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Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 19540
Location: In the pond with the frogs
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 Posted: Thu Feb 17, 05 7:03 pm Post subject: Cab's Ground Elder article. |
 
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Cab's Ground Elder Recipes can be found here
I suppose I shouldn't moan but we don't have any or know anyone who does, but I'm sure we can track some down.
I do have a few questions:
What does it taste like?
Is it best in the spring or can the plants be cut down and fresh growth used?
Do you have any or know any good pictures? There are some on the following link but mainly of the flowers. http://www.bioimages.org.uk/HTML/R151137.HTM
As with many weeds I'll be careful to ensure any plants I gather haven't been sprayed. |
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tahir
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 38227
Location: Essex
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 05 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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We've got something that loks exactly like Ground Elder in our garden except it's variegated, any ideas? |
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Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 19540
Location: In the pond with the frogs
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 05 7:13 pm Post subject: |
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Veriegated ground elder? Is there not a domesticated beding plant? |
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cab
Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 30063
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| Posted: Fri Feb 18, 05 10:00 am Post subject: |
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There is a variegated ground elder. I've seen it in gardens and as a garden escapee. There's a patch bursting to get out of a garden that I pass when cycling out to Grantchester. A quick googling reveals this page with pictures:
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Goutweed
I've eaten it, and when young it's pleasant enough. I don't think that it's QUITE as nice as the plain green plant when older. |
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Jonnyboy
Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 22806
Location: location, location
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| Posted: Fri Feb 18, 05 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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Some more info and pics here
It's also quite an interesting site if you pop to the home page |
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tahir
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 38227
Location: Essex
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| Posted: Fri Feb 18, 05 12:06 pm Post subject: |
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An excellent weed identifier |
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Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 19540
Location: In the pond with the frogs
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| Posted: Fri Feb 18, 05 7:04 pm Post subject: Re: Cab's Ground Elder article. |
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| Treacodactyl wrote: |
| What does it taste like? |
Well? Anyone tried it yet?  |
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Marigold123
Joined: 06 Feb 2005
Posts: 224
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| Posted: Sun Feb 20, 05 5:15 am Post subject: |
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I've always found it rather stinky when weeding, though I'm prepared to concede that it probably tastes better than it smells when cooked.
We had a fair bit in our garden before the chickens arrived, but, you've guessed it, we don't have any left now. There may be some left still alive underground, but the feathered weeding machines are bound to spot any new growth before I do. I shall have to pick mine elsewhere. I think I spotted some the other day, so I shall check it out. |
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cab
Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 30063
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| Posted: Tue Feb 22, 05 2:35 pm Post subject: Re: Cab's Ground Elder article. |
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| Treacodactyl wrote: |
I do have a few questions:
What does it taste like?
Is it best in the spring or can the plants be cut down and fresh growth used?
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It tastes like ground elder 
Not unlike alexanders, not entirely unlike hogweed... Not helping am I?
And as for when to pick it, use the young, lush green stuff in salad, and the slightly older stuff (till it flowers) cooked. Cut it back and it'll come again... For years  |
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PeterR
Joined: 13 Feb 2005
Posts: 13
Location: Milton Keynes
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| Posted: Tue Feb 22, 05 6:06 pm Post subject: perfect solution! can't wait to try it |
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this sounds brilliant. if ground elder really is edible (and enjoyable) that is the best thing i've heard so far this year. i can't wait to try it. i am bursting to tell other people, but i'd better be self disciplined and try it personally before recommending this solution to my gardener friends.
nobody in the forum (that i've noticed) has given an opinion on whether it is nice to eat (after all, there is a difference between edible and tasty). anyone care to give any reviews of its tastiness?
peter |
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tahir
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 38227
Location: Essex
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| Posted: Tue Feb 22, 05 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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I've never tried it but Cab's been recommending it for yonks, it's also recommended by forest gardening practitioner Patrick Whitefield, the late John seymour and Richard Mabey so i reckon it must be OK.
Just keep tuned in for his recommendations through the year, you'll be surprised.
My favourite weed green is Fat Hen much tastier than spinach in my opinion. |
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Marigold123
Joined: 06 Feb 2005
Posts: 224
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| Posted: Tue Feb 22, 05 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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I'm sure I used to see loads of fat hen around the area before I had chickens, but now I want to pick them some, (and some for me, of course), it's nowhere to be seen - at any time of year. Has there been a plague or something, or is it just me? |
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tahir
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 38227
Location: Essex
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| Posted: Tue Feb 22, 05 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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Why'd you reckon it's called fat hen? Chickens love it, they've probably eaten it.
I've saved some seed so if you want any PM me. |
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Marigold123
Joined: 06 Feb 2005
Posts: 224
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| Posted: Tue Feb 22, 05 7:35 pm Post subject: |
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The chooks have eaten EVERYTHING in my garden. The only things left are a couple of rosemary bushes, shrubs and a couple of roses! Actually, I've never had any fat hen in my garden, but I thought I'd seen it around locally.
My chickens also love goosegrass and chickweed, which I collect handfuls of on the way home from taking my daughter to school, as they haven't got any grass to eat at the moment.
I'd love to grow some, thanks for offering. I've PMd you with my address. (Growing weeds is not difficult, right? ) |
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cab
Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 30063
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| Posted: Wed Feb 23, 05 10:45 am Post subject: |
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How ironic that two of the adverts on an article advocating eating weeds as a way of eradicating them should be for weedkillers |
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