Lawn weeds can help Coshocton yards

Hello Coshocton County! Spring is in full bloom as we near the end of May and with that comes spring cleaning lists. For many of us, that includes mowing our lawns and getting them ready to thrive through the rest of spring and summer. One task could be removing unwanted weeds in our lawn. Have you ever thought that those alleged unwanted plants could benefit your yard and the natural habitat around it?

Many people use weed when they talk about “bad plants,” but weeds don’t always equal bad. Weeds mean any plant growing where it is not wanted. So before you decide to spray your lawn for weeds, here are some that you might find in your lawn that you might not want to get rid of.

White Clover: White clover is a perennial that belongs to the legume family. You might know it best because it shows up through little white flowers. Often considered a nuisance, clover is a fantastic nitrogen-fixer that pulls nitrogen from the air and deposits it into the soil. It stays green during droughts, requires less mowing, and provides vital nectar for bees. This might appear in your lawn if the soil is under fertilized.

Dandelions: This plant is also a perennial that grows best in moist, clay soils. Their deep taproots act as natural aerators that break up compacted dirt while mining deep nutrients (like calcium) and pulling them up to the surface. They are also among the earliest food sources for springtime pollinators.

Broadleaf Plantain: This low-growing, resilient weed is probably the second most common broadleaf weed after dandelions. It is extremely well adapted to most dry or wet conditions, heavy soil, and low mowing heights. It has deep roots that improve soil structure, reduce compaction, and protect bare soil from erosion. It accumulates sulfur, calcium, and manganese, which fertilizes the soil.

Common Blue Violets: This plant loves moist, fertile soil and will grow in sun or shade. Forming a dense, low mat, violets naturally suppress other unwanted weeds as it is an aggressive weed that spreads to non-infested areas while preventing soil erosion. They also serve as a native food source and habitat for local birds and caterpillars.

Chickweed: This weed thrives in moist, rich soil and is most noticeable when flowering during the spring and summer. It accumulates beneficial nutrients like phosphorus and manganese, which enrich your lawn's soil as the plant decomposes. It can also be used in salads as it is high in vitamin c and b.

Queen Anne’s Lace: This well-known plant in a biennial that rosettes the first year the produces a tall stalk for flower production the second year. It attracts butterflies and other beneficial pollinators to your lawn. But be careful, you don’t want to confuse this with poison hemlock. The stem of Queen Anne’s Lace has fine, little hair and is green. Poison Hemlock has a purplish, red stem with no hair.

For more details on how plant diversity creates a healthier, more resilient yard ecosystem, check out the Cornell IPM Lawn Weeds Guide. Have a great and safe day!