Yep, you read correctly – eating from your yard. Really you can do this year-round if you want, but Spring offers some of the tastiest (and healthiest) morsels (or morels…later in the Spring).

The first treats from our yard, that we love to eat, are: chickweed, violet and dandelion. If you have never had chickweed, I suggest you try some next spring. It tastes way better on a sandwich than lettuce, and it is much better for you, too. While I’d like to tell you all the wonderful things about it, my lawyer says I’d have to print the “don’t sue me if you get sick from eating something you shouldn’t.” (and, yes, some hillbillies do have lawyers – especially ones that are hillbillies themselves) Instead, I suggest you go to your nearest library, or search online, for ways to use chickweed as food. Once you do, put it between two slices of bread, add some bacon, and throw on some homemade mayonnaise. So good you will want to do a jig!

A favorite of the kids is violet. Who wouldn’t want to eat these cute little flowers? We love to pick the blooms, place them on a sheet of wax paper, and then put them in the freezer. I’m not sure what magic happens while they are in that cold, dark place, but it sure does make them taste good! They are also good to toss onto a salad (where you have already added the chickweed), and cover with a nice oil and vinegar dressing.

And, no doubt, you’ve already heard about the wonders of dandelions. They can go into jellies, get fried up in a pan, and they will also work in your violet and chickweed salad. Dandelions are Nature’s gifts to humans. I will never, ever, in my whole life understand why in the world people try to kill these wonderful plants. If only they knew what healing properties dandelion has, or how delicious a jug of wine is when it is freshly opened.

From Spring you go into Summer. Summer brings all kinds of glorious things you can eat. Here is a short list of things you can enjoy from your yard.

• Honeysuckle (mostly the flowers)
• Burdock
• Plantain
• Morels (not really a “weed,” but can be find if you forage in the woods)
• Clover
• Chicory
• Berries (remember to dress for bugs – chiggers love berries, too)

And now, we drift lazily into Fall. Fall is nut season. Acorns and walnuts are my favorite to find, but you may be able to find others in your area. The trick to finding good nuts (no, this isn’t the comedic part of this article – you think I want to write the word “nuts” all the time?) is to get them before they sit on the ground too long. Nothing says, “puke” more than old nuts that have been left on the ground.

I have yet to try grinding acorns into flour, but from what I understand it is some of the best flour out there. I think it would make a great pie crust for all the berries I saved from Summer! In the Fall you will sometimes see a re-emergence of dandelions. Many people don’t like to use them at this time, preferring to dig up the root for tea and what not. Me? Any dandelion is a good dandelion. Make a batter with acorn flour, add some salt and pepper, and fry up those yellow blooms!

Other than nuts and dandelions, Fall continues to bring the joys of burdock, chicory, and other weeds mentioned above.

Finally the year ends with Winter. I know quite a few people that forage from their yard even when there are inches of snow on the ground. Me, well, I’m too busy with the Holidays to poke around in my yard…and I like to give the lawn a break. After months of being mown and harvested, I like to think the green things want a nap.

If you are interested in wild edibles, I highly suggest finding a book or two on the subject. If you are unsure about what you can eat, a quick call to a local botanist, or herbalist, can help you. Many plants are safe to eat at your whim, while others are only good from time to time. Always remember to have some common sense, and not pick wild edibles from a yard that uses pesticides or chemicals. Also, please don’t pick the edibles if they are near a place where animals leave their waste. Unless you want a side of salmonella with your greens, find a clear place to pick your food.

Many people are starting to eat from their own yard – face your fears and take a dive into what is growing near you.