Harvestables

What are harvestables?
A harvestable is any food that is able to be harvested and is consumable by your crabs. There are many different foods out there that can be given to the crabs. All it takes is a little identification skill and a great place to harvest.


Why are harvestables healthy for hermit crabs?
Harvesting food from outside sources can be extremely beneficial to crabs because of the natural properties of the plants and the wholesome goodness of the plant being grown naturally. While most of today's food comes from factory farms, hydroponic science laboratories, and acres of farms using pesticides, natural foods from remote locations remain untouched and healthier for the crabs.


Where is it okay to harvest?
Harvesting should be done in remote locations such as forests or woods. Harvesting from parks can be dangerous because some parks use chemicals to keep bugs and weeds away. In addition to forests, harvesting can be done at home if you practice organic gardening.


Is harvesting safe for the environment?
Harvesting is always the greenest option. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions because you won't have to worry about the food being shipped in a truck from another place, and as long as you harvest in small amounts, the plants will regrow and no damage will be done to the environment. It is the healthiest and greenest option for your crabs!


Is harvesting dangerous?
Of course, one must be careful of wildlife and poisonous plants while harvesting. Be sure to have a guide to the plants from your region so you can successfully identify the plant you wish to harvest. Make sure the plant is safe for your crabs to eat, too.


Are there any more tips?
Below is a list of tips that have been compiled over the years.


-borrow a book from the library that deals with plants in your area - you may discover a whole selection of crab-edible plants!
-do not harvest unless you are completely positive that what you are harvesting is crab-edible
-do not harvest unless you are completely positive that what you are harvesting has not been chemically altered - pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, et cetera
-do not harvest mushrooms unless you are positive they are human-edible - some mushroom species are highly poisonous
-harvest from a woodland area - not a local park (parks often use chemical substances)
-look for leaves or fruits that are bright in color and firm to the touch
-be wary of any poisonous plants or animals while harvesting
-harvesting with the family can be a fun activity for all
-always be sure you are harvesting on land that is not protected
-make sure you have complete right to harvest (some parks have plants that are not allowed to be destroyed/taken from that place)
-keeping plants freshly harvested inside of a container with a little bit of water can keep them fresh for up to one week (thanks Jedediah for this tip!)


Below is the list of foods that have been deemed safe for harvesting. Keep in touch! - this list is growing all the time!


Acorns
Basswood leaves
Beechnut
Bilberries
Blackberries
Blackberry leaves
Blue Hubbard squash
Blueberries
Borage blossoms
Burning bush berries
Burning bush leaves
Calendula flowers
Camellia
Carnation flowers
Carrots
Carrot tops
Cattails (pollen, leaf, and rhizome)
Chamomile flowers
Cholla
Cilantro (coriander)
Clover blossoms
Clover leaves
Collards
Cottonwood bark
Cottonwood leaves
Crabapple bark
Crabapple blossoms
Crabapples
Crabapple tree leaves
Daisies
Dandelion flowers
Dandelion leaves
Dandelion roots
Daylilies
Elderberries
Elderberry flowers
Elm leaves
Gladiolus
Gooseberry
Hazel leaves
Hibiscus flowers
Hollyhock flowers
Honeybush
Honeysuckle flowers
Huckleberries
Impatiens
Jasmine flowers
Kale
Lilac (blossoms only)
Mangrove
Maple bark
Maple leaves
Marion berries
Milk thistle flowers
Moss
Mulberries
Mulberry bark
Mulberry leaves
Mushrooms (human-edible!)
Nasturtium flowers
Oak bark
Oak leaves
Pansy flowers and leaves
Parsley
Passion flowers
Persian silk tree
Petunia blossoms
Prickly lettuce
Pumpkin
Purslane
Raspberries
Raspberry leaves
Roquette
Rose hips
Rose leaves
Rose petals
Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
Russian olive leaves
Sage blossoms
Scrub oak leaves
Shepherd's purse
Showy milkweed
Spaghetti squash
Spinach
Squash
Strawberries
Sunflower leaves
Sunflower petals
Sunflower seed
Swordfern
Sycamore leaf
Tamarack blossoms (salt cedar/tamarix/tamarisk)
Tilia tree
Tomato
Tree fern
Tulip flowers
Turnip greens
Viola flowers
Violet flowers
Walnuts
Wheatgrass
Wild grape
Wild poinsettia
Wild rice
Zucchini


And there you have it! If you have any questions regarding harvestables, please submit them to wearecrabby@live.com !