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Why Are Weeds Bad? What Do They Do To Your Lawn & Garden?
Pete Ortiz
Last updated:
Weeds commonly appear in many gardens and lawns, and they can be hard to get rid of. Although many people believe that weeds are harmful to their plants and grass, that’s not always the case.
Depending on the variety of the weeds growing in your garden, they can be beneficial, but they can also cause issues. That’s why you should know how to differentiate different types of weeds and know if they’re harmful or beneficial.
We will try to familiarize you with the types of weeds and if they’re dangerous for your garden and lawn or not.
The 4 Reasons Some Weeds Are Bad for Your Lawn & Garden
Although people know that weeds can harm their gardens and lawns, some are still unsure of all the reasons why weeds are bad. If you want to know the most problematic issues you can experience with weeds, check them out below.
1. Taking Over Your Garden
If weeds appear in your garden or on your lawn, they will start growing, attempting to take over your garden. Some weeds can grow without putting other plants in danger. However, some can advance the growth of your plants. The bad weeds will try to fight your plants for water, food, and other necessities. As weeds spread rapidly, it can be hard to get rid of them.
Image By: Dean Clarke, Shutterstock
2. Making Your Plants More Prone to Diseases & Pests
As weeds attract pests and are prone to diseases, this will affect all your crops. They protect snails and create an excellent environment for pests during winter. There are also parasitic weeds that can attach to your plants’ roots to kill them. They can suck out all the nutrients from your plants, making them weak and leading to starvation, disease, or pest issues.
3. Stealing the Food Supply of Your Plants
All plants need enough sunlight, water, and nutrients needed to survive. That’s why the weeds in your garden will try to overtake your plants. Many varieties of weeds steal nutrients from the soil, stopping your plants from getting everything they need to prosper.
Image Credit: pikowal0, Pixabay
4. Looking Uninviting
Most people try to make their lawns and gardens as beautiful as possible, and weeds can ruin the whole aesthetic appeal of your outdoor areas. It’s another reason why you should keep them away from your garden.
Different Types of Weeds
Per the Weed Science Society of America, there are three main weed types:
Common weed: Plants that can cause ecological damage and economic loss and create health issues in humans and animals. Also, many people consider weeds to be any plant that is undesirable in their garden.
Noxious weed: These plants were put in this category by the state, federal or local authorities as they can represent a threat to agriculture, wildlife, and public health.
Invasive weed: These plants establish and spread quickly in ecosystems that are not their typical range. Since they’re not growing in their natural environment, these plants don’t have enemies that will prevent them from spreading.
Image Credit: Dean Clarke, Shutterstock
Weeds That Are Beneficial for Your Lawn & Garden
Typically, people believe that all weeds are bad, which is not always the case. There are multiple varieties of weeds that will make your soil richer and promote the growth of your other plants. Below are weeds that you can keep in your garden due to their benefits.
Dandelion
Dandelions can help your plants by boosting the soil and encouraging growth. Their root system absorbs nutrients from the soil and brings them to the top to allow other plants to absorb them. However, these plants spread quite quickly, so you should try to make a balance to prevent them from overspreading.
Weeds That You Should Remove From Your Lawn & Garden
Instead of being beneficial, some weeds will take over your garden and endanger your plants. You should prevent them from growing to ensure your plants will remain safe. Below are weeds you should get rid of as soon as possible.
Crabgrass
Crabgrass is a grassy weed you can notice on your lawn, especially during the summer. It can quickly take over your lawn and make a large ground cover. You should prevent this plant from growing by using herbicide on the lawn.
Chickweed is a common type of weed that spreads throughout North America. It grows in moist soils and is a typical host for many unwanted insects and pests. These plants are harmful, but they’re also easy to get rid of.
Image Credit: Hans, Pixabay
Tips to Prevent Weeds From Growing in Your Garden
There are various ways to prevent weeds from growing in your garden and lawn, and the best way is to stop them before taking root. Here are some helpful tips to lower the chances of weeds in your back and front yard.
Use a chemical option: You can purchase pre-emergent herbicides as they will prevent weeds from germinating. It’s best to do this early in spring or after cultivation.
Apply mulch: Mulch can add more appeal to your garden while stopping weeds from spreading. It helps plants by keeping the soil moist, creating an unfavorable environment for weed seeds to prosper.
Practice regular weeding: You’ll grow fewer weeds by weeding your garden and lawn regularly. They can still appear, but they won’t produce in large quantities.
Final Thoughts
As some weeds are bad and some help your garden/lawn, try to educate yourself about them and recognize them when they start growing. That way, it will be easier for you to decide which weeds you need to remove and which can keep growing without disturbing your other plants.
Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. Over the years, he has developed a keen interest in a wide variety of DIY projects around the home. Fascinated by all sort of tools, Pete loves reading and writing about all the latest gadgets and accessories that hit the market. His other interests include astronomy, hiking, and fishing.
As the founder of House Grail, Pete's primary goal is to help consumers make educated decisions about DIY projects at home, in the garage, and in the garden.
