As winter warms to spring, annual weed seeds that have overwintered in the garden, burst in to grow as the temperatures start to rise. These are a few of our worst weed offenders this spring, and the team are weeding away to get these out of the garden. But not all these weeds are destined for the bin, some can be a great addition to your kitchen.
Hairy Bittercress
This one is popping up everywhere now, it is most prolific after early spring rain. The white flowers soon turn to long seed heads which split open explosively when ripe and fling seed everywhere. The appearance of this weed starts to reduce as temperatures rise in summer, but better to rid the garden of it well before it has gone to seed.
It is a member of the mustard family and is completely edible. It is full of vitamins and antioxidants, and has a mild peppery flavor, so please feast away on it.
Buttercup
This weed, also known as 'creeping buttercup' has a rampant growth habit and inserts itself insidiously in to the landscape by craftily sending out creeping stems that root at intervals along the surface of the soil, and each new root becomes a new plant, soon forming a thick tangle of interlocked foliage which crowds out intended garden plants.
Always best to tackle it early in the season, before it has had a chance to spread far.
When weeding, it is very important to get all the roots out and the creeping stems.
Purple Dead Nettle
This common annual weed belongs to the mint family (it is not related to stinging nettle, hence the common name 'dead' which refers to it not having a sting).
Don't be fooled by the pretty pink flowers, it is an aggressive grower that spreads like wildfire once left to go to seed.
Has medicinal properties, high in Vit C and iron, helps offset allergy symptoms, can be used as a salad green, popular with wild foragers. Once again, feast away, but get it out of the garden!
