Useful weeds that are your gardens best friends.
What are weeds? Usually, a person divides plants into “good” or “bad” only in terms of self-interest. Many people consider weeds to be harmful, or unnecessary plants. However, the so-called weeds are completely normal plants, they just grow where we do not like and compete with the cultivated plants.
If one can look at one’s garden as a small piece of the natural puzzle, one may be able to change one’s point of view and see the benefits of neglected weeds.
We are aware that in most cases the plants are not sown in certain places randomly. There is logic and consistency in natural processes that we often forget. And strange as it may sound, because of these processes weeds can be good help for the gardener. They can be your indicator plants that will inform you about the condition of the soil in which they grow.
Virtually every cultivated plant, through the condition of the stems, leaves and root system can suggest a lack or excess of nutrients in the soil, as well as its moisture. For an initial analysis of an area, however, one can turn to those plants that grow naturally without your intervention. They are the so-called indicator plants.
Look around and you will notice them. Every year they grow very well, no matter how frequently you weed them. To determine, albeit approximately, the type and composition of the soil in the garden, pay attention to these wild plants in your garden.
Indicator plants for soil density and moisture
Depending on the predominant vegetation, the density and type of soil can be determined. For example, plantain and common weed grow on heavy soils. Other indicators of impermeable clay soil are buttercup, daisy, sorrel, coltsfoot, wheatgrass and dandelion. Light soils rich in organic matter are preferred by nettle and dink. Sandy and loose soils are liked by mullein and Stellaria media.
A sign of dry and poor soil are xerophytes – plants that are able to withstand water for a long time. These are small-flowered forget-me-not, all kinds of butterbur, wormwood, chamomile, antennara, thyme and others.
Hydrophytic plants suggest that the soil is abundantly moist and even swampy. These are marsh rosemary, common reed, coltsfoot, meadow geranium, wild blackberry, horsetail, forest reed and others.
Experienced gardeners say that plants can even tell you how deep the groundwater is. Where the water is up to 10 cm deep, different types of sedge grow. If there is water at 10-50 cm, you will find purple and other types of reeds. From 50 cm to 1 meter – usually nut and phalaris. When water is at a depth of 1-1.5 m, the indicator plants are fescue, and various kinds of vetch. If the water is more than 1.5 m, red clover, plantain and common weed are common.
Plants-indicators of soil acidity
According to their preferred soil acidity, plants are divided into acidophiles (prefer soils with higher acidity), neutrophils (prefer neutral soils) and basophils (prefer alkaline soils). The information about plants in this particular section is native to Bulgaria, please look for plants which grow in your region. Some of them might be a part of your zone as well.:)
Acidophiles are indicators of soil pH below 6.7. Extreme acidophiles grow in soil with a pH of 3-4.5. Such plants are sorrel, moss, flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, bilberry. Medium acidophiles with a pH of 4.5-6. These are violet, marsh ice, antennara, cranberry, bearberry, water pepper, ground broom, mint, sorrel. Weak acidophiles – pH 5-6.7. Among them are sedge, pine cone, male fern, polygonatum verticillatum, millet.
Neutrophils suggest neutral or slightly acidic soils with a pH level of 6.0-7.3. Such are yarrow, coltsfoot, wild strawberry, common bonito, white clover, empress or alchemilla vulgaris, lily of the valley, shepherd’s purse. Neutrophils are also enchantress, chamomile, wild radish, milk thistle, donkey thistle.
Basophil plants are indicators of alkaline soils – pH 7.3-9.0. These are Vicia sativa, delphinium, mustard, oyster mushroom, sainfoin, timothy, sickle-shaped alfalfa, yellow cellar, red elderberry, butterbur, stellaria media, field mustard, plantain and others.
Useful weeds
Nowadays, some of the most unloved “weeds” are gradually changing peoples minds. Thanks to scientific research, we find that the hitherto unknown “pests” are in fact plants that can be of great benefit to both human health and soil fertility.
Dandelion
For a long time, only children liked the fluff in their grandmothers’ yards. I myself perceived the dandelion only as a cute wild flower, and it was fun to see how far you can blow its seeds. It is ironic that when we moved to the countryside, I even bought a tool designed specifically for extracting dandelions from the lawn. I didn’t know at all that it didn’t compete with ryegrass because it took nutrients from a much deeper layer of soil (its roots reach 90 cm). I did what I saw from other gardeners because I thought it was right. However, when I became curious and began to read information about the dandelion, I was amazed at how useful this underestimated plant actually is. It is a great friend of earthworms because its strong root can penetrate even heavy clay soil and create new channels for worms to move. It is one of the so-called “pioneer plants”, as its root aerates the soil and extracts phosphorus, potassium and calcium from the deep soil layers, which it deposits on the surface. In this way, it restores erosion losses and provides nutrients to other plants.
Dandelion is also useful for humans. It is very often used in traditional medicine for the treatment of infections and liver diseases. Dandelion contains strong antioxidants such as beta-carotene and polyphenols. It is also a rich source of fiber and inulin, helping to remove waste from the digestive tract. Virtually all parts of the plant are useful. They are rich in fat-soluble vitamins A, C, K, and also contain vitamin E, folic acid, a significant amount of minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium. The leaves can be eaten in a salad, the color is used to prepare the so-called “Honey” or syrup. The recipe for dandelion syrup can be found on the Berry Berry Green Facebook page. The roots can be used to make tea, to be roasted or to be dried to make a coffee substitute. An exceptional quality of dandelion is that it retains all its useful properties even during heat treatment.
