What are your frugal and sustainable tips and tricks?

[gtaus]

We have been cutting it back so hard, that we are not sure if it will survive. But it looks much better now than it did before, with multiple heavy pruning actions.

I have some neighbors that have a row of hedges along our property line. They are nice neighbors but have no interest in trimming the hedges. The hedges are all overgrown and look terrible. I have trimmed up my side of their bushes (on their property), but really, they need to be cut back way down and start over again.

The previous owners planted the bushes on what we thought was the property line. So, I always mowed on my side of their bushes. They kept the brushes trimmed and looking good. Turns out, they messed up on the property line, so their hedge row is offset anywhere from 8 to 3 feet (slanted) according to the true property lines.

The new owners have little to no interest in that hedge row. But I still mow my side of their bushes because it does look like my property. And, they have no interest in maintaining the hedges or mowing on my side of their hedge row. So, I trim up their bushes that face my property. But just enough so I can mow along the hedge line. It still looks terribly overgrown. I hope they someday decide just to either maintain those bushes or pull them out.

 

[gtaus]

On a similar train of thought I foraged most of our teas this year, spice bush, sassafras, creeping Charlie, chicory root, dandelion, purple clover, rose hip... there are tons of options.

I wish I knew more about foraging. Good for you in knowing nature. This past week, I have watched a number of YouTube videos on the health benefits of Purslane, what most of us probably consider a weed to be pulled or poisoned. Turns out, most of the world uses it as a food and medicine....

Quick Answer: Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is a hardy, succulent plant often considered a weed in the U.S., but widely eaten as a nutritious leafy vegetable in many parts of the world. It’s rich in omega‑3 fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, and is used in salads, soups, and traditional dishes Gardener's Path WebMD The Old Farmer's Almanac.

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What Purslane Is​

• Botanical name: Portulaca oleracea
• Appearance: Thick reddish stems with small, fleshy green leaves; grows low and spreads along the ground Edible Wild Food.
• Growth habit: A succulent annual that thrives in poor soil and hot, dry climates. It’s extremely resilient and often pops up in gardens uninvited Gardener's Path.
• Common names: Little hogweed, pigweed, fatweed, pusley, verdolaga (Mexico), “vegetable for long life” (China) WebMD.

---

Culinary Uses​

• Edible leaves and stems: Mild, slightly lemony flavor with a hint of pepper.
• Global cuisines:
  • Used in Greek and Italian cooking (salads, stews) The Old Farmer's Almanac.
  • In Mexico, called verdolaga, added to pork and vegetable dishes WebMD.
  • In Asia, valued in folklore as a longevity food.
• Microgreens: Can be grown year‑round indoors for fresh greens Gardener's Path.

---

Health Benefits​

• Omega‑3 fatty acids: One of the richest plant sources, supporting heart health Edible Wild Food.
• Vitamins & minerals: High in vitamins A, C, and E, plus magnesium, potassium, and iron WebMD.
• Antioxidants: Contains betalains and other compounds that reduce oxidative stress.
• Traditional medicine: Used historically as antibacterial, diuretic, and anti‑inflammatory Edible Wild Food.

---

Identification Note​

• Purslane has smooth, fleshy leaves and reddish stems.
• Important: Do not confuse it with spurge, a poisonous look‑alike that has hairy stems and exudes a milky sap when broken Edible Wild Food.

---

Bottom line: Purslane is a common “weed” that’s actually a highly nutritious edible plant, prized in many cultures for its flavor and health benefits. It’s safe to eat when correctly identified, and can be a valuable addition to your garden or kitchen.


Sources: Gardener’s Path Gardener's Path, WebMD WebMD, Old Farmer’s Almanac The Old Farmer's Almanac, Edible Wild Food Edible Wild Food.

*****************************

NOTE TO MYSELF:

• Important: Do not confuse it with spurge, a poisonous look‑alike that has hairy stems and exudes a milky sap when broken Edible Wild Food.

