Weeds like dandelions, mullein, have role in gardens
OK, I admit it. I am a lazy gardener. A few dandelions — all right maybe a few dozen — don’t bother me as much as all the mowing, watering and chemical application that a weed-free lawn requires. Walk around my perennial beds and I’m sure you’ll see some mullein plants and maybe even a thistle or two. The bark paths between the raised beds of my vegetable garden look like a sea of wild strawberry and one corner of my yard could definitely be considered the seedy side of town.
Some of my more fastidious gardening friends think I should spend more time weeding and less time with that new book on bird friendly gardening. Perhaps it’s all a matter of perception, but in my world weeds definitely have their place in the delicate balance that is nature.
Dandelions are usually the first spring flower and are an important first food source for honeybees and other insect pollinators. Think about how important insect pollinators are for human food production before you get out the Weed and Feed. Chemicals that rid your lawn of dandelions can poison the insects that feed on the treated flowers. Dandelions can be controlled (not eliminated) with digging, mowing or hand picking the seed heads before maturity. Or you can eat them; young dandelion leaves are tasty in salads or when sauteed with olive oil and garlic, and the flowers make an excellent wine.
Common mullein is another plant most of us consider a weed, but ecologically it has an important role here in the northwest. Butterflies, moths and bumblebees feed on the nectar and hummingbirds forage for insects among the flowers. The mature seed stalks are one of the few available winter seed sources for woodpeckers, flickers and chickadees. Many insects use mullein stalks to overwinter in. Every spring when the wrens return to my garden, they spend several days gleaning insect larvae from the mullein stems. I always let a few mullein plants grow in my perennial garden. Aside from their role in the food cycle, their soft, silvery leaves add interesting texture and the flower stalks add height, drama and winter interest.
Even “bad” weeds can have benefits. Canada thistle, with its vicious thorns, is a great source of cover and protection for small birds. American goldfinches eat the seeds and mature thistle down is the most sought after nesting material for a variety of birds. I try to leave a corner of my yard available for any thistle that cares to put down roots. It’s the busiest place around come nest building season and the brilliant purple blooms add welcome color.
Your garden will be more interesting and will support more wildlife when you rethink the weed dilemma. As a bonus, you’ll have more time for that fascinating new garden read.
What to do in the garden this week
• Plan where you’re going to be setting out warm-weather vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers, squash and eggplant. For disease prevention it’s important to rotate your crops each season. In other words don’t plant them in the same place two years in a row.
• If you haven’t done so already, check your hoses and faucets for leaks. Repair any holes with a hose repair kit and install new washers if needed. We’re fast approaching the dry season, and you want water on your lawn and gardens instead of dribbling down your driveway.
• Start setting out annual flowers and container plantings now and water with a water-soluble fertilizer to give them a head start. Avoid planting out on a sunny day to lessen transplant shock.
• Begin dividing overgrown perennials after bloom has finished. Start your divisions off right by rejuvenating the soil with compost before replanting, scratching in a time-release fertilizer and mulching to retain moisture.
With the onset of warmer weather now is the perfect time to start a compost pile. Use 1/3 greens (lawn clippings, kitchen vegetable peels, egg shells and coffee grounds, or animal manure — no dog or cat waste) and 2/3 browns (dry leaves, pine needles, small prunings, straw). Mix the raw materials well, keep as damp as a wrung out sponge and turn occasionally. The mixture will heat up and then cool down. Sift out any large particles and it’s ready to use.