| Looking at Weeds in a Different Light |
Master gardener Joe Lamp'l, host of Fresh from the Garden, points out why we should exercise tolerance when it comes to pesky weeds.
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Dandelions are pretty flowers that can brighten up any yard. (SHNS photo courtesy Joe Lamp'l)
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By Joe Lamp'l
April 14, 2008 — Weeds, how do I loath thee? Let me count the ways. Do I really feel so strongly? Well, yes and no. In spite of their many faults, I try to find the good even in weeds. And as difficult as it may be to imagine, they do have a place on this earth. For example, weeds can provide habitats for beneficial insects, pollen and nectar sources for bees and hummingbirds, prevent or reduce erosion and runoff, cultivate soil — and some even provide a natural (and free) source of fertilizer. Even the ubiquitous dandelion is worthy of its place. Its cheery yellow flowers brighten up otherwise monotonous fields of green while providing a food source for pollinators. And it's pretty darn tasty to humans as well, since all parts of this plant are edible. Yet we're a tidy bunch for the most part, and at some point we decided that weeds had no place in our landscapes. Decades ago, we decided it was better to eliminate certain types of green vegetation that didn't quite meet our standards for appropriate lawns or garden-worthy plants. Collectively, we call them weeds, even when some are merely plants out of place. In an effort to get and keep our beloved lawns looking green and lush, we carpet them with pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides and multiple applications of fertilizers (which also provide nutrients to the very weeds we just tried to abolish). However, we all know those weeds won't be gone for long, no matter how hard we try. Have you ever wondered if this never-ending battle we're fighting is against the wrong enemy? Me, neither, but it seems like a fair, albeit strange question. Consider our war on weeds. Why are so many forces working against our desire to eliminate them permanently? Some weed seeds are viable for thousands of years. They'll remain dormant below the soil surface, patiently waiting for just the right opportunity to spring to life. Others can travel thousands of miles by air or sea or even hitchhiking. Many pass through animals, gaining new ground and reclaiming old territory. Even global warming is empowering weeds to kick it up a notch. New studies show that increased levels of carbon dioxide and warmer temperatures are giving an increased potency to plants like poison ivy and allowing others (like kudzu) to spread more rapidly than ever before. Exercising tolerance in gardens and landscapes is virtuous for dealing with pests of all types, including weeds. But for me, I still see weeds the way most of you view them. Although I understand and appreciate their purpose, I'm not ready to welcome them into my lawn or garden just yet. (Joe Lamp'l, a master gardener, hosts DIY's Fresh from the Garden as well as a gardening radio show. For more information, visit www.joegardener.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.) | Get DIY On Your TV. Just follow the instructions to see if DIY Network is available through your cable or satellite provider. |
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