Espaņol

The Edible Lawn

Most gardens contain a lawn - it's an area where we can walk, play and relax, our own little area of relative privacy. Now we could decide to be very practical and dig the lawn up to plant vegetables, but apart from losing our leisure area, sometimes we also feel constrained by convention and want our gardens to retain their accepted appearances. There is, however, a compromise. Assuming that we do not want a so-called 'perfect' lawn which consists almost entirely of grass and, apart from being quite boring to look at, offers very little diversity of habitat for a potentially wide range of birds, mammals and insects etc, we could introduce various plants that can provide food both for us and the wildlife, and a visually more attractive area with flowers for most of the year. There are problems involved with this - we would have to allow the lawn to grow a bit longer, but all the plants listed below will tolerate fairly regular cutting and most would not object to being walked on quite often. Basically, if we raise the height of the grass cutter blades by about half an inch there should be no problems. The regular cutting of the lawn will ensure a constant supply of succulent young leaves. It would also be nice if the lawn could be left uncut for a few weeks in summer to allow the taller plants to flower. Unless stated, all these plants are perennials and all are native to Britain.

Achillea millefolium - Yarrow: This is a common 'weed' in lawns and succeeds even when the grass is cut very short. The young leaves make a tasty addition to salads. It is a good companion plant for grass, and its mowings will greatly enrich the compost heap. If left uncut for a month at any time during the summer, it will produce some lovely flowers. The leaves are very rich in minerals and have medicinal properties. The plant is said to repel beetles, ants and flies.

Ajuga reptans - Bugle: For this to succeed, the grass would have to be allowed to grow a bit longer than usual. It does well in damp, slightly shaded areas and the young shoots can be eaten in salads. If left uncut it flowers from May to July, the flowers being very attractive to bees.

Alchemilla vulgaris - Lady's Mantle: Requires a slightly longer grass than usual. If allowed, it flowers between April and June. The young leaves are eaten raw or cooked and the root is said to be edible but astringent. The leaves make a herbal tea.

Allium oleraceum - Field Garlic and Allium vineale - Crow Garlic: Both grow well in grass. The leaves can be used as a garlic substitute. If allowed, they will flower in July.

Anthemis nobilis - Chamomile: Grows very well in a lawn and flowers even if cut regularly. The flowers make a very refreshing herbal tea which is very good for the stomach, especially recommended for children. The mown leaves will greatly enrich the compost heap. The flowers can also be used as a hair shampoo for those with fair hair. It flowers from July to October.

Bellis perennis - Daisy: A common 'weed' in the lawn, able to tolerate constant cutting and still flower. It can produce flowers even in the middle of winter. The young leaves are eaten raw or cooked.

Cichorium intybus - Chicory: A marvellous plant with a deep taproot that brings up minerals from deep in the sub-soil. It will tolerate quite regular cutting but not if the grass is cut very short. The leaves are an extremely valuable source of nutrients and can be eaten in salads. The root is also edible, or it can be dried, roasted and ground to make a coffee substitute. If allowed, it flowers between July and October, but, as it is likely to grow up to five feet, you may decide to keep it cut short.

Leontodon hispidus - Rough Hawkbit: Looking somewhat like a dandelion, this plant is often found growing wild in the lawn and garden. It prefers a chalky soil. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. It flowers between May and September.

Melilotus officinalis - Melilot: This plant, a biennial, must be allowed to flower if you wish to keep it on the lawn. It can be cut regularly until early summer but would then have to be left uncut until it had set seed. It could grow up to four feet tall so you may decide not to put it in the lawn. Nevertheless, its flowers are very attractive to bees, its leaves can be eaten in salads, and its flowers and seeds cooked with other vegetables. You could mow it regularly to prevent flowering of course, and sow fresh seeds every year.

Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Plantago media - Plantains: Very common 'weeds' in lawns. The lawn can be cut as often as you like and as short as you like without causing them any inconvenience at all, and they'll send up a flowering stem that is almost immune to the cutting abilities of many lawn- mowers! Use the young leaves only, either in salads or cooked.

Prunella vulgaris - Self-Heal: Able to tolerate regular cutting, though preferably not too short, and still flower. The flowers are very attractive to bees. It prefers a moist soil and doesn't really like a chalky soil. Young leaves can be eaten cooked or raw. Medicinally it is used to treat cuts and bruises.

Sanguisorba minor - Salad Burnet: This plant is occasionally cultivated in the herb garden but grows very well in the lawn especially if the grass is allowed to get a little bit longer than usual. The young leaves are eaten in salads, many people saying that they taste somewhat like cucumbers. It prefers a chalky soil and will flower between May and August.

