Many plants that are considered as common weeds are actually highly nutritious and can benefit your health in many ways. It goes without saying that these plants tend to naturally abundant and super easy to grow. In the U.S., we are facing a major health crisis that is largely due to poor nutrition. Widespread adoption of the Standard American Diet (SAD) has resulted in some form of metabolic disease now affecting over 90% of our population. Here we examine the causes and the solutions to this problem, which can be greatly helped by understanding how to access more of the super-abundance that is found all around us in nature, which hopefully extends to our yards, neighborhoods and common spaces as much as possible.

First let's look at the primary disease causing culprits. Excess sugars and simple starches (found mostly in grains) raises insulin and leads to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, inflammation, dementia, depression and infertility. Unhealthy fats found largely in processed seed oils and a diet that contains over 60% ultra-processed foods  contributes to the inflammation and artery clogging that leads to heart attacks, strokes and various forms of dementia.  A lack of fiber and the overuse of antibiotics has caused innumerable bowel and gut-related diseases like leaky gut which leads to inflammation and greatly impaired immune system functioning, even leading to auto-immune conditions.

Aside from addressing these major disease drivers, we should be adding as much nutrient dense food as possible, which includes a wide variety of plants, pasture-raised animal products and fermented vegetables. We should also support organic and regenerative agriculture as much possible, as these practices support nature and nurture the soil upon which all life depends.

This is also why all the amazing, free and naturally abundant weeds come into play. Personally, I allow these super-nutritious weeds to grow in my yard and only remove plants (by hand pulling) that are overly invasive or that don't have known practical uses. This greatly reduces my weeding chores and fills my life with more natural abundance. Achieving optimal health in our body fills us with energy and makes us feel better in every way, and also results in continuous positive changes in our lives.

There are several strategies for dealing with these highly beneficial plants that we once considered weeds:
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1. Leave them alone and allow them to flourish harvesting as needed.
2. Harvest them as part of the weeding process. Many can be eaten at the same time that one removes them in order to make room for other plants to grow.
3. Actively forage for them. In this case, make sure you harvest them from places where harmful chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides are not used.

Here is a list of common useful weeds (and related species):

(Please note this section is under construction)

