By Lynn, on May 20th, 2012

In just a 1 meter square patch of land, on the outer edge of park Frankendael, I found all these useful herbs today…
Medicinal Comfrey (Symphytum uplandica):
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) and Ground Elder (Aegopodium podograria) growing amongst each other:
Also, Burdock (Arctium lappa)
Poisonous member of the Carrot family, Hemlock (Conium maculatum):
Notice how similar it looks to Chervil. . . . → Read More: 365 Frankendael day 30
By Lynn, on May 20th, 2012

Here’s our dinner this evening.
Between us, as a side dish, we enjoyed the leaves of two large dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) picked from Ben & Riny’s garden a couple of hours ago.
After a good rinse, I roughly chopped the leaves and simply added them to the pan juices after frying chicken and eventually an onion. I added . . . → Read More: Easy Dandelions
By Lynn, on May 19th, 2012

Hop (Humulus lupulus – what a latin name!) is entwined about a meter up last year’s dead stems today and looks far healthier and more vigorous than any cultivated Hop plant I have seen. I am really looking forward to seeing whether or not its flowers are as impressive.
Mugwort is growing beautifully on wasteland near . . . → Read More: 365 Frankendael day 29
By Lynn, on May 18th, 2012

Today, two new arrivals for 365 Frankendael…
Red clover is starting to bloom in the park. At least today is the first day I have noticed it. Unfortunately the huge clover area next to Restaurant de Kas was cleared for some purpose, this spring so that won’t be available for harvesting but it is present in . . . → Read More: 365 Frankendael day 28
By Lynn, on May 17th, 2012

Today, a lovely walk through the park with Lucile and the little ones. We each went home with a few leaves of Ground Elder and a little Ground Ivy. Plenty of other herbs in season though…
Here’s the foliage from a Wild Carrot! Not one to be dug up, though it would probably taste great. I . . . → Read More: 365 Fraendael day 27
By Lynn, on May 16th, 2012

Journalist Lake Montgomery contacted me a while ago to find out more about urban foraging in Amsterdam. In this month’s TimeOut Amsterdam magazine, her article is part of the Awsome Outdoor Adventures feature. Forage for your supper, gives information about my foraging walks and enthusiasm for eating lime leaves and roses!
Forage for your . . . → Read More: TimeOut Amsterdam features Urbanherbology Walks!
By Lynn, on May 16th, 2012

Ransoms and Garlic mustard are gradually fading and being replaced by other tasty plants. Here are a selection of today’s urban herbs in Amsterdam’s Frankendael Park.
Bugle (Ajuga reptans). Used to be known as the Carpenters herb because it is yet another plant with blood staunching abilities. It looks very similar to Sealheal but has small . . . → Read More: 365 Frankendael day 26
By Lynn, on May 16th, 2012

Here are a few tips on what to take with you, if you go foraging in Amsterdam, or anywhere else for that matter…
Paper bags
Fabric/plastic carrier bag
Rubber/gardening gloves (stinging nettles)
Small scissors (nettles/elderflower/processing herbs)
Sun hat
St. John’s wort oil (sun protection)
Aloe vera gel (sun burn remedy)
Layered clothing
Waterproof jacket
Sturdy shoes/boots
Long trousers and socks (Lymes disease)
Drink
Water for hand/plant washing
Plant ID guide . . . → Read More: Gathering Herbs in May
By Lynn, on May 15th, 2012

Today, daisy, magnolia, pine cones and ribwort during an after work wander between the two Frankendael tram stops.
Daisy (Bellis perenis)has quite a number of historic uses. You can eat this herb as a salad or a pot herb but in places like Frankendael it’s highly likely that your harvest will have been quite heavily soiled or . . . → Read More: 365 Frankendael day 25
By Lynn, on May 14th, 2012

On my wander through the woods of Frankendael today, I saw a beautiful woodpecker sat on a park bench! No time to photograph it but maybe this park will turn me into a bird spotter, by the time this project is through!
Another exciting discovery today was made thanks to the Meetup group. Yi wondered if . . . → Read More: 365 Frankendael day 24