Coffee with Moe - Spring_2022s

Weedy Wonders
Mother Nature has a reason and a season for pretty much everything.
We may not always understand her, but if we investigate a little, we’re sure to
find the w5* of all she quietly and organically manages in this huge and complex
organism we call earth.
*Who, what, where, when and why
One aspect of her that is often disregarded, misunderstood and villainized is the
existence of plants that are widely regarded as weeds. To some, any plant that was
not willingly planted by the property’s guardian is considered a weed. For others,
there is a select list of garden “Enemies” to be eradicated at all costs.
Today we are going to chat about the latter category. Not exhaustively but, I trust,
in enough detail that it may give you pause before you rip any plant out of the
ground because it doesn’t fit with your personal aesthetic. Weeds can bring beauty
and biodiversity to your garden in ways that you (and definitely your garden), will
actually find helpful.
As I started to write this essay, I quickly realized that reading about a world of
wonderful weeds, might feel a little overwhelming. I’m guessing that you’d rather
get a clear read on just one (1) weedy wonder.
So, let’s start our weedy exploration with a pretty little flower that you either love or
hate, the Dandelion.
Originating in both Europe and North America, the Dandelion is known world-wide
as a symbol of growth, hope and healing. Sure, it’s hated by lovers of the perfect
green lawn and folks bent on eradicating this sunny flower from their cultivated
palettes. Yet, I wonder if, their views might be swayed if they understood the
wealth of benefits each little Dandelion possesses. It dominates as a helper for the
soil, the bees and our health, if we simply just give it a chance.
From the very first glance, the humble Dandelion is quietly doing its job as an
indicator species. Being an indicator means that its very presence is letting us know
that the soil it inhabits is compacted and potentially low in calcium. Soil conditions
are always important to keep track of and better yet, Dandelion has shown up to
do all the heavy lifting. It can reverse soil issues with its long, strong tap root, the
same one that makes it a brute to weed out. A dandelion root will lay waste to
compaction issues and that sturdy taproot will also pull nutrients like calcium from
cont’d