08/30/2026
Goldenrod is in bloom right now, and these next two weeks are the time to gather it if you're going to.
Take the flowering tops just as they open, on a dry morning after the dew has burned off. Strip them from the stem, spread them somewhere shady and airy, and let them dry all the way through before they go in a jar. The tea is warm, slightly bitter, and has a surprisingly light anise scent.
And if you've been avoiding goldenrod because you think it sets off your hay fever, the culprit is ragweed. It's a plain green plant blooming in the same ditch, and nobody notices it.