Our past four years at Makaria Farm have been a gradual process of getting to know our land: which path the water takes across the field when it rains in the winter; where the wild rabbits live; where the deer are mostly likely to attempt to breach our fence. After my July workshop with the Renaissance Women, I took this relationship with my farm to a new level.

In July, Roger Foucher took us for a walk around McAdam Park, pointing out edible, medicinal and poisonous plants. I was astonished to learn that we have wild pepper (not peppercorns, but a respectable substitute), plums, grapes, cherries and mint growing wild here in the Cowichan. I ate a peeled thistle stalk: it tasted like celery.

Later that month I decided to take a walk around our farm, to see if I could identify any of our “weeds.” After four years on this property the landscape is familiar and ordinary, but that changed when I took the time to sit and look up plants in my reference books.

Here’s what I found in our overgrown, “weedy” yard:

I found abundant St. John’s Wort, lots of clovers and wild peas (or maybe it’s vetch?), and way too many thistles for Brock’s comfort.

I found chicory, burdock, daisies, nettles, as well as dandelion and all its look-alikes.

I found plantain, wild carrot, a thick stand of blackberry bushes, and much more.

My best find was two healthy patches of Heal-All: nature’s polysporin.

Exploring the pockets and crannies of our land, I also discovered the secret grass bed where our lone hen, Mandela, had been laying her eggs!

Being able to name and understand our many “weeds” makes me feel more at home on our farm. It feels like I’m finally getting to know my neighbours.

Adapted from a version published in Cowichan Valley Voice magazine, August 2011.