All About Weeds

To learn more watch the Permaculture Masterclass, my newest 4-part documentary-style film, here: www.discoverpermaculture.com/...
Weeds are a symptom, not the cause, of a problem. We can observe weeds to read the landscape, deduce what reparative steps need to be taken, and speed up the natural sequence of recovery. Weeds can actually be great friends to gardeners.
In any square meter of ground, there can be thousands of seeds waiting to germinate, but the condition of the ground determines what grows. For example, compacted ground will spur decompacting weeds to grow, and nature, in no hurry, waits for the process of decompaction to occur. On the other hand, when the soil is too loose, the weeds will have soil stabilizing characteristics, such as hairnet root systems. Once the soil has stabilized, it’ll go on to the next cycle plants.
Weeds also indicate soil minerals. The bracken fern, common after fires, are known for harvesting potassium, most of which burns off in fires. The plants after fires are those which can harvest potassium when it’s in low supply. The ferns can be cut and mulched to the ground to reduce the number of ferns growing. However, if they are burned, the ground is only further depleted of potassium, so more ferns will come back.
A classic function of weeds throughout the world is to restore fertility in the landscape, replenishing nitrogen, and this is done largely by the peas and beans families. This goes all the way into legume trees. These plants have special relationships with bacteria in the soil that trade nitrogen deposits for starch. This is a great way to fertilize the ground. It’s how nature does it, and we can use the same technique by partnering with nitrogen-fixing plants.
In crop gardens, we sometimes get into a spatial race with weeds, and the solution is to replace the weeds with “designed weeds” to take up the space. This can be done with green manure mulches to fertilize the gardens and supply quality mulch. This is an example of how understanding the inner workings of weeds allows us to harmonize with natural systems to both repair the earth and create production for ourselves.
Key Takeaways:
• Weeds are a symptom of a problem, not the cause, so we can use weeds to read the landscape.
• Thousands of seeds are in the ground waiting to germinate, and the ground conditions will determine which ones do.
• Compacted soils will encourage decompacting weeds, such as dandelions, to grow; loose soils will encourage stabilizing weeds with hairnet roots to grow.
• Areas that have been burned will encourage potassium-harvesting plants, like bracken ferns, to grow in order the recover the landscape.
• Weeds, especially leguminous plants, are often restoring the fertility of the land be replenishing nitrogen in the soil.
• We can use our knowledge of weeds to select “designed weeds” to take up the space that volunteer weeds would normally try to occupy, thus harmonizing with nature.
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About Geoff:
Geoff is a world-renowned permaculture consultant, designer, and teacher. He has established permaculture demonstration sites that function as education centers in all the world’s extreme climates - information on the success of these systems is networked through the Permaculture Research Institute and the www.permaculturenews.org website.
About Permaculture:
Permaculture (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permacu...) integrates land, resources, people and the environment through mutually beneficial synergies - imitating the no waste, closed loop systems seen in diverse natural systems. Permaculture applies holistic solutions that are applicable in rural and urban contexts and at any scale. It is a multidisciplinary toolbox including agriculture, water harvesting and hydrology, energy, natural building, forestry, waste management, animal systems, aquaculture, appropriate technology, economics, and community development.
#permaculture #permaculturedesign #weeds

[@Musalia94]

I'm getting life advice from weeds because of this man. I need to live my purpose and be gone with myself.

[@1caramarie]

It's amazing how much knowledge I have accumulated from Geoff since the three days in a row, in which I did not sleep, because I was too interested in the videos of an free online training course about permaculture. (Not kidding, I did not sleep until I got done.) That was a lot of videos. I did use much of the information for turning my yard into a food forest. Been a fan since then.

[@stefgav]

Link to the course?

[@fareedakhter8626]

U

[@tinaayer801]

Im just thinking i will end up on a bender listening to this guy. 😆 hes a fantastic teacher.

[@CalTheKiwi1]

You got a vid for us of this Food Forest you’ve created? Thanks in advance.🙏

[@tepeassydac]

'Design your own weed system. Beat 'em at their own game.' I love it!

[@johenderson3742]

Wow, I never knew all this, but it's so simple and logical. It should be mandatory at primary schools where the kids learn the fastest and tell their parents.

[@sajanah1253]

This could be a documentary on it's own!

[@monkeymanwasd1239]

more like thousands of documentaries

[@sajanah1253]

@@rpmcmurphy5482 where can I find it?

