Growings on the Wild Side

Introduction

I can’t say what it is about weeds that l have always loved? Perhaps it is quite simply because they are misunderstood like some animal species. Whatever your opinion or view is on weeds, they are everywhere, and they are here to stay.

Twenty-five years ago, l used to forage for weeds to feed the enormous number of rabbits l had in my commercial breeding operation. Knowing about them made everything easier because it meant that l wouldn’t accidentally kill an animal by feeding the wrong weed.

Most weeds are harmless, not all. Of course, some are and can be deadly. The fact is that people don’t like weeds because they don’t belong where they usually appear or are out of place. Many a time, gardeners especially don’t want them because weeds tend to grow quicker and easier than many ornamental flowers.

Weeds have a way of surviving. They are ONLY considered weeds on the domestic level because, let’s be honest, when we are out walking in the countryside, how many people are bothered by the presence of weeds then?

There are advantages and disadvantages to having weeds in your gardens and yards. They do have a lot of benefits that many people tend to ignore, and this series will highlight that.

The Beauty of Weeds
Companion Plantings
Shelter
Encouraging wildlife
Fertilising and enriching the soils
Providing and active Mulch/Soil protection
Attracting pollinators and good insects
Repelling pests
Food source for animals and humans
Serves as decoy crops
Great for wildlifing the garden
Soil conditioning

Growings on the Wild Side

A	*Alexanders*
B	*Burdock*	*Blue Bugle*
C	*Clover*	*Chickweed*
D	*Dandelions*	*Dock Leaves*
E
F	*Forget-me-not*
G	*Garlic Mustard*
H	*Horseradish*	*Hemp Agrimony*
I
J
K
L	*Lesser Celandine*
M	*Mallow [Common]*
N	*Nettles*	*Nasturtium*
O
P
Q
R	*Ribwort Plantain*	*Rosebay Willowherb*	*Red Campion*
S	*Shepherd’s Purse*
T
U
V
X
Y
Z

Life begins the day you start a garden
Chinese Proverb