Weed Management: To Weed or Not to Weed

Jennifer Johnson, Anoka County Extension Master Gardener

What is a weed? Colorful definitions abound. A weed is a plant out of place, an uninvited guest, a plant whose virtues are yet undiscovered. Some weeds are medicinal like dandelion and nettle or edible like purslane and lamb’s quarters. They produce an abundance of seeds, which are spread easily by multiple sources, including wind, animals, and compost. Weeds are hearty. They often have extensive root systems that efficiently utilize available resources. They are fast growing, require little maintenance, and tend to be more adaptable to the environment than vegetables and flowers.

What then do gardeners have against weeds? My gardening partner believes that no weed is a good weed. She leaves no weeds standing in our 24’ x 24’ community garden plot. She loves the aesthetics of clean rows of vegetables. On the other hand, some gardeners take the view that weed coverage helps retain moisture, especially in our sandy Anoka County soil, and attracts pollinators.

The University of Minnesota Extension Service does not entertain the idea of not weeding or weeding less in a home garden. The Extension Service teaches that weeds compete with vegetables and flowers for necessary light, water, nutrients, and space, and thus reduce yield. Weeds also attract and harbor insect pests and create favorable environments for plant diseases by impeding air flow. Remove the weeds. For small gardens, the Extension Service states that mechanical methods by hand or hoe are best practice. If some ground cover is desired, the Extension Service suggests mulch, plastic or organic materials, which not only blocks needed sunlight from weed seedlings but also warms the soil for cultivated plants. When organic mulch decomposes, it can improve soil health.

While some gardeners defend the virtues of weeds (and there are some virtues), it is important to remember that weeds spread easily. In a community garden where the plots are close to each other, weeds can easily spread to the gardens of others who do not appreciate whatever benefits they may have. Most if not all community gardens have a weeding requirement.

Every garden has weeds and weed management can sometimes feel like a losing battle. Home Garden blogs contain helpful hints about weed identification and the strategies and tools for effective management. The stirrup hoe, either long handled or hand-held, is a useful weeding tool. Weed management in the early growing season is especially important because weeds grow faster than vegetables and can quickly choke out young, cultivated plants. Because weeds can get out of control quickly, the Extension Service recommends weeding during every visit to the garden.

Weeding provides yet another benefit. Weeding is therapy. After a difficult day, a gardener’s sense of order and control is restored by the satisfying “give” of a weed’s root system letting go in the gardener’s hand.

Resources:

University of Minnesota Extension Service, at https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/controlling-weeds-home-gardens; https://extension.umn.edu/find-plants/weeds

“A weed is a plant out of place,” novelist Jim Thompson

Raymond Patterson, GreatGardenPlans (2025) at https://greatgardenplans.com/what-is-a-garden-weed/

Nikki Tilley, Pros and Cons of Growing Weeds in the Garden (2023) at https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/gardening-pros-cons/

Pictures:

(1) A well-tended garden

(2) My favorite weeding tools

(3) When weeds get out of control