Skip to main content

You may find these types of edible weeds in your garden

We tend to think of fruit and vegetable gardens as the only way to grow our own food, but edible plants are all around us. You don’t need to go out into the woods to forage, though. Many of the plants that we label as weeds and strive to get rid of started off as valuable food sources. We’ll tell you all about six edible weeds you can add to your meals. Before harvesting any of them, though, be sure you know that the plant you’re eating is the plant you think it is, wash them before eating, and don’t harvest from any part of your yard or garden where chemicals have been sprayed.

Dandelions

Dandelions are often one of the first weeds people turn to when they begin eating weeds, and it’s no mystery why. Dandelions are easy to recognize, they grow everywhere, and every part of them is edible. The leaves can be added to a salad, and are especially tasty and tangy if picked when they’re young and tender. The flowers can be eaten raw, but the texture is often off-putting for people. Instead, try cooking them into a jelly, jam, or wine. The roots are most often boiled into tea, but can also be added to coffee. The seeds can be eaten raw, processed into seed milk, or ground into a flour-like dust.

Wood sorrel with yellow flowers
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Wood sorrel

Wood sorrel is another tangy green you can add to any salad or soup. It can be found in any state, but does go dormant when it gets cold, so northern states may have a smaller harvesting window. Wood sorrel has leaves that resemble clover leaves, but with small, five-petaled flowers. The most common variety of wood sorrel has yellow flowers and green leaves, but it can also have pink, purple, or white flowers, as well as leaves that are darker green, purple, or both. The leaves and flowers are both edible, whether cooked or raw, and it makes an excellent garnish.

A patch of chickweed
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Chickweed

Chickweed has small, round leaves and tiny white flowers. If you look closely at the flowers, the petals are shaped like the letter “v,” making them easy to identify. Chickweed grows in every state, and it often grows in thick patches. You can eat the flowers, seeds, leaves, and stems of chickweed. It has a very fresh taste, which is often compared to grass, corn silk, or spinach. You can add it to your stir fry, soup, or salad, as it can be eaten cooked or raw. Chickweed typically grows in cooler weather, so, while it may be found in abundance year round in some northern climates, it’s typically harvested in winter and spring.

Several stems of purple dead nettle
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Dead nettle

Despite its name, dead nettle is very much alive in almost every state. You may have difficulty finding dead nettle if you live in an area that’s particularly dry or prone to droughts, but otherwise you’ll likely find plenty of this weed. It’s mostly found in late winter and early spring, when the weather is still cool but any snow on the ground is beginning to thaw. Dead nettle has small, heart-shaped leaves that are soft and green. They grow short stems with tiny, trumpet-shaped purple flowers that peek out between layers of leaves. As they reach maturity, their leaves begin to turn purple. The stems, leaves, and flowers of dead nettle are edible both cooked and raw, and have a flavor that’s often described as reminiscent of mushrooms.

A broadleaf plantain growing in sandy soil
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Plantain

Not to be confused with the type of banana that shares its name, the plantain you’ll find in your yard is easiest to recognize by its green flower spike. Both broadleaf and narrowleaf plantains are common in yards and gardens. The leaves and flowers are both edible, with the leaves having a fresh, leafy taste and the flowers having an earthier, more mushroom-like flavor. When harvested young, the leaves are tender. Mature leaves, particularly of the broadleaf plantain, are somewhat thicker than typical salad greens, which can be off-putting for some people.

Purple wood violets
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Violets

Violets are often grown in edible flower gardens, but did you know you can also eat the smaller, wild violets that pop up in yards from time to time? Wood violets have a sweet, mild flavor. They work well as garnishes, can be candied and used to decorate desserts, or added to beverages. However, they’re also mild enough that they can be added to savory dishes, giving the dish a pop of sweet without being overwhelmingly floral. They strongly resemble their larger, more decorative cousins, with smooth, heart-shaped leaves and purple or white flowers. Both the leaves and flowers are edible.

