Wandering into the world of weeds

Published on 12 February 2026

In November last year, Council’s Environment & Sustainability team hosted another edible weeds walk and talk at the reserve on 3‑Mile Creek. Natasha from Beingreen Permaculture kindly joined us for a second time to share her knowledge about which weeds are edible, as well as their various uses and health benefits.

There was a great turnout, and participants had the chance to learn more about the weeds in our gardens that we often see as a problem, but which can also be viewed as a valuable resource. Many weeds can help repair soil, keep it healthy, and even provide remedies for common health ailments and general nutrition.

Natasha shared some great tips on how to accurately identify certain species and how to process them into teas, tonics, or even use them as salad ingredients. There are also many online resources that can assist with all things related to edible weeds.

The workshop was a wonderful opportunity to develop a new perspective on the plants that may be growing in your own backyard and are often overlooked. Please always ensure that if you plan to consume weeds, you identify them accurately to avoid ingesting the wrong plant. There is plenty of information available online and in published books to help with correct identification. It is best to only source weeds from your own backyard, where you know they have not been sprayed with herbicide. Many public areas are treated regularly, and collecting weeds from these areas may result in exposure to herbicides.

If you would like to learn more about edible weeds and how they can be used, why not review the guide developed by Beingreen Permaculture and explore what you might find in your own garden? 

Download the guide here(PDF, 29MB)