Go Eat Your Weeds: A Backyard Forager’s Guide
to wild greens, no expertise required
When the summer greens started popping up, I breathed a sigh of relief. No more spinach from the store. No more farmers market runs just for a handful of greens.
Now my mornings look a little different. After I get dressed and spend a few moments in meditation, I grab my basket and scissors and head out to the yard. I snip plantain, dandelion leaves, violet leaves, mulberry leaves, ground ivy, and if I'm lucky, cleavers and wood sorrel too. It's grounding, literally and figuratively, and it sets the tone for the whole day.
Then it all goes into my morning smoothie.
I can feel the difference. More energy. A clearer head. The wild foods are doing their work.
There's good reason for that. I came across a video recently that talked about how eating just three different wild plants significantly increases your nutrient density, and honestly, that tracks with my experience. Many of the plants we call "weeds" are among the most nutrient-dense foods available to us, and they're free, growing right outside.
The beauty is you don't have to overhaul your kitchen. Toss a handful into scrambled eggs. Layer them into a salad. Blend them into a smoothie like I do. From there, let your imagination take over.
A few things worth keeping in mind:
Forage sustainably. Take from plants that grow in abundance, and don't strip any one spot bare. The good news is that many wild greens like dandelion, plantain, violet, and mulberry regrow readily after snipping. Some of the most nutrient-dense plants are also highly opportunistic (some might say invasive), so harvesting them freely is actually doing your yard a favor.
Know what you're picking. I've taken some classes and work at an apothecary, and I still consider myself a novice. Use a field guide, take a local class, or forage with someone more experienced before you go solo.
Avoid treated areas. Stay away from lawns or parks that may have been sprayed. You're eating wild foods to add to your wellbeing, not to introduce toxins.
May is one of the best months to start. Step outside, look down, and you might be surprised what's already waiting for you.
Go eat your weeds. Your body will thank you.
~Page Park
