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Growing your own doesn’t just mean in a garden or allotment, as many edible plants grow in ponds. Having plants in your pond helps bring it to life and provides wildlife with a food source and shelter.
Here at Envii, we have a wide range of pond water products, from Blanket Weed Treatments and Green Water Treatments, to Sludge Removal and Water Quality Treatments. Our most popular pond products are the Envii Algae Klear Xtra, and the Envii Pond Klear.
Are edible pond plants any good?
Pond plants provide amazing benefits for humans, as they are packed full of nutrients like vitamin C and iron. Not only are they nutritious but also provide great flavour to dishes and recipes.
Continue reading to discover more about edible pond plants and the benefits they bring.
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Watercress
Watercress is one of the most common water plants known for its edible qualities. Not only is watercress edible but also brings excellent filtration benefits due to its fibrous roots.
It is also a brilliant food source, as it is packed full of nutrients like vitamin C, iron, and calcium. You can enjoy the entire watercress plant as the leaves, stalks and flowers are all edible. However, you may want to discard the roots as they don’t harness the same flavour as the rest of the plant.
How do you grow watercress?
For the watercress to grow in your pond, it needs access to damp soil or standing water. The plant is cold weather-hardy and survives all year round. However, make sure to remember that watercress is an invasive plant as it grows at high speed. A tip for growing watercress is to grow it in a submerged pot to avoid it taking over.
Water Lilies
Water Lilies are one of the most common pond plants to grow in water, as they make beautiful decorations. What many people don’t know about Water Lilies is that they are edible!
When can you eat Water Lilies?
The classic white and yellow Water Lilies mature to be edible, but they are not edible as young plants. After three to four years of growth, harvest the roots and soak them in water.
Pickerelweed
Pickerelweed is a firm favourite for pond plants as it has incredible benefits for wildlife and your pond. It produces vibrant purple flowers on a singular stem so the more you plant the more flowers will be produced.
Pickerelweed has endless benefits for wildlife from pollinators enjoying the pollen it produces to fish enjoying the shade that the plant provides during the summer months.
What part of Pickerelweed can you eat?
The edible parts of Pickerelweed are young tender shoots and leafstalks that can be enjoyed either raw or cooked, similar to common greens as an addition to salads. This isn’t the only part of the plant which is edible as the seeds can be dried and made into flour. The seeds can be baked, roasted, or even made into homemade granola offering a crunchy texture to many dishes.
Related Products
-
Envii Algae Klear Xtra
£19.99Kills submerged algae and blanket weed.Add to Basket -
Envii Pond Klear
£11.99Clears green pond water and prevents algae.Add to Basket
Sweet Flag (Calamus)
Sweet flag is a grass-like plant for marginal or edge planting, as the roots and leaves can sit in shallow water or consistently wet soil. The plant can grow over 2 feet tall but grows relatively slowly and is not known to be invasive, so can be planted directly into your pond.
It is also a great home for insects and bugs due to its grass-like properties as they can nestle in the leaves for shelter as the weather gets colder throughout the year.
What does Sweet Flag taste like?
Sweet Flag is one of the more flavoursome pond plants and every part of the plant is edible. It has similar characteristics to ginger as the leaves of the plant have a sweet lemon flavour and the roots resemble the flavour of ginger. The young shoots can be enjoyed in a salad and the roots are a fantastic addition to a stir fry.
Aquatic Mint
Aquatic mint is a great addition to garden ponds as it acts as a repellent to insects such as mosquitos and black flies. Not only is it great at pest protection but also is wonderful in many recipes and drinks, like regular mint.
What can you use Aquatic Mint for?
Aquatic mint has a refreshing minty taste and scent, which benefits dishes such as salads and desserts. Another way to consume aquatic mint is by using it in herbal teas or as a water flavouring. Add the mint to a glass of iced water and enjoy a refreshing summer drink.
Overall, growing edible pond plants that provide you with a food source is an excellent way to provide new and exciting food but also has many benefits for pond health and wildlife.
Related Products
-
Envii Algae Klear Xtra
£19.99Kills submerged algae and blanket weed.Add to Basket -
Envii Pond Klear
£11.99Clears green pond water and prevents algae.Add to Basket
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