Boston Flora

Tag: foraging

  • Wednesday, July 12, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Nibbling on Nature in the City

    On Wednesday, July 12 at 7 pm, join Russ Cohen as he discusses the comestible virtues of at least three dozen wild plants commonly found in urban habitats such as vacant lots, bike path edges, ball fields, weedy areas around community garden plots, and your yard. Keys to the identification of each species will be provided, along with information on which parts of the plant are edible, seasons of availability, preparation methods, and guidelines for safe and environmentally responsible foraging. Pictured is epazote, an herb widely used in Mexican cuisine, which grows freely throughout the city.

    This class is part of our Urban Gardening Series, a set of classes designed to help city dwellers grow healthy, sustainable, and beautiful urban gardens. Led by New England Wild Flower Society in partnership with the Cambridge Conservation Commission, these free classes take place at the Cambridge Public Library (449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA). You may register at www.newfs.org.

  • Tuesdays, June 14 and July 19, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Foraging Walks with Russ Cohen

    The Greater Boston area is home to over 150 species of edible wild plants, many of which are more nutritious and/or flavorful than their cultivated counterparts. Join Russ Cohen, expert forager and author of Wild Plants I Have Known…and Eaten, on a 2-hour ramble through Allandale Farm, 259 Allandale Road in Brookline, to learn about at least two dozen species of edible wild plants. Pending favorable weather conditions, several edible mushroom species may be encountered as well. The program will be held twice, June 14 and July 19, from 6 – 8. Russ is a past speaker with The Garden Club of the Back Bay. You may register online ($25) at http://www.allandalefarm.com/events.html. Image from www.foodonthefood.com

  • Sunday, October 4, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Sustainable Wild Foraging

    Whether you are preparing for the zombie apocalypse or simply enjoy nibbling while hiking, join Dan Jaffe of the New England Wild Flower Society on Sunday, October 4 from 10 – 2 at Garden in the Woods for a rundown on the wild foods you can find in the woodlands and meadows of New England. Issues of sustainability, time of harvest, preparation, and recipes will be covered. Bring a bag lunch. $53 for NEWFS members, $64 for nonmembers. Field sites will be visited, so dress appropriately for the outdoors. Register at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/sustainable-wild-foraging.  Image, and we kid you not, from www.zombie-guide.com.

  • Monday, April 13, 10:00 am – Backyard Foraging

    Backyard Foraging presented by Ellen Zachos, master forager, author, NY Botanic Garden teacher, will take place at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive in Boylston, on Monday, April 13, beginning at 10 am as part of the  Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts Horticultural Morning series.

    Spiderwort, spruce, daisies and sedums – what do these backyard favorites have in common? They are deliciously edible! You only need to step outside your door to forage edible plants. A dynamic teacher, Ellen will teach us which backyard ornamentals are edible and how to recognize plants we should never eat.

    Cost: $5 donation (GCFM members), $10 at the door (guests)
    Contact: Betsy Williams Chairman 978-470-0911 or betsy@betsywilliams.com

  • Wednesday, March 13, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Knowing Our Wild Edibles: Finding, Growing, Eating

    Whether you’re interested in your health, sustainability, or simple pleasure, knowing your wild edibles is a skill worth cultivating. From wild broccoli to cucumber root, wild edibles are around us everywhere. Explore some of the best wild edibles for foraging and cultivating in this New England Wild Flower Society seminar on Wednesday, March 13, from 10 – 12 at Garden in the Woods in Framingham. Focus on specific species as well as harvest and learn preparation techniques from Dan Jaffe, Propagator and Stockbed Grower at NEWFS. Sustainable practices will be stressed. Wild broccoli image from www.crabappleherbs.com.  Co-sponsored by Massachusetts Audubon Society Drumlin Farm. $26 for sponsor members, $32 for nonmembers. Register at www.newfs.org.

