Weeds...or are they????February's rain total of over 150mm has spurred the early growth of weeds around the garden.
Taking a closer look has revealed some interesting volunteers...
Hollyhocks Alcea roseaand to think I've sown some seeds 
Nettles Urtica dioicavery early this year
and much too useful to call a weed!
New Zealand Spinach Tetragonia tetragonioidesor Warrigal Greens
a useful edible native
Calendula Calendula officinalisever present, ever welcome!
Acacia spbut which one???
Red Kale Brassica oleraceaI didn't have any seeds of these to plant this year
and I notice these are free from pest attack
I have potted up some of the Hollyhocks, NZ Spinach and Kale plants. You might like to click on those photos to get a bigger view.
Isn't it amazing that nature just does fine without us intervening! Those self sown seeds have chosen the time and the place for themselves!
ReplyDeleteOnce upon a time at a property I rented the back garden was full of nettle. I use to love it, zero effort gardening. My partner thought I was insane. I even came to respect their sting. I use to harvest it and hang it in bunches in the kitchen and use it for tea. Again my partner thought I was insane. I am surprised she moved in with me. What do you use nettle for Scarecrow?
ReplyDeleteI am confused about the New Zealand Spinach, if it is a native why is it called NZ then?
Hi Matron
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I don't think many of these will survive once I let the chooks back into the orchard area (where I found these) that's why I potted some of them up to grow elsewhere!
Hi Jason
I use nettles a lot in the garden in compost making see here, as a liquid plant feeding tea see here also as a chook tonic for when they are moulting (like now!) see here.
I have even been known to throw some into soup made with a base of good homemade stock!
New Zealand Spinach was first "discovered" by Capt Cook in New Zealand so he must given it the very obvious name!! It is also native to Australia and Japan. More info on this link and also on this link
Hi Scarecrow. Love your work, nothing is truly a weed just the wrong plant in the wrong spot!! I pretty much garden the same way. My front yard is almost all "weeds" or excess' that have sprouted from the rains, transplanted from the backyard. I too use nettle tea, great for water retention (drunk as tea. It also lightens hair (truly)made as a strong tea, poured over hair after washing. I have not tried it personally but have seen the result on others and it really works!! :O)take care Yollie.
ReplyDelete