lamb’s quarters

Wildcrafting in the yard – Lamb’s Quarters

Jen PowellLeave a comment

I discovered Lamb’s Quarters were edible last year.  I have seen them as weeds in my gardens throughout the years.  They are delicious, with a spinach-like flavor.  I liked them so much last year that I bought seeds for this year so I’d have more.  I didn’t end up needing to plant them. I have a ton growing all over my back garden plot this year.

Lamb's Quarters
Lamb’s Quarters

They typically grow in open spots in cultivated gardens.  They were brought over to the U.S. by European settlers many years ago and have naturalized – they are supposed to be found throughout the country now.  They are related to spinach.  They were very popular throughout Europe, and then in the 1600s Spinach was introduced from Asia;  People started growing spinach instead.  My guess is that they found the spinach a lot less labor intensive.  I like them but they do take awhile to get ready – I pull the leaves off the stems, rinse very well, and then steam them so they wilt, like you’d do with spinach.

Lamb's Quarters waiting for cleaning
Lamb’s Quarters waiting for cleaning.

While picking the leaves I tend to be selective, because bugs also like to eat them.  I don’t want to eat bugs.  That adds to the time-intensiveness of cleaning.  They cook down a lot, so if you harvest, pick double what you think you’ll need.

* As a caution, please always be 100% sure of what you are picking when eating wild plants. I first confirmed with several websites and pictures before eating these, just to make sure I was picking actual Lamb’s Quarters – better to be extra safe. I don’t believe there are any dangerous look-a-likes for these, but I may be wrong, depending on what part of the country or world you are in.

My back garden – a June photo tour

Jen PowellLeave a comment

My back garden, which I increased in size from last year, is doing ok. I have a lot of things growing in it, most of which was not what I planted.  I have a lot of weeds, but luckily they are mostly lamb’s quarters, which are edible and actually really delicious (they taste kind of like spinach).  I liked the few we found last year so much that I bought seeds for this year, and then didn’t have to plant any – they grew on their own. Here are some photos of my back garden plot.

Here is the bed that is mostly full of lamb's quarters. I am going to let them grow a bit more before harvesting. I have some stuff I planted that is (kind of) growing in amongst all the lamb's quarters.
Here is the bed that is mostly full of lamb’s quarters. I am going to let them grow a bit more before harvesting. I have some stuff I planted that is (kind of) growing in amongst all the lamb’s quarters. This should be Kale, beets, onions, and carrots.
Here are some of my turnips. I planted a couple of small rows and they actually all seem to have sprouted, and are doing well.
Here are some of my turnips. I planted a couple of small rows and they actually all seem to have sprouted, and are doing well. I like turnips when they are smallish – we cook them in butter. I haven’t had them in several years, but, yum.
I think I have found four carrots in amongst the lamb's quarters. I have replanted more seeds so hopefully here soon we will see more. Here is one of the four I have found.
I think I have found four carrots in amongst the lamb’s quarters. I have replanted more seeds so hopefully here soon we will see more. Here is one of the four I have found.
I might have a few onions, I planted a couple rows originally but have only found a couple. Here is one of them. I replanted seeds again this week so should see more soon, hopefully.
I might have a few onions, I planted a couple rows originally but have only found a couple. Here is one of them. I replanted seeds again this week so should see more soon, hopefully.
Here is my kale. I grew these inside at first as seedlings and then planted about 20 of them in the garden. I think most of them have survived, and are doing well. The leaves on this one are about 5 inches long.
Here is my kale. I grew these inside at first as seedlings and then planted about 20 of them in the garden. I think most of them have survived, and are doing well. The leaves on this one are about 5 inches long.
I planted a little raised area next to my strawberry patch (which is also in the back garden plot) with chard, lettuce, and spinach. Here is my romaine. I put seedlings in and most are still there and doing well.
I planted a little raised area next to my strawberry patch (which is also in the back garden plot) with chard, lettuce, and spinach. Here is my romaine. I put seedlings in and most are still there and doing well.
This is part of my strawberry patch. I'm not too impressed - this year I planted 25 plants into a
This is part of my strawberry patch. I’m not too impressed – this year I planted 25 plants into a “lasagna” garden. I have maybe 10 that survived. I figure if they all make it I will adjust their positions and let them fill the garden in, instead of buying more plants next year. These are starting to get flowers on some of the plants.
Here are some of my brussel sprouts. They are doing good. I have netting over them to prevent stupid cabbage moths from laying eggs. They decimated my cabbage last year.
Here are some of my brussel sprouts. They are doing good. I have netting over them to prevent stupid cabbage moths from laying eggs. They decimated my cabbage last year.
Here is a toad that I keep running into in the back garden. I think he lives there, which makes me happy. They eat lots of bugs. He must get scared each time I come into the garden because he always hops which makes me see him. If he just hid I wouldn't know he was there.
Here is a toad that I keep running into in the back garden. I think he lives there, which makes me happy. They eat lots of bugs. He must get scared each time I come into the garden because he always hops which makes me see him. If he just hid I wouldn’t know he was there.
The other night it was going to storm. It was the 2nd time I'd run into Mr. Toad. So I found a flower pot and made him a toad house. The plants aren't really big enough to give him any shelter yet. He went inside and I saw him in there later on, looking out, like he liked his house.
The other night it was going to storm. It was the second time I’d run into Mr. Toad. So I found a flower pot and made him a makeshift toad house. The plants aren’t really big enough to give him any shelter yet.  I put him inside,  and I saw him in there later on, looking out, like he liked his house.