Weeds and grass – two plants that seem so similar, yet elicit such different reactions. Grass is the darling of suburban lawns, meticulously maintained and nurtured. Weeds are the invaders, disrupting the uniform beauty of a manicured lawn. But are weeds really the villains they’re made out to be? Looking closer, there are many reasons why weeds may actually be better than grass. This article will explore the benefits of weeds and why they deserve more appreciation.
What are weeds?
Weeds are plants that grow spontaneously in areas not deliberately planted by humans. They are adaptable, hardy, and resilient. While the term “weed” tends to have a negative connotation, these plants are not inherently bad. Rather, weeds are subjectively defined based on whether they are growing where humans want them to or not. Many plants labeled as weeds in a lawn would be prized as garden plants or intentionally planted wildflowers in a different context. Some common types of weeds include dandelions, clover, plantain, crabgrass, and ragweed. The key unifying feature of weeds is their wild, untamed nature.
Weeds are tough
Weeds thrive where other plants fail. They are able to colonize areas that have poor, compacted soil. Weeds can grow through cracks in concrete and can survive drought, trampling, mowing, and exposure to toxins. Their resilience allows them to claim unlikely territories. Grass relies heavily on amendments and pampering to survive. Without regular watering, fertilizing, mowing, and treatment with herbicides, a lawn will quickly become overrun by sturdier weeds. When it comes to durability, weeds have the upper hand.
Weeds support pollinators
Many common weeds produce abundant flowers that attract and support pollinating insects like bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. For example, dandelions provide early-season pollen and nectar when few other flowers are in bloom. Clover hosts nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its roots, enhancing soil fertility while feeding a variety of pollinators with its flowers. Diversity of flowering weeds provides habitat and food sources for more types of pollinators over a longer season compared to a lawn monoculture of grass. Pollinators are essential contributors to our food system. Supporting these important insects and wildlife with flowering weed patches is beneficial.
Weeds filter water runoff
The deep, dense roots of many weeds are excellent at capturing and filtering water runoff to prevent erosion and control the flow of nutrients and pollutants. Runoff from lawns can contribute significantly to pollution and eutrophication of waterways. Weeds help mitigate this issue. Their roots create channels that allow water to infiltrate the soil. They take up nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, preventing them from washing away. Weeds also trap sediments and pollutants. In many cases, weedy patches may filter and permeate water better than expansive lawns.
Weeds sequester carbon
Weeds are effective at sequestering carbon from the atmosphere and storing it safely in the soil. Deep-rooted perennial weeds like dandelions burrow into the ground, depositing carbon compounds that can remain locked in soil for years. Annual weeds that die back each season contribute decaying biomass to the soil, enhancing organic matter. Grass relies on shallow roots and frequent mowing, losing much of its potential to sequester carbon. Weeds unmatched by grasses in their ability to pull carbon from the air and stabilize it underground.
Weeds indicate soil health
The types of weeds that spontaneously appear can provide clues about the condition of your soil. Certain weeds target nutritional deficiencies and will colonize where their needed resources are abundant. For example, clover fixes nitrogen, so its presence indicates low nitrogen levels in the soil. Plantain thrives where soils are compacted and indicates the need for aeration. The diversity and distribution of weeds in an area can be read as a map of your soil’s needs. This valuable feedback from weeds allows for targeted amendments and care to restore balance. Grass offers little insight into the changing dynamics of the soil environment.
Weeds don’t require chemicals
Cultivating a lawn of grass essentially requires the use of chemicals. Frequent applications of synthetic fertilizer and broadleaf herbicides are par for the course in maintaining a conventionally manicured lawn. Runoff from these chemicals pollutes waterways and disrupts ecosystems. Weeds grow without these costly and harmful inputs. With deep roots accessing nutrients, weeds have no need for Petrochemical fertilizers. Their resilience allows them to outcompete grasses and forbs without toxic herbicides. Choosing weeds means fewer chemicals contaminating soils and waters.
Weeds cost less money
Between lawn mowers, fertilizer, herbicides, fungicides, seed mixes, topsoil, and professional landscaping services, maintaining a flawless grass lawn is expensive! Homeowners spend billions of dollars annually on upkeep. Replacing thirsty grass with hardy weeds slashes costs significantly by reducing the need for irrigation, mowing, and amendments. Weeds cut out the middleman and thrive independently. Letting weedy patches establish can save time and money. The beauty of weeds lies in their self-sufficiency.
