IT'S ONLY A WEED IF YOU DON'T WANT IT

FIVE PLANTS THAT DON'T HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED A WEED!

Keeping the garden and yard weed free is NOT SIMPLE, but there is a simple solution: Keep them!  

There are many uses for weeds other than getting 'rid' of them.  Some can be eaten, some attract butterflies, and others are medicinal.  No matter what the use, it's really only a weed if you decide you don't want it! So, think about creating a simpler life in the yard by keeping some :-)

Definition from Merriam-Webster:
Weed: a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth; especially : one that tends to overgrow or choke out more desirable plants.

Here are my favorite five plants that don't have to be considered weeds:

1. Dandelion

• No surprises here, but this is really a useful plant because just about every part of it is edible! The flower, leaves, and roots can all be eaten.  
• They can be eaten raw or cooked and can be used to make hot teas, fresh salads, cooked in a side dish, yummy syrup, wines and more!
• Check out "16 Dandelion Recipes from The Prairie Homestead".

Image from http://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/gotpests/weeds/lambsquarters.htm

2. Lamb's Quarters 

• We have these growing all throughout our gardens. Since we don't plant them the first instinct is to get 'rid' of them.  However, they are edible and my daughter absolutely loves them!  We make sure to keep an area for them to grow just for her and only pull out the ones that crowd out my other garden plants.
• These can be eaten raw, added to a salad, or the best way (in my opinion) is cooked in a pan just like we do with kale and spinach!
• Check out "Real Food Right Now and How to Cook It: Lamb's Quarters" for some thorough information and a GREAT recipe!

Image from 1920px-Portulaca_oleracea.JPG 

3. Purslane

• Another plant that grows wild every year in my vegetable garden.  And again, it was usually ripped right out until I learned it was actually edible! NOTE: it DOES NOT HAVE A HAIRY STEM!! If what you find does have a hairy stem then it IS NOT purslane.
• The best part is the small succulent leaves at the top which can be eaten raw! 
• Check out this awesome "Purslane Salad" Recipe from Georgia Pellegrini!

4.  Jewelweed

• This 'weed' has a pretty little orange flower and can often be found around poison ivy.  But that is a GOOD thing...if you slice open up the stem of this plant and rub the juice from the inside on the poison ivy you will find relief!   That also makes it very helpful for other plant rashes (such as poison oak), insect bites, and other minor skin ailments. NOTE: the berries are poisonous.
• This plant also attracts butterflies and hummingbirds!  
• Read more about Jewelweed at Wildflowers.org.

5. Milkweed

• This is not edible, however it is important for the monarch butterflies.  And believe me, if you have milkweed they will come!  
• The monarch population is decreasing rapidly so there is a need for more milkweed plants.
• Get FREE MILKWEED SEEDS and learn more at Save Our Monarchs!

Disclaimer: Please learn to carefully identify any plant before using or eating it in any way. This post is meant to provide information about possible uses for what may or may not be considered a weed.  This post is not meant to be used for identification purposes.

Thank you for visiting!
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Sincerely,