Three days of recent low tides had us up early harvesting kelp along the North coast. Our primary interest being in Bladderwrack, Sweet Sarah, Nori, and the elusive Sea Palm!!!
Most of the kelp came easy, lying on rocks along the exposed shore, or in pools left behind by the tide, the Sea Palm being the most difficult due to it's desire to grow on the sides of steep rocks. Fears of sleeper waves aside, we went for it!
We harvested using sustainable methods. Enough plant was left intact to allow for regrowth, like harvesting herbs or greens on land. This particular time of year was chosen for harvest mainly due to the tides being the lowest of the year, also because the sea vegetables are in their young state, making them tender and sweet.
After the harvest and a brief lay on the beach we took our bounty back to the farm to air dry for packaging. I tried to get Heidi to go along with wrapping ourselves in Nori, spa style, but she wasn't into it. Maybe next time. We'll be back in a few weeks for the last harvest of the year!
Medicine
