What is a weed? Put simply, it's a plant that's not wanted. There's no formal definition of what counts as a weed - it's not like the RHS website has a handy list of which plants are weeds and which plants aren't. Some plants that are considered weeds in one environment may be considered desirable elsewhere.
Common characteristics of weeds include:
- Aggressive growth and reproduction
- Growing in a place other than its natural habitat
- Ability to flourish despite inhospitable conditions
- Seeds that can lay dormant in the soil for a long time
However, a plant may still be considered a weed in certain contexts even if it doesn't meet the above criteria. If you're looking at a particular plant and wondering whether or not it can technically be defined as weed, the question you should really be asking yourself is: Do I want this plant here?
That being said, there are plenty of plant species that pretty much everyone agrees are weeds.
What plants are considered weeds?
Examples include:
- Dandelions
- Nettles
- Bittercress
- Dock
- Bindweed
- Daisies
- Chickweed
- Groundsel
Again, whether these plants may truly be considered weeds does sometimes depend on the situation. But they tend to be unwanted in most cases.
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What problems can weeds cause?
Some weeds are disliked simply because they're unattractive. An otherwise pristine lawn becomes a lot less aesthetically appealing when it's littered with unwanted weeds.
But weeds can cause plenty of other problems too. For example...
- Weeds compete with other plants (including grass) for sunlight, moisture and nutrients
- Aggressive weed growth can cause structural damage to buildings - Japanese knotweed is notorious for this
- Some weeds, such as nettles and giant hogweed, can sting or irritate the skin
- Weeds can be great hiding places for garden pests
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Can weeds be beneficial?
Yes they can. Weeds may cause problems, but they do have their uses as well. Stinging nettles have a variety of uses (they are commonly used in soups and teas, for instance). Some weeds are used to repel pests. Even the aforementioned Japanese knotweed - an invasive species so aggressive that you can face legal action if you allow it to spread - is edible. Apparently it tastes a bit like rhubarb.
Still, if you do have a weed problem in your garden, it's best to get it under control ASAP. Call Lawn & Weed Expert on 0800 111 4958 today to arrange a FREE lawn survey.
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