- External characteristics of the seeds
- When are the seeds ripe?
- Edible - a hot spice
- Sow the seeds - this is how it works!
- Fight before seed maturity
A not inconsiderable number of gardeners are not particularly fond of goutweed. No wonder: this weed is difficult to combat and reproduces quite rapidly via stolons and its seeds. Let's take a closer look at the seeds…
Autumn is the main harvest time for seeds
External characteristics of the seeds
The seeds do not look flashy or even spectacular. They are reminiscent of cumin or the seeds of carrots, dill and parsley. At first they are colored green. When they are fully ripe, they acquire a brown to brown-black colour.
They stand upright on the former, umbel-like inflorescences of goutweed. Each inflorescence has about 100 seeds. They are located in the two-part split fruit. They are elongated, flattened, wingless, averaging 3mm in length. They often have a narrow crescent shape.
When are the seeds ripe?
After the flowering period, which can last from April to September, the seeds of the goutweed ripen. The first seeds are already ripe in June. Others only reach maturity in the fall. Ripe seeds are brown in color.
Edible - a hot spice
The seeds can be eaten both fresh and dried. They taste hot. The taste is best expressed when the seeds are ground into a powder, for example with a mortar. They are suitable for:
- sauces
- salads
- Soup
- stews
Sow the seeds - this is how it works!
You can sow the seeds in spring, summer or autumn. They come in a nutrient-poor soil. Attention: They are light germs! Therefore, they should not be covered with soil, but only pressed down. Keep the substrate moist and the seeds will germinate in a few days.
Fight before seed maturity
If you want to fight ground elder, you should do it before the seeds are ripe. Once the seeds are mature, they are easily spread by the wind. The plant multiplies strongly with their help, as it houses a large number of seeds and these tend to self-seede.
tips
You don't need to buy seeds. You can collect them yourself in mid to late summer. They are ripe as soon as they are brown in color and can be easily detached from the seed head.