Spring: So Close, Yet So Far Away

It's March. The sun is beginning to shine brighter, the temperature a bit warmer and plants a bit greener. Winter hibernation is turning into spring fever. There are so many things we want to do outside, but we can't just yet. So what can we do? While I was brainstorming this same question for my Wyck House lesson plans, I came across a Facebook post by Nature Rocks. They shared a link, "10 Ways to Explore Nature in March" by Go Explore Nature. This awesome article shares wonderful ways families and teachers can get their kids out of the house or classroom and into nature. It even has printables! Don't have kids to take outside? Numbers 4, 7 and 9 can be done by adults.

Number 8, “See local wildflowers,” is one of my favorites that everyone can do. I especially love that there are so many places to do this in the Philly area. My favorites are Wissahickon Park, Wissahickon Environmental Center, the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, Awbury Arboretum, and the Wyck Historic House, Garden and Farm. And thats only the Northwest section of the city! What are your Philly area favorites? What are your favorites from where you live? What do you love to do outside in March? I hope thinking about these questions and reading this article has you inspired to get outside and play. Even on a rainy day, the physical and mental benefits to outdoor play for children and grown-ups are immeasurable.

Now that you have a pre-spring to do list, get outside and love the nature around you. Nature is as close as your door step, no matter where you are from. Enjoy!

Wissahickon Garlic-Mustard Pesto

 Garlic-Mustard: Bad for the forest, good for dinner.

Maple Sugaring in the Wissahickon is complete and spring is finally on her way. Although the winter never settled in and I am still hoping for a few snow days, I am excited to witness nature come alive again. There are little signs spring and peaks of life emerging from the Earth and soon the city, country, forests, and farms will be buzzing with life and lovers of nature. However, for every native plant fighting to share its beauty and nurture the animals and insects, there are invasive plants taking away their space. Garlic mustard is one of these invasive plants.

According to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), “Garlic mustard poses a severe threat to native plants and animals in forest communities. Many native wildflowers that complete their life cycles in the springtime occur in the same habitat as garlic mustard. Once introduced to an area, garlic mustard out competes native plants by aggressively monopolizing light, moisture, nutrients, soil and space. Wildlife species that depend on these early plants for their foliage, pollen, nectar, fruits, seeds and roots, are deprived of these essential food sources when garlic mustard replaces them. Humans are also deprived of the vibrant display of beautiful spring wildflowers.”  

So what is good about garlic mustard? It’s edible and delicious.

I first learned about invasive and edible forest plants when I began working at the Wissahickon Environmental Center (Tree House) in the Wissahickon Valley section of Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park System. They are a wealth of knowledge and host a wide variety of exciting events and activities for children, families and adults. Their edible plant lessons are always a favorite and the dishes made are delicious. This recipe for garlic mustard pesto can be altered to your taste and eaten with crackers, on pasta, used as a spread on sandwiches, or in place of sauce on pizza. The camp kids loved it with crackers. And remember, it’s an invasive plant, so while its normally never good to take anything from the forest or parks, garlic mustard will not be missed.      

Wissahickon Garlic-Mustard Pesto

 Ingredients:
2 Cups Garlic Mustard Leaves (young 1^st year plant)*

1 Clove Garlic

¾ Parmesan Cheese

~ ½ Cup Olive Oil (add to desired consistency) 

¼ Cup pine nuts (optional)

Directions:

In a food processor, finely chop the Garlic-Mustard leaves, garlic and pine nuts

Slowly mix in cheese and oil to desired taste and consistency

Recommendations:

Eat with bread, crackers, or pasta

Save for future dishes by freezing in ice cube trays

*When harvesting garlic mustard, harvest only the 1^st year plant. Be carful not to knock into the 2^nd year plants that are often nearby and spread their seeds. Pull the 1^st year plants up by the roots and take everything home with you. Put what you do not use in the trash, never the compost. Because it is an invasive plant, we must take all precautions not to enable it to spread.