1. Amaranth (Amaranthus retroflexus) (plus 70 related species) (aka pigweed) - All parts are edible, including the roots, greens and seeds. Very nutritious the greens contain manganese, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, selenium, potassium, and vitamin E and B complex. The seeds have 15-18% protein, are high in lysine (lacking in most grains), flavanoids, squalene, and are gluten free.
2. Arugula (Eruca vesicaria) (aka garden rocket or roquette) - A member of the brassica family, the annual arugula is not normally considered a weed, but once planted it is very hardy as it self sows and spreads easily, which is awesome because it is incredibly nutritious and adds a peppery and spicy kick to salads. Like all brassicas, it has cancer fighting properties, and like all brassicas, it must be chopped up well and given at least 10 minutes to develop the cancer fighting compound sulforaphane before cooking destroys the enzyme that is needed for this chemical reaction to occur. Especially high in vitamins C, K, A and folate and the minerals calcium and potassium. Vitamin K helps with calcium absorption and builds strong bones.
3. Chickweed (Stellaria media) (plus Stellaria purbera, Cerastium vulgatum, S. dicholoma, S. alsine) (aka Starweed) - Small leaves grow in opposite pairs. Small flowers have 5 petals, deeply divided like "mouse ears". Stems, leaves, and seeds are good to eat, and good for the skin as well, healing minor injuries, blemishes, sunburns, sunspots, and cysts. Dried parts can be infused into oil for skin treatment. High in vitamins C, D, B complex, many minerals, and antioxidants. Mild and succulent. Seeds have 17% protein and 6% fat including GLA.
4. Red Clover (Trifolium pretense) (plus related species like alfalfa, white dutch clover, alpine clover, sweet yellow clover and sweet white clover) - Oval shaped leaves grow in sets of three. Flowers form small ball-like clusters that vary in color depending on the species, and which mature into edible seeds. Can grow up to a foot high. Found in grassy areas and meadows. Deep roots pull up minerals such as magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and chromium. Packed with vitamins such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, most of the B vitamins, choline, inositol, bioflavonoids and isoflavones. Supports many bodily processes including pregnancy and remineralization of bones and teeth. Gather only healthy looking plants, ideally in optimal stage of flowering. Do not gather plants that are wilted, damaged or sick looking as there is a danger of toxicity.
5. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) (plus related species such as Japanese, California and Asian dandelion) - This plant is named for it's tooth shaped leaves and the name means "tooth of the lion". All parts are edible and super nutritious. It is chock full of vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium and trace minerals, and other compounds like lutein, especially in the flowers, which is particularly good for the eyes and brain. This plant is also especially good for the liver, which supports detoxification of the body, which helps with inflammation which is related to all disease processes. This explains why it is considered a blood cleanser, and it is also known to reduce stagnant energy blockages in the body. It is also a digestive aid and strengthens the stomach. And this is only a partial list of it's many benefits! Dandelions are also very good for soil health and they support the health of other plants by aerating the soil and providing minerals, which is also great for supporting earth worms. It is great plain (you'll learn to appreciate it's bitterness) or added to salads or pesto.
6. Dock (Rumex crispus) (plus various sorrels) (aka curly dock, yellow dock or butter dock) - This perennial plant is ubiquitous in Colorado, and grows very long and large leaves and has a tall flowering stem. All parts are edible, but the smaller and tender young leaves are the tastiest, kind of like a sour spinach. Nutrition is very high and includes many antioxidants, B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin A, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and manganese. Oxalic acids build up in the leaves as they mature, and it is said that people at risk for kidney disease or who have a history of kidney stones should limit consumption of oxalate-rich foods like spinach and some brassicas. If an irritating sensation is felt in the mouth or throat, that is a sign that you've had enough. Dock is also known to help many skin conditions when applied to the skin as a poultice, and even helps with poison ivy and poison oak rashes and gingivitis. It is also a digestive aid.
7. Grass (Poa annua) (plus related species like teff, wheat, barley, oats, rye, rice, corn, millet, sugarcane and bamboo) - The grass (Poacae) family is huge and are all monocots which have one leaf that sprouts from the seed. Grasses have hollow stems and parallel veins. Grass seeds are also called grains and they are rich in carbohydrates which are good for us in limited amounts and especially when eaten in their whole form and properly prepared by techniques like fermenting or sprouting. The young leaves are generally easily digested and contain all the essential amino acids and an abundance of trace minerals when grown in healthy soil. The leaves may also be juiced, especially to extract chlorophyll and other nutrients, and also to eliminate the cellulose which may make it difficult to chew. Chlorophyll is said to be both a blood cleanse and rebuilder, it is good skin and gum conditions, it chelates (binds) toxins for removal from the body, and it has antioxidant properties. Grasses are also rich in calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium.
8. Knotweed (Polygonum aviculare) (plus related species like Chinese Knotweed, Japanese Knotweed and others) - Polygonum means "many joints" and aviculare means "bird beak" for the shape of it's leaves. A type of wild buckwheat, it grows low to the ground in full sun and can spread out up to a meter. Extremely hardy, it can grow in very poor, compacted or contaminated soils, and is one of the first plants to emerge after a fire. Can be harvested early for the leaves or later for the seeds. Chinese Knotweed is called ho shou wu and it revered for it's medicinal qualities which includes increasing strength, vitality and longevity, and has multiple medical uses such as strengthening the endocrine system and improving gum health It also treats skin disorders and respiratory conditions. The whole plant can be eaten and has apparently been harvested since recorded time. It contains an abundance of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, magnesium, sodium, zinc and many B vitamins.
9. Lambsquarter (Chenopodium album) (aka goosefoot)
10. Mallow
11. Mustard
12. Orache
13. Plantain
14. Purslane
15. Thistle
16. Bindweed (Evoluvus alsinodes) (aka Field Morning Glory) (aka shankha pushpi in Ayurveda) - brain tonic used for increasing memory, concentration, intelligence and creativity. Also used in attention deficit disorder (ADD) in an Ayurvedic formula called sarasvata churna (Frawley and Lad, pp. 249-250). Very common invasive species in Colorado, with very deep roots. Notoriously difficult to control, and very aggressive, it is the focus of eradication efforts by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Eat it instead!
17. Goat's Head (Tribulus terrestris) (aka Puncture Vine) (aka Gokshura in Ayurveda) - medicinal for the kidneys, urinary tract system, useful in treating gout and rheumatism, strengthens the reproductive system in men, invigorating to postpartum women (Frawley and Lad, pp. 169-170).

References:

I highly recommend these books for much greater detail and information:

1. The Wild Wisdom of Weeds, Katrina Blair, Chelsea Green Publishing, 2014.
2. The Yoga of Herbs, Dr. David Frawley and Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, 2001.

