Avoid eradicating those weeds in your garden, as they offer unexpected health and wildlife advantages.
In the world of horticulture, the notion of a 'weed' is undergoing a transformation. Traditional lawns are giving way to tapestry lawns, with ground cover plants like clover becoming increasingly popular. At Raymond Blanc's Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, chefs are already appreciating the culinary potential of these once-maligned plants.
Rebecca Knight, Deputy Editor on the our platform Website since 2022, is a champion of this shift. With a Masters degree in magazine journalism from City, University of London and years of experience in homes and interiors, she is well-equipped to guide us through this change.
Clover, a nitrogen fixer and long-lasting flower source for pollinators, is a must-have in any garden embracing biodiversity. Clover seeds, easily obtainable from Amazon, take around six weeks to become established, so now is a good time to start putting the work in.
Another garden-friendly 'weed' is purslane, a drought-tolerant plant that offers good ground cover and is pollinator-friendly.
Self-seeded native wildflowers and plants, especially those proven to support local insects, are also valuable additions to a biodiverse garden.
Avoiding pesticides and mowing less frequently further supports this biodiversity, creating a continuous resource for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects.
Chickweed, a common plant beneficial for insects and small birds, is another plant worth considering. However, if left to go to seed, it can result in a chickweed infestation, so it should be removed before it flowers.
Dandelions, often seen as garden nuisances, are actually beneficial for wildlife. Their roots can be used as a coffee substitute, their flowers fried, and their leaves used in salads. Dandelions are particularly important for bees and provide seeds for birds like Bullfinches and Goldfinches.
On the other hand, Japanese knotweed, an invasive plant, should be avoided in gardens. It is an offence to cause Japanese knotweed to grow in the wild under the provisions made within Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Nettles, while they can quickly take over a garden border or vegetable patch, are loved by butterflies and can be used to make tomato fertilizer.
In conclusion, rather than aiming to keep any random weed, focus on these types: clover, purslane, self-seeded native wildflowers/plants, and other nectar-rich plants that flower in staggered seasons to provide continuous resources for pollinators. This ecosystem approach helps balance soil, water, plants, and wildlife, supporting a healthy garden biodiversity and robust pollinator populations.
- Embracing a more sustainable lifestyle, Rebecca Knight suggests incorporating clover, purslane, and self-seeded native wildflowers into home-and-garden spaces, as these plants not only offer good ground cover and attract pollinators but also contribute to biodiversity.
- In addition to gardening with clover, purslane, and native wildflowers, one can further promote healthy garden biodiversity by practicing sustainable living, such as avoiding pesticides, mowing less frequently, and learning to utilize 'weeds' like dandelions and nettles in unique ways, like using dandelion roots as a coffee substitute or nettle leaves for tomato fertilizer.
