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Produce => Pests & Diseases => Topic started by: caroline7758 on May 07, 2011, 20:49:51

Title: New bane of my life!
Post by: caroline7758 on May 07, 2011, 20:49:51
Over the last couple of years a new weed has started spreading through both my allotment and my garden. I thought it was some kind of buttercup but having looked in my wildflower book I think it's Herb Bennett. It's popping up everywhere and it has to be dug out rather than pulled. Does anyone else have this one? >:(
Title: Re: New bane of my life!
Post by: darkbrowneggs on May 07, 2011, 21:47:41
Ok this is another one that is apparently edible according to Eat Weeds  http://www.eatweeds.co.uk/

And here is a recipe

6 handfuls of Herb Bennet leaves (chopped)
2 garlic cloves (crushed)
thingy of butter
Sugar (optional)
Suggested Instructions

Melt butter in frying pan and fry the crushed garlic for 30 seconds.
Chop the Herb Bennet leaves up and add to frying pan, and gently fry until crispy. You might need to add more butter as the leaves can absorb quite a lot.
Serve with spicy food.
Serves: 2

You notice it says serve with spicy food - is that so you don't taste it I wonder  ;D

all the best
Sue
Title: Re: New bane of my life!
Post by: caroline7758 on May 07, 2011, 22:14:20
Thanks- I came across this when I googled it. Not sure I'll be trying it!
Title: Re: New bane of my life!
Post by: goodlife on May 08, 2011, 15:29:56
We've got some on hedgerows..but not found them being a problem.
Some more info its useage..
http://earthnotes.tripod.com/avens.htm (http://earthnotes.tripod.com/avens.htm)
Title: Re: New bane of my life!
Post by: Strawberrygirl on May 14, 2011, 15:08:36
I have it in my garden too. It's a Geum and is a good spreader if you have the room but i dont and have to keep pulling it out.  It's starting spread into the lawn now which is a pain  :(
Title: Re: New bane of my life!
Post by: Palustris on May 14, 2011, 15:26:57
Geum urbanum, it is an absolute thug. Whatever you do get it before it sets seed or you will have even more to remove.
Title: Re: New bane of my life!
Post by: Ben Acre on May 16, 2011, 20:25:32
Is it Geum urbanum, make sure before you eat it as some buttercups are very poisionous
Title: Re: New bane of my life!
Post by: Deb P on May 19, 2011, 21:35:03
It has self seeded itself everywhere in my back garden, nightmare to get rid of!
Title: Re: New bane of my life!
Post by: small on May 20, 2011, 22:47:37
It's one of my worst weeds - impossible to pull out, it has to be dug. I let it spread when I'd planted some geums and I just couldn't distinguish the leaves early on, now my geums have gone and only this remains....it's pretty enough in the hedge bottom but a nightmare seeded into all the perennials.
Title: Re: New bane of my life!
Post by: Strawberrygirl on May 21, 2011, 15:32:46
Same for me, i have planted a few varieties of Geum as i love them, but they all seem to die on me except this one. I have no idea where it came from, assume it has self-seeded unless it came in the root system of one of the others maybe?  It is a pretty flower but it is spreading into my lawn and is hard to get rid of, i have dug it out of the borders but i have noticed today more shoots coming through.  My lovely Geums are all dying - not enough water no doubt, but this little bugger keeps on coming!
Title: Re: New bane of my life!
Post by: Unwashed on May 21, 2011, 18:42:34
Quote from: Ben Acre on May 16, 2011, 20:25:32
Is it Geum urbanum, make sure before you eat it as some buttercups are very poisionous
Geums are rose rather than buttercup family.

I've seen it on the allotment, and a bit around the garden, but hardly so as you'd notice.  I'll be watching out for it now though.
Title: Re: New bane of my life!
Post by: lavenderlux on May 21, 2011, 20:05:21
Hadn't thought of this plant as a 'problem' before, I have it growing on my plot this year and beside the stream in our wildlife area (its no problem here though).  I already have some thugs on my plot - self sown corn marigold and corn cockle which I keep under control (very pretty annuals but there's just so many of them - why is it that weeds always have such good germination rates!!) 
Title: Re: New bane of my life!
Post by: Ben Acre on May 21, 2011, 20:17:54
Quote from: Unwashed on May 21, 2011, 18:42:34
Quote from: Ben Acre on May 16, 2011, 20:25:32
Is it Geum urbanum, make sure before you eat it as some buttercups are very poisionous
Geums are rose rather than buttercup family.



Yes I know but  I was telling her to make sure the I d was correct in case she thought it was a Buttercup.