EAT YOUR ENEMIES

WEEDS will be around when the fancy-plants are gone

Note the terminal flower spike (either male or female) and the long leaf stems.

We call them weeds because we did not plant them and see them as violations of our gardening orderliness and control.

And yet, plants like lambs quarters, purslane, chickweed and others need no attention from us as they volunteer and thrive, and are often as nutritious as our fancy-pants plants.

I was astounded by the rapid growth of an unknown weed (I had not yet taken the time to pay much attention) that seemed to grow 12 inches overnight. And over there was another, too small to see just yesterday.

Finally, some green in the dirt patch. So far, we’ve eaten weeds only. Peppers will be next.

I'm pretty certain now that it is Palmer Ameranth, a species of "pigweed" and this one also called (for reasons I hope to ascertain) CareLessWeed. I like that name. CarelessWeed for a Careless Gardener.

But Big Ag Farmers are horrified by it in their soybeans or corn fields. It is prolific (growing to six feet tall, a single plant can produce a half million seeds. (This regenerative capacity figures into their ability to mutate genes resistant to MANY commonly used herbicides.)

While it is not considered a top-tier edible green, apparently it has been in the meal planners of indigenous people for many centuries. I’m still doing my research, but I’m hoping to add the young leaves to future salads. Meanwhile, I will be vigilant to not let this get ahead of me and take over.

For more than you’d ever want to know about this plant, click this link and dive in. You’re welcome.