this entry is an excerpt from urban wilderness: a guide to resourceful city living by christopher nyerges, published in 1979 by peace press.
"The quality of our environment is becoming rapidly and progressively degenerate, but we need not be apathetic and uncaring. One person can do alot. Too many of us toss food wrappers on an already littered roadside. Hikers too often break branches senselessly, roll or throw rocks, scar hillsides or leave a sloppy camp behind. What differences can minor changes make when everything is so bad already? Nothing changes or improves unless individuals vow to change their personal habits. Know with pride that you are not contributing to environmental deterioration. Not only can you refrain from personally adding to environmental deterioration, but you can also teach others by example. Seek ways to improve specific areas, and make sure you leave an area clean before you move on. Don't leave your mess for the sanitation department or someone else.
Johnny Appleseed or John Chapman, a nurseryman, herb doctor, military hero and religious enthusiast of the early 1800s, became a legendary figure in American history, because he fervently distributed apple seeds and sprouts as he wandered through Ohio. The plants he established in the wilds made welcome treats for later wilderness travelers. When Johnny Appleseed left the earth, he left it a better place.
Become modern Johnny and Judy Appleseeds, planting seeds wherever you go. Carry small seed packets to distribute seeds wherever you can, in areas you pass daily. Hikers can introduce favorite food plants along trails and streams. You may think planting seeds is a small contribution, but we've got to start somewhere, making the earth a garden again.
What are the most feasible plants for us to spread? For starters, plant onion, garlic and chives; they commonly grow wild in sandy riverbanks. Onions and garlic are healthful foods, antiseptics that protect the body from contagious and infectious disease. Mashed raw garlic and onion leaves relieve external bites and wounds. Fresh onions can make a meal come alive. When you use wild onions, pick and use the greens only. If you leave the bulbs, they will continue to multiply and reproduce, year after year.
Tomatoes do surprisingly well in the wild and need less water than you might think. Once the seeds have sprouted and the plants establish themselves from spring rains, tomato plants will do well on their own. I have seen tomato plants in shaded canyon areas produce tomatoes for at least three years. When you harvest wild tomatoes, squeeze out some seeds, so more plants will sprout up. Tomato leaves and stems make a good dye that requires no mordant. They dye wool and silk reddish brown to light yellow, depending on the season.
Scatter fennel and celery seeds, especially in moist environments. Once celery is established, you'll have a permanent supply of this good salad addition. Fennel, also called wild licorice, is able to endure drier environments, such as vacant lots and roadsides. Eat the tender bases of fennel stalks as well as the celerylike bases of the leaves. The abundant fennel seeds make good licorice-tasting tea which has a great variety of medicinal uses.
Jerusalem artichokes are a potatolike tuber of the sunflower family. Like the potato, each "eye" will produce a plant. Moist, loamier soils are best for this plant, so the bulbs can expand easily. Planted in winter or early spring, the tubers will be ready to harvest the following autumn, after the plant has flowered and died. Eat Jerusalem artichokes raw in salad, boiled, sliced and fried, or boiled and whipped into "mashed potatoes".
Distribute the seeds of kale, collards, Swiss chard and broccoli. Althought wild greens tend to have smaller leaves, they provide a semi-permanent source of vitamin-rich food.
Plant radishes, carrots and beets in the "wild", and harvest the roots later. If the root is not used the first year, all but the outer layer becomes too fibrous to eat. The edible greens of beets and radishes will be available even after the roots are tough. Wild carrot seeds can be harvested, winnowed and used for seasoning.
For the more devout modern Appleseeds, try planting sprouted avocado seeds in empty lots or along roadsides. Grape vine and young fig trees will also do well. We really can change the world- but not until we change ourselves."
