Don't Pull That Weed - Plantain

Second in my "weed" series is the hearty plantain. These little plants seem to pop up everywhere. They look to thrive in dry hard soil, or even where there is no soil in the cracks of my driveway. Much like the purslain, the plantain has also made a home in my garden this year, as if begging me to try it out. The larger leaves can be a bit tough but if picked young they are nice and tender. It is said to be high in iron and can be sauteed and tastes a bit like asparagus or swiss chard.

But better yet these little plants make fantastic medicine. The juice from the leave reduce pain and swelling treating everything from sunburn, bites and stings, to sprains, sore muscles, and arthritis. It is recommended to chew the leaves then apply to the affected area, making a spit poultice if you will. Glamorous? No, but if you have a bee sting that's probably the least of your worries. You can also make an infused oil from the leave, I plan to do this so I have it on hand year round. Just another little gift from nature.

Until next time!
The Hippie Homesteader
www.TheHippieHomesteader.com

Don't Pull That Weed - Purslane

So often when we think of gardening we envision perfectly spaced vegetable plants dotting beds of fluffy black dirt where no weed would even dream of laying down roots. I have been to gardens like this and I leave scratching my head, how on earth do they do that. Let me tell you my garden has never and will never be so perfect. We tend to be a little more free range here at the Hippie Homestead. I pull weeds to give my seedlings a fighting chance and to keep things as tidy as possible but there are just some "weeds" that I just can bring myself to uproot.