On 26/05/2014 2:19 PM, Todd wrote:
On 05/25/2014 04:42 PM, Fran Farmer wrote:
On 24/05/2014 1:09 PM, Todd wrote:


I have a "Black Thumb". The only thing I can successfully
grow are dandelions. I appreciate you sharing.

Well don't fail to find the usefulness of dandelions. True dandelions
(as opposed to flatweeds that have a flower more than a single flower
head) can be used in a weed pie which is truly delicious and the French
actually grow 'improved' varieties for culinary purposes. Additionally
one of the most delightful gardes I ever seen was a 5 acre plot with a
meadow of dandelions with paths mown through the dandelions going to
various sitting arbours.


Hi Fran,

EAT THE WEED! Sorry, I will get myself under control. I use
to kill Purslain until I found out it was food. It grows wild
around here. Now the poor dears get pampered.

I remember from my college days and Economic Botany, a weed
is not what you think it is:

Weeds:

1) agriculture discard. (Once grown for food.)

2) small seeds or seeds that mask themselves as other seeds

3) grows on disturbed soil

Have you ever noticed that Dandelions only grow where you walk?

Can't say that I have. The best dandelions I have are in my rose garden
but I don't walk in there.

This is why. Our local cow pasture break out in a lovely
yellow every spring (cows hooves).

We breed cows and we don't seem to have any dandelions in our pastures.
Perhaps the cows choose to eat them first or perhaps our climate is
not moist enough for any dandelions to germinate.

So the solution to weeds is to eat them! Purslain is really hard
to kill. Lots of really tiny seeds and loves where I walk and
my garden (I turn the soil over every sprint to kill all the
grass in it, which "disturbs" the soil much to mu Purslain's
delight).

Some advocates say that Purslain is the most nutritious
plant on the planet. Tastes like watercress. I use
it in salads, on burgers, or just for munchies. Love
it with my Paleo ranch dressing.

Thank you for the mentoring. My thumb is still black,
BUT AT LEAST I CAN GROW WEEDS!

I've always liked the following definition for weed: "a plant growing in
the wrong place".

Another thought bubble on weeds - often weeds were once much used in
domestic work to dye wool and other fibres. Also some were used to line
shoes or to make 'candle' tapers (verbascum), or maybe even some could
have been used to to tan skins??? I don't know about the latter thought
bubble but I do know about the dye plants used for fibre.