I've always hated weeding but from what I've learned about soil health and nutrients there is even more reason to NOT weed.
Obviously I'm excluding paths which I've been clearing for ease of access. But even then if something pretty is growing there I will leave it to flower. On my stone yard for instance every year a blanket of Marguerita's appears. The Irish derogatory name for these giant daisies is 'Dog Daisy'. Just like dogs though they are loyal and persistent and only seem to grow where nothing else will. I love them. They really brighten up the place for a few weeks.
Just now I watched a short video which explains why you need to respect 'weeds'. Not only do they tell us a lot about what may be lacking in the soil but they also can replenish what is missing.
I'm so happy that I can now be a lazy gardener with good reason. I also know why my new gardening tool caught my eye last week. I'm psychic!!
It actually slices the weeds just below the surface and leaves the tops in situ, just like Mr Huw Richards is recommending.
I also have a large patch of red clover which is excellent for ground cover round plants or for empty space (fallow) so will collect seeds from these for the polytunnel next year or overwinter.
My camera has died after taking the 1st pic, not sure if it was the rain or the batteries so using my cheapo dumbphone camera. Weird how the pics look pretty arty thru the nokia. Here's some more Marguerites, nokia style....
Hahhaha they look like poached eggs.
Right, that's why I mulch and then replace the organic matter from the same place. The nutrients taken out get put back. What would naturally grow there is interesting.
Yeh and who needs chemical fertilizer huh? They can keep it and their fake shortages.
I also collect fallen tree branches etc and put them on the garden bed to break down and put their nutrients into the garden and build more soil.
Yes that's the heugel method, am also continuing it into new raised beds.
WEEDS are more beneficial than than most nowaday curated landscapes. Almost ALL of them hold health benefits for humans as well as encouraging natural connectivity with the fauna and organisms that thrive from them. Dam HOA's have people tricked into thinking dumping chemicals on things like dandelions, mullein, clover and more, is more attractive to the eye. LETS GO BACK TO NATURE. LET THE PLANTS DO WHAT THEY WANT NATURALLY!
I have a lot of wild bits but to grow food we have to do a bit of management I guess. I studied Fukuoka though and he pretty much lets them get on with it. I like that but not really enough land to take those chances. I do bear it in mind though and yes most of those 'weeds' are edible.
Yes this is a similar conclusion that I have come to recently but the only problem I have with weeds is the disease that they carry to my healthy plants. So I do tend to weed in my beds. But I use a chop and drop method with my hoe, so at least some of the nutrients can get back into the soil.
I have also been anaerobically fermenting some of the weeds and grasses from the farm in a large barrel. I wish I could send the smell through the internet to all of you. The idea is that weeds are mining and bringing to the surface of the soil all the nutrients that are lacking in the soil. And by digesting them back down and also multiplying bacteria and beneficial fungus you put back into the soil what is lacking. It is called Jadam Liquid Fertilizer. Mine Has been going for about 3 weeks now and is quite ripe and dark now. I have done one watering with it at about 10 days so far and I have seen some nice growth from the plants since. I just dilute about a cup of it with my watering can full of water. I will keep feeding this barrel and topping it up with water. Some would say that there is no point to this other than better distribution of nutrients to where you want compared to just chopping and dropping the weeds. But when weeds are chopped and dropped and left in the sun a lot of the carbon and other nutrients are lost to evaporation to the environment and not back into the soil where you need it.
I will do a post sometime soon on the preparation and the results I am seeing.
Yes I am making some nettle jadam for my squash and toms. It's amazing stuff.
I pull them after they grow huge then just leave them there where they are. Let them dry until crispy them mulch them back into the dirt. I haven't planted anything over this treated dirt but I will use it to grow some dank weed. Wait more weed? Yes. Puff on to peaceful liberation.
I never had grass before since I started dojng that, now that I think of it. I'm getting exactly what I wanted without much effort.
Ur doin it right then ;-)
🌼🌼🌼
Ox eye daisys are good for coughs, apparently - boil them up with some honey. Plus a few other medicinal benefits. I love them - but only really met them in the UK briefly as medicine before coming home. Been looking for them here to learn more.
Yes, weeds tell us what's wrong - or right -with the soil! So yeah, you'repsychic ahahahahah good excuse to stop weeding!
So they're also called 'Ox-eye daisy'? Yeh I saw them in UK years ago and always wanted some for my tiny garden but now I have loads for free. I don't eat honey (vegan) ;-)
Oh sorry! We lovingly tend our own bees (mainly to contribute to saving them) so we're okay with that, but I understand 🐝🐝🐝
I have tons of bumble bees here, they don't need tending unless they get into the house lol. They live in the stone walls.
That's awesome! We don't have bumble bees here, we do have native bees though. Since bee keeping has got kinda trendy there's a lot more awareness about bees here which is good news.
no bumble bees?!! OMG you poor things.
I know.. they are in Tasmania though, wierdly. I squeal when I see them..
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Blurt has a crazy high percentage of people who like plants and or gardening😅
Cool, it may become 'trendy' huh!!