 

[BDutch]

We have 3 neighbours who have made an ivy hedge with frames (used in concrete buildings) of steel with a 10 cm wide maze. I hate it. Especially bc they don’t keep it under/at 2 meter high. I am slightly allergic for the dust. So its not fun to cut it. The electric saw has been a great help in this too.

With the neighbour on the other side we collaborated in a plan together. We have build a high sheep fence in between us and there is a variety of (climbing) plants growing through. Its rather easy to maintain the max. size. And in spring /summer its beautiful with all kind of flowers and greens.

 

[BDutch]

Portulaca oleracea

Here we can buy it in the organic supermarket in the right season. Love to eat it as a salad. (dutch word = postelein)

I haven’t seen it growing in the wild. Its not a native plant here.

 

[Rillowen]

I wish I knew more about foraging. Good for you in knowing nature. This past week, I have watched a number of YouTube videos on the health benefits of Purslane, what most of us probably consider a weed to be pulled or poisoned. Turns out, most of the world uses it as a food and medicine....

View attachment 4266715


Quick Answer: Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is a hardy, succulent plant often considered a weed in the U.S., but widely eaten as a nutritious leafy vegetable in many parts of the world. It’s rich in omega‑3 fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, and is used in salads, soups, and traditional dishes Gardener's Path WebMD The Old Farmer's Almanac.

---

What Purslane Is​

• Botanical name: Portulaca oleracea
• Appearance: Thick reddish stems with small, fleshy green leaves; grows low and spreads along the ground Edible Wild Food.
• Growth habit: A succulent annual that thrives in poor soil and hot, dry climates. It’s extremely resilient and often pops up in gardens uninvited Gardener's Path.
• Common names: Little hogweed, pigweed, fatweed, pusley, verdolaga (Mexico), “vegetable for long life” (China) WebMD.

---

Culinary Uses​

• Edible leaves and stems: Mild, slightly lemony flavor with a hint of pepper.
• Global cuisines:
  • Used in Greek and Italian cooking (salads, stews) The Old Farmer's Almanac.
  • In Mexico, called verdolaga, added to pork and vegetable dishes WebMD.
  • In Asia, valued in folklore as a longevity food.
• Microgreens: Can be grown year‑round indoors for fresh greens Gardener's Path.

---

Health Benefits​

• Omega‑3 fatty acids: One of the richest plant sources, supporting heart health Edible Wild Food.
• Vitamins & minerals: High in vitamins A, C, and E, plus magnesium, potassium, and iron WebMD.
• Antioxidants: Contains betalains and other compounds that reduce oxidative stress.
• Traditional medicine: Used historically as antibacterial, diuretic, and anti‑inflammatory Edible Wild Food.

---

Identification Note​

• Purslane has smooth, fleshy leaves and reddish stems.
• Important: Do not confuse it with spurge, a poisonous look‑alike that has hairy stems and exudes a milky sap when broken Edible Wild Food.

---

Bottom line: Purslane is a common “weed” that’s actually a highly nutritious edible plant, prized in many cultures for its flavor and health benefits. It’s safe to eat when correctly identified, and can be a valuable addition to your garden or kitchen.


Sources: Gardener’s Path Gardener's Path, WebMD WebMD, Old Farmer’s Almanac The Old Farmer's Almanac, Edible Wild Food Edible Wild Food.

*****************************

NOTE TO MYSELF:

• Important: Do not confuse it with spurge, a poisonous look‑alike that has hairy stems and exudes a milky sap when broken Edible Wild Food.

Yes! I found purslane growing as a volunteer in one of my pots a few years ago, it was great! We ate off it, and I spread it to more pots, we loved it! I kept it for 2 years. Then I was hospitalized. They died in the summer heat, with no water, and then we had to move. (Landlord kicked us out for not taking care of a water leak while in the hospital). I havnt found it since, unless you count the cracks in the grocery store parkinglot... but I dont want to eat that! I miss it. Its not technically native here, but its all over in the cities.... I just not where I feel safe eating from.

