally Morgan. It has been adapted for the web. Rewilding Your Garden: A Myriad of Benefits An oak seedling among the brambles. I have seen first-hand how the biodiversity of our farm has increased over 16 years through our organic, agroecological management. We’ve built ponds, planted willow and let our hedg ..read more

Whether you’re looking to replace your end-of-the-day cocktail, relax before bed, or want something new to add to your tea, this non-alcoholic mocktail syrup base will do the trick. Delicious and all-natural, take a sip of this nightcap mocktail and feel your troubles melt away. The following is an excerpt from Herbal Formularies for Health Professionals, Volume 4 by Jill Stansbury. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Herbal Nightcap Mocktail The combination of coriander, jujube dates, lavender, and lemon balm has a calming effect and can improve sleep.1 This recipe is aimed at producing ..read more