Even though March 28th is the official National Weed Appreciation Day, it doesn’t hurt to learn a bit more about weeds!
Don’t get too excited people. Don’t get those lighters out just yet, it’s not that kind of weed!!!
Every year in the spring through summer I rage through my garden ridding my flower beds of weeds. Never really thinking twice about it. I just considered them a nuisance. Stealing nutrients from my Dahlias! Nope you gotta go.
Then I heard about Weed Appreciation Day! I was like “Wha???” What is there to appreciate about weeds? They are invasive, they cause me back problems because I spend so much time trying to get rid of them. So I decided to look into it a bit.
Ever thought about makes a weed a weed. It’s really very simple, it’s just like real estate. It’s location, location, location”. A field of dandelions in the country side is beautiful to behold but… if that field is on your lawn, we don’t tend to take to it too kindly.
It’s also a matter of perception, a friend visited me one summer. She watched grumbling about the dandelions on my lawn as I yanked them out. She asked me why I was getting rid of them and I said because it’s a weed and I want it gone, I want a nice green lawn. “But the flowers are so pretty”, she said. Yeah, Well let them be pretty somewhere else! I thought. Keep in mind, like my kids, I love to blow those little puffs from the dandelions 😀 , basically spreading seeds and contributing to it’s propagation. 😉 but we won’t mention that!
One year I missed a few. It was a rainier than usual spring and I was just tired of constantly removing them. It wasn’t my main flower bed, so I said what the heck! That spring, I ended up being blessed with some very pretty flowers and I noticed that Bees and certain Butterflies LOVE them.
Full disclosure, I do remove them from my main beds but I do have “wild” areas where I leave them. So they have been a staple in (parts of) my garden.
Our friends, the birds and the bees often tend to gift us with seeds from the wild flowers they visit. See something in your garden you didn’t plant? Give it a chance to grow, you may just like what you see. If not bye bye baby!
Why Weed Appreciation Day? To remind us that weeds are plants to and some of them actually provide all sorts of nutritional and medicinal benefits. These for free and naturally! These modern pains to our gardens have been used by humans for food throughout history.
Don’t turn your nose up just yet, they are in fact still used today and you may be shocked to know they are actually used in commercial products
We just look at them as weeds and we spend a lot of time, money and energy trying to get rid of Dandelions. Most people don’t realize they are packed with vitamins and minerals. They are a natural source of vitamin A and C, Calcium, Iron, Fiber, Magnesium, Potassium and more.
It’s even used to make wine, bet that got your attention, didn’t it .
Did you know: The French word for Dandelions is “Pissenlit” , Which means – pee the bed?
No coincidence there, Dandelions are a natural diuretic.
As with any new food you introduce to your diet, you should do so with cautions. Consult your health professional. There could be side effects of introducing anything into your diet.
As gardeners, we tend not to think about the bright side of weeds. As a gardener, I feel I should spread the good news about weeds, after all weed needs love too. Yeah, I said it :oops:.
As Winnie The Pooh says: “Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them!”
Some edible weeds and their uses
Purslane – Contains more omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamins A, C, E, Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium and Iron. In traditional Chinese medicine for stings, bites and digestive issues
Clover – Said to contain anti-inflammatory properties. Great source of vitamins and minerals, including Calcium, Chromium and Phosphorus.
Lamb’s Quarters – This weed produces black seeds which are related to the protein-rich superfood quinoa. Great source of protein, vitamins and minerals
Chicory – Very popular in Europe and southern American states. It is said to be an appetite stimulant, diuretic, good for upset stomach and various other disorders
Plantain – No, this is not the banana’s cousin. To avoid confusion, I’m sure they could have found another name :). Contains Vitamin A, B1 and Riboflavin. It can also be used as a topical treatment to treat burns and stings. It’s even used for bronchitis and cold like symptoms.
Chickweed – Another excellent source of Vitamins and Minerals, including Vitamin A, D and C, Calcium, Phosphorous and Zinc.
So even as I share this good news with you, deep down inside I know this gardening season I will continue my tyrannical reign over these leafy creatures as I seek to keep my flower bed as clear of them as possible.
I will however maintain a safe haven for them.
Find out about the possible medical properties they may have. Of course make sure you are not confusing the edible plant with a poisonous look-a-like.
Have you tried any of these?
Who’s Your Dahlia – It’s About Bloomin‘ Time!