I used to dream of having a huge back garden here in England, but I don’t anymore. Not only can I not afford it, as land around here is ridiculously expensive, but I’ve also realised that anything beyond what I can realistically maintain is simply too much. Still, I believe that land is one of the most stable and valuable assets if you want to live sustainably.
Although farmers like my parents in the Philippines needed a large amount of land to produce their work, I’ve seen how difficult it can be: the hard labour, the challenge of finding trustworthy help, and the high taxes on land that isn’t being fully used. All of that has put me off the idea for now, though I might change my mind in the future.
So instead, I enjoy pottering around in our small garden here in the Cotswolds. After running around doing tasks today, I decided to mow the grass.
First, I ended up collecting loads of dandelions that seemed to appear non-stop.
Then I discovered a wild plant growing in the garden and realised it was lady's smock, also called cuckoo flower. It’s edible and tastes like wasabi or hot mustard.
I didn’t want to cut it, so I worked around it instead.
See how my kitty knew, staying right in the middle of those cuckoo flowers.
I’ve also started leaving many wild plants along the borders once I realised how beneficial they are. It feels wrong to remove what is clearly so useful.
Some of the main ones I keep are:
Dandelion (of course), I use the leaves in salads and coconut dishes. They’re very nutritious.
Narrow-leaved plantain, also known as nature’s bandage. The crushed leaves can be used on scrapes, cuts, nettle stings, or insect bites. It’s also great as a tea for soothing and coating irritated airways.
Sow thistle, rich in vitamin C, iron, calcium, and potassium. It can be added to curries and, just like dandelion, supports liver function, digestion, and general cleansing.
Herb Robert, traditionally used in folk medicine for various conditions. I’ve read anecdotal accounts of people eating it daily, though there is no scientific evidence for such claims. I mainly use it in salads or nibble on it while pottering about. Its astringent properties make it feel cleansing and toning.
Garlic mustard, I love this one. It smells like garlic and mustard and has a peppery bite from its glucosinolates. It’s high in vitamins A and C, calcium, and potassium and is often used in spring cleansing tonics.
Young leaves of garlic mustard are especially delicious in wraps and dishes. Just like this, yum.
Wild strawberries are currently flowering. The leaves and fruit are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. They’re lovely in teas and traditionally used for sore throats and mild digestive discomfort.
Cleavers can grow wildly, so I do cut them back a little, but they’re very useful in teas for lymphatic support. They help move fluid through the body, especially after winter stagnation, making them a classic spring tonic.
Common mullein suddenly appeared here and seems to love the soil, it’s a sign the ground is healthy. The leaves are beautifully soft and velvety.
This is an amazing wild herb. Traditionally used to soothe the lungs and throat, helping relieve coughs, loosen mucus, and ease respiratory irritation while also offering mild anti-inflammatory and calming effects.
These are just a few of what grows around our small back garden; there are so many more I could go on about.
So today I’ve done as much as I can in a couple of hours. Next, I just need to weed the plant pots and give everything a bit of nourishment.
It feels good to have such lovely weather and to be able to move freely between indoors and outdoors again.
Here's a sackful of grass!
And a tired kitty who endlessly watched me.
Have a lovely day, everyone.
Mariah 🌱💚
