War and Peace with Weeds
A Letter from the Green Front
We are at war with weeds. We fight them in our gardens, in our streets, and in our fields. Every day we knock them back, they counter, forming larger colonies, giving way to new species. It’s almost like they’re trying to cover the ground, to protect it. We poison them, some die but only momentarily. Others are completely resistant now. Our war is killing everything around us, it’s killing us. The weeds keep coming, their will to live is simply too strong. Maybe they’re trying to tell us something?
Our never-ending war with weeds is a perfect example of our current paradigm. In this paradigm, humans are set apart from nature, the land is ours to use as we please and extract as much as we want for our own benefit. Our abuse of the earth results in a downward and degenerative(1) spiral where we destroy the ecosystems that have nourished us since the dawn of time.
Charles Massy describes this paradigm as the ‘Mechanical metaphor of Western society’ and details its rise in his seminal work, Call of the Reed Warbler. Massy documents the transition from the Organic mind to the Mechanic mind, beginning with the rise of agriculture some 10,000 years ago. As humans became increasingly domesticated, our connections to the wild places that once sustained us became severed – ‘plants, animals and other natural phenomena became manipulable property, as opposed to sacred beings or entities.’(2)
As population centres grew, humans became more focussed on the human realm and began to apprehend the power of the mind to improve their conditions at the expense of the earth and its resources.(3) In this way the worth of natural things further diminished and the dichotomy between tame and wild(4) further accentuated.
Massey cites the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment thinking to be epoch shifting events(5) that embedded the mechanical model into the Western psyche. The Scientific revolution placed constructs around and compartmentalised the natural world, resulting in a quantitative rather than a qualitative view of nature(6). Mother Earth had become a machine (in its parts), a lifeless object to be subdued and studied, rather than a single living organism. She was no longer a ‘nurturing mother’ to be held in reverence, nor treated with respect.(7)
Out of the Enlightenment arose two key ideas that would prove hugely influential in the rampant extractivism of the modern capitalist age. The first was Locke’s theory of property rights, which would permit individuals to appropriate, and exercise control rights over land and other material resources.(8) The second was Adam Smith’s concept of the “invisible hand” in which self interest and competition became a means for self betterment.(9) With the rise of the ‘capitalist market economy and economic rationalism: the belief that continual growth is necessary and desirable’, everything that the Organic mind represented had now been devalued and ‘inherent now was an intellectual arrogance towards nature, which was regarded as a raw material for wealth creation, with little to no ethical restrictions on this.’(10)
Today our mastery over nature has only intensified with advances in technology feeding our growth at all costs model. Land is cleared at alarming rates and synthetic inputs are increased to drive higher production at the cost of planetary and human health. We call this progress. Some acknowledge the destruction and want to slow it down. We call this sustainability. We continue in our downward spiral holding out hope that future technologies will save us and here we remain, stuck in our progress trap,(11) maintaining a blind belief in our own brilliance.
Reductionism dominates our thought processes. We reduce complex wholes into simplified parts, creating illusions of understanding. Once a simplified part is understood we can justify narrow-minded solutions that provide quick fixes (to treat symptoms) without regard for long-term consequences.
Applied to weeds, we see the weed as the problem, rather than a symptom of a larger problem, and our siege mentality kicks in.(12) Words like invasive and noxious are used as propaganda by those who would profit from their eradication; they become common descriptive words for these plants and an unfounded hatred of them spreads throughout society. This leads to unethical and ineffective action as we fail to examine the underlying cause of why the weed is there in the first place.
These symptom based solutions that are reactionary in nature have dangerous planetary consequences. In the garden, the use of a little Roundup may not seem like a big deal but this action is the perfect example of our reckless dominance over nature and our blatant disregard for non-human life. The same actions are mirrored on a broader scale where we dump the same chemicals onto millions of hectares of farmland all over the world. In this way how we garden, as suggested by David Jacke, ‘is a reflection of our worldview’(13) and it is this mechanically minded worldview that is threatening the existence of life on earth.
