Julia's Edible Weeds August Newsletter

Dear reader,

Greetings everyone, I actually started this newsletter in July but lost a lot of it so was put off finishing it until a wintery day came along and I am sitting at the computer to try again! I trust you are all well and thriving! Spring looks to be coming along with daffodils out and my peach buds looking swollen and pink. In the Northern hemisphere I hear the weather has been very hot again recently, but no doubt the clock will turn towards autumn there soon.

There are companulata cherry trees flowering all over Tauranga. While seen as an invading 'weed' they brighten up wet, cold August days and bring the tuis to town. I marvel at how trees and plants are able to read changes in day length. They do this through the transparent covering over buds, so they know when its time to start growing again. Very amazing!

This winter I've let some of my vegetable garden grow full of 'weeds' from lack of motivation and also to have a big area to pick edibles from, but also to keep the soil covered. I have lots to feast on including Chickweed Stellaria media, Speedwell Veronica persica, Dwarf mallow, Miners lettuce Claytonia perfoliata, Borage Borago officinalis, Mizuna Brassica rapa nipponosica, Parsley Petroselinum crispum, and Coriander Coriandrum sativum. I'm also eating a lot of Daikon radish tops Raphanus sativus L. var. longipinnatus - they are such a lush valuable winter green.

Upcoming workshops:
Saturday 24th August: my place 289 Chadwick Road. Numbers limited. Book here.

Saturday 16th November: Louise Phillips property, 1351 Highway 50, Ongaonga, Central Hawkes Bay. Numbers limited, light lunch provided by Louise. Book here.

An opportunity to create community next door to me

There are two properties for sale in Manson Street around the corner from my property. And a third Number 5 (with lots of fruit trees and totally private) is being prepared for sale right next to me behind my hedge I'm sure if someone is keen the owners would do a private sale. Let's create a like minded permaculture community right here in Tauranga where we can support each other, help with large tasks and share produce!! I've visualized this for a long time. Its going back to how we used to live in the 60s with children running between properties and everyone knowing each other. These properties are 5 minutes walk to the Village of Greerton. Check 7 Manson Street out here.

In the link you'll also find a location finder link that shows the properties in the area and their estimated values.

Do your weeds love fungi?

I subscribe to a newsletter from Integrity Soils started by Nicole Masters (Director and researcher) and this months edition had an excellent article by Michael Cashmore entitled "Do your weeds love fungi". View the whole article here. (don't worry it is not that long)

I had to share some of it here, this is the second paragraph; "Weeds get a lot of bad press, surely, they’re just there to annoy us, create work we don’t want and keep companies in business. No, the purpose of a weed is to respond to soil signals and apply remedial action on behalf of nature. They’re not a sign of lack of herbicide, the same as a headache is not a sign of lack of aspirin. Weeds are evidence of repair taking place." I love this article it completely confirms what I share in workshops about why we have weeds and this in turn brings more appreciation and respect for them. There are a few more paragraphs explaining the difference between fungal and bacterial soils and which plants like which microorganisms.

Further on it says "...So for Doug these weeds are his friend and employee. They’re ensuring continuation of the plant/fungal relationship. When re-planting reduce herbicide rates by one third to half and buffer with fulvic acid to reduce damage to your new fungal friends/"

"And please think diversity, think beyond the monoculture that Pinus Radiata has become.

Other fungal indicating weeds: Blackberry (Rubus spp), wild rose (Rosa spp), Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), hemlock (Conium maculatum), Foxglove (Digitalis), Hollyhock (Alcea rosea), Hawkweed (Hieracium), Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), mullein (Verbascum spp) Pictured above in flower, St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum), houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinal), Matagouri (Discaria toumatou), bracken (Pteridium spp), gorse (Ulex), broom (Cytisus scoparius), rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus spp), sagebrush (Artemisia spp), willow (Salix spp), sweet briar (Rosa spp), Leafy spurge, African Boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) or mesquite (Prosopis spp)."

View the whole article here. (don't worry it is not that long)

Doable action steps to return carbon to the soil
with Graeme Sait

Graeme Sait (left with Nicole Masters) is a major catalyst for change. I've just watched him in this Tedx talk about humus and its vital role in climate change. He explains the latest statistics on the state of the planet. I hadn't realised that phytoplankton - those tiny plants in the sea produce 50% of the oxygen we breathe and they are rapidly being destroyed by the acidification of the oceans from the carbon the oceans have soaked up. That carbon is supposed to be in the soil and no one can deny that!!! Human and humus have the same meaning - of and for the earth. Graeme is passionate about motivating all of us in ways we can help the planet by getting carbon back in the soil. I urge you to spend 15 minutes watching this inspiring talk, not just words but simple actions we can all take. It has motivated me to contact my superannuation fund manager to look at investing money in renewable energies and to contact the council about setting up separate compost bins for food scraps.
Here is the Ted Talk Link

2040 Documentary

Here is the trailer link for this upcoming documentary which has solutions for the state of the planet as well. Made by Damon Gameau an Australian filmmaker. I love the shorts, especially the children expressing how they want the future to look, and can't wait to see the movie. Here is the link.

