The Wonder of Weeds Program Recap

Originally published on March 30, 2022

When we think of weeds, we often think of invasive plants that ruin our lawns, flower beds, sidewalks, and unpaved driveways. 

Thank you to Kathleen Yurwit from the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County for an enlightening presentation on all things weeds.

While this may be true, many plants we consider weeds can provide a variety of benefits, from improving soil nutrients, to attracting pollinators, to a source of nutrients for humans.  Kathleen covered 26 types of weeds, both native and invasive so let’s take a look at the properties and remediation solutions for some of the most common weeds in New Jersey.

Weed Characteristics

The following characteristics can apply to many different types of weeds, which can be either positive or negative based on your gardening needs:

• Attracts Pollinators – Chickweed, Buttercup, Wild Strawberry, Dandelion, Common Blue Violet, Wood Sorrel, Clover, Common Purslane, Dayflower, Lady’s Thumb, Japanese Knotweed, Bindweed
• Improves Soil Quality – Chickweed, Clover, Ragweed
• Edible for Humans – Chickweed, Wild Garlic, Ground Ivy (leaves), Dandelion, Common Blue Violet (flowers), Broadleaf Plantain (leaves), Common Purslane, Hairy Bittercress (leaves), Garlic Mustard
• Easy to Remove (Pull out/mulch/mow) – Ground Ivy, Wood Sorrel, Clover, Broadleaf Plantain, Common Purslane, Dayflower, Lady’s Thumb, Hairy Bittercress (before it seeds), Garlic Mustard (before it seeds), Japanese Knotweed (when young), Japanese Stillweed (small infestations), Ragweed, Prostrate Spurge, Nutsedge (early in Spring)
• Difficult to Remove (Dig out) – Chickweed, Wild Garlic, Dandelion, Common Blue Violet, Crabgrass, Giant Foxtail,  Japanese Knotweed (when established), Japanese Stillweed (large infestations), Poison Ivy, Bindweed
• Repeated Removal – Buttercup, Wild Strawberry, Prostrate Knotweed, Bindweed
• Toxic for Grazers – Buttercup
• Fast Spreading – Garlic Mustard, Japanese Knotweed,  Japanese Stillgrass, Poison Ivy (after Spring), Bindweed
• Found in Compact Soil – Moss, Broadleaf Plantain, Giant Foxtail, Prostrate Knotweed, Prostrate Spurge

More Information

Kathleen covered 26 weeds in detail; for more information about them, please download the presentation slides.  You can also visit the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station’s Weed Control in Home Lawns Fact Sheet at https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs119/.  If you have any questions, please contact horticulturalist Dr. Kathryn Homa at kathhoma@njaes.rutgers.edu or the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County at AskTheMgs@mercercounty.org.