TSP Rewind – 15 Underrated Plants for the Homestead – Epi-277
Nov 13, 2024
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Discover 15 underrated plants perfect for homesteading, including the versatile mulberry and the thriving elderberry. Delve into the many uses of culinary gems like lemon balm and the unique medlar fruit. Learn how lavender can enhance your garden while the jujube tree offers sweet delights. Embrace self-sufficiency through nature as you uncover the nutritional benefits of wild garlic and chives. These plants not only enrich your homestead but also foster a deeper connection to sustainable living.
Cultivating mulberry not only provides delicious fruits but also offers edible leaves rich in protein, suitable for both humans and livestock.
Elderberry's culinary versatility and health benefits are enhanced by its easily propagated nature, making it a great addition to any garden for medicinal purposes.
Lemon balm's multiple uses, from culinary flavoring to natural insect repellent and calming tea, make it a valuable herb for enhancing wellness.
Deep dives
Mulberry's Versatility and Resilience
Mulberry is often underestimated in America due to perceptions formed by wild varieties that yield bland berries. However, there are cultivated types, such as the Pakistan mulberry, which thrive in various climates and produce delicious fruits. Additionally, mulberry leaves are not only edible but highly nutritious, boasting a protein content ranging from 15% to 28%. This plant can also be trained to remain compact, minimizing bird interference, and can serve as an excellent food source for livestock, making it a valuable asset for any homestead.
Elderberry's Diverse Applications
Elderberry is primarily celebrated for its health benefits and is commonly used in wine and syrups, but its potential extends far beyond that. The blossoms can be fried into fritters, while both the flowers and berries serve as valuable ingredients in numerous recipes. Elderberry juice, when sweetened, reveals a rich depth of flavor that enhances its culinary versatility. Moreover, this plant is resilient and can be easily propagated, making it an accessible choice for gardeners aiming to integrate medicinal plants into their diets.
Lemon Balm's Multifunctionality
Lemon balm, often overlooked, boasts a multitude of uses that go beyond typical culinary applications. This hardy plant grows well in various conditions and can be utilized for flavoring drinks and dishes, while also serving as a pleasant insect repellent. It has calming properties and can be brewed into a soothing tea or syrup to assist with relaxation and sleep. Additionally, lemon balm's ability to mitigate odors on hands makes it a practical herb for everyday use, enhancing both lifestyle and wellness.
Blackberry's Abundant Harvest
Blackberries are more than just a sweet treat; certain cultivars can yield up to 30 pounds of berries per plant, making them a powerhouse in the garden. Beyond the berries, the leaves can be used to make an exceptional tea, and the blossoms also contribute to pollinator support. These plants can produce two harvests annually with the right care, maximizing yield. Moreover, blackberries play a role in pest management within mixed-plant systems, as they attract beneficial predators that protect nearby crops.
Jujube: The Sugar Tree
The jujube tree, often recognized in Asian communities for its dual-purpose potential, produces sweet fruits that can be enjoyed fresh or dried like dates. These hardy, columnar trees thrive across various soil types and climates, providing high yields while requiring minimal maintenance. Additionally, cultivating multiple varieties enhances cross-pollination and fruit production, maximizing the edible harvest. With growing popularity, jujubes can be a profitable endeavor for those in agricultural business settings.
Rose Hips: Nutritional Powerhouses
Wild and older varieties of roses yield valuable rose hips, which are exceptionally high in vitamin C and can be transformed into jellies, syrups, and even liquors. The health benefits of rose hips extend to their use in skincare products, thanks to their astringent properties. Additionally, rose water derived from these plants serves as a natural skin tonic and flavoring agent in beverages. By incorporating robust rose varieties into a garden, not only can aesthetic appeal be enhanced, but important nutritional and herbal benefits can be harvested as well.
In this episode I covered 15 plants that a large majority of people either don’t know about at all at least don’t know very much about. Some of them you likely have heard of but I bet you will find uses for them that you were unaware of. The original show was titled Episode-1568- 15 Underrated Plants for the Homestead and was first published on 4-30-15 and the original notes and resources for this episode can be found here. Resources for today’s show… Find Me on Nostr Follow Me on Tik-Tok Article Explaining the GrowNostr Initiative Join the Members Brigade …Continue reading →
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