Taraxacum officinale - Dandelion: A superb plant for growing in the lawn, able to tolerate regular cutting and constant trampling. The quality of the leaves will be better if the grass is allowed to grow a little longer than usual, but this is not essential. It will manage to flower even if cut regularly, and a lawn of dandelions in flower is a beautiful sight in the spring, though it will produce the odd flower at other times of the year. The leaves are extremely nutritious and are best eaten raw though they can also be cooked. The roots, like chicory roots, are a coffee substitute should you ever find that you've got too many plants in the lawn. The old and mown leaves are an excellent addition to the compost heap.

Trifolium repens - White Clover: Another common 'weed' of the lawn. It flowers and flourishes even when cut regularly and short. It is an important food source for many caterpillars, the flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies, and we can eat the leaves - raw or cooked - and the flowers and pods. It is an excellent companion plant in the lawn since it can supply nitrogen to other plants with the help of bacteria in the root nodules.

Tussilago farfara - Coltsfoot: This plant sends up flowering stems in March or April before its leaves appear and are a sure sign that spring is with us once more. These flower buds can be eaten raw or cooked. The leaves appear during April and May and these also are edible. They are also used medicinally to treat coughs and colds. The plant prefers a heavy, moist soil and a sunny position.

Database

The database has more details on these plants: Achillea millefolium, Ajuga reptans, Alchemilla vulgaris, Allium oleraceum, Allium vineale, Bellis perennis, Cichorium intybus, Leontodon hispidus, Melilotus officinalis, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Plantago media, Prunella vulgaris, Sanguisorba minor, Taraxacum officinale, Trifolium repens, Tussilago farfara.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

The Edible Lawn

me Sat Feb 10 03:35:12 2001

Reading the edible lawn article was very informative and interesting, even though I am only 13 years old.

The Edible Lawn

patrica Fri Jan 11 18:03:19 2002

Very nicely done article highlighting how useful some plants are we generally just dismiss as being weeds. Sometimes it turns out that those weedy plants make better nutritional eating than what we can buy in our supermarkets today! I have been trying to educate myself about these so-called weeds. Your site contributes nicely. It would be nice if you could add some links to pictures of those weeds, just for better identification.

The Edible Lawn

Michelle in Tampa, FL Sun Mar 31 19:41:51 2002

Hello from across the pond! What a wonderful concept, looking to our lawns for superior nutrition! I would also love to see an article for the plants in the US, although I think we have a lot in common. Dandelion is my favorite "weed" and I grow as much of it as I can!

The Edible Lawn

DJ Sun Apr 7 20:52:23 2002

I gave up trying to get a perfect lawn years ago. Nice to know the weed patch I laugingly call a lawn is actually useful, now I have an excuse not to sort it out.

The Edible Lawn

Dave in San Jose, CA Wed May 1 01:07:57 2002

This site is really great. I always knew the shtuff in my lawn that my parents always want me to get rid of is worth something after all. Two comments, thought; a US edible lawn would be nice, and pictures of the plants would be even better. Thanks for your efforts.

The Edible Lawn

Ben Mon Feb 24 04:07:27 2003

I'm surprised not to see Rumex acetosella, Sheep's Sorrel, in your edible lawn.

It seems quite content in my lawn here in Richmond, Virginia, US.

The Edible Lawn

Nancy Lichtenstein Mon Jun 2 01:18:53 2003

Is the entire dandelion plant edible? I'm still a bit nervous to eat it from my lawn. Is there any reason NOT to eat it?

The Edible Lawn

Tue Jul 1 18:12:39 2003

I AGREE THIS SITE WOULD SERVE ME BETTER IF THERE WERE PICTURES THANKS

CWHITMORE

The Edible Lawn

Sat Jun 25 2005

More people need this education. The herbicide companies are brain-washing people that only grass is good. Kids, goats, cats, and dogs all eat at least some grass/wild plants. It would be nice if it/they were herbicide and pesticide free for them.

The Edible Lawn

eline Sat Jun 25 2005

hellouer! thanks for this page i have done our project ar school! thanks very much you've publish such page! thanks so much! i hope there would be pictures! but indeed a big thanks to you! bye!

The Edible Lawn

Chris Tiffany Thu Nov 24 2005

Some enterprising companies should put together mixed seed packs for edible perrennial lawns to be sold world-wide. They might just save civilization from the next war/pandemic/climate disaster.

Search for "Edible Lawn" Search for "Edible Lawn"

The Edible Lawn

Chris Tiffany Thu Nov 24 2005

After some searching, I came up with http://www.taseeds.com/WildlifeSeedPage.htm Also, birdseed mix is cheap; just buy different mixes and scatter it where it will grow.

