Perennial of the yea(s)Green Thumb Sunday

There could only be one winner in the perennial of the year(s). Showy, yellow double blossoms are held high above its deeply serrated green leaves. These long standing flowers are produced in a profusion which lasts from early spring to last frost, followed by a decorative seedhead. Perfect for the cottage garden, it happily self seeds. Catch those seedlings quick if you don't want more, (but why wouldn't you?) because this plant has a deep tap root that not only aerates the soil but also allows it to withstand drought. Easy to grow, it is not picky about soil, being equally happy in the traditional border or rock garden.

In our test gardens, we have also found it quite effective as a groundcover. Its broad leaves that will grow closely together excluding light from other less desirable species. It will withstand some foot traffic and may be mowed to keep low. If you prefer, it can also be naturalized in your lawn or added to the wildflower mix. Bees love it! Not only that, but it is edible! From dappled shade to full sun, this perennial is a winner. Why not add it to your gardening scheme?

Or have you already learned the delights of Taraxacum officinale:


Copied with permission from the Creative Commons archive. Credit to SierraDelta74

The dandelion


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It's cold but that doesn't bother the weeds.

How cold?



That cold!

By the way, there are still plants alive in there. In fact, when I was in the peaked-thingy-covered-in-6 mil-plastic-that-started-out-as-a-hoophouse and will forever after be known as my season extension spaceship, I uncovered perrenial weeds that were green and healthy inside. Perhaps I should just specialize in grownig perrenial weeds. I understand that many of them are edible.

While we are on the topic, let me list some that can be found regularly in my veggie patch:

1. Lamb's Quarters - salad greens
2. Dandelion - young greens, blanching suggested first. Besides wouldn't it be fun to cover these up with a pot thinking all the while that soon they'll be sauteed in butter?
3. Queen Anne's Lace - wild carrot (can be confused with 'poisoness plants')
5. Red Clover - flowers
6. Purslane - a gourmet green in fact!
7. Stinging Nettle - don't normally get it but I hear it's a great green.
8. Wood Sorrel - thrives in sun, shade, wet and dry soil, under plants, by itself, on concrete...
9. Shepherd's Purse - apparently it's peppery
10. Plantain - greens (blanch first)
11. Burdock - root
12. Mallow - though I would like to grow that as a flower... and an edible, hmmm, the conflict.

Some websites:

Go to Brookland Park for a forage with Steve Brill: http://foragingpictures.com/#E

I just love the way this lady thinks about weeds: http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/august03/recipes.htm

A weed identification site for Ontario - only some of these are tasty and good for you too. http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/ontweeds/weedgal3.htm#two