Why Do Weeds Grow Faster Than Flowers?
The garden at our house is very small, just a narrow strip around the boundaries. Until recently my husband took responsibility, but now it's up to me to keep the garden looking its best. I'm still learning. One of my biggest mysteries is, why do weeds grow faster than the other plants? They're all plants, right, so what makes weeds think they can just turn up out of nowhere, uninvited. Weeds dominate my gardening life.
We live on a small back section, once the backyard of the old house in front. Yung people live there, usually university students who have no interest or time to think about what their backyard looked like. Consequently, the land our house is on was, for many years, a party ground for all the weeds in the district.
Our warm New Zealand summer meant water restrictions and I've ignored the garden for a few weeks. However, in the weekend I pulled the weeds and waterd the plants heavily. That night it rained heavily. Yesterday was warm and sunny, enabling me to pull what I thought was the last of the weeds. Last night it rained again. This morning I looked out and a whole new batch of weeds showed me their cheery faces.
Can anyone explain why weeds think they have the right to overtake my garden?
Image Credit » Personal photo of Val Mills
Comments
j2jworkz wrote on February 23, 2015, 3:36 PM
I can only speak to my yard; the critters eat the flowers first and then the weeds appear to outgrow the flowers since the critters aren't weed friendly.
valmnz wrote on February 23, 2015, 5:15 PM
I knew it would be something like that
maxeen wrote on February 23, 2015, 5:27 PM
One of the mysteries that plague me also.
wolfgirl569 wrote on February 23, 2015, 5:31 PM
The area you show is very pretty. It is just normal survival, they have to grow faster to get to seed to make more for various reasons. You pulling them is one reason lol.
valmnz wrote on February 23, 2015, 5:41 PM
A gardener once told me one year of seeds is seven years of weeds - I have a hard road ahead of me
valmnz wrote on February 23, 2015, 5:42 PM
It would be much easier if they got the message and went visiting elsewhere.
valmnz wrote on February 23, 2015, 5:43 PM
That photo was taken in Spring, late last year, grape vine more developed, flowers not quite as pretty now
FernandoSHA wrote on February 23, 2015, 6:18 PM
Despite your garden being only a strip, it looks bright and beautiful :) I take charge too of our lawn and garden and I'd do my watering very early in the morning (sometime at 5 a.m.) or very late afternoon or in the evening when the water pressure is very strong. Watering the lawn and garden in the evening helps cool the surroundings on summer nights.
valmnz wrote on February 23, 2015, 6:22 PM
Yes, I water just before it gets dark at night. It's quite pleasant standing out there, just with your thoughts and the garden.
FernandoSHA wrote on February 23, 2015, 6:28 PM
Right you are, Ms. Val :) The cool water spray blown by the gentle night breeze gives you that refreshing feeling. It's like being repaid by nature for taking care of the plants :)
1bestwriter wrote on February 23, 2015, 6:33 PM
I have the same problem and weeding is done on a regular basis. I have some pretty looking creepers. I was about to make a post on them. May be I still will.
valmnz wrote on February 23, 2015, 6:36 PM
Yes please, I still have an image in my head of the lovely creeper draped around the pot in your garden. And, that is certainly a relief, knowing you have weeds too
they're coming up thick and fast in our current warm, wet weather.
bestwriter wrote on February 23, 2015, 7:06 PM
The worst was my lawn on the terrace. I had engaged labour for days spending huge sums to get rid of weeds that literally devour the lawn. But today they seem to have disappeared and the lawn is looking great.
valmnz wrote on February 23, 2015, 7:16 PM
Lol, we don't have a lawn, we have a weed patch!
bestwriter wrote on February 23, 2015, 7:30 PM
1cheri wrote on February 23, 2015, 11:32 PM
I also notice that. I do not have any knowledge of it maybe I need to do some researching.
jiangliu1949 wrote on February 24, 2015, 2:25 AM
Weeds can thrive in all sorts of conditions as a result of natural selection ,unlike the flowers that have had too much attention .
Coffee wrote on February 24, 2015, 6:40 AM
Ha, yes I am afraid this is so true!
As I look out into my garden, I see there are 5 clumps of weeds for every flower. Sigh.