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When planting something intended for use as food o

When planting something intended for use as food or medicine, getting the species and variety correct matters. For landscaping purposes, not so much.For example, I’ve got several Ceanothus species (not pictured) planted in my front yard. One is a low growing plant, creeping over what would otherwise be bare or weedy spots. Another variety is maybe 10 feet tall, planted to screen the place from both the neighbor and the nearby busy street.They both *might* be useful medicinally. But if I want to use Ceanothus for me or my patients, I prefer to get it from a plant that grows prolifically in the mountains here.Still, I think it’s fun to point it out to folks. It’s sort of like meeting a famous person’s cousin. And then there’s a tangible connection, not just an herbal name in a book.I love the idea of introducing people to each other, and I love the idea of introducing people to plants. I think it’s exciting to get to think in new ways, to see things in new ways.And that brings me to this plant pictured here.It is a Coleus, species and variety unknown, growing in front of a house a few blocks away. The leaves really are this color, which I’ve bumped up only just a little bit because Instagram.I initially posted it over on my other feed, @gardenmedicine, because I didn’t have much to say about it. It’s just so psychedelic looking and fun.But then I started getting questions, and I wanted to address those here.Coleus forskohlii — WHICH THIS PLANT MAY NOT BE — is native to India, and has been used for centuries to help with issues of the heart, lungs, digestive tract and nervous system.it’s gotten more recent attention for potential effects on weight loss (or limiting weight gain) testosterone and more. [PMID: 18500958]It’s definitely a cool medicinal to study, and one I don’t hear many herbalists talking about.What I can tell you for sure is that members of this genus make gorgeous ornamentals, as hopefully this image suggests.Not knowing this specific plant, it’s better to enjoy visually only, acknowledging its connection to something with legit medicinal claims.

When I need a break from my desk and devices but d

When I need a break from my desk and devices but don’t have the bandwidth to get all the way out of town, this is where I go.I like it because it’s just far enough that most people don’t bother with it, even if they know it exists.I like it because it feels old Portland and that gritty, drippy way.I like it for the way it is both mundane and magical. It was easy enough to miss that Great White Explorers — who were on the lookout for it — passed right on by. Multiple times.I like it because it’s easy. A little walking, a little plant geeking, a little sitting in the sun, in the sand, by the water.I think this place is pretty nifty.Enjoy Forest Park. I’ll be here.

Super simple supper salad.This one is organized

Super simple supper salad.This one is organized around a base of watermelon from this week’s @fullcirclefarms veggie box, proteined up with some feta and pre-cooked chickpeas.To add more color and flavor, I threw in fresh basil, nasturtium leaves and flowers, and sprinkled the whole thing with Calendula petals. All of these are from my garden.I ultimately dressed it with olive oil and apple cider vinegar.It doesn’t take much to beautify your food. Just a little intention and attention. The effort pays off with joy, diversity and even digestion.What’s your favorite simple #SaladBeautification hack? LMK 👇🏼.Salúd!

I’ve been writing up a storm for the last week,

I’ve been writing up a storm for the last week, but nothing is *quite* ready to post.In the meantime, here’s a pretty picture to break up doomscroll.It’s from the hike I took last week on Yom Kippur, which is how I routinely observe that holiday.How are y’all making it through this week?

Let’s talk about edible flowers!Like most peop

Let’s talk about edible flowers!Like most people of my era who grew up with no gardens to nibble from, the idea of flowers in my food was pretty unusual. (A big exception we’re the unopened daylily buds in hot and sour soup. At the time I had no idea what they were.)So what a delightful discovery to find that flowers are edible!Roses and lilacs perfume our food.Peppery nasturtiums spice it up.Bee balm (Monarda) blossoms add sweetness with a kick.Chive flowers are a joy.And even less flavorful flowers like calendula, borage or most violets, add beauty and color. And you know how strongly I believe that joy is medicine.So which flowers are safe to eat? There are so many!Squash blossoms and daylilies are sturdy enough to stuff.I love to pick purple blooms of rosemary or lavender and pop them in my mouth.Maple flowers are one of my favorite wild spring edibles.The flowers of peas and beans also taste lovely.Bolting kale, arugula, radishes and mustard flowers are a great way to get the most out of those plantings.This is by no means an exhaustive list. If you’d like to get deeper into edible flowers, my favorite book is by Cathy Wilkinson Barash, Edible Flowers: From Garden to Palate.There are definitely flowers you should not eat.If they are in a park or a yard, you have to be cautious about pesticides and other poisons.And some flowers in and of themselves may be harmful — hellebore is one of many examples. As always, check for positive ID and safety before foraging.In this beautified salad from a couple of weeks ago I added Calendula petals, nasturtium flowers and the single borage blooming in my garden at the time. Swipe through for pictures of each.The other ingredients here are lettuce, a homegrown yellow tomato and feta cheese.Beautiful, healthy, tasty and joyous.Pro tip: Beautified Salads always look better in shiny bowls.What are your favorite edible flowers? What’s on your dream list to plant next season?

We got some real rain last night, and the garden l

We got some real rain last night, and the garden loved it. So much so, in fact, that I realized I’ve been substantially under watering it all summer.And let this be a reminder that humans are basically plants with complicated feelings. We often need more water than we think, too.So make sure you stay hydrated, even on rainy days when thirst might not remind you.

What science proves and the truth about certainty.

What science proves and the truth about certainty.. Some real talk about how science works, and our language around it.#TheTruthAboutScience #ScienceAndTruth #InconvenientTruths #LivingWithUncertainty #IntellectualHonesty

Thursday in Cascadia.

Thursday in Cascadia.

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