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Lunch On The Lawn.

© Bob Ewing

Lawns are common across NorthAmerica. A lawn provides us with an area where we can walk, play and relax, our own little area of relative privacy. Rarely dow e think of them as a source of food. If city bylaws permit we could dig the lawn up to plant vegetables, but apart from losing our leisure area, however, we may feel constrained by convention and want our gardens to retain their accepted appearances. There is an alternative. Lets assume that we do not want a so-called 'perfect' lawn which consists almost entirely of grass, and offers very little diversity of habitat for a potentially wide range of birds, mammals and insects etc. Instead we could use various plants that can provide food both for us and food and shelter for a wide variety of wildlife.

The following list is comprised of plants, all of which are edible, and could be introduced into your lawn:

Achillea millefolium - Yarrow: This is a common 'weed' in lawns and succeeds even when the grass is cut very short. The young leaves make a tasty addition to salads. It is a good companion plant for grass, and its mowings will greatly enrich the compost heap. If left uncut for a month at any time during the summer, it will produce some lovely flowers. The leaves are very rich in minerals and have medicinal properties. The plant is said to repel beetles, ants and flies.

Allium oleraceum - Field Garlic and Allium vineale - Crow Garlic: Both grow well in grass. The leaves can be used as a garlic substitute. If allowed, they will flower in July.

Anthemis nobilis - Chamomile: Grows very well in a lawn and flowers even if cut regularly. The flowers make a very refreshing herbal tea which is very good for the stomach, especially recommended for children. The mown leaves will greatly enrich the compost heap. The flowers can also be used as a hair shampoo for those with fair hair. It flowers from July to October.

Bellis perennis - Daisy: A common 'weed' in the lawn, able to tolerate constant cutting and still flower. It can produce flowers even in the middle of winter. The young leaves are eaten raw or cooked.

Leontodon hispidus - Rough Hawkbit: Looking somewhat like a dandelion, this plant is often found growing wild in the lawn and garden. It prefers a chalky soil. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. It flowers between May and September.

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