Spring foraging

First plant tour of the year will search out edible greens and clues for coming shoots

DAMASCUS, PA — Nathaniel Whitmore, a local herbalist who has led nature walks in the area for the past few years, will start off this season of walks at 2:00 p.m. on March 25 at the Whitmore farm on Whitmore Road off Route 370. The walk will focus on the first wild plants that are available for harvest in the early spring.

The season’s first edible greens will be coming back to life. If the soil is thawed, Whitmore will dig up some edible and medicinal roots from their winter dormancy. He will discuss trees, which provide pleasant and nutritional teas.

Whitmore will also show how to identify the dried-up remains of last year’s plant growth, which provide important clues for the wild food and herb forager, showing where there might be wild roots or “shoots.” Shoots are the tender young growths of plants, which are sometimes the best or only edible portions. They can be difficult to find at the right time because they are small when you want to find them. However, the previous year’s growth often remains standing in dried form, marking the spot.

Many people find joy in this change of seasons. The warmer weather, returning birds and awakening plant life are exciting. The forager, who is intimate with the changing details and aware of the not-so-obvious, finds particular delight in using the fruits of the season for nourishment and health. You might be surprised to learn what treasures can be discovered in your own back yard. A hat will be passed for voluntary contributions.

Other walks coming up this spring include:

Sunday, April 23. Earth Day Event. Bear Creek Nature Center in Bear Creek (570/472-0291). Whitmore will give a talk at 11:00 a.m. and lead a hike from 12:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 13. Nature Walk. Northern Wayne Library in Lakewood (570/798-2444). 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 20. Nature Walk. Salem Library in Hamlin on 191 south of 4 corners (570/689-0903). 1:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 21. Poisonous Look-alikes. Damascus Township Community Center in Damascus on Conklin Hill Road. 2:00 p.m.

Friday, May 26. Nature’s Nutrients. Prompton Lake in Prompton. Take 6 west to 170 north to sign for dam. 3:00 p.m.

For more information, call 570/224-0264 or email nathanielwhitmore@yahoo.com.