With encouragement from the HSA Native Herb Conservation Committee and the GreenBridges™ project, our HSA Board of Directors joined more than 200 other national organizations and submitted a Resolution to the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize April 2024 as National Native Plant Month. This is the 4th year of this effort to promote America’s many beautiful and useful native plants.
It occurred to some of us, under the influence of bright Spring colors, singing birds, and tantalizing warm breezes, that PICNICS would be a perfect way to celebrate our participation. Finding local natural areas in which to have a family and friends picnic would be a pleasant way to look a little closer at what we have for which we are grateful and even dependent. Looking a little closer, we soon learn that our native plants are equally dependent on us—for water, climate, pollinators, wildlife, and everything else that contributes to a healthy ecosystem and a happy family, whether plant or human.
As Herb Society members, it also comes to mind that for MANY of us, favorite picnic items include some yummy herbs. To share this month with one another, we are asking that you send us, if you will, a copy of your favorite easy-to-make, easy-to-pack picnic item. We will post those recipes on the HSA website to share with all of our friends.
If you happen to be familiar with edible native herbs (Allium cernuum, aka native chives; Monarda didyma; Lindera benzoin; Rosa carolina—put a petal on your tongue and enjoy the rose essence; Solidago odora leaves make a pleasant anise-flavored tea; Fragaria virginiana —tiny and outstandingly delicious strawberries; Cercis canadensis—the cleaned flowers are great for decorating a white cheese ball), it makes an even better dish! Then, there are the invasive non-natives: Our dear friend and co-author of The Big Book of Herbs, Art Tucker, promoted pulling up Alliaria petiolata, garlic mustard, and eating them to get rid of ’em!
Send a copy of your favorite picnic recipe to: HSA contact form. Send a photo of your picnic spot, too.
Enjoy your spring…with natives!
