Weeds 'can be beneficial' for owners of garden sheds

11:10:20 26th October 2010

Many owners of garden sheds may see weeds as an inconvenience to be removed as quickly as possible, but one expert suggests that they should not be condemned without thought.

Naturalist Richard Mabey speaks to Gillian Orr of the Independent of why he believes weeds should not always be treated with chemicals.

Noting that weeds have lead to the production of useful medicines in the past, Mr Mabey suggests that the plants are only perceived as pests, rather than actually being them - and this changes with thinking at different times.

"But the real usefulness of weeds is the attempt to vegetate disrupted earth - that is, in a sense, their ecological role," he comments.

Stressing that he is not suggesting that weeds be allowed to grow anywhere, he warns that controlling them in excess and using too many harsh chemicals could do unknown damage to plants and creatures alike.

In a recent article for the Guardian, Anna Pavord urged readers to take good care of their soil in order to ensure healthy plants.