The first harvest of the year is one I didn’t even plant. Not long ago the purple blossoms began to pop up and soon spread all over the empty garden beds, pathways, and across the lawn. My gardening group said it was henbit, a first food for pollinators. We were told it would give the bees a head start and eventually wither back, so I left it alone and enjoyed the view. Then my herbalism and foraging group mentioned “getting the henbit in” and I was intrigued.

Henbit is in the nettle family and a source of vitamins C, A, E, and K. It is a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic, used internally and externally. It’s been used for fevers and women’s health and anxiety disorders. Also – it’s free and everywhere I look in early spring.

I brought in two full canner pots this morning and have not made a dent in the crop – which is advised so it will repopulate next year. I rinsed and pat dried and they are air drying in the sunroom now. I hope to get a bit more in before they are finished.

How often what we discount as nuisance at best or outright discouraging is actually full of potential. A gift in disguise.