- $50
Vernal Virtues: Volume I
a springtime plant walk with herbalist jim mcdonald
From April into May when sleeping flora begin to burst from the ground, plant people and herbfolk are usually quite busy soaking it all in, sowing seeds, and harvesting these vital foods and medicines. For over twenty years, jim has offered innumerable herb walks, sharing what he knows about the virtues of these springtime plants.
You can join jim in the northeastern woodlands of Michigan to learn about a slew of wild foods and medicinals found in yards, woods and wetlands... along with jim's two first rules of wildcrafting and his recommended harvesting tools.
Through a blend of story, experience, humour, common sense and lore discover the virtues of:
Nettles ∙∙∙ Pedicularis ∙∙∙ Water Hemlock
Skunk Cabbage ∙∙∙ Jewelweed ∙∙∙ Strawberry
Cleavers ∙∙∙ Dandelion ∙∙∙ Prickly Ash
Poison Ivy ∙∙∙ Violet ∙∙∙ Ground Ivy
This is volume I of the vernal virtues plant walk series encompassing over 3 hours of video.
Volume II coming soon!
This class will be available to watch online until December 31, 2025.
All online classes are non-refundable. More information here.
FREE Preview
The Skunk Cabbage Vernal Walk, where you may not want to stop & smell the flowers.
What's Included?
Harvesting Practices
Learn jim's First Two Rules
Tools of the Trade: Thoughts of jim
Nettles: Urtica dioica
Go on the Nettles Vernal Virtues Walk. Where jim says it stings, but only a little... maybe.
Violet: various Viola species
View the Violet Vernal Walk. Where the skeeters love jim.
Pedicularis: Pedicularis canadensis.
Might not want to call it lousewort.
Join the Pedicularis Vernal Walk and ponder why you might not want to call it lousewort.
Water Hemlock: Cicuta maculata
Join jim in learning about this deadly beauty on the Water Hemlock Vernal Walk
Skunk Cabbage: Symplocarpus foetidus
The Skunk Cabbage Vernal Walk, where you may not want to stop & smell the flowers.
PreviewJewelweed Walk: Impatiens capensis
The Jewelweed Vernal Walk: for those who love sparkly plants
Strawberry: Fragaria species
Go on the Strawberry Vernal Walk. It's so juicy & sweet.
Poison Ivy: Toxicodendron radicans
Hear jim express his love on the Poison Ivy Early Vernal Walk.
Cleavers: Galium aparine
Cleavers Vernal Walk: learn about cat tongues- huh?
Dandelion: Taraxacum officinale
Go on the Dandelion Vernal Walk & all your wishes will come true.
Prickly Ash: Zanthoxylum americanum
Prickly Ash Early Vernal Walk.: Our northern citrus... yes that's really a thing.
Ground Ivy : Glechoma hederacea
Sit with Ground Ivy in the yard. Why did jim plant this here?
find out what is coming up next
(because you always wanted to know)