You either tolerate them and learn to live with them or you hate them. There is not much genuine love for weeds.
From invasive to perennial to simple seedlings, we all get weeds and have to learn how best to deal with them even if it means letting them be.
Here are my top 5 weeds that I have dealt with;
- Quackgrass goes by many names, they’ve been called “Devils Weed”, “Couch Grass” to name just a couple. This weed is the bane of any gardener be experienced or not. There is always one war that’s consistent in any garden, and that is the war to keep this weed at bay. When dealing with Quackgrass, it is best to have patience! Slowly pull the weed, being sure to get as much of the root as possible. Even the smallest piece that may have been left in the ground will create more Quackgrass to spread
- Bindweed is an invasive weed, which is a classification with Alberta Agriculture. This weed is another bane of gardeners, as it is a vine and will wrap around your plants, so not so much fun to untangle. This one I only have dealt with occasionally, but another you must ensure that you remove as much of the root as possible. Because of the aggressive nature of this weed, it will take many seasons to fully deal with.
- Chickweed. This is one you have to be more diligent about pulling, but don’t throw it out as you can eat this! It is great in smoothies or as an extra green for your salads. It is now considered a high nutrient super plant!
- Dandelions, with roots that can go on forever! They will regrow from a broken stem left in the ground, so another weed to ensure you remove as much of the root as possible. But this is a weed that also has its own place in the yard. It’s the first flower for the bees (which are the best pollinators for your plants), plus you can make a delicious tea from either the roots or the leaves. It is also great for making a fertilizer!
- Stinging Nettle, though easy to pull you should wear gloves as some are allergic to this weed. Pull by the root and either discard or use in a tea!
There are many more weeds like horsetail and thistles, and many more plants that are invasive as well. It is recommended when buying new perennials to do your research and ensure they will not take over, not just your yard, but also to your neighbor’s yard.
The Gardeners' Wings 