It is wonderful to think about the foods that are growing all by themselves which will make a great snack as we are out for a walk. Sheep sorrel and miner’s lettuce come to mind often found close to a path. Their tender leaves and lively taste are fun to discover and nibble. Not to rain on this feast, but a word for attentiveness: many of us, me included, walk with our beloved dogs along these paths. Dogs are such great companions, and, as you’ve noticed, they do have a habit of lifting their legs or having a quick squat now and then. Keep that in mind when you pick your snack.

Your garden will also give you tasty food at this time of year, not necessarily from the stuff that you planted but from the weeds that come up all by themselves. Chickweed, dandelion greens and pepper grass are often ripped out to make way for our own plantings, but they are delicious and nutritious greens to enjoy by themselves or added to whatever salad we might be preparing.

A picnic idea, for totally biodegradable plates to eat from, (no dishes to wash when you are finished), use skunk cabbage leaves. Don’t get carried away and try to eat your plate. The only part that is good medicine is part of the root, but that takes a lot of drying and processing, so for now just enjoy your single use, entirely expendable green plates.