The Yardstead

I am sure that most southerners are very familiar with the common lawn weed called "Florida Betony" or as the old timers called it "Rattlesnake Grass". If you have ever broken ground and dug up white tubers approximately 3-4" long and as big around as your pinky finger you have stumbled upon Florida Betony. Although hated by those who strive to have the perfect lawn it could very well be a hidden treasure in times of crisis as these tubers are edible. In fact they are crips and jucy like a radish. Try one and I am sure you will be digging up your yard for more of these veggies. FYI: They are GREAT on salads.

pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/C867-11.htm

I have these weeds all over the place. I always see the tubers when I till up the ground around here. Im gonna harvest some tomorrow and taste them. Another common lawn weed that's edible is dandelions. I have a bumper crop of dandelions this year. The greens (leaves), roots, stems and flowers of dandelions are all edible.

Dandelions, oh yeah. Boiled up like turnips with a smoked hock or some fat back and you got yourself a good meal.

Another good vegetable that grows wild in our area is the Jerusalem Artichoke. Jerusalem artichokes produce knobby tuber like rhizomes that can be peeled and eaten. The Jerusalem Artichokes are very prolific and produce a lot of rhizomes. The ones in our area grow wild and thrive throughout the spring and summer. They come back every year from rhizomes left in the soil. Be careful though, if you plant them in your garden. It is difficult to dig up every single rhizomes from the plants and some little rhizomes always get left behind, which will grow back the following spring. I have transplanted rhizomes from wild growing plants in our lawn to our garden and they did very well. We harvested about a 5 gallon bucket full from about 5 or six plants. They are a bit tough to peel, but worth it. Jerusalem artichokes are recommended for diabetics because they store their carbs as inulin rather that starch like potatoes. They have been shown to help reduce blood sugar levels when eaten regularly. Here is a picture of some rhizomes.