This may seem a little extreme but let’s think about it for a moment. When we poison we kill, we might kill a weed but we kill many other beneficial elements in the process. Soil life is decimated, poison is ingested by plants, livestock, and wildlife. Rain causes chemical runoff into drains which pollutes rivers, lakes and oceans. This results in ecosystem imbalance which opens the door for more ‘invasive’ weed species, which over time, will develop natural resistance to our sprays. This is the great paradox of our time.(14) We kill things to grow things and we poison the lands, rivers, and oceans that we depend on for food and water. We are the most intellectual of all species, but we are poisoning ourselves in pursuit of profits and destroying our only home.(15)
With this said it only requires a small shift in our own thinking to turn the tides. Instead of viewing weeds as enemies that must be eliminated at all costs, why not think of them as friends? Why not treat them as allies and work with, rather than against them? If we can view weeds as friends they will tell us a lot about the space we are managing. Underlying problems can be revealed and nature will guide us towards solutions that have regenerative effects for the earth and people.
The truth is that weeds are merely opportunistic (they will take space where there is space to be taken) so it is not surprising that weeds are common on cultivated lands or other heavily damaged or disturbed areas. Weeds are nature’s pioneers, the first responders,(16) they move in to revive life in the face of death and perform critical repair services that kick start biological processes. Weeds act to cover and protect the soil, mining key nutrients and adding organic matter which creates more fertile conditions for desirable species to follow, thereby paving the way for succession.
Weeds are indicators. Weeds can indicate soil structure, soil ph, drainage, and nutrient deficiencies and by listening to them we can obtain vital information which will guide our interventions. So what are the weeds trying to tell us? The below list gives a basic guide of some things to pay attention to. (See references: 17,18,19)
Soil Structure
In compacted soils (heavy clay) we often find taprooted species. These species send roots deep into the soil, breaking it up to allow air and water to penetrate. Some common species are: thistles, dock, dandelion, plantain, lamb’s quarters, and burdock.
In loose (sandy) soils we will often find shallow-rooted species. Their hairnet (fibrous) roots will spread at the surface acting to stabilise soil and control erosion. Species include nettle, many grasses (bermuda, quack, johnson grass), cobbler’s pegs along with wild lettuce and brassicas.
Soil Nutrients
In poor soils, it is common to find nitrogen-fixing plants, generally from the legume family. These plants work with bacteria known as Rhizobium to put nitrogen back in the soil. This bacteria, which forms as root nodules, helps the plant to pull nitrogen gas from the air and store it in the root of the plant. When the plant dies this bacteria is released into the soil and can be taken up by other plants. N-fixing plants include: white clover, vetches, bird’s foot trefoil, sensitive plant, showy rattlebox.
In burned soils it is common to find Potassium fixing plants. These include bracken fern, blady grass, yarrow, knapweed and chickweed.
Soil Ph
Acidic soils. Sorrel, plantain, nettle, and dandelion can suggest higher levels of soil acidity.
Alkaline soils. Queen Anne’s Lace, chickweed and chicory can suggest higher levels of soil alkalinity.
Soil Moisture
Wet or saturated soils. Docks, goldenrod, and chickweed are suggestive of poorly drained soils.
Dry or free draining soils. Often sandy and poor quality soils, we may find weeds such as sorrel, yarrow, Queen Anne’s Lace and thistles.
As well as indicating key imbalances, weeds are also performing a multitude of other services. Weeds, like all plants, put carbon in the ground via photosynthesis, they protect naked soils, add vital nutrients and biomass, they provide food and shelter for invertebrates, forage for livestock, and YES most are edible for humans! So the best thing we can do when we think we have a weed “problem” is to simply observe and listen to what our weed friends are telling us. Take time to understand the species, ask yourself why it is there and what function is it performing?