Weeds prevent erosion
Weeds excel at stabilizing soil and preventing erosion. Their dense roots form an underground matrix that holds soil particles in place. Grass relies on shallow roots and grows in bunches that are prone to washing out, particularly on slopes. This leaves areas of bare, exposed topsoil vulnerable to slipping away. The deep, vining roots of spreading weeds like bindweed, knotweed, and crabgrass form soil-retaining mats. Their rhizomes also resprout readily after rain and runoff events. Weeds offer superior erosion control compared to grass.
Weeds don’t need mowing
One thing is for certain – you’ll never have to mow a weed! The constant chore of cutting grass is irritating, time-consuming, and resource-intensive. Gas-guzzling lawnmowers burn fossil fuels and spew emissions. They also pose safety hazards and health risks. Lawnmowers injure over 9,000 people annually in the U.S. Noise and air pollution from mowers also negatively impact community health. Avoiding grass means avoiding the hassle and harms of endless mowing. Weeds offer lush greenery without the noise, injury, air pollution, and maintenance.
Weeds increase biodiversity
While a manicured grass lawn is a mono-culture, weeds provide welcome biodiversity. Lawns with diverse weeds host up to 2.5 times more species than grass-only lawns. Weeds attract a variety of birds, pollinators, and other wildlife that would otherwise be absent. For example, meadow vole populations have been found to be higher in weedy lawns, providing ample prey for hawks and owls. Allowing weeds to grow increases species richness and ecosystem complexity in your yard. Grass alone lacks the habitat value provided by weeds.
Weeds don’t require watering
In many areas, keeping grass green and growing requires massive inputs of supplemental irrigation. Turf grasses perform best when watered regularly and deeply. This makes lawns environmentally problematic in places prone to drought and water scarcity. However, weeds are much better adapted to thrive under low water conditions. Many weeds like purslane and dandelion have deep taproots that can access groundwater unavailable to shallow grass roots. Weeds remain lush and green with little or no irrigation. Dramatic water savings can be achieved by replacing thirsty grass with drought-tolerant weedy patches.
Weeds prevent soil erosion
The extensive root systems of weeds are unparalleled when it comes to stabilizing soil and preventing erosion. Their thick, interwoven roots act like reinforcing netting just under the soil surface. Unlike shallow-rooted turf grasses, weeds engineer the perfect anti-erosion groundcover. Weedy plants with spreading rhizomes like purslane and knotweed are especially effective. Their trains of tendrils anchor and protect soil. Grass, on the other hand, forms bunches that can dislodge and wash away – taking precious topsoil with them. Weeds offer superior soil retention.
Weeds suppress other weeds
While the term “weed” conjures images of plants spreading out of control, weeds can actually keep each other in check. Through a complex exchange of allelopathic chemicals and competition for resources, established weeds will inhibit new weeds from germinating and establishing. This phenomenon, called the “stale seedbed” effect, results in more stable cover of mature weeds. Contrast this to constantly disturbed soils that are ripe for fresh weed colonization. Leveraging the balancing forces between weeds results in a self-managing plant community.
Weeds protect soil fungi
The fungi and bacteria that make up the soil food web are vital for fertility and plant health. These organisms are extremely sensitive to disturbance and exposure. By constantly turning over and aerating the top layers of soil, mowing destroys the habitat these fungi rely on. Conversely, weeds help build a protective canopy with their close-knit root mats. Their deep roots deliver exudates that feed beneficial fungi. Weeds even interact directly with fungal tissues, exchanging nutrients with their symbiotic networks. Weedy patches nurture healthy fungal populations underground.
Weeds improve soil structure
Diversity of root depths is key for building soil structure. Shallow grass roots do little to create voids, channels and pockets in deeper soil layers. However, the assorted taproots, rhizomes and fibrous roots of weeds penetrate soil more comprehensively. This dynamic mixture of roots opens passageways for air, water and biota to access sublayers of the soil. Wormholes and decaying weed roots leave pathways behind. Weeds essentially till from the inside out, cultivating a layered soil architecture. Grasses lack this soil-building power.
Weeds increase water infiltration
Increasing the soil’s capacity to absorb and retain water is critically important for resilience against drought, flooding, and erosion. Dense turfgrass creates a thatch layer that can repel water. The mix of vertical taproots and lateral roots that weeds contribute builds a sponge-like quality in soil. Weed roots create macro-pores for water flow while also enhancing the soil’s water holding capacity. Rain soaks in readily rather than running off on compacted, crusted bare earth. Weedy soils act like a massive reservoir downstream landscapes can rely on.
