Some food for thought. This list of the value of weeds is taken from the introduction to a book published 60 years ago - Weeds Guardians of the Soil written by Joseph Coconnouer after almost 50 years of teaching conservation & biology, and observation of the natural environment.
The full text of this book is freely available on Internet. I recommend it. Even though it is directed at the U.S. agricultural sector and written so long ago the message is all the more poignant for having been ignored to the detriment of our soil and general nutrition. We could now add more benefits of weeds to this list - not the least the cushioning of our carbon footprints.
Thanks to Jacob & Hana from Dirt Doctors for bringing this book to our attention, and please check out their page on Ooooby. They can demonstrate how to maximise the benefits of most weeds in your garden. Oh yes, also check out the Wild Picnic blogsite to further whet your appetite for weeds!
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According to Joseph Cocannouer, weeds -- the common ragweeds, pigweeds, pusleys and nettles, to mention four -- perform the following valuable services among others:
1. They bring minerals, especially those which have been depleted, up from the subsoil to the topsoil and make them available to crops. This is particularly important with regard to trace elements.
2.When used in crop rotation they break up hardpans and allow subsequent crop roots to feed deeply.
3. They fiberize and condition the soil and provide a good environment for the minute but important animal and plant .life that make any soil productive.
4. They are good indicators of soil condition, both as to variety of weed present and to condition of the individual plant. Certain weeds appear when certain deficiencies occur.
5. Weeds are deep divers and feeders and through soil capillarity they enable the less hardy, surface feeding crops to withstand drought better than the crop alone could.
6. As companion crops they enable our domesticated plants to get their roots to otherwise unavailable food.
7. Weeds store up minerals and nutrients that would be washed, blown or leached away from bare ground and keep them readily available.
8. (Some) Weeds make good eating -- for man as well as for livestock...
No, Professor Cocannouer does not believe that weeds should be allowed to go rampant and take over our farms and gardens. The function of this book, a pioneering work, is to demonstrate how the controlled use of weeds can be sound ecology, good conservation and a boon to the average farmer or gardener.
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Replies
As far as I know agapanthus are still being planted by enthusiasts with lots of land who want big clumps of blue & white flowers to decorate their driveways.
Jim might have a suggestion for agapanthus this weekend.
Remember Agape is unconditional love... perhaps you just need to love them to bits. Ha!