The easiest way to convert sod or weed areas to beautiful garden beds is by using a well known permaculture technique called sheet mulching. This technique suppresses weeds and causes the soil to retain maximum moisture.

A key material to suppress weeds and retain moisture is cardboard, which is the first layer to lay down. After this, various organic materials are added that act as both mulch and soil amendments. These added materials will break down over time and cause the soil to become extremely rich, especially when added on top of the clay that dominates the Northern Colorado region.

Organic soil amendments are very important, as our clay is very dense and does not support healthy root development. Some common examples include manure, leaves, compost, and straw. Wood chips can also be used, but they are slow to break down, which can be good or bad depending on your objective. Woody material buried deep can be good, as it will eventually decompose and provide rich habitat for worms and other soil organisms. Wood chips applied as a top layer can provide a long lasting weed barrier.

Generally, it is a good idea to wait a year after sheet mulching before planting. This allows materials to break down and for soil organisms (worms, bugs, microarthropods, bacteria and fungi) to become established. After this, tilling is not required; in fact, it is even discouraged, as it upsets the soil balance and releases carbon into the atmosphere. Thus, less work is ultimately required.

To maintain the bed, organic matter is added to maintain a thick enough mulch covering to suppress weeds. Weeds that grow through the top loose mulch covering are easily removed.

If you want to plant immediately, then it is a good idea to apply a healthy layer of plant bed mix, which is typically a premixed topsoil and compost blend.

Finally, if you are replacing sod, then you may need to modify your sprinkler system. This is something we do frequently, and we would be happy to explain the various options for you.

We are always very happy to help you accomplish your goals efficiently. Happy gardening!

Colorado weather is highly variable one year to the next, and even one week to the next. In Fort Collins, Colorado, the last frost date is May 16 and the first frost date is September 18 (using 10% as a probability that a frost will occur between these dates). This rule of thumb means that we only have about 4 months of 90% guaranteed frost free weather. This is an issue when it comes to using a sprinkler system to water your property, because you don't want pipes to freeze and burst.
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For this reason, almost all homeowners have their sprinkler systems winterized in the fall - blown out with compressed air before it has a chance to freeze. There are several options available to allow homeowners to protect their system before needing to perform a full winterization procedure, thus enabling the sprinkler system to safely run for more than 4 months out of the year. This is an important advantage, since Northern Colorado's semi-arid climate and sporadic precipitation place a lot of limitations and stress on grass and plant growth. Below, I list some options for protecting your sprinkler system while extending your watering season at the same time.

Options for Protecting Your Sprinkler System During a Freeze Event

1. Turn-on After Last Frost / Blowout Before First Frost

Usually a safe option, but limits the watering season to about 4 months. Not fail safe, however, as later and earlier frosts can still occur, and it severely limits watering capability.

2. Insulate the Backflow Device

Chosen by most homeowners to gain approximately an extra month before the last frost and after the first frost. Extends the watering season to about 6 months, assuming one does a good job insulating the backflow device. However, homeowners can run into trouble when unexpected severe cold weather occurs and they can't schedule a winterization soon enough. With extreme cold, it is almost impossible to insulate sufficiently, and damage often occurs.

3. Drain the Backflow Device and Valve Manifold

Draining the backflow device and valve manifold offers excellent protection, since there is nothing above ground to freeze. However, this is only an option if the backflow and manifold are designed to be able to completely drain, and only a small fraction of backflow devices are designed to be able to do this. It's a very wise choice, however, because it doesn't cost much extra to add the necessary components to allow quick and easy draining from both sides of the backflow and from the valve manifold. EcoWise Sprinkler & Landscaping always designs systems in such a manner because it allows significant watering season extension for a negligible additional cost.

4. Self-Draining Drip System

Since the drip system is above ground, it should include automatic drain valves on all the lines. These valves close when pressurized but open when the line is no longer pressurized.

5. Full Self-Draining Sprinkler SystemThe most versatile but most expensive option is to install automatic or manual drain valves at the lowest point of every zone. Care must be taken to ensure that the lines slope evenly to the drains without significant ups and downs which could trap water. At the drain valve a gravel pit must be installed to catch the water from the line. The pit must be lined with landscape fabric to keep dirt from filling the pit and creating a hole in the yard.

Conclusion

Hopefully this helps your understanding of some important design considerations. Call us if you have any questions. We are happy to help!

References:

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/mg/gardennotes/746.pdf