This spring has been a particularly good season for Dandelions, the hills and roadsides are carpeted in their golden glow. Interacting with nature first hand creates learning experiences that are memorable and meaningful, making food from our wild plants builds a deep connection with nature and boosts our wellbeing.
Let us guide you through the process of making Dandelion Jelly so you can stock your cupboards with this delicious sweet treat!
Whilst using this nature activity to inspire learning, know you are helping you and your family's wellbeing like this:
1) Get Active - Get moving by going for a walk to find out where you are able to source your dandelions from unsprayed and pet fouling free areas.
2) Keep Learning - Take the time to learn a little more about the common dandelion that is often dismissed as a weed at this time, consider it's physical structure and how it grows. Think about its purpose within the environment and it's many uses as a food source for not only the insects and bees but ourselves.
3) Be Mindful - Ensure that you are picking the common dandelion, there is a variation that you could mistake it for. Use an app and/or research properly before you go and start picking. Also know that they are an important source of food for insects especially at the start of the spring so only pick what you need and if possible spread out where you pick from. Be mindful of those other creatures and their needs.
4) Practice Kindness -Why not fill a few smaller jars (recycle and reused where possible) and gift them to family and friends who may never have tried it.
5) Think Community -On your journey around to find dandelions, why not litter pick to help free our surroundings of this issue for us and our wildlife. Share your recipes, tips and beautiful outcomes in the comments.
#wildflowers #familyactivity #childactivity #family #kids #wellbeing #cooking #baking #biscuits #kidsactivity #nature #natureplay #natureconnection #community #familyfun
This looks wonderful. I’ll definitely try this with the children xx
Thanks for sharing Rachel- we're really pleased you enjoyed making the honey/syrup. Ours has long been eaten but keep your eyes peeled for the second bloom of Dandelions soon.
I had a go and managed more of a syrup but it still tastes lovely (similar to honey). When picking the 300 dandelions 😅 I noticed that when I got to about 80 I had begun to tune into other plants that I hadn't noticed like cowslips. Really enjoyed it. Thanks