Susan Mulligan

plantain for healing

I live in the Pacific Northwest and we have high humid and a lot of rain.  I have had a lot of luck overwintering Fava beans and letting them mature in early to mid summer.  When dry they can be used just like a pinto or other dry beans.  I also grow English runner beans that can take cooler weather.  When dry these are great in minestrone and other soups.  Some times the runner beans will develop a large root that looks like a dark yam and they return the next year with no planting.  The first time this happened I was soooo surprised!!!  I usually have to pick the runner beans  as soon as they look extra fat and dry inside if it is a cool wet fall.  It is a challenge to get dried beans here in the coastal climate.

Welcome Susan!!!  
Thank you for writing such an awesome book.   In this day and age we need more subsistence storage crops to get though the winter months.  I will enjoy reading the whole book as there are always more to learn about plants.  The bean family is very large and I am looking forward to trying out some new varieties!!!  Thanks again:)

Keep persevering, know  you do make a difference.  Off grid living and self-sufficiency is empowering and brings happiness to you and others.  Keep sharing and teaching.  Our children and other children will learn and see the beauty and simplicity of it all.  Mother Nature if we listen gives us all great abundance in substance and spirit.

I also am also surrounded by a northwest forest.  Red elderberries abound on the edges of my homestead.  They are very beautiful and supply food to a large variety of wildlife.  I have planted native black American elderberries lining the driveway.  Some are 12 feet tall now providing more wildlife food and lots of black elderberry syrup.  Such a good medicinal.  We are living in a land of abundance!  Just listen to nature talking she will direct you.

Yes I agree smaller chunks would be better.  You could have a quick overview of the philosophy behind Wheaton labs for nubies and a quick tour then break off into more detail on related subjects and projects.  The more positive info for healing the planet and living entities the better.
Thank you for being part of the vision.  We need more off grid excrement!

I have camped out since 17 years old and met my husband at 19.  We lived all our lives off grid together until his death 10 years ago.  Still off grid alone and loving it.  Grandchildren and children visit and love it too.  I am always upgrading to make a life of ease as I age . Susan

Love the info and picture! I will try pollarding a tree here.  Very nice.  Thank you Anne!

Hi everyone!  The black elder berries tree work awesome here in the pacific northwest in the forest garden.  The berries are great dried for adding to cereal in the winter months.  Also a wonderful syrup for flu protection and immune system strength.  I have thornless black berries, strawberries berries, and angelica growing nearby.  The elderberries are easily propagated from dormant cuttings taken in late January or early February.  Thank you everyone for sharing such important info about  forest gardening!!

I take 2-3 feverfew leaves rolled up and disguised in food as soon as I feel a head ache.  1 hour later I feel much better.  I repeat  again if necessary.  I have a friend who eats one leaf of feverfew every day and says it changed his life! No more migraines.  The leaf does not taste good.   I hope this helps.