Edible Weeds

It's the time of year when I am thinking about our garden and all the work that needs to be done to prepare it for the season ahead. Phew, I am exhausted just thinking about it!! I have been reading some interesting literature about gardening, growing foods, saving plant seeds, and edible weeds. I came across an interesting website that lists some edible weeds - I find this subject quite fascinating and want to learn as much as I can. My feelings have changed towards those invasive dandelions, cleavers, thistles and other weeds which I considered to be a nuisance and would spend hours of my precious time yanking out of my flower beds. I am aware of the importance of these 'invaders' and how they are a valuable source of food, nutrition and healing - they could save a life in a dire situation where no food would be available (in an extreme situation). One needs to have knowledge of which weeds are safe or noxious. I am not about to run out to my yard and start chomping on thistles, or serve them for dinner to our guests - yet. I would like to add here one website for those who may be interested in weeds. Who knows, you may enjoy having them pop up in your garden - and save yourself hours of work yanking them out! Let them live! Edible Flower Plants of the Pacific Northwest.

Another great little book I recently purchased is Food Security for the Faint of Heart by Robin Wheeler (from B.C.), this book has loads of information on how to grow your own food and what supplies one needs in the event of a crisis.

Our First Nations people were able to live from the land, their food supply came from the earth around them - they did not have a local grocer or supermarket. Makes me ponder - how would we survive if we did not grow food locally or have our supermarkets to drive to? By growing food locally and not driving a great distance to our local supermarket, we certainly would save on fuel costs and lessen our carbon footprint (I know for many folks there are no other options). Health problems that are plaguing society would be less of a problem through proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle. Lots to think about. Back to my garden......I am buying veggie and herb seeds now, I have a long list of goodies I want to plant. The dandelions will present their yellow heads and we will not disturb them - the two rabbits that have taken refuge on our property will chomp their merry way through hundreds of them (maybe leave a few for us ?) and will hopefully not catch sight of our lettuce patch!

Thank you for visiting my journal. I will keep you posted on how our weeds are growing. Michelle