An Introduction to Weeds
Weeds make up approximately 3% of the world’s plants. No matter what plot of land you cultivate, you are sure to come across them. Most people think of weeds only as unsightly plants that make a garden look disheveled. However, as you will soon learn, there is a lot more to these pesky plants.
This lesson delves into the broad scope of weedy plants by studying their positive and negative roles in gardens, agriculture, and the wild. We will cover preventative and control methods that are easy to implement for any garden. You will deepen your understanding of weeds by learning what they are, how they grow, and their risks and benefits.
Weeds have a notoriously negative reputation. But, as you’ll soon discover, not all weeds are the enemy. On the contrary, some weeds benefit ecosystems, livestock, and even the garden. In fact, many people purposefully plant weeds in their homes and gardens because of their natural beauty and ability to enhance a garden’s health.
Government officials classify some weeds as noxious and invasive. Therefore, it is important to know and distinguish the weeds in your garden and understand their effect on the ecosystem. Most noxious and invasive weeds have the ability to propagate very quickly and, when allowed to grow uncontrolled, can cause irrevocable damage.
An unruly garden overrun by weeds is any homeowner’s worst nightmare. Therefore arming yourself with the knowledge and tools necessary to control and eradicate weeds is the first step to having the garden of your dreams. Following the steps in this lesson, you will create a successful weed management plan that works wonders for your garden.