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By Jasleena Grewal
Foraging or wandering in search of food and plants, isn’t relegated to remote forests and idyllic fields. Edible and usable weeds are abundant in urban environments too. Some are found in common cuisine: Dandelion and stinging nettle are often used in salads and teas. And many weeds are vitamin- and nutrient-rich.
YES! Illustrations by Jennifer Luxton.
Harvesting urban weeds can help us connect better with the natural spaces where we work, live and play. But finding them requires a little technique. Melany Vorass Herrera, author of The Front Yard Forager, suggests carrying a field guide to help identify plants, picking only as much as you need and avoiding areas known for pollution, heavy industry or chemical use (pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers).
Your nearest urban patch may be home to a variety of edible weeds, including some you may never have heard of, like lamb’s quarter.
This article was reposted with permission from our media associate YES! Magazine.