What a gorgeous September day! The sun was out, there was a good breeze, Eliza’s farm is beautiful- we couldn’t have asked for more.

10 of us (not bad for my first event here!) made our way down to the creek to meet Nettles. She gave me a little sting- a ‘love bite’, I’m choosing to call it. (I backed into a patch once and got a sting through denim on my rump which lasted for more than a day. This one was gone half way through the walk.)

We came back up the drive finding Black Walnut, Smart Weed aka Lady’s Thumbprint, Wineberry, Blackberry, Buckeye, Narrow Leaf Plantain, and Red Clover. At the barn gate we talked about Broadleaf Plantain, Chicory, Burdock and Goldenrod. It’s always fun to share that Goldenrod is actually a hayfever reliever, and that it’s the simultaneously flowering Ragweed that causes our misery.

In Eliza’s gardens we met Chickweed, Mugwort, Wood Sorrel, Ground Ivy, Elderberry, Witch Hazel, Lamb’s Quarters, Comfrey, Echinacea, St John’s Wort, mints, and did a quick trip around the herb bed too.

Dandelion was our last official stop, then we made our way back to the gate where I had left my bag. “Bring a friend and get a bottle of Elderberry Syrup!” I had promised, and 3 bottles went to happy homes.

Eliza lent me a fabulous book as I was preparing for our walk- Weeds of the Northeast. It lets you know what’s toxic, and it has all of those “Wonder what that is?” weeds that don’t really have any culinary or medicinal uses and so never get ID’d by others. She said it is the result of a thesis from Cornell University.

I also used two Peterson’s Guides- Edible Wild Plants (Eastern/Central North America) and Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants and Herbs, as well as a GREAT new book I picked up at the Philadelphia Flower Show this year, Foraging and Feasting: A Field Guide and Wild Food Cookbook by Dina Falconi. Turns out it’s the text for the Herbs Through the Seasons class I’m taking at Barefoot Botanicals with Linda Shanahan in Doylestown through November, too. That’s where the Elderberry syrup recipe is from, by the way. (These are affiliate links.)

Thanks to everyone who came out for the walk. I hope you had as much fun as I did! And a special thanks to walker Shelly, who shared some of her photos:

Did you know you can eat Dandelion, Chicory, Nettles, and a whole host of other wild greens?

Lamb's Quarters have almost half your daily calcium in a 1 cup serving, for example, and Red Clover Blossoms are a lovely and unexpected addition to a salad.

Come explore Manderley Farm with farm owner Eliza Walbridge and myself to learn about and taste many of the weeds that inhabit yards and fields. Wear sturdy shoes and long pants.

Saturday September 20,1 p.m.
Directions provided when you R.S.V.P. to Paula

Special treat! Bring a friend and receive a bottle of homemade Elderberry Syrup, just in time for flu season!