Earlier in my life, I played the game. I'd work hard in my yard so I could “show off” my lawn…so others would ask me “Steve, how do you do it?”. But now, that just isn’t an important enough reason. These days, I’m GOING GREEN by lowering my carbon footprint (and expenses) by not attempting to grow a beautiful weed free lawn. My wife would say it’s because I’m just too lazy…and she has a point. I am conserving my energy for the P90X workouts. :)
While I was taking some pictures of my yard, I noticed that I had more weeds than grass. This wasn't a surprise, just an observation that reminded me of an article I read some time ago about edible weeds. Then it hit me...you, me, we all can eat edible weeds from our yards!
This would reduce our carbon foot print, save money, save time and save our planet!
YES!!!
How would this reduce our carbon footprint you ask?
1) We would not use herbicides (Herb for one will appreciate this)
2) We will not need fertilizers, lime etc, weeds don't need them to grow.
3) Reduce gas & oil useage, less mowing.
There are many varieties of weeds that are edible.
- Purslane
- Dandelion (picture)
- Honeysuckle
- Shotweed
- Many, many more.
Eating WEEDS, what a great money and planet saving idea!!!!
(the appreciation and accolades will surely come pouring in now).
I am going outside as soon as I finish this sentence to pick some w…
Oh, what’s that? Ok, a few things to keep in mind….in Red.
1) Don’t eat weeds near animal droppings.
I place this right up there with the sage advice of...
“don’t eat yellow snow”. LOL!
But seriously …what is the minimum distance from droppings…you know, to be safe??? Also, you can see droppings…but what about animal urine??
On to #2 (no pun intended)
2) Only eat the edible parts of the plant.
….some plants have edible parts but the rest of the plant can be toxic? I am starting to have large concerns about eating edible weeds at this point.
3) Don’t eat poisonous plants, some look similar to the non-toxic varieties.
Ok that’s it…..so if this isn’t difficult enough….some poisonous plants look like non-poisonous plants…whose cruel joke was this!! I bet it was Cheney…no not even Cheney has that kind of pull….I bet it was….Satan?
After reading #3, I called Al Gore and had him cancel the “Save the Planet, Eat Your Yard” campaign blitz we were planning. WHEW, that was close. That could have been as bad as the “Save the Planet, Eat Your Shorts” campaign….
Lastly, if you didn't see the Al Gore and the Man-Bear-Pig episode on SouthPark...YOU MUST SEE IT...I am serial. (not that's not a typo...watch the episode).
L8r t8r,
Steve
PS - These websites had some good info and pics if you are interested. I am interested and will eat a weed salad soon. Many weeds are related to their garden cousins and are high in vitamins and minerals. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
http://www.wisebread.com/free-food-in-your-yard-edible-weeds
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