Good Weeds

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Controlling Insects

Many weeds, either in or just outside your garden, can help control harmful insects or attract beneficial ones. Research in Florida showed that fall armyworm damage was lower in cornfields containing repellent weeds like dandelion, cockleburs and goldenrod. Other studies have proved that milkweeds repel wireworms and that grassy weeds deter many pests.

Some weeds can work as trap crops, luring damaging insects away from valuable vegetables. For instance, lamb's-quarters attract leafminers that might otherwise attack your spinach. And multiflora rose lures Japanese beetles away from garden goodies.

Then, too, several flowering weeds such as Queen Anne's lace, goldenrod, evening primrose, wild mustard, amaranth and dandelion can attract beneficial insects that prey on harmful ones. More research is needed to identify repellent and attractant plants, though. Observe which ones work in your garden (try making crop sprays of some), and you could make an important discovery.

Indicating Soil Conditions

Like a good water dowser, certain weeds can tell you what's going on underground. This can help you when you're shopping for land, choosing a new garden site or trying to improve an existing plot. The list below shows the preferred habitat of some common weeds. But don't assume you've determined the ground conditions just because you've spotted one or two weeds in a category. Look for three or four, and check their health, as well. I've seen lamb's-quarters and sow thistle, both of which love rich soil, growing in a gravel road, but they were doing a bonsai imitation.

Goldenrod prefer wet soil, dandelions like it rich and chickweed go for previously cultivated sites.

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