Having the perfectly cut green grass and fancy tools to maintain the beauty that is a lawn has been keeping dads talking at barbecues for years. Conversing on the ways of how to get rid of the most nightmarish of bugs to the perfect watering techniques. However, there was always one common enemy that would ruin impeccable yards that fathers everywhere united against: Weeds. Taking care of the lawn takes a lot of time, money, and resources (Or as my father would say, blood, sweat and tears) so no one would want to have that ruined. However my fellow reader, I’m not sure if everyone is ready for the blasphemy I am about to unveil. The green lawn is not as important as once thought and weeds can provide so many more benefits than you think they can.

The perfect yard is something so many people chase after, but why? “The state of a homeowner’s lawn is important in relation to their status within the community and to the status of the community at large.” says Krystal D’costa in her article The American Obsession with Lawns. She goes on to say “It signifies that you care about belonging and want others to see that you are like them. A properly maintained lawn tells others you are a good neighbor.” This is why some higher class neighborhoods tend to have very strict rules on lawn maintenance.

Before I get into the benefits of growing weeds I would like to place a disclaimer. Some weeds are invasive and should be dealt with accordingly. Invasive species tend to take away nutrients from native plants which is what we are trying to conserve not destroy. If you are unsure if a plant is invasive there are apps you can download that will give you all the information you need and will put you in contact with other knowledgeable individuals. I recommend the free iNaturalist app.

We can let the weeds grow and they have a few perks, however it may not be for everyone. Some of these bonuses consist of the following: Weeds encourage biodiversity in your yard, help you learn the condition of your soil, and some personality to your yard. Nikki Telly made a complete pros and cons list of growing weeds. However, one of my favorite things about weeds is that they provide a lot of medicinal benefits and can be utilized in so many ways. I will be focusing on dandelions, chickweed and curly dock. They are some of the most commonly found weeds in North America and are easy to identify.

Dandelions are very commonly used in food and are bountiful in micronutrients. The article Diverse biological activities of dandelion highlights the following: “an analysis of the nutrient content of dandelion reveals high amounts of minerals, proteins, fiber, and vitamins and a balanced combination of trace elements … making dandelions an interesting source of micronutrients.” This means that eating dandelions can help with inflammation and lower blood sugar levels. The amount of nutrients found can make for a great supplement to incorporate into your diet. This is where the fun comes in. Dandelions are so versatile when it comes to cooking and can be turned into a syrup or a pesto for my pasta lovers. The Lost Herbs provides so many more recipes that I encourage you to try. Reminder dandelions do have look-alikes, Heidi Villegas goes into depth on what to look for while foraging and can be found here.

Next up is chickweed, it is good for skin, lymphatic and respiratory health. “Nutritional studies have revealed the presence of protein, especially 16 amino acids, vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc.” states Ekta Singh Chauhan. After learning how to identify chickweed (video above) there is a wonderful recipe for chickweed pakoras. Pakoras are like fritters with vegetables and make for a delicious meal.

Lastly, but certainly not least is curly dock.  This plant is rich in flavonoids, iron and vitamins A and C. They are good for constipation as well as inflammation. Traditionally, curly dock was used to treat parasites and help treat skin conditions. It was normally turned into a tincture or just infused in water, but now we found tastier ways to get those amazing benefits. Curly dock can be turned into pancakes and are pretty tasty. Remember to make sure you are identifying the curly dock correctly.

My knowledge ends here my fellow reader. I hope you have been inspired. You may not want to part with your green yard but you can at least use the weeds you have in your yard instead of throwing them away. There is so much food around us that we aren’t aware of. Let’s go back to the roots of ancestors and use what is quite literally in front of us.

Disclaimer: Be careful where you go foraging, anything that has been sprayed with herbicides or is growing by  road is best to avoid for your health especially if you are going to consume these plants.

-Posted by Kamryn