Of course, finding Japanese knotweed in your garden is not ideal; it spreads like wildfire, grows rapidly and breaks hardstandings. But, I always say that the best must be made of a bad situation, and you could do worse than cooking the shoots and stems (not the leaves) to make jam, marmalade, soup or crumble. Many say knotweed tastes like rhubarb, ‘only better.’

It may be common knowledge that knotweed can be cooked and eaten, however the health benefits are less well documented. It is an excellent source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, potassium, zinc, manganese, phosphorus, and resveratrol, which is found in wine and is claimed to reduce the risk of heart attacks and slow the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. This is explained in Brill (2008) :

“Normally, glial cells in the brain support the neurons (nerve cells), but in Alzheimerís disease, an accumulation of gunk called amyloid plaques signals these helper cells to kill the neurons instead. Resveratrol seems to block this deadly signal. Resveratrol also activates sirtuin genes, which increase cell longevity the same way a calorie-restricted diet does. Whether this might also slow human ageing is still open to question.”

So, finding knotweed need not be the pain you may think it is. In fact, it may aid you in leading a long, healthy life. Bon appetite!

Anthony.

PS Always ensure waste is burnt, boiled or left to rot, as throwing it away is illegal.

Today in 1965, a young gardener at the Royal Horticultural Society in Wisley, Surrey suddenly noticed that the sky had turned quite black. Then he noticed that the trees and tin sheds were flying off into space. He decided to make a quick escape out of the fruit garden. In ten short minutes, a tornado cut through the pride and joy of English Horticulture’s head office uprooting orchards and splitting teees up to 10 feet in girth.

Jane

The dog days of summer begin this week according to the 1552 book of Common prayer when your shirt sticks to your back, your knees are weak and lassitude envelopes you. This breathless sticky and wearying backside of summer is a phenomenon more common on the Continent though its just such a dog day on Merseyside in 1957 when two teenage rock ‘n roll fanatics meet for the first time with their guitars. Paul McCartnery is watching the quarry Men Skiffle Group led by John Lennon when a thunderstorm breaks!