Weeds cause a lot of thoughtless reactions, provoking misplaced fixations about cleanliness. What are weeds? they are colonising plants where soil has been disturbed. They are the first steps towards a balanced ecosystem. They do not drive other species away but merely fill the gaps where other plants cannot be supported by the soil. They are a symptom not the cause of a problem. Here are a few of their qualities: -deep root pumps for leached nutrients. -fiberise the soil, countering compaction. -hold the soil from erosion. -help bring water to the top soil. -they absorb excess salt. -rich compost material, probably the best source in the city. -provide a diverse diet to animals in the pasture. -can be used in companion planting or as a sacrificial crop. -they aid organisms in the soil through exudation. -show whether soil is poor, acidic, compacted or alkaline. -they're great in salads, teas, pipes, medicines and bouquets.   The list shows their role as indicators and other uses. (the latin names link to their pictures)

Bindweed, field (convolvulus arvensis) Hardpan or crusty surface with light sand texture. Helps corn Bracken, Eastern (Pteridium aquilinum) Acidic or lime soil; low potassium; low phosphorus Buttercup, creeping (Ranunculus repens) Wet, poorly drained clay soil, acidic Buttercups (Ranunculus spp.) Tilled or cultivated soil, acidic Campion, bladder (silene cucubalus) Neutral or alkaline pH Chickweed (stellaria media) Tilled or cultivated soil with high fertility or humus unless weeds are pale and stunted, then fertility is low. Edible Chicory (Cichorium intybus) Soil with heavy clay texture, tilled or cultivated with high fertility or humus unless weeds are pale and stunted, then fertility is low. Edible Cinquefoil, silvery (Potentilla argentea) Dry soil, often with thin topsoil; acidic or low lime Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) Heavy clay soil; waterlogged or poorly drained; alkaline(?) or low lime. Smokable Daisy, oxeye Waterlogged or poorly drained soil that has been neglected or uncultivated; acidic or low lime, with low fertility. Collects calcium. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Heavy clay soil; tilled or cultivated; acidic or low lime, especially on lawns Edible, strawberries Docks (Rumex spp.) Waterlogged or poorly drained soil; acidic or low lime Edible Grass, quack (Agropyron repens) Hardpan or crusty surface Hawkweeds (Hieracium spp.) Acidic or low lime soil Henbane, black (Hyoscyamus niger) Neutral or alkaline pH Horsetail, field (Equisetum arvense) Sandy light soil, acidic or low lime. Liquid manure, blight protection when boiled and sprayed onto leaves. Collects silicon. Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium purpureum) Wet or waterlogged soil Knappweed (Centaurea spp.) Acidic or low lime soil with high potassium Knotweed, japanese no sympathy for this one Knotweed, prostrate (Polygonum aviculare) Tilled or cultivated soil; acidic or low lime Lamb's quarter (Chenopodium album) Tilled or cultivated soil with high fertility or humus unless weeds are pale and stunted, then fertility is low Edible, good with cucumber, melon Lettuce, prickly (Lactuca serriola) Tilled or cultivated soil Meadowsweet (Spiraea latifolia) Wet or waterlogged soil Great in wine Mosses (Musci class) Waterlogged or poorly drained soil; acidic or low lime Mullein, common (Verbascum thapsis) Neglected uncultivated soil; acidic or low lime; low fertility Mustard, white (Brassica hirta) Neutral or alkaline pH Edible, grape Mustards (Brassica spp.) Hardpan or crusty surface; dry, often with thin topsoil Edible, leave beneath grape Nettles (Urtica dioica) Tilled or cultivated soil; acidic or low lime Edible,liquid manure, herb oil improver, tomatoes Pigweed, redroot (Amaranthus retroflexus) Tilled or cultivated soil with high fertility or humus unless weeds are pale or stunted, then fertility is low Edible, hold erosion, all nightshades Pineappleweed (Matricaria matrcarioides) Hardpan or crusty surface Plantains (Plantago spp.) Heavy clay soil; waterlogged or poorly drained; tilled or cultivated; acidic or low lime, especially on lawns Edible Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) Saline soil Sorrel, garden (Rumex acetosa) Waterlogged or poorly drained soil; acidic or low lime Edible Sorrel, sheep (Rumex acetosella) Sandy, light soil; acidic or low lime Sow-thistle, perennial (Sonchus arvensis) Wet soil; neutral or alkaline pH Edible, great cucumber, melon Thistle, Canada (Cirsium arvense) Heavy clay soil Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) Low potassium herb oil improver