The Sustainable Living Podcast

Edible native plants are usually written off as weeds by most people. But as Peggy Otterstrom has learned, these plants are often undiscovered treasures filled with nutrition, medicine and effortless natural beauty. I met Peggy nearly three years ago, shortly after I moved to Big Bear City, in Southern California. As someone who was both new to the San Bernardino Mountains and new to homesteading, I was anxious to learn from more seasoned local gardeners about what plants grew best here as well as what native plants were edible and perennial. Peggy's garden is well-known here in Big Bear as it's been part of the local Xeriscape Tour, many times. It sports an incredible diversity of native plants, many of which have become regular additions to Peggy's diet. A group of us women here go hiking together once a week and Peggy is often the one leading us, pointing out this flower and that bush and making note of everything that's edible or medicinal. Honestly, I couldn't believe my luck when Peggy visited my house