There’s a wide world of edible plants out there for you to try, but these six are a great place to start. Remember to triple check that you have the right plants, wash them before eating, and don’t harvest from areas that are sprayed with chemicals or popular sites for animals to visit. As long as you’re being safe, you can forage in your own backyard all year round.

Editors' Recommendations

Cayla Leonard
Cayla Leonard is a writer from North Carolina who is passionate about plants.  She enjoys reading and writing fiction and…
The colors of fall flowers can be striking: 11 flowers that’ll have your garden bursting with autumn colors
Keep your fall garden gorgeous and colorful with these flowers
Beautiful light purple asters

When you imagine a beautiful flower garden, you might picture it in spring or summer. The colors of fall can be just as striking, though! As your summer garden fades, why not replace it with a stunning fall flower garden? No matter the climate you live in or the colors you prefer, there are plants that will look great in your autumn garden. These 11 flowers can satisfy any gardener, whether you’re looking to fill a full flower bed or just one or two containers to spruce up your porch. Here are our favorite flowers to bring the colors of fall to your home or garden!

Celosia
Celosia, also sometimes called cock’s comb or wool flowers, are sure to stand out in any garden. These unique flowers come in shades of pink, orange, red, yellow, and purple. They can be shaped like fox tails (triangular and bushy) or like coral, wide and wavy. They grow easily in containers or gardens. Celosia are low-maintenance flowers. They enjoy full sun, although they will tolerate some shade, and do best in well-draining soil. Celosia won’t tolerate standing water or wet feet, so let the soil dry between waterings.

Read more
6 outdoor gardening projects to do in October
Stay active this October with these projects
Large oak tree with orange leaves in autumn

It seems like there’s always something more to be doing in the garden. Whether it’s the day-to-day chores like weeding or watering or the bigger, seasonal tasks like harvesting, there’s a task for every season and a season for every task. Figuring out which projects to do and when can be overwhelming, especially if you're new to outdoor gardening. If you aren't sure where to start or are looking for a handy checklist to ensure you've done everything, let this article be your guide! Here are six outdoor gardening projects and tasks to complete this October.

Set up feeders for birds and squirrels with leftover seeds
After you harvest the last of your fruits or flowers, you’ll need to clean out your garden. Any leftover plant material can be taken out and composted, unless it’s diseased or has a fungal infection. You may also want to save some of the seeds from your garden, especially if you’re growing heirloom plants.

Read more
What you need for a gorgeous indoor rose plant
Grow an indoor rose garden for a lively and elegant display
Several orange miniature roses in a large pot

Roses are beautiful, elegant flowers, but they’re also typically grown as outdoor blooms. They can take up a lot of space and have a reputation for being somewhat particular about their care. So what should you do if you have limited space to grow plants, or if the weather isn’t compatible with growing roses? Grow them indoors, of course! Here's everything you need to know to care for an indoor rose plant.

Can you grow roses inside?
Yes, you absolutely can! Revitalize your indoor garden with a bounty of roses. Roses will grow just as well indoors as they would outdoors, as long as you take proper care of them. Here are the basics of rose care and how they’re impacted by the change of scenery.
Light
Light is very important for roses. Most rose varieties need roughly six hours of direct sunlight a day. For indoor roses, make sure they have plenty of light or look for a variety that specifically grows in lower light. Grow lights will be crucial if your home doesn't get a lot of natural lighting.
Water
When watering your roses, make sure that the top inch of the soil is dry before you water, but don’t let the soil dry out completely. You also want to keep an eye out for the humidity. If the air isn’t humid enough, your rose may develop a spider mite infestation! You can place your rose in a tray with just a little water in it, which creates more humidity around the plant as the water evaporates. There is, of course, also the option of investing in a humidifier.
Temperature
Roses are not very fond of the cold. They need temperatures ranging from 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit to be comfortable. However, you can start your roses in January or February — the seeds should be just fine with this timing. The soil will keep them warm in late winter, and you should see sprouts by spring.
Pruning
Roses do need to be pruned, and this is especially true of indoor roses. Pruning keeps them healthy and from taking up too much room. Simply clip faded blooms off with sharp garden shears or a blade.

Read more