Don’t Pull These 5 “Weeds” — They’re Actually Amazing Cover Crops!

Weeds are nature’s way of healing itself when the soil has been laid bare. They protect, fertilize and condition the soil. They also attract beneficial garden insects. On her blog Tenth Acre Farm, author of The Suburban Micro-Farm: Modern Solutions for Busy People, Amy Stross lists four reasons most of the weeds we tirelessly try to pull up or poison are better left in the ground:

1. Broadleaf Plantain

Plantain pops up where soil is compacted and accumulates nutrients including calcium, sulfur, magnesium, manganese, iron, and silicon from the subsoil and brings it up to the topsoil.

It’s been used for millennia as a powerful medicine for all kinds of illness and injury.

2. Chickweed

Chickweed shows up in disturbed soil such as garden beds and highly tilled areas, indicating low fertility.

It accumulates potassium and phosphorus from the subsoil and attracts pollinator insects.

Chickweed has edible, lettuce-like greens and medicinal properties.

3. Lamb’s Quarters

The presence of lamb’s quarters is common in old farm fields, where chemical fertilizers were used in excess. Over time, these “weeds” will improve the  soil quality.

Their deep roots accumulate nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and manganese, while loosening the soil.

They have highly nutritious edible leaves that sell to local chefs for a high price.

4. White Clover

White clover voluntarily shows up in nitrogen-lacking, dry fields and lawns that cover hard-pan clay soil. Lawns where grass clippings are routinely carted away over time become lacking in nitrogen.

White clover is a nitrogen fixer, meaning it can transfer airborne nitrogen into the soil to be used by neighboring crops. It also accumulates phosphorus from the subsoil.

It attracts ladybugs, minute pirate bugs, and pollinators looking for nectar. It provides shelter for parasitoid wasps, spiders, and ground beetles, and is a preferred egg-laying site for lacewings.

White clover flowers are edible.

White clover is often used as a permanent ground cover in orchards to protect shallow fruit tree roots, and in the pathways of vegetable gardens to fertilize nearby soil.

5. Dandelion

Dandelion is one of the most common and arguably the most beneficial of all weeds. It often shows up in hard-pan clay soils, whether in gardens, old fields, or lawns.

Its deep roots accumulate potassium, phosphorus, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and silicon while loosening the soil.

It attracts ladybugs, pollinators, parasitoid wasps and lacewings.

Dandelion has edible leaves, roots, and flowers with highly medicinal properties.

If you have a persistent weed that isn’t listed here, resources such as Gaia’s Garden or Edible Forest Gardens may be able to instruct you on their benefits.