A few years ago I stopped weeding the above corner of our garden and then, when I saw the results, quickly stopped weeding the rest of the garden as well.
I visited the wonderful Nant y Bedd garden in S Wales last year and the owners (whose name I’ve forgotten) talk about editing rather than weeding - I liked the idea!
I've been experimenting with leaving my weeds too Jack. I'm in the New Forest, Hampshire. We didn't have any rain for months last summer and this year is looking to be the same. I had noticed that in areas where I had weeded around plants, the plants started to wilt and look very stressed.
I’ve left some chickweed around my beans this year and they seem to be doing OK. My main bed with perennials has a lot of weeds but I think I’ll remove the dock at least as the plants aren’t well established yet.
Your thinking seems spot on! Same As what I do, I have chickweed beneath our tomatoes where it’s largely helpful if it doesn’t get too dense - and edible itself! I do remove dock as it is just too vigorous and would be detrimental in some areas.
This is so interesting, Jack. My instinct (and practice to date, esp in SWFrance where turn your back for a moment and a head high forest of ash trees … etc … has grown) is quite different. Not disagreeing as such as I can see the validity of many of your points … but … could I do it … ??!
You do have to remove the bigger plants, I remove nettles and brambles, and would remove tree seedlings otherwise they take over. You have to decide where your line is 😄
I visited the wonderful Nant y Bedd garden in S Wales last year and the owners (whose name I’ve forgotten) talk about editing rather than weeding - I liked the idea!
I've been experimenting with leaving my weeds too Jack. I'm in the New Forest, Hampshire. We didn't have any rain for months last summer and this year is looking to be the same. I had noticed that in areas where I had weeded around plants, the plants started to wilt and look very stressed.
Very interesting Linda- such important feedback, thank you. I’m very interested in experiences further south from us where the drought is worse.
I’ve left some chickweed around my beans this year and they seem to be doing OK. My main bed with perennials has a lot of weeds but I think I’ll remove the dock at least as the plants aren’t well established yet.
Your thinking seems spot on! Same As what I do, I have chickweed beneath our tomatoes where it’s largely helpful if it doesn’t get too dense - and edible itself! I do remove dock as it is just too vigorous and would be detrimental in some areas.
Phew! Something must be sinking in then! Thanks for all the useful advice and plain sense! 🙂
I think you've got it :)
This is so interesting, Jack. My instinct (and practice to date, esp in SWFrance where turn your back for a moment and a head high forest of ash trees … etc … has grown) is quite different. Not disagreeing as such as I can see the validity of many of your points … but … could I do it … ??!
You do have to remove the bigger plants, I remove nettles and brambles, and would remove tree seedlings otherwise they take over. You have to decide where your line is 😄
Thank you. Couldn't agree more!! Love it.
I really enjoy it, even if the garden doesn't look as immaculate - I prefer the look even if others don't :D