Garlic Mustard
When you see a patch of that most invasive garlic mustard in your lawn, what do you do with it? Perhaps you rip it out by the roots and toss it in a heap to dry out and blow away. Perhaps you put it in a plastic bag to let it rot. Here are a couple of other suggestions you may want to try.
- Strip off the leaves and add them to your tossed salad.
- Chop leaves and stems and add to soups or stews.
- Grate the roots and marinate them in vinegar to barely cover. Use as you would horseradish.
You may find yourself a bit happier to have garlic mustard taking over your wild spaces.
Dandelions
While others are poisoning their lawns trying to rid them of dandelions, you could do yourself a favor and harvest them instead.
- Harvest the leaves to add a bitter note to your tossed salad.
- Dry the roots to make a medicinal tincture that’s great for “women’s issues.”
- Collect enough blossoms to make dandelion wine.
You can actually look forward to seeing those happy yellow blossoms appearing in the spring!
