Weeds: Friend Or Foe?

Weeds! No matter how methodical and meticulous you are, turn around in your garden, and another one appears, and if they’re not tackled swiftly, not only will more and more appear where you really don’t want them, they’ll get big very quickly, quicker, in many cases, than the plants you’ve lovingly tend to over many months. We dedicated a blog post to the task of removing them last summer (read it here), but this time we’re taking a different approach in the hopes of taking the pressure of a little…

So what actually constitutes a weed? It would seem nothing other than opinion.

Whilst some weeds are classified as dangerous to humans and animals – Giant Hogweed (not just hazardous but extremely invasive – see our blog post about that very subject here), Lords-and-ladies – many plants deemed ‘wildflowers’ are toxic too – Foxglove, Lily-of-the-valley – so it’s not just the potential for harm that shapes our opinions. Are we, then, merely judging these botanical books by their contentious covers? Is it just appearance that guides our perception of what is and is not acceptable? Not exactly. A weed is merely a plant that grows where it is not wanted, particularly somewhere that’s reserved for plants we do want. That could mean the Cosmos you welcome back every year is the cause of immense irritation to your neighbour or the Geranium that’s the pride of your summer display has crept across to next-door’s garden intruding on their carefully chosen perennials: one man’s meat and all that…

In reality, not many people would complain if an unexpected plant appeared in a prized border, unless, of course, that plant was to barge its way into position and continue to do so at the expense of pre-existing plants., and who could blame them? Think Mint: a favourite of the herb garden, but unless it’s contained, it’ll claim its territory and spread its wings quicker than you can say mint sauce, and you’ll never look at new potatoes in the same way again. But there is a place for some of the more traditional weeds, not least because to a bee and many other friendly insects, there is absolutely no distinction between them and your Dahlias or Hydrangeas, and we really need to keep the pollinators happy. Dandelions, for example, have proven to be a favourite with nectar-loving insects, but they are also good for the soil, aerating it with long taproots that are so difficult to remove. And, they’re edible to humans – in moderation, of course, and after consulting with a medical professional, which we’re not – so don’t they deserve a chance? There are many other weeds that can be safely consumed by adults (do your research before delving into your flowerbeds), but they have other benefits too: many treatments for grass are damaging to the environment, so a weed-filled lawn is actually your own little wildlife sanctuary, and who doesn’t want one of those? The insects that are attracted to weeds are generally the ones we want, the ‘good’ bugs, if you will, and they’ll do more than just pollinate; they’ll help to keep the not-so-good bugs at bay. That said, the weeds themselves do a pretty good job of that too, as they often contain natural insect repellents that could well keep the nasty bugs away from your beloved borders.

And then there’s the topsoil. When summer reaches its height and the temperatures soar, weeds will often outlive the grass, but without either – and with the inevitable hosepipe ban that accompanies a heatwave – valuable topsoil could be lost and will need to be replaced when it’s safe to consider replanting your lawn.

  

No one’s suggesting you give up your lawn for a meadow of swaying, bee-loving weeds (aka, wildflowers) – although you could if you wanted to – but eradicating them all, especially those that flower, and consequently, encourage pollinators, doesn’t have to be a knee-jerk reaction. It is possible to live harmoniously with some, so long as they’re not invasive or noxious (a quick Google search will tell you all you need to know). A patch of garden dedicated to Chickweed, Herb Robert or Rosebay Willowherb and a few Dead Nettles left to grow in the lawn or a little Creeping Buttercup in a couple of borders would make a few thousand insects very happy, and if the weeds start to get out of control, pulling or digging them up is a better way of limiting they’re expansion than potentially harmful pesticides.

Making friends with nature is always the best way, but finding a balance is key to ensuring you get the garden you want whilst keeping those you share it with on your side, and weeds may just be the solution. Call them wildflowers, and suddenly, they sound more appealing – tempted? Help nature out, and scatter a few seeds around your borders or even dedicate a little lawn to a mini-meadow and watch her gratitude come flooding to you. These may just help you get started…