Adventures in Aussie

A recent blog I've called "Aussie adventures" about my time in April/May visiting my brother and his family in Camden, Sydney. We discovered the Camden community gardens and I found many of the same weeds there and in John's garden that we have here. Read the article to see what they are.

Dandelions and civilisation

The above photo is of a dandelion flowerTaraxacum officinale with a native bee Leioproctus species. These are the most common solitary native bees - learn more about them on the Terrain website.

I watched this wonderful video called 'Dandelions and civilisation' all about dandelions, their history and uses through the ages told by a lively presenter. Have a watch here

Catsear - tasty new shoots

I love this photo of a sea of yellow catsear flowers which all open around as the sun comes more overhead. Then in the afternoon they all close up again. Such a wonder of nature!

Very shortly in spring Catsear Hypochoeris radicata will send up new shoots that are a supple single stem. They snap easily and are a tasty nibble when out walking. Once they become a little older they stiffen up and are less edible.

The young tender catsear leaves are also edible, older leaves I find are too strong in taste. Our rare New Zealand Kokako or blue wattle bird also like catsear greens as you'll see in this photo above. I took it on the Island bird sanctuary Tiritiri Matangi, out from Whangaparoa peninsula, north of Auckland. It is really well worth visiting the Island to see native birds up close in the wild.

Exploring ways of connecting people

The workshops I run bring enthusiastic people together interested in exploring the world of wild edibles. They are so great for connecting like minded folk together and I always feel so nourished by them. Actually everyone feels enriched from the wealth of knowledge and experience we all contribute. The above photo is from a workshop held July 14th at Puriri near Thames where we braved the rain to go out and find and forage the wild edibles.

I subscribe to a newsletter I enjoy very much by Juliet Batten. She is all about connecting with others, nature and the sacred dimension of life. This comes from a newsletter "The fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam, this crisp winter air is full of it" - John Burroughs
This is her website link

I love Juliet's ideas for being in nature. Ramble in the Rain. A walk in the rain is something really special for everyone. Rachel Carson, wrote ‘Nature reserves some of her choice rewards for days when her mood may appear to be sombre'. It's so true, there are so many magic moments that only happen during rain, and of course, there are puddles to jump in.

Latest Chadwick Road workshop

Four lovely people of the ten who came to my most recent workshop at my home and garden. Isobel is twelve - I love it when young people are interested and enthusiastic about plants!

Horehound - helper of winter ills

My latest blog is about Horehound - a member of the lavender family that grows wild on Mauao or Mount Maunganui. To the left you see me harvesting it. I don't think many people know the wonderful qualities of this plant. Have a read here.

Maroon coloured Oxalis

I don't mind this maroon coloured oxalis coming up in my flower beds. It sleeps during the hot summer and appears in cooler weather with its striking maroon coloured leaves. And to top it off it produces pretty pink flowers.

Oxalis at Waihi beach

I recently had a holiday at Waihi Beach with my parents and Lulu the dog. I was so thrilled to see some colour in the sanddunes provided by wild Oxalis pes-caprae or Bermuda Buttercup which I've also seen at Muriwai beach. Striking bright yellow flowers stood tall on juicy stems and made quite a sight. I've written a blog on oxalis go here.

Goldfinches find my Chia plant

The Goldfinches (there were four of them this year - only two last year) are back and found the Chia Salvia hispanica plant with lots of seeds and they've eaten the lot. I didn't harvest them and just left them and now I know why. I want the Chia to self sow which it easily does and this plant is an example. I also threw old chia seed on the ground from my own seed, and some of those grew. Chia is a long season plant meaning it takes a long time to go to flower and then set seed and it doesn't like frost.

I just love to see birds in my garden. These finches also eat the Puha Sonchus oleraceus that is going to seed. They pick off the fluffy tufts, throw it away and eat the seeds.

Chinese pumpkin or Chinese zucchini

These Chinese pumpkins or Chinese zucchini are amazing vegetables. They are orange inside like a pumpkin but are much easier to cut than a crown pumpkin. This monster weighed in at 3.8kg! They are also called Heritage squash. I haven't seen them in any seed catalogues so I don't know the latin name. Could someone help with that? My Chinese guest in the Air B&B recognises it very well so obviously they have them in China as the name suggests. They taste sweet and wonderful and keep reasonably well, although this one had some decay at the big end so it is now all eaten!

Whew you made it to the end! I wish you a wonderful spring / autumn where ever you are in the world and many blessings for your health and happiness.

Love Julia