“The Gift of Strawberries”
The Sweetness Beneath Our Feet: Spring Medicine in Western New York
Inspired by Braiding Sweetgrass
“The land knows you, even when you are lost.”
— Robin Wall Kimmerer
In Western New York, I can feel Winter beginning to soften into Spring when the mornings are filled with birdsong — when the chill in the air turns to a cool, playful breeze and the sun’s light begins to stir the waking world. There’s a scent of birth, of beginnings. The Earth stretches, and I can feel her renewal in the air around me.
Spring brings the reawakening of all who’ve rested through Winter’s long stillness. Plants and animals emerge in their rebirthed forms — like butterflies leaving their cocoons. The roots that have been resting, storing their strength, now send their energy upward. The tulips are among the first to bloom, painting the land with joy and color. Their presence feels like hope — a celebration of life after months of darkness.
Wild Medicine of the Heart
Among the first fruits of summer, the wild strawberry — the heart of the Earth — ripens as a symbol of gratitude, forgiveness, and love. In tradition, strawberries are celebrated as the “berries of peace,” a bridge between human and spirit, reminding us of the sweetness of reciprocity.
Beyond their sacred symbolism, strawberries are powerful healers. Rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and polyphenols, they support heart health, cleanse the blood, soothe inflammation, and brighten the skin. They help the body digest and renew — just as they help the spirit remember joy.
“The strawberries remind us that gifts once given must be shared.”
— Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass
To eat a strawberry mindfully is to taste sunlight, rain, and patience — the quiet labor of bees, soil, and time. Each berry reminds us that sweetness, when shared, multiplies.
Native Plant Allies of Western New York
In this region, we are blessed with many native plants that carry deep medicine for both body and soul:
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – A natural healer for wounds and fevers, Yarrow teaches balance and protection. Its feathery leaves remind us that softness and strength can coexist.
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) – Antiviral and aromatic, Bee Balm clears the lungs and inspires creativity. It calls in pollinators, weaving harmony through the garden.
Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) – Heart medicine, a tonic of sweetness and love, reminding us to receive the Earth’s generosity with open hands.
“If we use a plant respectfully, it will stay with us and flourish. If we ignore it, it will go away.”
— Traditional Ecological Wisdom
These plants have always known the rhythm of harmony — returning each season with exactly what is needed, never taking more than they give.
Living in Harmony with the Land
To live more sustainably is to live in relationship — to give at least as much as we take, to tend to the land that tends to us. By planting and protecting native plants, we restore balance and help the soil, pollinators, and ecosystems thrive.
“Native plants are not only important to add to your landscape for the betterment of our environment, but outperform and are easier to grow than non-native plants.”
— Urban Roots Co-op
When we allow what is native to flourish, Mother Earth responds with abundance. She gives us medicine for colds in cold season, healing herbs for flu season, and nourishment in every cycle. Her timing is perfect — and her gifts, endless.
We are invited to listen, to plant with intention, to let our gardens become sanctuaries of reciprocity. The more we give back, the more we remember that we are part of her living body — not separate from it.
Holistic Takeaway
“When we give more than we take, we are practicing the art of belonging.”
— Robin Wall Kimmerer
The Earth doesn’t ask for much — only that we remember her, and give back. Each season is a conversation between our hearts and the land: her offering of nourishment, our offering of gratitude.
When we slow down enough to notice the gifts beneath our feet — the wild medicines, the colors, the songs — we begin to understand that reciprocity is love in action. To plant a native flower, to tend the soil, to whisper a thank you to the rain — these are sacred acts.
When we care for the Earth, we don’t just heal the land; we heal the parts of ourselves that forgot we belong to it.
Resources
Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Native Plant Guide
Urban Roots Co-op – Native Plant Resources
Illustrated Native Plant Guide for WNY
WNY Waterkeeper Intro to Native Plants PDF
With Love, Irma Rose
