From the time my children are babies I have introduced them to the plant world.  Whether it was walking through the lush green fields, the wild untamed forest or the cultivated gardens they have been introduced to various plants. 

My oldest sons ally was peppermint.  We would walk to a specific place in our field alongside the stream and he began to recognize the site, scent and ultimately the taste of this plant.  He would gather handfuls of mint and eat them.  That was several years ago and even though we don’t live in the same location now, he will still recognize the plant and ask for it when we walk in a wild place.

I would hold the plants up to the small baby telling them ‘who’ the plant was as the child gazed into the face of “Queen Anne” or “Jewel Weed.”  Introducing them to the plant world helps children to realize that plants are living  and we are connected to the earth and her rhythms of the seasons.

Last year while spending the summer on my parents land I would take my one year old son to meet “Mullein.”  We would walk to the specific plant a few times a day.  He became friends with this plant and learned all about the cycles of Mullein.  From a small plant, to larger fuzzy leaves with a yellow budding stalk, my son would greet this plant eagerly. With a “good morning, good afternoon and good night Mullein,”  this became a part of our daily routine.  At the end of the summer he learned how things return back to the earth from where they came as Mulleins life cycle came to an end (only to begin again.)

Just this week he has been gathering wild red raspberries and has met Yarrow in the local woods.  This summer he will have a new friend to learn about and share his nature time with.

This is an excellent way to introduce kids to the plant world while also showing them to have respect for living things and the natural world.  It helps them to recognize the cycles of the seasons which we are connected to.  It is also a great way for kids to empower themselves by learning about edible plants (do make sure they ONLY eat what they are sure of) and wild plants that can be used in a variety of ways.

It is a fun and easy way to remember the plants by greeting them with a “Good morning______.”  Calling the plant by name will help you and your child to recognize ‘who’ this plant is when you meet again.  

Purchasing or picking up a field guide from your local library is a great way to identify plants.  Petersen guides is one of my favorites.  If you are in an area where there are local classes held on wilderness skills that is also a good way to learn more.

So, whatever the season is you can enjoy a green living activity by meeting and greeting the plants!               

Well I have to admit that I have always been more drawn to the lush, green plants in nature.  However, after watching this video by mycologist Paul Stamets my whole perspective has changed. He talks about the miracles and benefits of mushrooms.  Paul even suggests that there is an alternative green fuel that can be produced from them!  If you enjoy the video and want to learn more he also has several books published.

Perhaps it was the scent of chemicals wisping their way through my open door this morning that is prompting me to write about pesticides.  As I lay in bed enjoying the quiet stillness and breathing what I expected to be fresh morning air there, was a bazaar smell that I recognized. 

Yuck! 

What is that I thought.  Soon, there was a taste in the back of my throat.  When the kids and I got out of bed within a few minutes all three of us had runny noses and were sneezing.  When the kids and I were on our way to walk in the woods there was the sign posted in the grass to ‘not walk on the lawn’ because there were ‘pesticides sprayed’ today!  I am disappointed in the province of Quebec for still allowing pesticides to be used.  

There are many communities that are recognizing the dangers of pesticides and banning them.  If you are using pesticides maybe you should ask yourself why.  If it is to get rid of the ‘weeds’ then perhaps it is time to live in harmony with nature and make them your companions.  There are many so called, weeds that are edible and have medicinal purposes.  Dandelions for instance are an amazingly useful plant!  There are wild, free yards or what some call ‘the let it all hang out’ lawns where herbs, plants and ‘weeds’ grow harmoniously together without the use of pesticides. 

However, for those that just are not quite there yet and need to have the manicured lawns there are pesticide alternatives.  Please consider using natural alternatives for the health and wellbeing of plants, people, animals and the earth.  There are several great recipes at this link for pesticide alternatives.