When it comes to ground elder (also known as Goutweed), gardeners are usually split into two camps: those who curse it as an unstoppable weed, and those who love it as a healthy herb and tasty kitchen staple. In this guide, I’m going to show you why potatoes are actually ground elder’s perfect partner—whether you’re trying to get rid of it or cook it up for dinner.
The Natural Weed Killer: Fighting Ground Elder with Potatoes
If you’re trying to keep your garden chemical-free, you can actually use potatoes to help get rid of that stubborn ground elder taking over your flower beds. Potatoes have a long history in the gardening world as natural weed suppressors, and they’re a favorite trick for hobby gardeners looking to reclaim their soil from uninvited guests.
So, why do potatoes win the fight against ground elder? It all comes down to their “assertive” personality. Potato plants grow dense, heavy foliage with large leaves that create a thick canopy over the soil. This acts as a natural ground cover that effectively starves the weeds of the sunlight they need to survive.
How to Use Potatoes to Clear Your Garden: A Step-by-Step Guide
To make sure your potatoes successfully rob the ground elder of nutrients, water, and light, follow these steps:
- First, clear out as much of the ground elder as you can using a spade or a hoe.
- Whatever you do, never let the ground elder reach the flowering stage.
- Once you’ve cleared the surface, loosen up the soil throughout the entire bed.
- Now, plant your potatoes. They’ll take over the space and help create a weed-free zone.
- Keep an eye on the area regularly to make sure the ground elder is staying “starved” out.
A Healthy Combo: Serving Ground Elder with Potatoes
On the flip side, if you’re a fan of foraging, ground elder is a fantastic culinary herb. You can use ground elder seeds as a pungent spice, or toss the leaves, flowers, and fruits into your favorite dishes for a healthy boost. It turns out this “weed” pairs beautifully with—you guessed it—the potato.
Here are a few delicious ways to combine them:
- Tossed into a fresh potato salad
- Layered into a potato gratin or casserole
- Chopped up as a topping for boiled potatoes
- Blended into a creamy potato soup
- Mixed into a herb dip or sour cream for baked potatoes
When raw, ground elder has a flavor profile similar to carrots or parsley, which makes it a natural aromatic match for potatoes. If you cook it, it tastes a lot like spinach and is just as packed with nutrients. Whether you’re fighting it or eating it, potatoes are definitely the way to go!
