edible weeds

purslane

stinging nettle in bloom

thought i might mention the plethora of growth in and around our garden that we didn't intend, but can still eat. it's always good to know that we're surrounded by exceptionally nutritious greens, even though we shun them more often than not. so here it is, folks. an incomplete list of some edible weeds.
-burdock root. put it in stir fry or add it to salad, either way, it's not bad. 
-dandelion. the flowers can be made into wine or jelly. the roots make a bitter tea and purportedly detoxify your liver. the young leaves aren't bad in salads.
-lamb's quarters. the (young) leaves are good in a salad.
-chicory. flowers and roots are worth a try.
-goldenrod. the flowers and leaves can be used for tea. 
-shepherd's purse. peppery.
-milk thistle. the leaves are comparable to spinach. and it regenerates the cells of your liver.
-plantain. edible and good for combating bug bites. 
-stinging nettle. careful with this one. cook those leaves like you would spinach. helps with arthritis and kidney problems.
-purslane. again, salads. and has omega-3 fatty acids. who knew?
-red clover. the flowers make a fantastic tea. it'll blow your mind. it's better and cheaper than kombucha.

plantain

cabbage looper control

 
these loopers are attacking our fall kale and chard in a frenzy of brassica hate.  this is completely unacceptable behavior from uninvited garden pests.  but i gotta admit, i think it might be partly my fault.  these past days and nights have been quite chilly and so we've left the fall crops snug underneath reemay to keep them warm, or so we thought. but, alas, little did we know our veggies had strange bedfellows. in fact, they were being devoured by the likes of these brutes, without abandon. 

smug looking little guy

 and that's not the worst of it.  low and behold, little looper here not only ate much of our leafy greens, he pooped on them.  

graphic, huh?

full of beans

beautiful

gosh i love rainy days. and we're having a string of them these days. we're getting the remnants of tropical storm 'nicole' today.

the rain's good for the new fall crops, less good for our remaining black beans.  they were beginning to mold so conroy just finished harvesting them, and storing them.  
in fact our garage is currently full of beans.

ok, it might not look like much, but you're not shuckin' 'em. it's plenty. we've got black beans, pinto, soldier beans, great northern and squashes living in our garage right now, all in need of some attention.  that's our weekend - we're on bean duty.