Do you still have anemones? I could offer lemon balm, tansey, various iris, or asters. Thanks!

Brute, You can start with purslane. It grows wild in almost every yard that isn't saturated with chemicals. And it has important food value you can't get with most plants, Omega-3s, for example. I've got it in my yard, and have put it in stir-fry, for the food value, and for the fun of actually eating a weed - free food and oh, how sustainable. It doesn't collapse into mush in stirfry like greens tend to if you aren't incredibly careful, so it's much better in my stirfry than the greens I grow. I've always wondered about all my mushrooms, but I have too many friends with stories of their misspent youth raiding cowpies for the magic type... so I refrain. Would be neat to learn if any are actually edible. And I bet if you leave off the chemicals, and your neighbors do too, the snails would be a good source of protein. Heck, the French love them. As does my puppy. But I'm not up to that yet. Anyone actually know how to cook escargot? Susannah

Forums here? None specifically that I know of but depending upon the subject matter of the post, this or other forums such as Herbs, Harvest, Edible Landscape, Name that Plant, etc. may apply. Check out the link below - I think you'll like it! FataMorgana Here is a link that might be useful: Wildman Steve Brill

Petersons publishes both a medicinal plant and edible plant guide that are invaluable resources but if you are a novice to wild plants and identifying them, I would suggest starting your learning from someone in person. Books are wonderful and I have taught myself much from them but my first teachers about plants, plant safety, and plant identification were my parents when I was very young. I also have taken many in-person identification and herbal medicine classes as well as guided walks and tours. Please look for classes or perhaps herbalists in your area. Wildcrafting and processing the plant material is time-consuming. I'm sure many herbalists would trade learning for help in collecting and processing botanical material. And in learning about your wild resources, be sure to check out United Plant Savers for a list of plants that are "at risk." These are native, medicinal plants that have been decimated in the wild. Be sure to temper your collecting with good stewardship. Good luck in your endeavors! FataMorgana Here is a link that might be useful: Amazon link to Peterson's Medicinal plant book