Spring is such a refreshing time of year and there is lots of little green things coming up. If you would like to know if you can eat some of them, you're in luck! Many early spring plants around your homestead are good to eat. Nothing beats a picture to help you remember, so we've put together a list. You can get this page easily on your phone, so carry it with you when strolling out in the yonder.
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Ozark natives, by their character are risk takers. So before we go any farther I want to state the ground-rules. Proper identification is the responsibility of the harvester. This article has some clues and tips as to how to identify things, it is your job to confirm them with reliable sources to your own satisfaction. If you are ever in the slightest doubt about a plant or mushroom–don't eat it. Also, don't harvest edibles from areas that may be contaminated. This would include areas that may have been exposed to pestasides, fungasides and weed-killers, areas near highways or busy streets, areas that may have had industrial or chemical run-off, and areas where people walk their dogs. I know, sometimes you just want to eat something to see what it will do, so be sure to leave a note with your next of kin before leaving – so they will know where to find you.
Chickweed
Chickweed starts to sprout up at the first signs of spring and is so common it can be found all over! Chickweed is also very nutritious, is succulent, and has a very mild flavor. Chickweed will disappear with warmer weather of late spring and summer, so take advantage of it while you can!
![chickweed](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/02/chickweed.jpg?resize=960%2C751&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/01/see-more.jpg?resize=100%2C39&ssl=1)
Garlic Mustard
If you harvest Garlic Mustard after spring, it’s much too bitter to eat. Plants growing in poor soil or in full sun will be much more bitter. So look in early spring and harvest young leaves in good soil.
![garlic mustard](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/02/garlic-mustard.jpg?resize=960%2C720&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/01/see-more.jpg?resize=100%2C39&ssl=1)
Wintercress
Wintercress, sometimes known as Garden Rocket, thrives wonderfully in the spring, when the weather is a bit cooler, however leaves of wintercress can harvested all throughout the year.
![wintercress](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/02/wintercress.jpg?resize=960%2C837&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/01/see-more.jpg?resize=100%2C39&ssl=1)
Wild Garlic
Although it looks and tastes like a cross between a garlic and an onion, it’s considered to be wild garlic. Be sure to smell it, though. If it looks like onion or garlic but lacks the characteristic smell, it could be a toxic lily. Actually in the Ozarks you will find both wild onion and wild garlic.
![wild onion](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/02/wild-onlon.jpg?resize=960%2C638&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/01/see-more.jpg?resize=100%2C39&ssl=1)
Dandelion
Everyone's favorite part of the dandelion is the flower–which is at it's peak in April and May. It is much sweeter than the greens, but use only the yellow and white portions, the base if pretty bitter.
![](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/02/dandelion.jpg?resize=960%2C640&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/01/see-more.jpg?resize=100%2C39&ssl=1)
Nettles
There are 2 kinds of nettles which are commonly eaten–the wood nettle and the stinging nettle (actually both nettles sting) . Stinging nettle is leafy, and used more as a pot-herb, and wood nettle is tall and mostly stalk, used for the shoot.
![stinging nettle](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/02/stinging-nettle.jpg?resize=960%2C640&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/01/see-more.jpg?resize=100%2C39&ssl=1)
Burdock
Harvest Burdock for the root, which can be up to 3 feet long, before the flowering stalk shoots up. Once the plant has begun to flower, the root will be tough and flavorless.
![burdock](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/02/burdock.jpg?resize=960%2C720&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/01/see-more.jpg?resize=100%2C39&ssl=1)
Yellow Dock
Go easy on Curly dock, also known as Yellow dock. It's best eaten in moderation because it contains high levels of oxalic acid, which inhibits the body's ability to absorb calcium.
![curly dock](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/02/curly-dock.jpg?resize=960%2C639&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/01/see-more.jpg?resize=100%2C39&ssl=1)
Plantain
You can find Plantain in early spring, and it may be harvested and used until freezing weather kills it. Not only is it good for food, but you can use it as a poultice to treat snake bites, insect bites, cuts and rashes. Young plantain leaves are like spinach– use raw or cooked. The flavor is mild and they're tender when young.
![plantain](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/02/plantain.jpg?resize=960%2C720&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/01/see-more.jpg?resize=100%2C39&ssl=1)
Pretty But Poisonous
Mayapple
Mayapple is one of the first forest herbs to cover the ground with green. However, the leaves, stem, seed and root are deadly poisonous. The roots have value as a medicinal herb, so they are OK to dig. Mark the patch though because root digging is best in fall after the above ground plant has died away.
![mayapple](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/02/mayapple.jpg?resize=960%2C720&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/01/see-more.jpg?resize=100%2C39&ssl=1)
Just Kinda Poisonous
Poke Greens
Here in the Ozarks Poke Greens are an herb that is looked forward to in early spring. When they are young and completely green they make a great pot herb. BUT, if they grow over 18″ and/or start turning red on any part of the plant, don't eat it. It's hard to imagine how we found this out – I'm sure by trial, error, sickness and death.
![poke weed](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/02/poke-weed.jpg?resize=960%2C720&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/01/see-more.jpg?resize=100%2C39&ssl=1)
Spring Reconnaissance
Early in the year is a great time to mark the location of plants you will harvest later in the year, since you will see them easier without all the heavy growth. Look for signs of these Ozark natives for summer harvest.
- Blackberry
- Dewberry
- Gooseberry
- Wild Grape
- Wild Strawberry
![wild strawberry](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/02/wild-strawberry.jpg?resize=960%2C720&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/01/see-more.jpg?resize=100%2C39&ssl=1)
Going into the woods early in the year gets you ready to find treasures all year long. You won't need as much insect spray, but you should still be prepared for ticks. If you have GPS on your phone you can mark the location of honey holes to check later on.
![](https://i0.wp.com/ozarkcountryhomestead.comwp-content/uploads/2017/01/Ken-Heistand.png?resize=200%2C200&ssl=1)