Purslane
It still sways between the antipathy of people who spend days trying to pull it out of their garden and the admiration of those who have discovered its benefits. Sold in some organic stores and markets. It can be eaten raw in a salad, and for avid cooks it has an interesting quality to thicken the food and give a pleasant, slightly peppery taste.
The succulent plant is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, magnesium, iron and is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B. Purslane contains 7 times more vitamin C than citrus. It has five times more fatty acids, omega-3 (α-linolenic acid) than in spinach. Their content is even higher than some fish oils. Recommended for high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, gout, high blood pressure, anemia. In many countries, purslane is already considered as one of the superfoods. Maybe the moment is approaching when it will be rightfully called a herb, not a weed.
Amaranth
Perhaps one of the most hated weeds in Bulgaria. However, the plant is rich in valuable nutrients that have a positive effect on the body. Leek provides energy through its protein, carbohydrates, minerals and various vitamins. The high content of protein and fiber stimulates digestion and supports the activity of the intestine. And the large amount of vitamin E in it makes it a great natural way to lower cholesterol.
The parts of the sage that can be used in cooking are its leaves and seeds. They can be eaten raw or after processing, and can be added to almost any dish. The seeds of the sage can be prepared in the same way as the well-known bulgur, quinoa and buckwheat. In addition, flour can be ground from the dried seeds to be used in the preparation of various pasta products. The plant is gluten-free, which makes it an ideal substitute for all cereals containing gluten. Herbalists, however, advise it not to be used by pregnant and lactating women, as well as by people with serious digestive problems.
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
Horsetail is a perennial herbaceous plant that has existed since the time of the dinosaurs. Then it reached the size of a tree, but today its stems are not higher than 60 cm. Horsetail is a very interesting plant. Figuratively speaking, it dies and is born twice a year. Its first stems come out in the spring. They are brown, unbranched and bear spores. After the spores disperse, the stems die. In a few weeks they will be replaced by others. This time they are green, branched, asexual. They are the healing part of the plant.
Horsetail contains galactose, pectin, glucose, saponins, carotene, vitamin C and more. In Bulgarian folk medicine horsetail is used for kidney and gallstones, pulmonary tuberculosis, hemorrhage, dropsy, gout, rheumatism, atherosclerosis, stomach pain. As an infusion it is used for varicose veins, eczema and non-healing wounds. With its decoction, purulent wounds, fungal infections, and burns are rinsed, gargles are made for sore throats, etc.
Orach
It is a very hardy plant and contains abundant nutrients. Perhaps most unusual is its ability to store salt in its leaves, which allows the plant to grow in a highly saline environment in which most plants could not grow. It has been used in the Mediterranean since ancient times, but was later largely replaced by spinach. Orach is now regaining its popularity due to the unique mineral and organic compounds it contains. It contains significant amounts of vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, protein, anthocyanins, zinc, selenium, tryptophan and dietary fiber.
Like many green leafy vegetables, orach is useful for stimulating digestion due to dietary fiber levels. It has a mild laxative and diuretic effect, which helps cleanse the kidneys and quickly eliminate toxins, excess salts, water and even body fat. Orach contains almost twice as much vitamin C as kiwis and lemons. Like spinach, orach contains significant levels of oxalic acid. This means that it is not good for people with kidney stones, gallstones or gout.
Plantain
It is said that if a frog is bitten by a spider, it rushes to the plantain to heal. In folk medicine, it is traditionally considered a herb. Plantain leaves are used to treat wounds and insect bites. They can also be placed directly in the shoes to heal corns (blisters), as plantain is known as a remedy for old and persistent wounds. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and anti-ulcer properties. It should not be taken internally by pregnant women.
What to do with weeds in our garden?
Weeds and wildflowers are extremely unpleasant for most gardeners. They are quick to uproot them when they erupt after rain so that they do not spread through the beds. However, this is not always the best solution. If you do decide not to grow these plants, or if you just can’t eat that much, then here’s what you need to know, so you can get rid of them more easily and without using chemical methods.
In order to control weeds effectively, you need to know which weeds belong to which species. We distinguish weeds mainly according to their type of reproduction – with root shoots or seeds. Typical examples of weeds propagated by seeds are shepherd’s purse, stellaria media, white dog quiver and plantain. Weeds that multiply through roots are dandelion, weed, cob, butterbur, milkweed and others.
Practically from the above-ground part of all weeds a wonderful fertilizer is obtained. For this purpose, those propagated by seeds must be mowed or cut before the seeds ripen. This will reduce their spread, and the resulting green mass can be a great nitrogen additive for your compost. You can also just cut it and scatter it around the garden. When decomposed, plants will release all the minerals and other nutrients they contain into the soil, thus nourishing your plants. Weed roots propagated by root suckers should not be placed in compost or scattered throughout the garden. Keep in mind that digging is not a good way to remove them. Root cutting actually stimulates them, as a new plant will emerge from each small piece of root. For them, I recommend dense mulching with cardboard or geotextile, as the lack of light will prevent their growth on the covered area.
And let’s promise to be curious and wide-eyed about everything in nature. Maybe that’s how we’ll find more friends in the garden.
Disclaimer
The aim of this article is to provide information. This is not a substitute for a doctor’s opinion or recommendation on medication. In case of any health related symptoms or medical condition, please consult your physician for a proper diagnosis and solution. Your physician is aware of your allergies and medical history and is in the best position to guide you.
