Springtime and Foraging in North Carolina
Click the image above to watch the video
I’ve been having a lot of fun this spring. Springtime in Western North Carolina is absolutely magical, and it might just be the most beautiful spring I’ve ever experienced.
It has definitely had its rough patches—a deep frost early one that killed off all the blooms and then later, more surprising crazy weather that thankfully didn’t damage anything further.
But that’s just spring—winter doesn’t fully want to give up control yet, but the world is pulling for the warmth and the growth.
I took a beekeeping class a few weeks ago. I plan on getting honey bees in the future, but I need to wait until I find my home. While relocating a beehive is doable, it doesn’t sound like very much fun.
The class was amazing though and watching the bees work was mesmerizing.
I’ve also been foraging every week! I started a foraging immersive course at the end of March and I’ve already learned so much about wild edibles.
One of the foods I was most looking forward to meeting was ramps—or wild leeks. I’d heard so much about them in the past, but I’d never had the opportunity to try them. I created my own version of a ramp butter recipe and made a video on it, which you can find here, if you’d like to check it out. In it I also talk about what I learned about sustainably harvesting ramps, because they’re considered a threatened plant species.
I’ve also begun learning how to grow mushrooms! My first adventure was with blue oyster mushrooms, and they were delicious—especially when I cooked them in my ramp butter.
Another thing that I’ve been doing—a lot—is mowing the grass. I’d never mowed a lawn before moving here, because I’d never had any grass to mow before. My first session was rough, because I let the grass grow too long, but I’m getting better and it’s getting easier, each week.
I’m probably the only person who mows and actively brakes for bees. But as you saw earlier in my video, I’m a huge fan of bees and I don’t want to hurt them.
That’s all I have for this week’s update! I’ve been having more forest adventures and foraging more wild foods, so I’ll have more to share in my next blog post.
Thanks for reading along! I look forward to connecting with you next time!
-----Camera and Gear Used To Shoot This Video -----
Camera (Canon EOSR): https://amzn.to/44dteQJ
Camera (Canon M50): https://amzn.to/44uEGbb
Gimbal (Zhiyun Crane M2 used for Canon M50): https://amzn.to/44co47G
Telephoto Lens (Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II): https://amzn.to/43evx4T
Wide Angle Lens (Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM Lens): https://amzn.to/3rmZLFs
Drone (DJI Mavic Air 2): https://amzn.to/44fPNoa
Hi, I’m Kristen!
I envision a world where you and I rediscover what it is to be human, through connection with ourselves, each other and the natural world around us.