What Makes A Weed A Weed?

Well, some people view weeds differently than others.  Here is a good example. In the photo some people would see a weed while others will simply see it as a wish.

Ralph Waldo Emerson described a weed as a plant whose virtue has not yet been discovered. And when you’re hoeing or pulling weeds, it definitely can be a challenge to find anything virtuous about them. Those that are the peskiest and most hated thrive in places you don’t want them to be, whether in your garden or lawn, in a field or on wild land or roadsides.

Weeds tend to share some common attributes that contribute to their bad name — helping them survive under conditions where other plants would fail. Here are just a few of the characteristics that make a weed a weed:

They tend to produce lots of seed — sometimes tens of thousands of seeds per plant.

Their seed can sometimes survive for a very long time in the soil, going dormant but then sprouting just as soon as conditions are right. Simply disturbing the soil is often enough to trigger new growth.

They are able to establish themselves quickly. Sometimes they seem to crop up in the blink of the eye.

They often have mechanisms that enable them to spread easily, such as the ability to reproduce vegetatively without seeds.

\They can grow in inhospitable locales where more desirable plants typically wouldn’t survive.

The more of these weedy characteristics a plant has, the more successful and problematic a weed it will be. One colorful example is the common dandelion. This is the first weed most children learn to identify. It is adapted to a wide range of environments and is found in many parts of the world. As for having mechanisms for spreading, what better way to disperse than by a puff of wind or by kids blowing ‘parachutes’ of seed over the neighborhood? Dandelion plants can also reproduce vegetatively thanks to large tap roots. So unless you cut the root deep into the soil, you can rest assured the plant will reemerge. Dandelions also seem to thrive under almost any growing condition. The hot, dry weather that is less than optimal for grass growth may allow dandelions to take over your lawn.

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want desert landscaping, lush lawns or some type of landscaping in between, we can help.  We serve businesses like yours all over the Phoenix Metro Area. To find out how give us a call at 623-848-8277.

Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net