Wildlife Seed The first item on that wildlife seed page is a mix of perennials, including soil-enriching legumes and high-protein plants

The Edible Lawn

Chris Tiffany Thu Nov 24 2005

wild game seed Perrenial wildlife seed mix apparently widely available

The Edible Lawn

Chris Tiffany Thu Nov 24 2005

Successful Food Plots ALSO: plant a variety of birdseed mixes along walls & fencelines

The Edible Lawn

David Beaulieu Wed Jan 4 2006

Excellent resource! Thank you.

About Edible Landscaping Resource for edible weeds and more; pictures included.

The Edible Lawn

D Jones - MS, USA Fri Feb 10 2006

I thoroughly enjoy reading your website, and have learned of some new edibles. (Thanks!) Pictures would be great. I was surprised not to see purslane listed, as it is a excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Nor do I see lambs' quarters, poke salad, miner's lettuce, mustard, wild violets, ramps, or chickweed listed. (Do any of these grow in Britain?)

The Edible Lawn

Luber Wed Jun 21 2006

Eight of the fifteen plants you suggest as edibles are listed as TOXIC ON YOUR OWN SITE!

The Edible Lawn

green tim Tue Oct 10 2006

but whats your definition of toxic? every substance is toxic at the wrong dosage even water.

The Edible Lawn

Jeff Rutherford Sun Apr 1 2007

Nice contribution! I live in Thailand. I'm developing an acre (.5 ha) of land into a permaculture farm/living space. I want to use about 6 percent of the space for a proper grass lawn for my daughter to play. (Most of the remaining 94 percent will be truly edible.) Does anyone have any thoughts on tropical grasses that could do double duty: lawn plus cattle grazing? Thanks!

The Edible Lawn

La Sat Apr 14 2007

This is great. My 11 month old daughter has just been let loose on the garden and now I don't have to worry so much about her eating daisies, dandelions and clover!

The Edible Lawn

Dyan Sat Jan 19 2008

I recently had a conversation with a friend who told me that the elder lady I knew when I was a 13 year old is still living and I am 61 at this time. Once, my father and I both had the flu so bad we could not get up from the bed( I was 13 at the time) this lady was his neighbor at the time. She sent over a jar with some brown liquid with many specks of Something? We drank it because I guess we felt , we couldn't get worse. The next day, we were WELL? I found out this lady lives in La. and I hope to find out what the liquid was? I did hear that she boiled donw pine straw that was bright green and boiled other things in that mix,strained it and gave us the results. I also watched a program on TV today that talked about the high protein in grasses. I ran into a friend who I just found out had cancer. I am hoping to find more natural ingrediances and help her as well as give myself some recipes with high protein in them, from grasses or seeds. If anyone has any books they could refer me to, it would be greatly appreciated? Dyan at Dyneau@aol.com

The Edible Lawn

eritter@gmail.com Fri Mar 21 2008

I live in Oregon, northwestern US. I didn't see much online about edible lawns with pictures, so I put up some pictures of the edible plants in our local lawns. If you want to start munching, you'll want to cross-reference for IDing your plants, but at least it's a start. www.EricaAndErnie.Info - look under "Edible Wild Plants" in the Seasonal Sampler sidebar.

Erica and Ernie's Info Pages sidebar links for crafts, outdoor skills, and more

The Edible Lawn

Ilze Mueller Sat May 10 2008

Another herb that is a common lawn "weed" here is creeping Charlie aka ground-ivy or gill-over-the-ground (glechoma hederacea). It's a good groundcover, esp. in shadier spots, and at the same time very fragrant with pretty blue flowres in spring. Makes good tea, and the young leaves are good in salad and cooked together with other spring greens. It's even good dipped in bittersweet chocolate. Ilze (Minnesota, USA)

The Edible Lawn

Brian Mon Jun 16 2008

I have to admit, close up and clear color pictures of the roots, rhizomes, stems, leaves, seeds, blossoms, stamens, and other features would make this site much easier to use. Also, specific instructions on how much of a plant to use for a condition would be invaluable! Still, this site is far and away better than anything else I've found. For all of you Brits that read this, "How's my English?" Yup, I'm a Yank, and regional info for here in the colonies would be jolly nifty. Have a great day! Brian

The Edible Lawn

Gary Scott Fri Mar 20 2009

I didn't notice mint listed as a possible edible lawn plant, unless I missed it as I perused the listing. I have read that mint works well as a lawn plant and ground cover, and tolerates being cut short. I understand that some gardeners in the UK were particularly favorable to this type of lawn planting. (Missouri, USA)

The Edible Lawn

Roger Coghill Thu May 28 2009

Gramineous species are rich in melatonin according to several peer review published studies. We have developed Asphalia, a natural food supplement based on edible grasses, whcih is giving people all over the world a great night's sleep without any side effects. Asphalia is sold in over 400 health food stores and many overseas countries including the US.

Asphalia natural food supplements much information about edible grasses and our range of grass-based supplements.

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