Not Taking the First, Not the Last Either, and Leaving Some for the Birds
The Honourable Harvest Week 4
As I create the guide called Sharing our Nature, meant to help people wanting to start their own seed libraries in Eastern Canada, I notice many overlapping movements converging towards a greater appreciation of our native plants. We are starting to recognize how much they feed our wildlife, but also make our life here possible. In this, there are principles we should all follow that were well-known by our ancestors, no matter where we come from. They happened to be well-put together by Robin Wall Kimmerer at page 180 of her book, Braiding Sweetgrass.
This weekly column, stretching into October, will tell of stories I have around those principles, and the way I see my own involvement in this societal shift. These principles are evidently meant to be lived, not solved with quick answers.
Past Articles Based on Principles
Know the ways of the ones who take care of you, so that you may take care of them.
Introduce yourself. Be accountable as the one who comes asking for life.
4th principle of the Honourable Harvest : Never take the first. Never take the last.
This principle should be self-evident. Some of nature’s products are so abundant that you just know it won’t mind if you take some of its gifts. Even if you see an entire grove of a berry tree, it’s good practice to not strip the whole thing bare, and to leave some for others.
On the opposite end, if you stumble on one cluster of berries on a singular stalk, wait until you see more before taking. I think that just stands on its own.
In our collective garden, we try to harvest what we planted, especially. But some volunteers have planted themselves, such as a now-sizeable choke cherry we inherited from the house that used to be there. These factors, like the native plants that were there already (Jewelweed, St. John’s Wort, Goldenrod and New York Asters, too), make the garden an oasis of food not just for us, but also for others.
In a downtown area where fruit trees for the birds are few and far between, and groceries are mostly accessible by car only, the space acts as a little damper, at least in my conscience.
I know choke cherries are technically “edible”, but I would describe it politely as “astringent” myself. Starchy even. Not something I would recommend. But the birds seem to love it.
Can you spot the sparrow among the tree’s boughs?
In this case, I find the choke cherry symbolizes for me the birds’ invitation to dine with us at the garden.
In May, they make these lovely flowers, even. What’s not to love? Something for the birds in the summer, and for the pollinators in spring.
This blog entry was a bit shorter than usual, but I am convinced that you, the reader, already thinks the first and last should be left for others.
Have a great week and don’t forget to ask before taking! When foraging, do you sometimes make some space for other things to eat, too?