Strawberries

This is one that I had identified when we had initially moved into our home. It's almost everywhere in the front and back yards. What I didn't know, is that they aren't the same plant. One of the main ways to tell is the flowers. With actual wild strawberries, the flowers are white and mock strawberries bear yellow blooms. They don't taste the same either. Wilds are actually sweet and mock strawberries are bland in flavor. Today they had little red berries on them. Mostly the actual berries had fruited but there are still quite a few mocks that have yet to do so. I showed the kids how to pick them and they happily gathered some. It was cute to see them excited. ^_^

https://dengarden.com/gardening/Wild-Strawberries-Versus-Mock-Strawberries

Oh my darlin', Oh my darlin', Oh my darlin', Clematis

Purple Clematis

These flowers were growing on a make-shift trellis when we first moved into our house. I think they're very pretty but I had no clue what they were until I began this adventure. This is one of the over 300 species of clematis. It's either a Jackmanii, Rhapsody, or julkas variety. I'll just accept not knowing for sure and enjoying it's violet beauty. Hoping they attract butterflies during the appropriate season.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clematis

Plain plantain grows mainly on the plain

Plantain

I was exceptionally excited to find that this weed is actually useful and edible! Among uses are treatment for bug bites and poison ivy/sumac/oak. Very quick and handy plant to have growing right next to the driveway. This plant can also be found growing between sidewalk cracks. They say it's best to just pick the mature leaves for uses other than salads and it's a plant that will continually grow new leaves.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantago_major

How to use Plantain
http://www.naturallivingideas.com/plantain-benefits-uses/

To the backyard

Quickweed

This little bugger was found growing near the corner of the house/yard.

https://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/2015/07/26/quickweed/

Pretty Little Flowers

Cinquefoil

Due to inclement weather, I haven't gotten outside to do anything significant. I dug up a few weeds from the edge of the lemon balm patch and looked more into the prickly weeds on the side of the garage (those are going to be a pain to remove from what I've read). And I've also seen that the ivy has returned so that will have to be pulled out as well. At this juncture it looks like I'll be totally tearing up and replanting on that side of the house. On a lighter note, I've identified a flower growing on the front/West side of the house. Thanks to another blog:
http://fieldbioinohio.blogspot.com/2012/04/cinquefoils.html?m=1

Prickly Weed

That creep Charlie

Creeping Charlie

Among the various vegetation growing in the yard is this lovely little fella with adorable purple blooms. Little did I know that it was all an insidious front to choke the life out of the lushness of grass wherever it spreads it's darling roots. 😕😱 It's name is 'creeping Charlie' according to my investigations. While it's a lovely ground cover (read: weed) under shady trees, it's also a multiplying nightmare when it has a suitable growing environment (aka, my front lawn). Hopefully, I can find a way to subdue this foe without damaging the wild strawberry patch growing nearby. Fingers crossed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glechoma_hederacea
https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-kill-creeping-charlie-2131200

First discoveries

Lemon Balm

I began my investigations into what is growing in our yard when a large section of the backyard was teeming with one particular plant. I hadn't noticed it before as the dog pen was set up in the area where this plant was now flourishing. Since the dog pen was moved, the plants now had a more suitable environment in which to grow. The area had not been mowed in a while so the greenery was allowed to run it's course. To my pleasant surprise, it's a useful herb that is happily abundant! Lemon balm! A member of the mint family, this gorgeous patch of green is a natural mosquito repellent and can be brewed into tea or used as a seasoning. What awesome luck! And, bonus, I didn't have to plant it myself.😁🍀

For ideas on uses:
https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/12-things-to-do-with-lemon-balm/
https://www.cloverleaffarmherbs.com/lemon-balm/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon_balm