
This is an exciting time of year as there's still a few 'Summer' plants in bloom such as Fat Hen, Self Heal, Dandelion, Fennel, Nasturtium etc, but also many Wet Season plants are popping up such as Chickweed, Onion Weed, Miners Lettuce, Purple Dead Nettle. We'll cover as many of these wild weeds as we can in this session.
Step into nature to discover a world full of wild, edible plants. Focusing on abundant, delicious & nutritious edible weeds & commonly found plants, you’ll leave this workshop eager to forage in your own backyard & neighborhood.
We’ll take a wander around my gardens to find, identify, taste & discuss edible plants growing freely & abundantly. You will learn:
~ the basic principles of sustainable & ethical foraging & wild harvesting
~ the botanical names of plants as well as their multiple common names
~ how to confidently identify 10-20 wild plants, with lots of details about lookalikes & toxic plants to avoid
~ nutritional & medicinal properties of each plant, including how to prepare simple healing remedies at home
~ how to prepare each plant for maximum nutrition & flavor, we’ll discuss simple recipes & tips for cooking each plant
~ the folklore & hisotry of each plant, how our ancestors foraged for & ate what we now call ‘weeds’. Many of these fascinating & often funny stories help us to connect with the plants, our ancestors and allow us to remember each plant better.
You’ll leave feeling empowered with the knowledge needed to build better local food resilience & food security. You can skip going to the supermarket after this workshop, instead gathering your own wild greens for dinner.
We’ll start with a cup of herbal tea, and end the session by enjoying a wildly delicious snack made with seasonally available wild ingredients. This varies with the seasons but could include a wild salad, weedy pesto, pickled greens, a herb infused butter etc.
You might like to download my Foraging Guides before/after the workshop to keep for future reference. Click on 'Foraging Guides' for more info & to purchase.
Class sizes are limited to allow lots of space for your questions, so book early to avoid missing out. After booking you’ll be sent an email with exact location & further details for the workshop.
Please note that no refunds will be given for change of mind or your own calendar conflicts. If the workshop needs to be postponed due to (terrible) weather, we'll work together to find a new date.
Obviously if you're unwell on the day, please don't come.
Read the amazing reviews below or on facebook @homegrownbotanica
A little bit about my garden:
I've lived in this property/on this land for over 6 years, and from the day I arrived I've been planting cuttings, seeds & plants: fruit, vege, medicinal herbs, wildflowers, spring bulbs etc. Lately I've given more space to the wild weeds that spring up, creating quite a magical garden space, overflowing with food, beauty & wonder.
We recently built a composting toilet, added a caravan sleepout, and regularly enjoy nights around the firepit.
I'm a strong believer that it's possible to grow a LOT of your own food on a small urban plot, without moving to the middle of nowhere, away from your community and relying on petrol to get around. My garden is a great wee insight into what is possible in a small urban space (we're on 1/3 acre in Raumati South).
Step into this magical wonderland with me, as we wander around discussing all the edible weeds which you are very likely have growing in your own backyard or local neighborhood.