I was away for one week in August. While I was gone the veggie patch had gone wild. Before I left I did pull up some nasturtiums because they were running rampant. But when I came back home they had taken over again with a vengeance! The other greens in the patch had a growth spurt as well.

Greens Gone Wild

There had been rain while I was away. The veggie patch looked wild and lush. No neat rows in my veggie patch. Coming back home to the edible jungle that my veggie patch had become was great welcome home. Large silverbeet and sorrel leaves were made into cheese and greens triangles. The kale leaves were stir-fried with mushrooms and also made into kale chips.

 

Snowpeas and King Parrots

My little one was picking snowpeas. She told me ‘I think something has been eating our snowpeas Mum.’ She showed me the snowpea pods she was talking about. As soon as I saw them I knew the king parrots had been eating them. I knew because just the peas were eaten and the pod left on the plant. King Parrots must just like the peas inside. I asked the girls to pick all the snowpeas they could see. That afternoon, we were sitting in the garden and noticed the king parrots that had come to visit. They were nibbling on the pigeon pea pods – that was OK with me, they could eat as many pigeon peas pods as they like.

But when we left the garden, the king parrots took their opportunity to try their luck with the snowpea plants. Those cheeky parrots must prefer snowpeas over pigeon peas!

Eating My Weeds

Chickweed – it had flourished in the patch. This edible weed has a mild taste (even my kids will nibble at it) and is a useful addition to salads. Especially when the lettuce in the patch is starting to become bitter tasting.

Chickens also love eating it and it’s why it is called chickweed. A friend who has chickens was visiting and asked me if she could take some chickweed home to her feathered friends as a tasty treat for them. This human likes chickweed as well 🙂

There are medicinal uses for this plant but I have not tried any of them. I have heard that it can be used for skin conditions.

It is important to correctly identify the plant you are wishing to eat. I have a copy of The Weed Forager’s Handbook that is a great resource for weed identification as well as uses.

Flowering Dill

The dill plants have grown tall and started to flower. Dill a delicate looking plant with its feathery fine leaves but then I’m reminded of its strength when I watch it grow to a great height. These plants haven’t toppled over yet. I will let them flower and attract all those pollinators that have been buzzing around. I am hoping these pollinators will see my pepino plant set fruit.

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WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR AUGUST HAPPENINGS IN YOUR VEGGIE PATCH? WE WOULD LOVE TO KNOW! PLEASE LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.