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Happy National Weed Your Garden Day!

So maybe it does n’t touch off the excitement of National Doughnut Day ( June 2 ) or National Chocolate Ice Cream Day ( June 7 ) or even National Selfie Day ( no , you have n’t missed that — it ’s June 21 ) . But here at Seed Savers Exchange , we call up National Weed Your Garden Day — observed annually on June 13 — has a whole lot run for it too .

What is a weed?

A weed is middling much any plant you had n’t contrive for in your garden blank space , or a godforsaken works growing where it is not require and in contention with school plants .

If you ’re not trusted if a have plant is a weed — and you have enough infinite in your garden — just expect and see . Sooner or later , you ’ll project out if it ’s something you should keep .

Of course , most of us want to avoid weed in the first space . Whilehealthy soiland cover crops can help prevent these unwanted plant life , sometimes weed proliferate anyway . And when that happens , there ’s not much else you may do but absent those sens by hand . extravagant weeds will steal the nutrients your veg and bloom need to brandish .

Rows of plants in the evaluation garden at Heritage Farm

Weeds like this invasive Great Mullein compete aggressively with your plants for resources, and should be removed for the health of your garden

Why is it important to weed your garden?

Other benefits to weeding

weed does n’t just help your flowers and veggies stick around healthy . The activity can have an impact on your health as well !

To weed or not to weed?

Yes , there are times when you do n’t need to weed ! In fact , there are position when youshouldn’tweed .

locoweed are plants . In the garden , a plant becomes a weed when it invades a space mean for growing flush or crop . On their own , weeds can really bring benefits to the environment and your garden ! Here ’s why :

you’re able to allow weeds grow in area of your garden that you are not using for planting . Or , you could denominate a specific area for skunk to develop .

A pile of weeds that have been pulled from a garden bed

Invasive plants

You should remove weeds that are consider invasive to your realm . trespassing plant are non - aboriginal species that mature quickly and are difficult to control . Although invasive plants can be beautiful ( ‘ Queen Anne ’s Lace ’ come to bear in mind ) they offset the residue of the ecosystem . Invasive species threaten biodiversity by out - competing the native specie of the sphere .

To identify invasive plants in your region , check with your local denotation situation . Some invasive species , such as furious Pastinaca sativa , get severe peel annoying . key out these pot first to protect yourself .

Tips to manage weeds

So , go ahead , pull on those gardening gloves , grab your tools , and expend an extra five or 10 minutes weed your garden today . You just might discover it even more enjoyable than pour down a twister on National Doughnut Day !

Tools to weed your garden

3094 North Winn RoadDecorah , Iowa 52101(563 ) 382 - 5990

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A large weed, Great Mullein, growing in a garden

Weeds like this invasive Great Mullein compete aggressively with your plants for resources, and should be removed for the health of your garden

Swiss Chard and leeks planted in a row in the soil, with a tape measure running length-wise through the row

Swiss chard and leeks flourishing in a weed-free garden row, on Heritage Farm

An apple orchard with grass covered in dandelions

Dandelions are an important early spring food source for pollinators, before the blooms of late spring and summer set in.

An invasive Greater Burdock weed

Greater Burdock, an invasive plant, is highly aggressive and should be weeded from your garden

Mulch surrounds small growing collards and other plants in garden beds to prevent weeds

A steel forged trowel with a wooden handle

Forged Trowel

A metal corkscrew on a wooden dowel, from a corkscrew weeder on a wooden surface

Corkscrew Weeder

A hand hoe with a forged blade and wooden handle on a smooth rock surface

Nejiri Gamma Hoe – right handed

Cobrahead weeder and cultivator with a blue handle on a rock surface

Cobrahead Weeder and Cultivator