Home » Food & Drink » From Field To Table » Weeds, what weeds.

Weeds, what weeds.

© Bob Ewing

We are having a day! And what a day, warm, maybe 25 C, light breeze and a few white clouds dotting the endless blue.

It has been a cold and wet for two months. The urban gardeners, that I have talked with, are all disappointed with the way their gardens are growing. Tomatoes, green peppers, and cucumbers are underdeveloped. The only sure way to get peppers or tomatoes here, is to start them early (6-8 weeks) inside and then have, at least, row covers handy for the cool nights, especially the unexpected cool nights and surprise frosts. A greenhouse makes sense and is a good investment.

As I watch the chickweed and lambsquaters grow and the dandelions fade, I know we need a new approach to northern gardening. In a good season we get 90 frost free days. There are other plants that can provide us with even more food value than the traditional garden vegetables. This can mean a higher food yield for less work than we currently do to keep the tomatoes from freezing.

It is time to learn how to recognize the value of the plants that we call weeds and get on with our food growing from there. I have already harvested and enjoyed stinging nettle tea. I enjoy the flavour. Last week I brewed a bunch just using the Sun's energy. I put cold water into a glass jar and some dried nettle leaves and when it is sunny put it outside for 24 hours. It needs to be strained, so make sure you have a good strainer first. If you have sweet tooth, add a drop of local honey.

I am planning to make a rose petal energy drink for local fundraiser. The Blue Moon Masquerade will take place on July 24. The Hazelnut Permaculture will staff an information table. We will also be selling a mint energy drink and perhaps a rose petal and mint combo.

Groups members are already preparing to collects the rose petals and try the recipes. We may freeze some of the petals by first immersing them in water and then freezing the whole thing. When it is time to make the energy drink, we will drop the ice with the petals frozen inside, add a little water and heat. We will then chill the drink. We could be on to something here. I will let you know how it turns out.

Take a trip to your local public library and talk with the reference staff. Or, do a search here at http://www.suite101.com for wild food, edible weeds, food foraging.