By Pat Dray
The Garden Spot
Pat Dray
Do you ever feel that you’ve gone “too deep into the weeds”? That could be a good thing.
If we look up the definition of weed, it is typically defined as a plant that is growing where it isn’t wanted and in competition with cultivated plants. Some of my favorite “weeds” are goldenrod (Solidago), Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota), and dandelions (Taraxacum officiale). All three have beautiful flowers and seeds that provide nectar to attract beneficial insects such as butterflies and bees. They require little water and self-propagate.
I use these three examples to explain some key plant definitions and why they are so confusing. Many of us gardeners are following the trend of “going native” to help preserve the natural ecosystem in our area. That is one reason I love goldenrod. It’s a late summer blooming native perennial that is often incorrectly blamed for hay fever. Keep in mind, however, that although it is native, it can be quite aggressive. It needs to be managed in your garden or meadow.
Queen Anne’s Lace is a non-native biennial wildflower herb which is aggressive and is considered invasive in some states, but not here in Connecticut. Dandelions are non-native, non-invasive plants that provide nectar, leaves and seeds that support over 100 species of pollinators.
So, what’s the point? Although natives can be aggressive, they are not considered invasive, and not all non-natives are invasive even if they are aggressive.
I happen to love an untidy garden, but still work to control what’s growing where so that the unwanted (weeds) don’t compete for water and nutrients with the plants that I do want. I’m much less fussy in my long-standing perennial beds than I am in my vegetable garden, since the vegetables are all annuals that are heavier feeders and drinkers than the perennials.
The unwanted can easily be pulled out by the roots after a rainy day. Constant surveillance works to keep everything under control. Most of our garden and lawn weeds can be managed without the use of broad-spectrum herbicides. There is a reason those little yellow hazard signs that pop up every spring say to stay off the treated area for one to two days. Instead, a half hour of weeding a few days a week is great for your physical and mental health, as well as your garden.
If you have a larger area of weeds (or even turf), you can easily prepare it for next spring by mowing or weed whacking the area and covering it with newspaper and a layer of straw. The paper and straw will decay and nourish your soil by spring, and you’ll have an area ready to plant more desirables.
If you do need to use chemicals, use them sparingly, follow the directions closely and be plant specific. I have to admit that when I have any poison ivy growing, I bring out the weed killer.
Pat Dray is a past president of the Garden Club of Orange and a master gardener.