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Plants For A Future Information
From: Stephen Barstow <Sbarstow>
Greetings from Norway
I guess some of what follows is on their Web site. However, Plants for a Future is actually a charity devoted to the collection of information on the many useful plants that can be grown in temperate climates. They have also been building up a collection of mostly wild edibles at their site in Cornwall, England. I joined as a supporting member a couple of years ago - they put out a regular Newsletter which always has something of interest. They moved a year or so ago to a better, bigger site but, unfortunately have been having all sorts of problems in getting planning permission from the local authorities who seem to view them as a group of wierdoes with ulterior motives.
Ken Fern, who is the man behind Plants for a Future was a bus driver in London in the late 70s, couldn't stand the thought of continuing for another 40 years and bought a small field instead with the aim to try his hand at self-sufficiency. He spent 15 years or so researching edible plants and compiled the database of 7,000 edible plants, their uses and cultivation details which is available free of charge (apart from p+p) on CD, floppy or via the Internet. I got my copy when I joined and it really is a fantastic piece of work which is fully referenced. I have it installed locally on my PC and it has been an invaluable reference which I frequently use. Ken and Plants for a Future certainly deserve our support and encouragement.
Ken Fern also published a book last year entitled "Plants for a Future: Edible & Useful Plants for a Healthier World" Permanent Publications ISBN 1-85623-011-2. Can be ordered from Permanent Publications (http://www.permaculture.co.uk). The book is excellent and presents Ken's personal choice of favourite edibles. By the way the front of the book is a picture of a Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva 'Kwanso'). There are two pages in the book 'devoted to the many species and cultivars. of Daylily. I was amused by the following quote from the book: "Warning: regarding any species or cultivars with yellow or scented flowers. Virtually every male I have given them to has liked them, but about 50% of females have a violent reaction, saying that the flowers leave a distinct and unpleasant aftertaste which has been likened by sweaty armpits by some of them!"
Any of the Daylily bud eating ladies on this list had this experience?? Are the Daylilies you find yellow-flowered??
Steve Barstow
Hello Stephen and All,
Your write-up of Ken Fern and Plants for a Future nearly says it all. The newsletters have not been as frequent at the moment because of the huge job of converting a desolate impoverished "conventional" farmland into a haven for wildlife producing plant foods that feeds many more people in an indefinitely sustainable system. In a couple of years it will be an essential place to visit, although a little out of the way in North Devon. In the meantime there is plenty to see on-line at the Plants for a Future website http://www.pfaf.org/index.html
David Barrett in North Wales