Category Archives: Projects

365 Frankendael day 300

February 14, 2013365 Frankendaelfigwort, ransoms, Wild Garlic, willowLynn

A lovely walk through the snowy woods of Frankendael for me today. I picked a few Ramson (Allium ursinum) leaves to make infused olive oil and then wild used that to make garlic bread sticks.

Apart from Ramsons and trees like these coppiced Willows, the most obvious plants at present are the dry seedheads of Teasel and Figwort.

For once, I can photograph the pretty Figwort, it usually merges so well with the background. I’m very much looking forward to the spicy smell of this plant in the late spring.

365 Frankendael day 299

February 13, 2013365 FrankendaelHollyhock, HydrangeaLynn

Today I’ve been planning a new herbal tree pit project.

Rather than a tree pit photo though, here’s a geveltuin near my home with last season’s hollyhock seedheads still intact.

And signs of life for potted Hydrangeas.

365 Frankendael day 298

February 12, 2013365 FrankendaelLynn

Campanula, an edible plant (though I’ve no idea how tasty it really is), growing all over Amsterdam still. It has blue flowers but not at the moment.

365 Frankendael day 297

February 11, 2013365 Frankendael, ApprenticeshipLynn

An apprenticeship meeting today and a nice walk in the woods of Frankendael, to find Wild garlic (Allium ursinum) and other plants popping up from beneath the snow.

365 Frankendael day 296

February 10, 2013365 Frankendael, River of HerbsHollyhock, River of herbsLynn

Today was the first meeting of the first River of Herbs course. We Al gathered in Oosterpark, sure some wild garlic bread sticks, tried to stay warm and liked at ways to get started with urban herb gardening that can benefit people and pollinating insects. It was so beautiful, snowy, bright and I was amazed that all but a couple of booked-on people turned up!

Have a look at riverofherbs.org for further information, to download the booklet every one received today and to get involved.

Here’s a snowy but thriving Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) photo, on the Middenweg as I travelled home from the meeting. I think this of the perfect urban herb for Amsterdam!

365 Frankendael day 294

February 8, 2013365 Frankendaelbuddleia, pansy, VioletLynn

Buddleia shrubs are a favourite of local insects, butterflies being the most obvious when summer comes. They also grow easily and where there is one bush you’re likely to find many tiny offspring in pavement edges and plant pots. But the plant is apparently not edible or medicinally useful , a pity! It can be used to produce natural plant dyes. I’ve read some reports that rather than helping insects our even being particularly attractive to them, Buddleia may take over space from really beneficial plants. I’m not too sure about that as I recall many days, standing close to the plant and counting the butterflies on it. They appear to love it.

Another of my favourites is the humble Pansy. It can be used interchangeably with the herb Violet.

365 Frankendael day 293

February 7, 2013365 FrankendaelLynn

These are a few of the herbs I found today in and near Oosterpark, whilst I had a look around in preparation for Sunday’s River of Herbs meeting which will begin there.