Around The Yard

Discussion in 'Crops & Gardens' started by Beth Gallagher, Oct 11, 2020.

  1. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    From the web: For centuries, nettle has been a staple for ancient cultures and continues to be an important food source throughout the world. It's arguably one of the most nutritional wild edibles available, but it needs to be cooked or dried to neutralize the sting.

    I had no idea.
     
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  2. Mary Stetler

    Mary Stetler Veteran Member
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    We freeze it too but as with almost everything, it is best fresh. You need to get out and pick the cattails in their husks now. I have to wait till second week in June. You husk them and par boil. Put on the butter and eat like corn on the cob. You end up with a plate of what looks like knitting needles. My absolute favorite wild vegetable fresh! Free and fabulous!
     
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  3. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    It didn't take long for me to get my red neck and my watch mark.
     
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  4. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    I wish I lived near you. This is the stuff I wanted to learn, but this is where the expression "Fatal Error" likely originated. You don't get a lot of second chances.
     
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  5. Mary Stetler

    Mary Stetler Veteran Member
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    True but these are the safest veggies out there. Stick your hand in a bunch of nettle and you will know if it is nettle or peppermint rather quickly. And you must know cattails.;)
     
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  6. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    I changed my mind. I'll seek out a different mentor, thank you very much. ;)
     
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  7. Dwight Ward

    Dwight Ward Veteran Member
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    I found some pics on the internet. I don't remember seeing them in my yard. Are they a woods or fields only plant?
    [​IMG]
     
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  8. Mary Stetler

    Mary Stetler Veteran Member
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    That is them. Show the picture to John B! I think they look like peppermint plants too although peppermint is a little bit bluer. They like moist/wet places. Funny, they don't grow by my pond but they like fertile low garden spots where most don't want them. In the wild, look along shaded drainage ditches. You can actually buy seeds, which are considered medicinal too. But you don't want to put them in the ground unless you can handle proper management with safety clothing. I love them. The very tall plants, in the fall, can make fun cordage for survival classes or even to spin and weave. My handyman HATES them. You might even try craigslist. People who do organic gardening might like you to come and remove some:confused:
     
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  9. Dwight Ward

    Dwight Ward Veteran Member
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    Really though, deliberately growing something named 'stinging' seems a bit like putting full grown alligators in the swimming pool.
     
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  10. Mary Stetler

    Mary Stetler Veteran Member
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    I always figure it is to keep things from eating them with such a mild flavor. Otherwise they would be eaten to extinction. It is why I tell people about poison mushrooms--leaves more for me;)
     
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  11. Tony Page

    Tony Page Veteran Member
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    Plants are starting to fill out and Bloom here's a hanging basket with
    Calibrachoa
    20220606_130818.jpg

    a perennial Rose Campion

    20220606_223428.jpg
     
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  12. Dwight Ward

    Dwight Ward Veteran Member
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    My assorted wildflowers are going nuts. They're not as big and showy as domestics but I luv em.
    wildflowers.jpg
     
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  13. Tony Page

    Tony Page Veteran Member
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    My butterfly plant looks good this year
    20220630_172510.jpg

    Coral Bells and lambs ear
    20220630_172702.jpg
    Sorry the photos keep coming out sideways no matter what I try
     
    #148
  14. Faye Fox

    Faye Fox Veteran Member
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    So far my ad to come and dig out a great food, dandelions, for free has gone unanswered.
     
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  15. Mary Stetler

    Mary Stetler Veteran Member
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    You are welcome to bring a great dish to our wild food dinner, second week in September.
     
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