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  • Saturday, October 7 – Thursday, October 11 – Autumn Tour of Sonoma & Napa Valley

    Join Organic Gardening magazine editor in chief Ethne Clarke for an exclusive tour to enjoy the tastes and beauty of Sonoma and Napa Valley, California, from Sunday, October 7 – Thursday, October 11, 2012.  Experience farm-to-table dining, organic wines, artisanal pairings and gorgeous gardens at DeLoach (below) and other select boutique vineyards.  Sample prize-winning California olive oils and cheeses as well, and share in nature’s bounty on a fungi forage led by mycologist Dr. Christopher Hobbs.  Visit www.organicgardening.com/getaways for complete itinerary and reservation information.

  • Tuesday, July 27, 6:30 pm – Wild Harvest: Foraging Food from Fields and Forests

    Enjoy nature’s harvest without fussing with plant pots, grow lamps and watering. Join plant enthusiast and past Garden Club of the Back Bay speaker Russ Cohen for a workshop including how to identify, collect and prepare food from the wild.

    Did you know that New England is home to over 150 species of edible wild plants and dozens of species of edible mushrooms? What about the reported fact that many are more nutritious and flavorful than their cultivated counterparts? If this is news to you, then you must plan to join Slow Foods Boston and  The Appalachian Mountain Club at 4 Joy Street in Beacon Hill on Tuesday, July 27th at 6:30pm for a little enlightening.

    Russ Cohen, expert forager and author of Wild Plants I Have Known…and Eaten, will present a 90-minute slide show and question and answer period. He will cover over 70(!!) of the tastiest species the region has to offer. These range from plants you know well, like Daisies and Dandelions, to plants that you may never have even heard of, like Calamus and Carrion Flower.

    He’ll include information on about a dozen of the tastiest (and easiest to recognize) mushroom species, from Morels in the spring, Black Chanterelles (below) in the summer and Hen of the Woods mushrooms in the fall.

    Information covered will include identification tips, edible portions, seasons of availability and preparation methods, along with general guidelines for safe and environmentally responsible foraging. And just ‘cuz we’re special, Russ promises to bring along a foraged goodie or two to taste!

    Cost for the evening’s presentation is only $5, and pre-registration is appreciated at www.slowfoodboston.com. Many thanks to our co-hosts, the Appalachian Mountain Club Boston Chapter Young Members Committee.

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  • Saturday, May 22, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Wild Harvest: Foraging Food from Fields and Forests

    Enjoy nature’s harvest without fussing with plant pots, grow lamps and watering. Join plant enthusiast and past Garden Club of the Back Bay speaker Russ Cohen for a workshop including how to identify, collect and prepare food from the wild. His Berkshire Botanical Garden program focuses on plants that people are “likely to encounter”, highlighting edible natives, but also yummy weeds and invasive species. Following the presentation, take a field trip in search of wild edible plants. Learn where and when to find tasty plants in the wild as well as native edible species you might want to plant in your yard. Finally learn how to prepare the wild harvest and nibble on some wild treats.

    Russ Cohen is a professional environmentalist and wild food enthusiast. He leads classes for the Trustees of Reservations, Appalachian Mountain Club, and the Massachusetts Audubon Society. He is the author of the popular book Wild Plants I Have Known…..and Eaten.

    This May 22 workshop and field study program will begin at 1 pm at Berkshire Botanical Garden, 5 West Stockbridge Road, West Stockbridge, and from there you will carpool to selected sites.  $35 for BBG members, $45 for non members.  You may register on line at www.berkshirebotanical.org, or call 413-298-3926, or email info@berkshirebotanical.org.

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  • Saturday, July 11, 2 – 5 pm – Foraging for Wild Edibles with Russ Cohen

    Set along the shores of a 200-acre lake, Tully Lake Campground in Royalston offers modern conveniences and superb recreational opportunities in a beautiful natural setting. Paddle around Tully Lake or take a day trip to nearby waterfalls and scenic overlooks. Or explore miles of hiking and mountain bike trails, including the 22-mile Tully Trail. For any outdoor adventure Tully Lake is your close to home wilderness getaway! The Tully region is home to more than 100 species of edible wild plants, many of which are more nutritious and/or flavorful than their cultivated counterparts. Join author and expert forager Russ Cohen on Saturday, July 11, from 2 – 5,  for a Trustees of Reservations  ramble in and around the Tully Campground to learn about at least two-dozen species of edible wild plants.  Free program, but pre-registration requested.  Telephone 978-249-4957, or email central@ttor.org.