It has been a year since I bought the house. I still have some fixing up and repairs to do, and am getting them done a little by little.
I wanted to install plantation shutters on all windows. When I priced them for a 4'x6' window, the cost was a bit over $500 for brand new shutters , just for one window. Because I didn't want to spend over $5000 for all the windows, I decided to check Habitat for Humanity store for used ones. I was able to find enough shutters for all windows in the living room and my bedroom, and for one window in another bedroom, All for $467.72. Because they have to be cut to fit the windows I bought a circular saw for $5 from a garage sale. The past two weekends a friend and I cut the shutters and installed one in the living room.
A couple of weeks ago I sowed several vegetable seeds, and so far I have Malabar spinach seedlings.
With the warm weather humming bird tree has come back to life after a very cold week in January.
Bitter gourd vines are back as well. They seem to be so resilient.
Signs of spring are everywhere. Bare branches of the oak tree are suddenly full of light green leaves. The yard is full of wild flowers, bees and butterflies. These white flowers are called Bidens alba, also known as Shepherd's needles or Spanish needles. I learned that both flowers and leaves are edible. It's a very common weed here.
Another edible weed I have in the yard is spiderwort. These beautiful bluish purple flowers suddenly appeared in the yard. Aren't they gorgeous?
I am a member of a regional gardening group on Facebook where there are many local small business owners and experienced gardeners share their knowledge. They helped me identify these weeds. I searched online and learned that both Bidens alba and spiderwort can be used in salads, soups, omelets etc. I haven't tried them yet, but I will do so soon. 😊
Have you tried any edible weeds in your area?
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Nil
Have you tried any edible weeds in your area?
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Nil
Nice find on the shutters! You are quite the shopper. I can't believe some of your finds (& savings!) We have good ol' dandelions, purslane, and plantain as far as greens, but blackberries are a weed here as well as service berries and a few others. I'm not much for berries, but do like my greens 😊
ReplyDeleteI have heard of dandelions, and there are very similar weed in my yard. Still I'm not sure it is dandelion.
DeleteI too like greens -I can't go two days in a row without having greens. 😊
We have purposely planted Warrigal greens as it is a hardy substitute for spinach etc in the hot weather
ReplyDeleteI looked up Warrigal greens online. I don't think we have it in this area. Because it thrives in warm weather it should do well here. I too like to have a small area in the gadern for edible weeds.
DeleteNil, you are very handy being able to do those shutters. That isn't a Deep Dream Generator photo of your house, is it? LOL! It looks great. Lots of weeds here which can be eaten too.
ReplyDeleteYes yes Chel, it's a Deep Dream Generator photo. I spent too much time playing with photos and decided that I should take a break before I get addicted. LOL.
DeleteYour shutters look great, Nil. What a saving! Great that you and a friend could modify them and put them up yourselves. We have a plant here called scurvy weed, it gets a lovely little blue flower too. It is native, edible and grows very happily in the garden. Meg:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Meg. My dad used to do all sorts of repairs and make things for home, so I think a tiny bit of that rubbed off on me. :)
DeleteA good saving on the shutters, over the years we have always done everything ourselves instead of going to big companies who charge the earth. It is nice to see signs of Spring, not sure what the garden will be like here now after this snow.
ReplyDeleteHope you all are staying warm Marlene. I read about the severe weather across the pond.
DeleteI too love doing things by myself as much as possible. It does take time, but I think it's more satisfying. :)
The house image is pretty.:-)
ReplyDeleteWe have chicory and dandelions in our yard from time to time. I enjoy both of their leaves as salad greens. When I lived up north, we had fireweed, and those greens are good, too!
Priscilla, I created the photo using Google Deep Dream Generator. 😊
DeleteI've never tried dandelion but have heard so much about it.
Stephenie, I'm sorry I accidentally deleted your comment. Now I can't undo it. :(
ReplyDeleteSome of my seeds are not sprouting, I wonder it's because they are too old. I should sow more seeds before it's get too hot.
Your shutters look vreat Nil, and such a bargain, you're so good at finding them. I love the DDG image of your house, I thought it was a painting until I saw Chel's comment......I haven't played with it yet, probably a good thing :) I collect dandelion mostly from my own yard, purslane sometimes, but have warrigal greens growing so I always have something green to pick. I planted radicchio this summer and have found it to be very good, doesn't wilt away or go to seed in the heat and humidity. It's quite bitter, which I like and works well steamed or the young leaves chopped finely in a salad.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nanette. Sometimes I find good deals easily (like the $5 circular saw when I needed one), but most of the time I have to be very patient until what I want shows up at thrift stores. :)
DeleteI don't think I've tried radicchio. I love anything bitter, so I am going to see if the nearby grocery store has it.