River Prairie Apothecary

04/06/2026

We’ve been time traveling on the weekends - aka road tripping to slightly warmer growing climates.

Here in the Chippewa Valley, we are considered 4B…

But down along the Mississippi, especially up on the goat prairies, it’s considered 5B and possibly even 6A on the south facing slopes!

We saw Pasque flower on the recently burned Prairie, and we saw spring beauty in the woods.

We also went down into the wetlands and heard spring peepers in Trempealeau County in the backwaters of the Mississippi.

Just yesterday we were in St. Croix County, and heard some other type of amphibian… But I’m not sure what they are yet…

Can you help me out? A different kind of frog? Toads?

This is very exciting because I think the Chippewa Valley is actually slightly warmer than St Croix County…

So tell me ✨people of the wetlands of this area✨… Are you hearing anything amphibious in the evenings yet??

04/02/2026

The medicinal plants of Beaver-abundant ecosystems

Alder, Willow, Calamus & Ramps

And a whole lotta first-hand beaver footage (thank you Andrew for sharing some of your footage with me!)

(omg I missed the application for so I had to put this somewhere into existence 🙌🌱🦫 herbalism emcompasses beavers now FYI)

03/30/2026

Well, well, well, looks like nettles and I showed up to the party with the same outfit!

(can you guess my favorite color??)

The purple in the early season nettles is activated by the cold, (the same compound is in blueberries and other dark berries) … called anthocyanins...

🤓 they are water-soluble pigments that appear red, purple, blue, or black depending on the PH. The cold activates them - protecting the leaves from being damaged by the cold.

I love to witness the medicinal actions of plants in nature (because they’re not just “good for” us).

When we witness plants in their natural environments and approach them with an open mind and lots of curiosity, sometimes we can even make some assumptions about how they can help us too.

Anthocyanins are not just pretty, they’re also good for our own cells as antioxidants. Consistent consumption can help to prevent chronic diseases, protect your heart and even improve your vision.

Have you noticed any other early season plants that have this purpleish color?

Does your body crave foods that are these colors? 

03/29/2026

Holy moly dream trip!!!!!

We are so so excited to announce that of will be crossing the waters to join us this Autumn for Living Traditions ‘25! She will be weaving in her medicine & music along our way.
We will be guided in rediscovering ancestral traditions, reclaiming folk music as a tool for healing, and engaging in meaningful dialogue about land, lineage, and the human experience 🌀

Delve into the heart of Ireland’s vibrant cultural heritage through traditional ways of living in relationship with a land where story, craft, and song are woven together. Our adventure will lead us to places steeped in ecological, archaeological, and cultural significance in the western wilds of Ireland. Discover hidden stone circles on secluded hillsides, engage with local artisans in their workshops, wander through ancient forests, and visit islands that are living libraries preserving Ireland’s native language and heritage.

We’ll visit stone carvers and woodworkers, learn about basketry and traditional food preservation techniques, and experience the wild landscapes that make it all possible. Get to know the craftspeople and storytellers keeping the skills and spirit of this enchanted island alive. Living Traditions will weave you into a tapestry of skills, stories, songs and places of kinship with the land and its history.

with contributions from plus more!!

You can request a brochure through our website for all the juicy details. (Link in bio)

Le meas

Tara, Chris & all the Wild Routes Crew X

Thanks to for the poster image 🙏🏻 Taken of a production called Strawboys

03/26/2026

I found a regional/local(ish) supplier of bare-root Hawthorn trees! (Yellow River Nursery)

I’ve never ordered from them before, but I just went for it. Minimum order was 10. 😅 ope

03/22/2026

Torches with the girls 😘🔥🌱🧙🧙🏼‍♀️🧙

A lil Sunday fun day DIY with Mullein - and more Equinox celebrating. 🥳 💃

TIPS:
- wax will get on ground, boiling pot, clothes, etc
- these candles are best used outside
- the white or colorful dollar store prayer candles melt at a lower heat
- 3 dunks was perfect if the wax was very hot, 2 dunks if starting to cool down
- Test your candles by dancing around the yard with them
- Invite friends

03/21/2026

It’s the time of year I’m no longer greeting people with…
hi how are you doing

Nope I’m just going to turn to you and ask
Have you been seeing Robins?? 🐦 👀


03/19/2026

Here are the plant friends I just ordered and hope to welcome into my garden and yours!

Please join join me in wishing these lil seeds well in their travels from Oregon to Wisco 🙏✨💕🌱

PS Strictly Medicinal Seeds has 15% off right now if you are looking to order anything! (Code: herb15)

And- As much as I set myself up for success to start my winter sowing this past weekend, I absolutely could not get myself to do it. But now that we are starting a new moon perhaps the energy is better to have waited anyways. Maybe Im planting with the moon 🌑🤔

Soooooo 🙌 Wish me luck in getting it done in the next few hours of sunlight on the back deck. 🥰🌱

I made an attempt to organize my seeding chaos w some documents - I’ll have to winter sow in batches… 🤞 first one done today and the rest (the native plants) when they arrive. (maybe a little pile of snow will be able to prevail on the north side of the house)…

I still don’t know how I’m physically going to be able to do all of this in the coming months, but where there is a will there is a way ✨

03/18/2026

Today I released some roses that were gifted to me back into the wild.

I will watch them through the window as they transition from a still-life in the snow to a pop of color in the browns and grays of late winter.

Yes 🙌 We get to celebrate we have finally (almost) have made it to Spring Equinox.

So how are you feeling in this transition?

Today is also the new moon - adding to the feeling of pause before transformation… Before the snow melts, revealing what lays underneath, and what is left of last season…

Sunrises and sunset times will be noticeably shifting, almost feeling like things are speeding up.

What still needs to go back to the Earth in order to nourish new growth?

What about the adventurous plants who’ve already greened up some leaves, patiently waiting under the snow?

Breathe in this pause before the big melt,

Hold what you need to let go with open palms -

and when you are ready, release.

Exhale.

The spaciousness you created now can soak up the growing light and warmth of spring.

You are not too late.

You still have time to rest.

You are exactly where you need to be.

Let go your burdens.

03/17/2026

Happy St Paddy’s Day to all who celebrate- and to all those who have had to leave their home countries, I honor and celebrate your courage

☘️🇵🇸🇲🇽🇦🇫🇸🇩🇸🇸💚

This video is from my visit with two swans making their way down the Boyne River near Slane, Ireland in July of 2024.