Plant and weed picking question

I am working on getting a better variety of plants/weeds for my tort babies to eat but until I get my stuff growing (I do not have a green thumb so its a trial and error -with lots of error- on how to grow things from seeds, ive got Bermuda grass now but they still arent sure what to do with it but we are getting there lol)
Im wondering if I were to pick plants and weeds how long can they go before being fed before they are "no good" My parents have large property with lots of different options but they live 30 minutes away from me. I'm wondering if i pick weeds from their yard would they still be safe to feed after driving home? We are going over tomorrow for fathers day but by the time we get home my torts will be asleep for the night so would they be safe to feed the following day?

Ice plant is one in question (im going to get some to grow in my own yard as well) as well as sow thistle (it likes to grow in their ice plant). Picking it then feeding it the following day after being picked? Not sure what else they have thats safe until I go exploring with the intention of looking for safe weeds but those 2 I know for sure I have safe access to.

Wrap them in damp paper towels and put them in the fridge.

Really that's it? Thank you! About how long would they be good for like this?

MARC4 said:

Really that's it? Thank you! About how long would they be good for like this?

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That is what you do with lettuces when you bring them home from the store. I figured you do the same with other things you pick. I don’t know how long they would last.

Well that makes sense. Plants are not my thing. I am learning how to be a gardener as I go so forgive my "blonde moment" haha.

MARC4 said:

Well that makes sense. Plants are not my thing. I am learning how to be a gardener as I go so forgive my "blonde moment" haha.

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Hahahaha!

If I’m not able to get mine home right away I let them soak in the sink for about ten minutes, then run them through the salad spinner before I put them into a loosely closed bag, along with a paper towel.

I usually rinse what I bring home anyway, since it’s often dirty (not surprising!).

Most people don’t have a salad spinner; if not, just give them a really good shaking and store with a dry paper towel instead of a damp one.

I echo the above. I wash, dry, and put in a zip lock with a paper towel to absorb extra moisture. I get almost a week like this. For grass chop really fine and add to your greens.

Wonderful!! Thank you all so much. Im extra excited to go to my parents house tomorrow. Of course to celebrate fathers day with my dad and husband but definitely to pick some plants and weeds and see if anything else on their property is safe to bring home for my little babies to eat!

This depends on the weeds, but most weeds last longer in the fridge than store bought greens. I regularly pick weeds from a variety of places, put them into used but clean spring mix tubs and keep them in the fridge. I usually use them up pretty quickly, but I've had them last over two weeks.

BTW, ice plant is very easy to propagate.

Tom said:

This depends on the weeds, but most weeds last longer in the fridge than store bought greens. I regularly pick weeds from a variety of places, put them into used but clean spring mix tubs and keep them in the fridge. I usually use them up pretty quickly, but I've had them last over two weeks.

BTW, ice plant is very easy to propagate.

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Thank you! I'm very excited about tomorrow. Ive been reading up on propagating ice plant all afternoon (I'm going to get a bunch because they have a bunch, and 2 types, to feed as well as for possible failures in my attempts to grt it growing lol, I really am horrible with plants but when it's someones food I have a lot more determination to get it right) and I have all my apps handy on my phone so I can see if I can identify other safe weeds we can bring home. I think I'll bring a little lunch box with me to keep them cool on the drive home.

I'm as excited about this as a kid on Christmas Eve!

I planted greens from seeds .. they are really taking off and getting big, husband said Daisy really likes them... I’m an idiot, been watering them and forget to feed them to her [emoji849]

MARC4 said:

Thank you! I'm very excited about tomorrow. Ive been reading up on propagating ice plant all afternoon (I'm going to get a bunch because they have a bunch, and 2 types, to feed as well as for possible failures in my attempts to grt it growing lol, I really am horrible with plants but when it's someones food I have a lot more determination to get it right) and I have all my apps handy on my phone so I can see if I can identify other safe weeds we can bring home. I think I'll bring a little lunch box with me to keep them cool on the drive home.

I'm as excited about this as a kid on Christmas Eve!

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What apps do you use for weed identification?

Wdt77 said:

What apps do you use for weed identification?

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I use the picture this phone app and tortoise table and I joined a group on Facebook where people help identify plants/weeds also. Are there any better options?
I'm a bit paranoid about feeding the wrong things at this point so I'm always double checking what i find to make sure it's what I think it is.