Tuesday, April 23, 2013

I transplanted the last flat of seedlings I started today. Even though the weather here is less than spring like, everything i planted in the garden is coming up and looking good. While i'm waiting, there is something green that's ready to be harvested now; dandelion greens! Dandelion greens are very nutritious. They are a good source of fiber, vitamins A, C, E, and K. They also contain a good source of thiamin, vitamin B6, calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium, and... they're free! Dandelions are somewhat sharp tasting, I saute them with garlic and olive oil, and they're delicious. If you like arugula you might like dandelion greens raw in salads. You want to harvest dandelion greens before the plant flowers. You can also use the roots of dandelion as a diuretic. You can use the root either as an infusion, or make a tincture. However you should be very careful. While the dandelion greens are rich in potassium, the roots are not, and diuretics deplete the body of potassium. Only use the dandelion root after you consult a doctor. When you harvest dandelion greens, try to make sure you're not harvesting from a lawn or area where pesticides have been used. If you are unsure about it, don't harvest from that area.

2 comments:

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  2. Inspiring! & beautiful,
    Rachel Ziesk, thank you.

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