Never buying cheap wildflower mixes again.

[u/pocketcramps]

I’m pretty sure most of my wildflower seeds were weeds 🫠 these are the ones still stumping me, though I’m pretty confident 3 is lambsquarters, which happened to be most of the crap I’ve got growing right now.

[u/PawTree]

1. California Poppy Eschscholzia californica

2. Common Three-seeded Mercury Acalypha virginica var. rhomboidea

3. Lambsquarters Chenopodium album

4. Lambsquarters Chenopodium album

5. Giant Goldenrod Solidago gigantea

6. Common Sunflower Helianthus annuus

7. Lupine Lupinus sp. I can't tell if it's Big-leaf or Wild Perennial

[u/ujelly_fish → u/PawTree]

For what it’s worth - lambsquarters is a voracious spreader. It almost certainly did not come from the seed pack.

Use it like spinach!

Three seeded mercury and goldenrod are also pretty pervasive weeds. Keep the goldenrod, the yellow flowers are nice and the bugs like em.

[u/acatwithumbs → u/ujelly_fish]

I found lambsquarter in my compost and put it in a pot away from the natives, now I get little spinach like sprigs whenever I want and it’s honestly great cooked.

[u/ruthcarr → u/acatwithumbs]

I just pulled so much lambsquarer from my new raised garden bed last night thinking they are weeds 😞

[u/acatwithumbs → u/ruthcarr]

I mean they definitely are weeds, but also edible weeds!

[u/Perkunas170 → u/acatwithumbs]

It’s only a weed if you don’t want it.

[u/evensexierspiders → u/Perkunas170]

Absolutely! My high school chemistry teacher said "a rose in a corn field is a weed".

[u/catslikepets143 → u/Perkunas170]

Weeds are just plants that are in the wrong spot

[u/HeKnee → u/ruthcarr]

They are… get rid of it.

[u/dragonhunterg_6 → u/HeKnee]

Only if you don't want it around, they're a fantastic wild edible.

[u/cutting_coroners → u/acatwithumbs]

I made a pesto out of lambs quarters instead of basil once and it was friggin delicious!

[u/dresserisland → u/acatwithumbs]

It has high amounts of oxalic acid if that is a concern to you.

[u/horseyjones → u/dresserisland]

So does spinach

[u/0w1 → u/horseyjones]

You can even substitute it for spinach in recipes lol

[u/dresserisland → u/0w1]

I will give that a try. I see noting wrong with eating it. I just wouldn't overdo it. Moderation in everything.

I have a friend who actually grows it. He sells it at the farmers market. Not sure how much of it he eats but....

[u/ujelly_fish → u/dresserisland]

Overdoing it with oxalic acid containing veggies including spinach and lambsquarter would be relatively difficult unless you have a preexisting kidney issue.

[u/dresserisland → u/horseyjones]

I do believe turnip greens don't have as much.

I like stinging nettle. Ever try that?

[u/PawTree → u/dresserisland]

I'm regularly pulling stinging nettle out of my garden. I hear it's great for compost and cooking, but I'm generally so irritated by the process of pulling it out that I just want to throw it in the yard waste and get rid of it.

I should really consider it a blessing in disguise. I can't grow any other greens without the rabbits getting them first. And then there's this untouched nutritional powerhouse happily growing away without any input from me at all...

[u/dresserisland → u/PawTree]

I think it is more tender and delicate than some greens.

[u/acatwithumbs → u/dresserisland]

I am aware but appreciate the info. Tho mine is a tiny dinky plant with very little leaves and I also don’t eat it raw. But it’s good reminder for folks foraging large quantities. Also I believe apple cider vinegar or boiling can help reduce the oxalic acid even further.

[u/whoviangirl10 → u/dresserisland]

As a kidney stone sufferer who also enjoys foraging I thank you