Category Archives: Projects

365 Frankendael day 135

365 Frankendael, , , ,

We found our first ripe Hawthorn berries of the season today. On the cut-in footpath alongside De Kas side of Park Frankendael. If they come off the shrub, with leaves attached, they are not quite ready. We found lots on the ground, which had fallen, ripe, from the hedge. They do require a little preparation but are worth the effort as a foraged food and as a hedgerow medicine.

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Next is a small Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) perennial.

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Ivy (Hedera helix) plants are looking particularly beautiful at present. They have large and fascinating flowerheads forming. they are not for eating but the leaves are sometimes used in anti cellulite treatments. It’s easy to make an infused oil with the leaves.

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Lastly a beautiful, swaying Weeping Willow tree. Still offering a chance for herbal pain relief. It’s very simple to make a tincture from the tendrils.

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365 Frankendael day 132

365 Frankendael, , ,
Redshank (Polygonum persicaria)

Here’s a plant my daughter found today, next to bike racks on the Hugo de Vrieslaan. It’s  an edible herb called Redshank (Polygonum persicaria). Often, it has the splotchy arrow sort of mark on the leaves, sometimes not. The surest way to identify it is by the flower and there are plenty of those around at the moment. Here’s a closer photo which we took today:

Redshank (Polygonum persicaria).

And here’s a short video from YouTube which may help you to identify it.

Next is a hearty Dandelion. There are so many around at the moment, I think they prefer the weather a little cooler and wetter. I was reading yesterday that Susun Weed likes to keep a stock of around 200 cooked greens portions in her freezer, ready for winter. I’m guessing that Dandelion is on her freezer list. I haven’t done that my self, I just eat it when it’s around, but will give it a try. Not 200 portions, I’ve only space for around three but its worth a go. On a side note, I bought a delicious jar of Morvan Pissenlit honey last week, Pissenlit literally means wet the bed and is the common name of Dandelion in France. The name is given due to its potent diuretic properties. The honey is exceptional. I must have another spoonful now!

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

I forget to mention this little beauty yesterday, Skullcap (Sculletaria altissima), in the woods of park Frankendael. It is in flower again! A second wave of flowers often graces strong perennials, when they have been cut back prematurely. Whatever the reason, I’m so pleased to see these pretty pain relieving flowers again.

Skullcap (Sculletaria altissima)

Autumn is on its way, you can smell it in the air. A blue moon tomorrow night so I’ll be looking for hazelnuts and not writing much tomorrow – just photos and names. Happy foraging!

365 Frankendael day 131

365 Frankendael, Foraging, Growing herbs, , , , ,

Today I looked at small herbs, growing along the Middenweg, which could easily be”weeded” out and replanted in locations where they could be allowed to grow unhindered and provide food…

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Here’s a little Hazel, coppiced by repeated strimmings and strong.

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Lavender. Smells great, tastes interesting but more useful for remedies and use in the home. Consider adding a handful of the flowers or fresh seeds to a small jar of honey, infuse for anything from a few days and use on minor burns.

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Hollyhock, seeds. Now’s the time to collect them and help new plants grow where you’d like them.

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Olive, with little Olives! We lost our roof top Olive last winter, during the drop freeze, but they can do just fine here, if protected in mid winter. No need to wait for the fruit, the leaves are also useful.

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A very well trodden Plantain. These look great in a put and are so useful.They do well in tree pits, are evergreen and can look quite attractive.

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Chickweed, one if my favorites for food and remedies, even in the winter. grown in a put they can make a thick yet delicate edible herbal carpet.

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Dandelion. So useful and so bitterly tasty! Encourage strong roots by digging the soil before transplanting to your chosen location.

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Lastly today, Rosebay willowherb. Such pretty and tasty flowers.

2012 Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship

I’ve been giving urban herb walks and workshops for some time now. After being asked for more from some of those who attend, and reflecting on the matter, I’ve decided to offer an Apprenticeship course which will begin this October. Those who join me on this journey will be shown ways to make use of and engage with, the the wild places in towns and cities. The course is open to anyone who yearns to learn such things, with someone to help them as they travel along the path and to be in the presence of a small supportive group, of other apprentices.

Whilst away on holiday, I slept on my ideas and the needs of those I meet in Amsterdam. From this I have written the syllabus. The course will cover Herbology and nature based spirituality topics, which I hope you will find interesting and relevant.

For details of the course please see the new Apprenticeship page and follow the link to look at the syllabus.

The course is planned for a maximum of 8 apprentices, meeting once a month, for one year (or 18 months if desired). The day of the week is yet to be finalized. I am planning on Mondays but if you have a strong desire to join me and another day in mind then let me know. 3 places are currently reserved. If you’d like to join me on this journey of self discovery and urban herbal wonders then please make contact.

365 Frankendael Day 129

365 Frankendael, Growing herbs

I am now back in Amsterdam but too late to visit park Frankendael today, so here is a twilight photo of the tree pit which I care for outside of my house.

It has faired very well over the summer. The self seeded Artemisia absinthium (Wormwood) is looking very strong, self seeded Geraniums also like the spot and a few other plants too. These include a Curry plant ( Also a type of Artemisia I think), Lavender, Calendula from seed, Mint, Ivy (that has less of a good time in the warm months) and Goldenrod.

Thanks ever so much to the people who sent me photos of edible plants in Amsterdam, whilst I was away. It was great to see what the plants were doing and also to be able to add an entry to this project every day.

I’m really looking forward to visiting the park tomorrow.

365 Frankendael day 126

365 Frankendael,

Here’s a tree that a couple of people have taken photos of this week, saying that it could be a French nut tree. I think the leaves look rather like a Cigar Tree and the nuts look rather like Pistachios. I can’t find the name of it at the moment, but post it incase anyone who sees this knows it. Please let me know if you do.

Thank you to Youko and Dennis for the photos. Dennis found the tree in the top photo within Park Frankendael and Youko found the te in the other two in Oost Amsterdam.