Take A Plant to Lunch
A Simple Way to Get to Know Plants Near You
"What is a weed?
A plant whose virtues have never been discovered."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Next time you're out on the town, hike the knees of your pants up and bend down to peer at a little round cluster of leaves peeking up out of the sidewalk. Ask the little chap what it is all about ... Take time to listen for an introduction. You might have to risk sitting down for a spell because sometimes the voices of beings who are stepped upon, ripped out, and forgotten are hard to hear.
This is a practice any of us could stand to do with anyone or anything we perceive as inherently useless, mundane, in-the-way, or "other."
This isn’t just a suggestion. It’s a ritual that I like to refer to as “Taking a Plant to Lunch.” When you first get to know someone, you might learn their name, maybe a little about where they live, or what they do for work. But, I would bet you don’t know what side of the bed this new acquaintance wakes up on or the sound she makes when she nervously clears her throat before addressing a client with bad news.
If you want to know someone you’ve just met more deeply, I suggest taking them to lunch. Plan for one or two hours. Maybe go to your favorite cafe or share a picnic in a local park. If the date goes well, schedule a longer meeting on another day, preferably something that allows for fun, movement, or a shared interest that came up during your lunch together.
So, in the spirit of getting to know a plant better, taking it to lunch might look something like this:
Observe its leaves, flowers, or fruits for color, shape, and orientation.
Notice where it likes to grow (in the soil, on a tree, in the water, etc).
Consider whether it prefers sun, shade, or some of both.
Discover its current relationships (pollinators, predators, and prey).
Maybe even learn its name. HERE are my suggestions for PNW field guides.
Taking notes (mentally or physically) is a good idea. These first impressions are important to remember so that you can easily find and greet your new friend if you see them out in public. If you’re feeling particularly spicy, maybe you could try drawing the plant in your notebook like Jack does for Rose in the Titanic movie.
I doubt I would ever take a notebook to a first date with a human being, but plants, animals, and fungi don’t seem to mind me taking notes about their habits.
When and if you’re ready, here are some ideas for future actions, dates, and conversations to deepen intimacy:
Find a recipe or craft to make together.
Get dressed up to visit with your plant ally.
Invite the plant to dream with you and record your dream upon waking.
Bring the plant gifts (water, tobacco, bone meal, compost).
Plan a spa day (prune the plant, do your makeup together, etc.).
Spend time together in silence.
Tell the plant about yourself, too! Share life updates and challenges.
Talk about future plans: what happens in a year, two years?
What are we? (I.e. What does this relationship have to teach us?)
My hope in sharing this activity is that you will find weeds and other plants you previously looked over as allies or at least acquaintances to greet when you walk down the street, work in your garden, or visit a hiking trail.
MAYBE you’ll even find a “weed” that stops being a weed and starts being a friend.
Which plants are you taking to lunch? Leave a comment below!