Once we have observed and understood the problem holistically we can intervene thoughtfully with long term system health in mind. Will we find that most weed issues can be dealt with simply by enabling competitive ecosystems of diverse species to reinstate natural and self-regulating functions. This may involve removing some weeds, heavy mulching to slow their advance and the seeding of desirable ground covers which will grow quickly and reduce the space for weeds. With a ground cover in place we can seed subsequent layers of vegetation (mimicking a forest-like system) and before long we will have a host of desirable species that will occupy niches that weeds otherwise might have taken.
If we can think this way, weeds will no longer be the problem but part of the solution. So let’s use weeds as our allies, let’s listen to them and let them tell us the secrets of the land. Let’s appreciate their ability to live and give life to others.
Dandelion puts a large taproot deep into the soil, breaking it up to allow air and water to penetrate. All parts are edible and it is the most nutritious vegetable ever tested by the USDA!
Chickweed is a lush and nutritious ground cover that is great in sandwiches and salads. It can suggest potassium deficiencies as well as poorly drained soils.
Docks are often found in compacted, wet soils where they perform vital erosion control and remove excess nutrients from waterways.
Clover, and other nitrogen fixers work with a bacteria known as Rhizobium to put nitrogen back in the soil. This bacteria, which forms as root nodules (circled in yellow above), helps the plant to pull nitrogen gas from the air and store it in the root of the plant. When the plant dies this bacteria is released into the soil and can be taken up by other plants.
Plantain is common on compacted ground, acting as a pioneer to kickstart ecosystem function: enhancing solar capture, and improving mineral and water cycling.
A lone sowthistle pokes through synthetic grass. This is a perfect example of nature responding to human disturbance — an attempt to reestablish the life that we have destroyed.
Known for its vicious sting, Nettle is one of the most nutrient dense plants available with many herbal and medicinal uses. Nettle has a fibrous (hairnet) root system that acts to stabilise loose/sandy soils.
References
Rob Avis, Michelle Avis & Takota Coen, Building Your Permaculture Property: A Five-Step Process to Design and Develop Land (Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers, 2021), p30.
Charles Massy, Call of the Reed Warbler: A New Agriculture, A New Earth (White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing, 2018), Kindle Edition, p32.
Massy, Call of the Reed Warbler, p32.
Toby Hemenway, “Redesigning Civilization with Permaculture”, August 7, 2022, Educational Video, 35:55, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6b7zJ-hx_c&t=2157s.
Massy, Call of the Reed Warbler, p33.
Osler, M. J. , Brush, . Stephen G. and Spencer, . J. Brookes. "Scientific Revolution." Encyclopaedia Britannica, November 26, 2019. https://www.britannica.com/science/Scientific-Revolution.
Massy, Call of the Reed Warbler, p33.
Kyle Swan & Jacob Vagas, Lockean Property Rights, Sacramento State University. https://www.csus.edu/faculty/s/kyle.swan/
Robert L. Heilbroner, “Adam Smith”, Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Adam-Smith
Massy, Call of the Reed Warbler, p34.
Avis R, Avis M, & Coen, Building Your Permaculture Property, p34.
Adam Grubb & Annie Raser-Rowland, The Weed Forager’s Handbook: A Guide to Edible and Medicinal Weeds in Australia (Melbourne, VIC: Hyland House Publishing, 2012), p3.
David Jacke, Edible Forest Gardens (White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing, 2005), p9.
Massy, Call of the Reed Warbler, p39.
Paul Hawken, Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation (Dublin, Ireland: Penguin Random House Ireland, 2021), p6.
Grubb, The Weed Forager’s Handbook, p4.
Jonathon Engels, “Working Wisley With Weeds”, Permaculture Research Institute, July 15, 2016. https://www.permaculturenews.org/2016/07/15/working-wisely-weeds/
Benedict Vanheems, “What Your Weeds Are Trying to Tell You”, Grow Veg, July 25, 2020. https://www.growveg.com.au/guides/what-your-weeds-are-trying-to-tell-you/
Geoff Lawton, “All About Weeds”, Discover Permaculture with Geoff Lawton, May 17, 2019, Educational Video, 3:55. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBA6fXsJnZc