 

[Rillowen]

I wish I knew more about foraging. Good for you in knowing nature. This past week, I have watched a number of YouTube videos on the health benefits of Purslane, what most of us probably consider a weed to be pulled or poisoned. Turns out, most of the world uses it as a food and medicine....

View attachment 4266715


Quick Answer: Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is a hardy, succulent plant often considered a weed in the U.S., but widely eaten as a nutritious leafy vegetable in many parts of the world. It’s rich in omega‑3 fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, and is used in salads, soups, and traditional dishes Gardener's Path WebMD The Old Farmer's Almanac.

---

What Purslane Is​

• Botanical name: Portulaca oleracea
• Appearance: Thick reddish stems with small, fleshy green leaves; grows low and spreads along the ground Edible Wild Food.
• Growth habit: A succulent annual that thrives in poor soil and hot, dry climates. It’s extremely resilient and often pops up in gardens uninvited Gardener's Path.
• Common names: Little hogweed, pigweed, fatweed, pusley, verdolaga (Mexico), “vegetable for long life” (China) WebMD.

---

Culinary Uses​

• Edible leaves and stems: Mild, slightly lemony flavor with a hint of pepper.
• Global cuisines:
  • Used in Greek and Italian cooking (salads, stews) The Old Farmer's Almanac.
  • In Mexico, called verdolaga, added to pork and vegetable dishes WebMD.
  • In Asia, valued in folklore as a longevity food.
• Microgreens: Can be grown year‑round indoors for fresh greens Gardener's Path.

---

Health Benefits​

• Omega‑3 fatty acids: One of the richest plant sources, supporting heart health Edible Wild Food.
• Vitamins & minerals: High in vitamins A, C, and E, plus magnesium, potassium, and iron WebMD.
• Antioxidants: Contains betalains and other compounds that reduce oxidative stress.
• Traditional medicine: Used historically as antibacterial, diuretic, and anti‑inflammatory Edible Wild Food.

---

Identification Note​

• Purslane has smooth, fleshy leaves and reddish stems.
• Important: Do not confuse it with spurge, a poisonous look‑alike that has hairy stems and exudes a milky sap when broken Edible Wild Food.

---

Bottom line: Purslane is a common “weed” that’s actually a highly nutritious edible plant, prized in many cultures for its flavor and health benefits. It’s safe to eat when correctly identified, and can be a valuable addition to your garden or kitchen.


Sources: Gardener’s Path Gardener's Path, WebMD WebMD, Old Farmer’s Almanac The Old Farmer's Almanac, Edible Wild Food Edible Wild Food.

*****************************

NOTE TO MYSELF:

• Important: Do not confuse it with spurge, a poisonous look‑alike that has hairy stems and exudes a milky sap when broken Edible Wild Food.

Also, I am really just starting my foraging journey, but I am adding more each year! I would consider it and hunting 2 of the biggest sources of sustainable and thrifty living, so much so that i didnt even really consider listing it for this post because it felt to obvious! The amount of edible, and highly nutritious foods growing in the average backyard is stagering! Even just more basic stuff we found/harvested TONS of foraged food last year, it really helped both the sustainable and the bank account! I canned 8 jars of blackberry jam, had 20lbs of walnuts, and made 8 loaves of persimmon bread from what we foraged, and that was doesn't include the greens, spices or teas. Anyone looking to have a"smaller footprint" and live more affordable should look into learning what to forage around them.

 

[Smokerbill]

This is the new run I've been building with cull lumber. It shares a wall with the secure run to the east, and there's another not-so-secure run next to that one with the coop inside.

A 36" door will go in where the ladder is sitting.

 

[Rillowen]

Wow, now thats a chicken coop! Makes ours feel like a tiny shanty

 

[Sally PB]

I haven’t seen it growing in the wild. Its not a native plant here.

I have seen purslane seeds for sale in catalogs.

 

[Rillowen]

Yes I have seen it, I know bakers creek seed co. Has some, i was thinking about ordering some. I may just kidnap some from the city and let it grow out without harvesting, because surely the grow back the next year would be ok? Its everywhere in the cities here, loves sidewalks and parking lots.