The vast majority of plants do not like "wet feet." Some are switch hitters. Utilizing a marshy area for growing foodstuffs can be a challenge to start. The Aztecs converted waterways in Chinampas gardens. My personal preference is the peninsula style; although, in given situations, I would have no problem with the floating island.
There are a number of waterway plants that most preppers and homesteaders do not view as food, even though the indigenous American peoples did. We will save that for another article. This alone justifies a Chinampas garden.
This article is dedicated to a switch hitter: the Gooseberry. Everyone has their own taste scale. The Gooseberry is quite valuable and versatile healthwise. Before I get too far along, DO NOT plant Gooseberries within a quarter of a mile of any Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus). I would think one would not have these pines that close to a swampy area, to begin with, but I digress.
On the West Coast of the U.S., they grow wild. Why am I so big on Gooseberries? They are a rare crop that does not lose its Vitamin C in cooking or drying. Mmmmm! Mmmmm! Dried Gooseberries and dried Cranberries with raw foods are a secret treat. Well, I hope I whetted your appetite to check out this plant as part of your crops, especially using your forgotten wet areas.
