Learn how to turn edible weeds into delicious, nutritious food!
Description other names three-cornered leek light green, grass like leaves and flower stalks are triangular in a cross section (photo below) it is a perennial that grows from small bulbs 1cm in diameter a garden escape being brought here by settlers from Europe even I considered it a terrible weed because it is impossible to […] Read more
Chickweed – stellaria media is a delightful plant and my favourite edible weed, growing lushly in the colder months. It is one of the most common weeds, growing all over the world in gardens, cultivated land and waste places. It is an annual preferring cooler, rich, moist conditions and doesn’t survive dry summers. It’s Latin name ‘Stellaria’ […] Read more
Violet – Viola odorata The delicate, sweet scent of violet flowers wafts in the air as I go near the heart shaped leaves of this plant. The meaning of Violet is modesty, she calms tempers and has a cooling effect. This is because the leaves are mucilaginous (or a slippery/slimy sensation in your mouth if […] Read more
Purslane – Portulaca oleracea Purslane has to be the one of the least appreciated edible weeds in New Zealand with huge hidden benefits. The greatest benefit being high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids (known to help prevent heart disease and improve the immune system), a whopping 4mg per gram, compared to .89mg in spinach. Purslane […] Read more
Magenta Spreen – Chenopodium giganteum This is a beautiful plant to grow with it’s soft green goosefoot shaped leaves that have a splash of magenta-pink on the newest leaves of each stem. It is an annual, meaning it grows for one season, and then dies down. Looking at the photo on the left one would […] Read more
Amaranth, Green Amaranthus viridis or Purple Amaranthus lividus Description These are summer growing annuals found in disturbed, impoverished places and cultivated nutrient rich places like our vegetable gardens or animal pens. They have densely clustered small green flowers that grow at the terminal or tip of the stem or in the axils of the […] Read more
Greetings everyone, Spring is definitely here on the farm where I’m living with daffodils and some rhododendrons out along the drive. They look so vibrant and bright, revealing that the season has changed and everything is starting to burst forth. This is also true in the ‘weed’ world as you’ll notice, all the weeds are […] Read more
Circulation Booster Smoothie with Gingko, Galensoga and Dandelion Did you know you can add gingko leaves to your smoothie. Gingko is used for numerous health complaints because of its antifungal, antioxidant, antitussive (relieves or suppresses coughing), astringent, circulatory stimulant, expectorant, kidney tonic, rejuvenating and sedative properties. Its most powerful effect is on the circulatory system […] Read more
Greetings everyone, Exciting news that I’ve had a little movie made about my work and my love of weeds and eating them. Aaron Smart a professional film maker has created this lovely little film which was entered in the Byron Bay Film Festival and which made the first cut. Unfortunately it didn’t win a prize […] Read more
Purslane – Portulaca oleracea Description This has to be one of the least appreciated edible weeds with huge hidden benefits. It has 4mg per gram of Omega-3 fatty acid, compared to .89mg in spinach, so I had to include this gem. Purslane is a bit like a succulent with fleshy, hairless, rounded leaves growing on […] Read more