Now that I have a yard, as tiny as it is, I have been having fun discovering what is growing in it. I found dandelion of course. But, I also found sorrel, and violet. So I have been collecting and drying violet and dandelion leaves for my herbal collection.
Why? Because violet leaves are medicine for rashes and the dandelion leaves I can use for a nutrient dense tea in the winter time. Ya know, when fresh vegetables are not as available and our immune systems are challenged most. Intake of natural vitamins and minerals is an excellent winter strategy for health and wellness. So, I am taking full advantage of the situation.....
I am very selective so here is me looking over the leaves I picked. I want only the best leaves. So I pick the best and then I inspect them again before washing them and patting them dry with a paper towel.
I have discovered that the violet leaves do best if I dry them in the oven on "warm". Takes only about 10 minutes and they are dry but not roasted.
Once they are 100% cool, I jar them and keep them in the basement.
The dandelion leaves I find do better if I air dry those. The tend to become more like roasted leaves if I put them in the oven. So.....
My neighbor gave me these plastic racks. I think they went to a dehydrator she had at one point. Works well for air drying.
As you can see, I just started, LOL. I also found in the yard some wild spinach aka Lamb's Quarters and one plantain plant. I prepped the flower garden area along the side of the house and transplanted the plantain there so it can grow/seed and spread. I also planted some Lavender and Echinacea. The wild spinach is under a large bush so I make sure I do not mow them. They are out of the way so I pick some here and there. So good in an omelet!!
This move has been great for me. I am more active. Have more to do. I am enjoying myself!! And.....I can have the herbal collection I want for medicine and health. Plenty of room for prepping, drying and storing.
Isn't it amazing what comes up wild, even in a tiny yard?! The bees love wildflowers more than cultivated, I am convinced. I let dandelion go wherever it will, and just pull up the ones that are in the way. I have so many bees and birds since I started doing this! Every single part of that plant is edible. Some part is available everywhere in the world, and nearly all year long.
So probably to the dismay of my neighbors, I let any medicinal plant grow wherever it wants to, and only interfere with their spread if they endanger something else. I have dandelion, violet, plantain, cleavers, wood sorrel, clovers, mustards, ramps, chickweed, and those are the ones I can rattle off. Out there are many more medicinal and edible plants. I can forage in my own back yard. We've been so stupid about the natural world and that it is there in part to nourish us. That we nourish them is an illusion.
It must be lovely to finally have a yard, no matter how small. Every moment you spend out there is love love love. I'm very happy for you! For us all!
This move was the smartest thing we've done in awhile for sure.
Leaves are good food! Munch munch.