5 WAYS TO LEAD A PLANTIFUL LIFE
No matter where you live, channelling your inner greenie has never been easier!
GET INTO FORAGING
Some people may call them weeds, but did you know that plants like dandelions and chickweeds are completely edible? Foraging has become increasingly popular in recent years, with wild plants making their way onto tables in some of the hippest restaurants. And the rest of us can get into it, too – you just need to know where to look and how to safely identify them!
“Foraging is harvesting edible and medicinal plants,” says Sydney artist and foraging expert Diego Bonetto, who teaches people how to find edible wild plants everywhere from Sydney’s inner suburbs to the Southern Highlands of NSW. “This can happen in your own backyard, from trees in the park, or out in a field.”
While foraging may be growing in popularity, Bonetto says it’s nothing new. “Indigenous people in Australia have the oldest continuous knowledge of using plants for food, medicine and craft,” he says. “In Australia, we can also access great knowledge from our migrant communities.”
While you can forage anywhere, Bonetto says it’s important to choose places that are clean. “Classic foraged foods are the dandelions commonly found in your lawn, mulberries and lilly pilly down at the park, or the pine mushrooms found in state forests.”
Many common “weeds” are also surprisingly high in vitamins. And given it’s a sustainable way of sourcing food, you’ll be doing yourself and the planet a favour.
“Foraging is a great way to connect with your environment,” Bonetto adds.
“It helps keep non-native species in check and it will foster a deeper understanding of your local ecology.”
Because some plants can be difficult to safely identify, it’s important to know what you’re doing.
“Learn from experienced people. Join your local bush regeneration group, so you can look after ecologies and in return get edible weeds,” advises Bonetto, who also suggests joining one of his workshops. “They’re designed to teach identification skills, so participants can recognise wild food sources in their own surroundings.” Visit diegobonetto.com
JOIN A COMMUNITY GARDEN IN YOUR AREA
If you’ve been longing to start your own vegie patch (but don’t have the space) a community garden might be perfect for you. These urban oases have been cropping up in cities around the country – and their popularity is only, well, growing. There are a range of options, from communal to individual to group plots. All it takes is an annual fee (the costs vary depending on where you live) and a little bit of your time each week. Check online for a garden near you.
EMBRACE THE URBAN JUNGLE
Whether you’re looking for a single desk plant or a mini jungle for your living room, house plants are huge right now. And it’s easy to see why. Not only do they look great, studies show that having plants is good for your mental health and wellbeing. The key is to stick to varieties that suit your home and lifestyle. Consider how much light you have, how much time you have to take care of them and whether you need to avoid any species that are toxic to kids or pets.
CREATE A TINY FOREST
Want to take your love of house plants a step further? It may be time to create your own tiny ecosystem! Terrariums are one of the cutest trends to appear in recent years, and there are plenty of ways to get involved. Instagram can be a great way to get inspired, or you could consider signing up for a workshop (classbento.com.au have a number of classes). Another good option is a terrarium kit, which has all the tools you need to get started.