by Denise Grant
As strange as it may seem, I enjoy mowing. And it’s a good thing since I mow about five acres. People ask why I mow as much as I do and it's really quite simple. Living near the Conewango Creek you get snakes and river rats if you don’t make a lot of noise and keep the grass down.
Today as I was mowing I had to stop a few times and collect a few wild herbs growing in the yard. I picked violet leaves, red and white clover buds and leaves and plantain. I also harvested my first stinging nettle leaves.
The violet leaves I use in teas. Earlier in the spring I use the violet flower for jelly or candy and the flower for a fancy dessert topping. Red and White clover are great dried and added to teas. I occasionally add the red clover to dried flower that I scent for pomanders. The plantain I collect and dry for a friend who makes salves. The stinging nettle I use in a tea. It’s good for backaches and arthritis. There's something about fresh dried herbs that is refreshing. Its also fun to watch for these herbs as I mow and stop to harvest them. I have around 100 wild herbs that grow in my yard. They add color and variety to the yard along with the fun of harvesting them. I have also learned uses for many of them. It’s like having a garden scattered thoughout the property.
And although I really don’t want snakes in my yard, they are welcome to play in the swamp on the corner of the property. I explore the swamp in the late fall, early spring and in the winter. In the summer I let the snakes enjoy it!
Denise Grant grew up in Kinzua and found a home in Ackley. She writes her own blog at The Gardner's Rake
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