| Weeds | Grass |
|---|---|
| Hardy, resilient plants | Require amendments and pampering to survive |
| Support pollinators | Provide less habitat for pollinators |
| Filter water runoff | Allow runoff into waterways |
| Sequester carbon in the soil | Less effective at carbon sequestration |
| Indicate soil health | Do not reveal soil conditions |
| Grow without chemicals | Require fertilizers and herbicides |
| Cost less to maintain | Expensive to continually care for |
| Prevent erosion with deep roots | Shallow roots prone to washout |
| Never need mowing | Require regular cutting |
| Increase biodiversity | Mono-culture lacks ecological diversity |
| Thrive with little or no watering | Require supplemental irrigation |
| Suppress growth of other weeds | Easily overtaken by weeds |
| Protect soil fungi from exposure | Mowing disrupts fungal networks |
| Improve soil structure | Do little to build soil structure |
| Increase water infiltration into soil | Promote water runoff |
Weeds are better adapted
Weeds are plants that have evolved to thrive in the margins – the hard, compacted soils of urban lots, low fertility soils, the cracks in sidewalks, unpredictable rainfall, drought, seasonal disturbance, and impacts from human activity. For this reason, they are better adapted to handle the realities of modern environments. Grasses demand specific, controlled conditions to flourish. Weeds are born survivors, evolving to handle challenging circumstances. Their rugged durability makes them well suited as primary groundcover in developed areas.
Weeds provide food
Those pesky weeds invading your yard could actually be nutrient-dense edible plants! Many common weeds are entirely edible and provide food value. Dandelion greens are chock full of vitamins and can be used fresh in salads or cooked. Purslane leaves and stems contain more omega-3 fatty acids than almost any other green vegetable. Lamb’s quarters is a spinach substitute rich in protein, calcium, and iron. Stinging nettles have a flavor similar to spinach when cooked and provide minerals like iron, potassium and magnesium. Weeds can supplement your pantry.
Weeds have medicinal uses
Humans have relied on weeds for herbal medicine for millennia. Many weeds contain unique phytochemicals with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and other therapeutic effects. Dandelion roots and leaves stimulate digestion and have a mild diuretic effect. Broadleaf plantain leaf can be applied topically to soothe skin irritations and aid healing. Stinging nettle can treat seasonal allergies via immunotherapy. Burdock root purifies blood and acts as a diaphoretic. The next time you curse the weeds, consider they may hold untapped medicinal potential.
Weeds are beautiful
Weeds are beautiful in their own unique way. Rather than orderly uniformity, weeds display dynamic patterns, delightful spontaneity, and bursts of colorful blooms. They contrast with the predictable monotony of turfgrass in the best possible way. Different weeds present themselves each week of the growing season, creating an evolving palette of textures and colors. Watching weeds grow feels like witnessing the ebb and flow of natural rhythms. Their lush diversity is a living work of art. We owe it to ourselves to recognize their chaotic beauty.
Weeds connect us to nature
On some deep level, the presence of weeds stirs an ancestral memory and connection to the wilderness within us all. They represent nature reasserting herself into the built environment, blurring harsh boundaries and reminding us that the human world does not reign supreme. Weeds break up the severity of concrete jungles, brightening overlooked cracks and alleyways. Their volunteered growth nods to forces of life greater than mowers, mulch, and domestication. Weeds in the urban landscape awaken a sense of partnership with the natural world.
Weeds enable self-reliance
By their independent nature, weeds free us from dependency on corporations for perfect sod, synthetic fertilizers, and chemicals to eradicate nature. Harvesting food and medicine freely growing in our yards allows self-sufficiency. Learning to understand soil messages communicated through weeds reduces reliance on labs and conventional agriculture “experts”. Instead of consuming, we begin participating in the ecosystem. Weeds reconnect us to ancestral skills of listening to the land’s wisdom. No smartphones or apps required – just curiosity and observation.
Weeds are the ultimate nonconformists
Weeds boldly split from the herd mentality of endless lawns. They break free from the conformity of society’s obsession with uniformity, order, and tidiness. Weeds do their own thing and grow according to their own inner compass that resonates with nature’s rhythms. They remind us that chaos and wild diversity have a place and a purpose. Weeds celebrate the freedom of rebels and outliers alike. Having the courage to welcome weeds is a small act of defiance against the mindless status quo.
Conclusion
Weeds have gotten a bad rap, but a closer look reveals many benefits these tenacious plants can provide. Weedy yards require fewer chemicals, less water, no mowing, and cost less money to maintain. Weeds prevent erosion, support pollinators, sequester carbon, and increase biodiversity. Their vibrant volunteer growth enriches overlooked urban spaces. Weeds offer food and medicine free for the taking. Most importantly, they awaken in us a profound sense of connection to nature. Perhaps it is time to stop waging futile war against the dynamic intelligence of weeds. We may discover we have much to learn by embracing these unruly teachers.
