Weed spotting

Excited by new growth only to spy odd hidden extras? Learn how to spot any uninvited guests, as Bob explains

- Bob Flowerdew

ONE of the tasks facing us all is weeding. We know weeds just have to go for all sorts of reasons. The problem is, which of all those seedlings are our desired ones, and which are weeds? This is one of the many reasons for sowing in pots of proper, bought-in sowing compost, as then there should be no weeds, and no doubt. Once we sow in the open ground, though, then all sorts of weeds appear, as most of us are only too well aware.

As soon as the soil warms up, it turns green with fuzz and is soon covered with the fastest growers, such as chickweed and hairy bitter cress. But have you noticed how flushes of different weeds may appear in different months? Yep, they have arranged it so they can take advantage of different windows in the growing season.