Selfsufficientish.com

I'd like to make the most of our garden. One sticky point is one of our wild patches! I am happy to have wild areas, although in the interests of self sufficiency, I need it to be producing something that we can also eat x

Basically we have two elder trees that are very determined to grow there. This particular area is about 10 - 15m squared.

It looks like the previous occupants the elder trees to kill them with weed killer (when we moved in last year they were just stumps with holes drilled in them.

In this area we also have bindweed, brambles. I planted rubarb early this year which has gone crazy too (the bind weed doesn't seem to like rubarb, perhaps I should fill the whole area with rubarb )

I'm happy to keep the brambles and the elder trees and make it a wildlife area I would like to know what else I might be able to grow in it that we could harvest (i.e. wild food, native herbs, edible 'weeds' - or anything???).

Any thoughts/insights would be GREATLY appreciated.

I am thinking of making a pond on our plot. It might be a good idea to create it next to this wild area.

Warm Regards
Trinity

Sounds like that area is already producing. You'll get blackberries, elderflower, elderberries, and rhubarb from it.

Stinging nettles!

I couldn't quite understand your posting - are you saying the tree stumps that had had holes drilled in them came back to life again?

Does anyone know if bindweed is edible? My horse loves it so I assume it's not poisonous?

Suprisingly it's apparently edible, but thought to have purgative effects (A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.)
Info on http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php ... gia+sepium

I think I'd have to be very very hungry to eat it - or wake up in one of those 'I ain't movin until I've had a damn good purgin' moods

OK I'll give that one a miss and assume my horse is feeling a bit bunged up!

Millymollymandy wrote:Stinging nettles!

I couldn't quite understand your posting - are you saying the tree stumps that had had holes drilled in them came back to life again?

Yes! We've lived here over a year now. The previous occupants had tried to kill the elder with something or other. It didn't work. Now the elders have sprung back to life and are about 2 metres tall.

Ah, we love nettles We already have a designated nettle patch providing all our nettle needs.

xxx

9ball wrote:Suprisingly it's apparently edible, but thought to have purgative effects (A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.)

Thanks Tom. I did wonder . You must've read my mind.
I think we'll give the bindweed stew a miss then

hoomin_erra wrote:Sounds like that area is already producing. You'll get blackberries, elderflower, elderberries, and rhubarb from it.

Yes it is. I wouldn't mind finding a little more variety though.

what about some Comfrey by the wet .. good for compost and medically.

Wild garlic would be one that I would choose ...

Silver Ether wrote:what about some Comfrey by the wet .. good for compost and medically.

Wild garlic would be one that I would choose ...

Perfect!!! That's just the thing that I am looking for.
I appreciate the input.

Trinity
x

Trinity wrote:

Millymollymandy wrote:Stinging nettles!

I couldn't quite understand your posting - are you saying the tree stumps that had had holes drilled in them came back to life again?

Yes! We've lived here over a year now. The previous occupants had tried to kill the elder with something or other. It didn't work. Now the elders have sprung back to life and are about 2 metres tall.

Ah, we love nettles We already have a designated nettle patch providing all our nettle needs.

xxx

They are resilient those elders! Don't forget that nettles are the foodstuff of many butterfly caterpillars such as (I think!) Peacocks and Red Admirals, so don't chop them all down to eat if you want it as a patch that sustains wildlife as well.

Also in the springtime have a look at what is growing underfoot. I have found tons of edible plants like sorrel, lesser celandine and more that is edible growing in the wilder, shadier parts of my garden. They are good to add to a spring salad.

Our nettle patch is big, and also a wildlife haven. We just take what we need and leave the rest for nature. I think it's great to leave space for insects to flourish. I am so glad to hear that you care about wildlife!

I will have a good search around in the spiring for things. Thank you for the tips. I'll have to get my wild foods book out.

I'd love to introduce some more wild native plants we can add to salad.

Trinity
x

wild or alpine strawberries should be able to grow through the root system of the elders. Nice splash of colour too.

If the elders are large and determined to stay you could try with mistletoe up them. medicinal and Chrimbo purposes only though.

The trouble I had with having too many invasive things is that they all battle to expand and 1 year only one 1 will win!

Yes, I was thinking that... You may have to keep the brambles in check - they tend to take over. Maybe you could clear a little patch in that wilderness and plant some raspberries, too.