Spring has sprung, and the warm soil is practically calling out for seeds! But before we unleash a vibrant wave of vegetables in our backyard plot, there’s a crucial first act: the garden cleanup. Confession time: from fall’s colorful descent to spring’s tentative green whispers, our garden enjoyed a bit of a wild phase. Think of it as a self-seeding, nature-inspired art project. But now, it’s harvest time for this wild bounty before we usher in our meticulously planned rows of veggies!
Ah, the bittersweet dance with dandelions! While spring’s vibrant song ushers in visions of meticulously planned veggie rows, it’s also a (slightly inconvenient) time for a bonus harvest. Yes, we’re talking about those cheerful yellow suns dotting the landscape – dandelions! While fall is undeniably the prime time for root harvest, sometimes practicality wins out. Since these sunny stowaways will inevitably get tilled under anyway, why not grab them now for a double harvest later?
Here’s the beauty: dandelions are tenacious little things. Even if a root breaks during your spring extraction, fear not! Those leftover fragments will happily regrow throughout the summer, plumping up into prize-worthy roots come fall. Think of it as a built-in reminder for your autumn harvest.
And for those curious about the delightful ways we transform these sunny soldiers, head over to our previous post https://rjhomestead.com/2024/04/12/dandelion-days-harvest-time-in-your-own-backyard/. Now, that’s what we call maximizing the garden’s bounty!
The greens get a quick rinse, while the roots need to be scrubbed to get all the dirt off. Then a rough chop and everything heads to the dehydrator.
Our springtime garden cleanup isn’t just about clearing the way for new crops, it’s also a treasure hunt for tenacious wild edibles! One of our most prized finds? Plantain (Plantago spp.), a humble yet mighty herb with a rich history.
Plantain boasts an impressive resume dating back centuries. From the ancient Greeks and Romans to Native American tribes, this unassuming weed has been a staple in traditional medicine cabinets around the world. Its moniker, “white man’s footprint,” even reflects its journey across continents, following European explorers and establishing itself wherever they settled. But plantain’s true power lies beneath its unassuming surface.
Modern research is catching up to traditional wisdom, revealing a treasure trove of potential medicinal benefits in plantain. The leaves, packed with antioxidants and beneficial compounds, have been shown to:
- Soothe Sore Throats and Coughs: Plantain’s anti-inflammatory and demulcent properties may help ease irritation and coughing.
- Aid Digestion: Its astringent nature might help settle an upset stomach and promote healthy digestion.
- Promote Wound Healing: Plantain’s traditional use for wound care may have a basis in science, with studies suggesting it can accelerate healing and reduce inflammation.
So, the next time you see plantain growing in your yard, don’t reach for the weedkiller! This little powerhouse might just be your new go-to for natural remedies. Stay tuned for future posts where we’ll delve deeper into using plantain and explore some easy ways to incorporate it into your wellness routine! And keep your eyes peeled later this year, one of the books in our Grow, Gather, Heal series covers Plantain!
Plantain has two main varieties around here, narrow leaf and broad leaf. Both are recognizable by the ribs that run on the underside of the leaves, and the stretchy fibers that can be found when you break a leaf off.
Ah, the springtime garden census! It’s not just about who’s showing up for the veggie party, but also about managing the enthusiastic attendees who might have overstayed their welcome from last season. Take the case of the wild violets! These charming little purple visitors have a tendency to politely, but persistently, inch their way into our garden beds.
While we adore their delicate beauty and their status as edible and medicinal powerhouses (you can revisit our violet adventures here: https://rjhomestead.com/2024/04/05/discovering-the-delights-of-wild-violets-with-my-little-explorer/), unchecked violet populations can become a bit overwhelming in the veggie patch.
So, what’s a homesteader to do? Enter the strategic snip-and-pot method! We gently trim back the wild violets, giving our vegetables some much-needed breathing room. But here’s the twist: instead of sending the violets to the compost pile, we give them a new lease on life in charming pots. These potted beauties can find a happy home on our patio, become a delightful addition to our plant sales this year, or get transplanted later in the fall to establish new violet havens around the yard. It’s a win-win! We get to maintain order in the veggie garden and celebrate the beauty (and potential future uses) of these wild gems.
Spring cleaning the garden isn’t just about clearing the decks for new crops, it’s sometimes about capitalizing on fleeting opportunities! Case in point: cleavers! These cheerful green climbers are popping up in abundance throughout our homestead, and their window of prime harvest is oh-so-short.
So, while putting my tools away after the morning’s cleanup, I couldn’t resist a quick “cleaver harvest.” These sticky friends will be taking a trip to the freezer, ensuring a stash of this versatile wild edible to enjoy throughout the year. Curious about how we use cleavers? Head over to our previous post to unlock the “sticky surprise” – https://rjhomestead.com/2024/04/08/the-sticky-surprise-the-benefits-of-cleavers/ Let’s just say, cleavers are a testament to the fact that sometimes, the best things in life come with a little hitch (or in this case, a sticky embrace)!
Hope you found something useful from our garden cleanup. As spring moves toward summer the yard will come alive with projects and the plants will soon take over our daily chores.
RJ Homestead 
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