Garden Series: Using Weeds to Read the Soil, Types of Weeds
- Shidonna Raven
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
By Tim Goodwin
April 16, 2025
Source: Almanac
Photo Source: Unsplash,
• 4:0
Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) grows in crusty or compacted soil.
Chickweed (Stellaria media or Cerastium spp.) and chicory (Chicorium sp.) like rich soil—high in nitrogen—and will grow well in alkaline, compacted soil.
Common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) is an indicator of rich soil.
Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) grows where the soil has been depleted of nutrients and is low in calcium.
Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) generally indicate poor soil that is low in calcium and compacted. The dandelions’ taproots, however, are doing the job of breaking up the soil! Look into aerating your soil so it’s not compacted. In the meantime, check out our dandelion recipes!
Dock (Rumex spp.) and goldenrod (Solidago spp.) grow in wet, poorly drained soil.
Fragile fern (Cystopteris fragilis) grows in near-neutral, dry conditions. This pretty fern is the weed of the fernery and will propagate and overpower all other plants.
Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) indicates high nitrogen.
Knapweed (Centaurea spp.) indicates rich soil, high in potassium.
Knotweed (Polygonum spp.) grows where the ground is compacted.
Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) indicates rich soil, high in nitrogen.
Moss of most kinds indicate soggy, acidic soil that is low in nutrients.
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) grows in acidic soil with low fertility.
Mustard (Brassica spp.) grows in dry, sandy soil, high in phosphorus.
Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) indicates an exceptionally fertile location.
Oxalis, or wood sorrel, indicates low calcium and high magnesium.
Ox-eye daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare) grow in acidic, often soggy soil with poor fertility.
Pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) grows in acid soil that is low in nutrients.
Peppergrass (Lepidium verginicum) indicates sweet soil.
Plantain (Plantago spp.) grows in compacted, sour soil with low fertility and often indicates heavy clay. Like prostrate knotweed, it has evolved to survive being trampled and can grow in heavily trafficked garden paths.
Pigweed (Amaranthus spp.) grows in rich soil with high levels of readily available nitrogen.
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) prefers rich soil and is an indicator of high phosphorus. Like dandelions, purslane is edible and offers health benefits. Make the most of your common weed education and explore some purslane recipes.
Quackgrass (Elymus repens) will grow in heavy clay or compacted soil.
Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota) grows where the soil is poor, but on the sweet side.
Ragweed (Ambrosia spp.) indicates low fertility.
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) grows in rich, acidic soil.
Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella) indicates dry, sandy, acidic soil depleted of nutrients and low in calcium.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) grows where potassium and fertility are low and the soil is sandy and dry.
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