Don’t forget to floss your teeth, clean behind your ears and…eat your weeds? Weeds may have a bad reputation when it comes to lawn care, but there are many weeds that are well worth eating! During your next peaceful walk through the forest make sure to bring a reusable container and collect these delicious weeds– they can be added to your salads or even continue to flourish long term in your garden.
Dandelions
Definitely clear space for this weed in your diet! Dandelion leaves are highly nutritious and can be eaten raw or cooked (even the root and flower buds!). Dandelions are also a great source of Vitamin C and calcium. Add them to salads or have them for a healthy snack on their own.
Cow Parsnip
Cow Parsnip has a nutty, carrot-like flavour that really hits the spot. It is easy to cook and makes for a great option in soups. Cow Parsnip can also be roasted with butter and sprinkled with salt, just serve and enjoy! While often mistaken for large clumps of weeds, you shouldn’t overlook Cow Parsnip– it is a versatile option that can be eaten both raw and cooked.
Pennycress
Pennycress is a succulent, wild green that can be found in many lawns worldwide, including Alberta. This tasty weed is high in Vitamin A and C, which are coveted during the cold months when other green vegetables are difficult to harvest. Pennycress is a delicious and inexpensive option to add to your palette of greens!
Common Yarrow
Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) has edible leaves, roots, flowers and seeds–in addition to benefits as a medicinal herb. It’s an aesthetically pleasing plant that can grow in poor, overgrazed earth and is found across North America. The flower stalks can be used as leafy cuttings in salads or sandwiches. While we know Common Yarrow is a tasty option, there is also burgeoning research into potential and promising benefits for the immune system.
Chickweed
Covered in delicate little hairs, Chickweed is both sweet and crunchy, with a texture and flavor similar to watercress. The ideal moment to pick Chickweed is just before the flower heads start to form. Make sure to pick the leaves and tiny stems by pinching them off at ground level. Chickweed makes for a great pesto or pizza topping and is particularly enjoyable when roasted.
Purslane
If you’re looking for Purslane you may find it growing in cracks and crevices along sidewalks, in vacant lots, or even in your backyard! It is a delicious weed that’s abundant in late spring and can grow in both your garden and in pots. Considered the superfood of weeds, Purslane is rich in Omega-3, contains an abundance of minerals, and is regarded as one of the healthiest and nutrient dense weeds.
Eating weeds is a simple way to elevate the productivity of your garden and add beneficial nutrients to your diet. Whether you’re cultivating a delicious garden to supplement your meals or designing a little oasis to brighten your yard, Little Creek Landscaping can help you design a landscaping theme that enhances your home.
