Why Weeds Win

Does the war on weeds seem like an endless battle - and one they are winning? Conventional gardening solutions may call in herbicides to help but the never ending march of weeds just keep coming. Maybe the fact that the seeds can stay dormant in the soil for decades or that just one weed can have thousands of seeds may contribute to the problem. What if the answer is not in killing every weed but understanding why they are there in the first place.

Any bare earth is the siren’s call for weeds.

Bare earth is like an open wound where nutrients and moisture escape. Nature's solution is to put a scab on it to protect it while it heals. Enter the weed.

Weeds with Deep Roots

Some weeds grow deep roots to bring needed nutrients up from deeper soil. My two favorites are clover and dandelions. Each breaks up hard soils and drives roots down as deep as 8ft or more. Clover has the added benefit of putting nitrogen back into the soil. Other weeds, such as mullein and thistle, can grow several feet in diameter and several feet high in one summer. Not only do they provide ample shade and cover on the ground but food for birds as well.

Sprawling Weeds

Another method for covering bare ground quickly is the sprawling weeds. Pictured below on the far right is one I invited into my garden as a ground cover. Purslane. It has been cultivated for over a thousand years with edible and medicinal value but also forms a low carpet over the ground. At 93% water, it does a great job holding moisture!

The take-away here is that if you want to win the war on weeds, make sure there is NO bare earth. Whether you put down hay, straw, mulch, or a cover crop, keeping a protective layer on the ground will help you work with nature to keep weeds away.

Some examples for covering bare soil shown below are mulch, clover, and purslane: