Weeds have a bad reputation but that doesn’t mean that they’re always bad for your garden. By definition, a weed is simply a plant that’s growing where it’s not wanted. However, many of the plants that we think of as weeds can actually help pollinators, support biodiversity, and more.
That being said, even beneficial weeds need to be carefully grown and properly maintained to prevent them from taking over your garden. Here, we asked gardening experts which weeds they recommend growing on purpose—and why these maligned plants can actually be a good thing.
Meet Our Expert
Advertisement
Advertisement
Related: What 8 Common Weeds Say About Your Soil—From pH Levels to Nutrient Deficiencies
01 of 07
Dandelion
Credit: Sergunt / Getty Images
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) grows in many lawns and gardens, and most homeowners will pull these plants up without a second thought. However, these flowers can be a boon when grown in moderation. “They have deep taproots that can help loosen compact soil and bring up nutrients,” says Ankit Singh, assistant professor at the University of Maine Extension.
They’re also an early food source for bees and other pollinators, says Carrie Spoonemore, co-founder of the Seed to Spoon app. However, like with any weed, crowd control is important. Singh recommends removing seed heads if you don’t want them spreading too aggressively and digging out extras by the taproot if they’re crowding other plants.
Advertisement
Advertisement
02 of 07
Purslane
Credit: hongquang09 / Getty Images
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is another plant that spreads very quickly, so gardeners will often consider it a weed and pull it up. However, its benefits go beyond the garden: “Purslane can be grown and harvested for salads and other dishes and offers a slew of essential vitamins and minerals,” says Dawn Davies, formal gardens manager at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill.
Singh adds that, because it grows low to the ground, purslane can act almost like a living mulch. Keep it in check by harvesting it before it sets seed.
03 of 07
White Clover
Credit: Orest Lyzhechka / Getty Images
White clover (Trifolium repens) is a member of the bean family, says Davies, so it fixes nitrogen and in so doing boosts the health of existing turf. “It can keep a lawn greener with less fertilizer,” says Singh. “I would grow it on purpose in a mixed lawn, especially where a perfect turf grass-only lawn isn’t the goal.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
Pollinators love it, too. White clover can also draw rabbits away from other plants in your garden.
Related: How to Grow a Clover Lawn—the Low-Maintenance Turf Alternative That Only Needs 4 Mowings a Year
04 of 07
Yarrow
Credit: aga7ta / Getty Images
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps, says Spoonemore. These bugs will help keep common garden pests in check. “It works well in low-maintenance or meadow-style plantings,” says Singh. “It’s a good choice for gardeners who want a lawn or border that supports more insect life.”
It’s easy to grow and care for as well—simply make sure yarrow has full sun, and ovoid overwatering it. Singh recommends cutting it back if it starts spreading beyond where it’s wanted.
Advertisement
Advertisement
05 of 07
Chickweed
Credit: Anatoliy Berislavskiy / Getty Images
Chickweed (Stellaria media) is commonly considered a weed, but it produces elegant white flowers nevertheless—and it’s beneficial for your garden, too. It can act as a cool-season ground cover, says Singh, and help protect bare soil from erosion. “In garden paths or unused beds, it can be useful for short-term soil cover.”
Singh recommends pulling chickweed before it sets seed to help manage its spread.
06 of 07
Milkweed
Credit: Alleksander / Getty Images
Milkweed (Asclepias) can spread very quickly, but it also plays a vital role in our ecosystem as a host plant for monarch butterflies. It’s certainly worth growing, then, but make sure it doesn’t get out of control. Davies recommends pairing milkweed with similarly vigorous meadow plants.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Related: Should You Grow Milkweed? What to Know Before Planting This Monarch Favorite
07 of 07
Lamb’s Quarters
Credit: undefined undefined / Getty Images
Some plants that are commonly considered to be weeds are actually delicious, so they’re worth growing just for a flavorful harvest. Lamb’s quarters (Chenopodium album) is a great example. “Many gardeners pull it without realizing that it can be harvested and eaten much like spinach,” says Spoonemore.
She recommends only growing it in a designated area and harvesting young leaves regularly before the plant becomes too large.
Read the original article on Martha Stewart
Comments are closed.