harvest

e-mail ARTIST: Shelly Ceglar

Wiingashkoon

Harvest & Storage

Description

Materials

Harvest & Storage

Basket Making

Seasonal Baskets

Evaluation & Ojibwe Language

Resources

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Identify the plant by it's pleasing aroma when cut or drying, it's waxlike shiny gleem in the sun, and it's wide blade growth in full sun in a marshy area. The root stem is smooth and a creamy white with a pink/purple glow. The plant's 3-5 blades grow smooth without defined joints. The small stringy roots can be harvested and are sacred medicine. Many Ojibwe elders speak of the "good medicine" for health provided by smudging with this sacred plant. In traditional spirituality, Mino-bimaadiziwin - The Good Life, it is important to give back something before taking from Aki - Earth. Asemaa - tobacoo, another sacred plant is first sprinkled with words of honor, respect and Miigwech - Thanks for the plant life we harvest.

Explore Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata (L.)Sites
	Sweetgrass Plants	Sweetgrass Braids	Sweetgrass baskets from South Carolina: "Sweetgrass- baskets.com"

Storage

Storage of sweetgrass is easy. Allow the plant to dry in open air for a day or two before using to prevent mold growth. The leaves will curl lengthwise and remain pliable. Some prefer to tie at the root and hang bundles of grass upside down to dry and store. To transport, smudge or store in a more condensed form, it is easy to braid 12-24 plants together starting at the root. The plant will lose it's green color after some time and when stored in open light. It is best to keep braids and art pieces out of direct sunlight. The plant will keep it's fragrant aroma for years! To use for basketry after it has dried, soak in warm water for a few minutes.