[@karimalameddine5092]

Totally agree! especially with a slightly higher production (-:

[@1cognito]

In France we call them "mauvaises herbes" which translates to "bad herbs".... terrible isn't it? But thanks to permaculture we now call them "advantices" (or "early herbs"). Words are important. Our understanding is changing, slowly but surely. Great video! "Merci" for sharing :)

[@razz5891]

Very few people in the world have such an amazing level of understanding of how nature works. I wish more people thought the same way as you do !!

[@christophermarquez9813]

Wow! I’m so inspired by Geoff. Truly changing the world and not alot of people know this is the next silent revolution.

[@Listenclearly1979]

So that's why there is so much bracken in the fire prone hills where I live in Australia...I really like this episode🙂

[@BlueGardenCottage]

Love weeds! Over the past few years they have become food (some of them), medicine, teas, food for our insect friends and birds...and the dandelions entertainment for my granddaughter. :D Now I know how they are indicators too. Plant superheros. Thank you.

[@eric.ko.]

Wow. I just moved into a new house and have a lot of weeds and realised that the soil is very loose due to the type. I respect the natural cycle even more after watching this video!!! Thank you :)

[@camaulay]

Time for some ducks

[@abundancejourney8316]

I've stumbled into the world of permaculture as a 20 year old with no experience in gardening. I've become addicted to your videos, weeks ago I was watching cartoons and other fun rubbish but now I can't keep my eyes off your channel. Really amazing and transformational, I'd LOVE to learn the earth in the same way you have. Bless

[@grzegorz16100]

I would suggest to start growing something

[@bonzothebrown7603]

Paddy's Lucerne is Sida rhombifolia, for those playing along at home. Of course it's edible, high protein forage with a plethora of other uses - it was once known as Bushman's Tea in colonial Australia and is an effective decongestant.

[@cberg5388]

Would this grow in Tasmania? It's beautiful

[@dottiannblakemore9231]

Wow! I am asking all my gardening friends to watch this video. One of the very best that explains the nature of Weeds. I love Geoff Lawton. Thank You so much for sharing your knowledge. -Pile O' Rocks Ranch, Sun Valley, AZ -Auburn, WA

[@patriciamcdonald6149]

The wisdom that you have found from the earth is worth its weight in gold. Thanks for your sharing.

[@mjfalcon007]

A friend recently told me about Geoff and how he has inspired them. I have to say I became an instant subscriber and binge watcher of this channel. Absolutely amazing and inspiring content. Thank you Geoff I will look into paying for your master class to learn even more.

[@shabnamnikkhoo2169]

This is not just amazing, but beautiful!! How alive nature is, is beautiful!

[@rileymcdonald8110]

Weeds are wonderful it makes me sick to my stomach when I see weed killer commercials or when I see a yard with no weeds

[@cautious1343]

Weed killer sickens me also. I have heard from multiple sources that many of the weeds that farmers fight to keep out of their fields are more nutritious than the crop they are growing.

[@-Atmos1]

Weed Killer should be illegal . But politicians own shares in the companies that make it .

[@carbon1255]

@@cautious1343 than grains? yes- but grains are grown for preservation not nutritional value. They aren't as nutritious as comparable fresh veg crop.

[@cautious1343]

@@carbon1255 Very true. I eat fresh veggies mostly, but have a 2yr supply of emergency food. All grain and bean.

[@NickMusselle]

Wow, agreed, this is a fantastic documentary on its own, i'm 56 but I have a lot to learn. thank you

[@chelseamoniquemorrisprinci8856]

This ia gold. This is telling the exact story of everyone's symptoms they think are the wing place but we can move forward because they can be our best friends

[@novembertomay]

Very informative and educational. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@miloudbouchefra200]

Geoff, you are a living legend, more videos please.

[@Sweetwildflower]

I'm blown away that others see weeds as I do. Love the age of information! Thank you kindly for your time uploading and sharing your information 🌸Namaste

[@deborahsacco186]

I am very impressed and glad I bumped into this.. I always thought that weeds in the garden were a sign of the remedy for health of the Gardener and garden. Thank you for your wisdom.

[@joecrablone286]

Weed control is a $30billion market. Not to mention the hundreds of millions of hours of labour that could be put to better use.

[@KeikoMushi]

It is odd, especially given that you could sell reparative plants instead, making money from it. This builds good-will, compared to the disdain that many have for these companies.

[@joecrablone286]

@@KeikoMushi A reparative plant is a permanent solution that costs cents to produce and any gardener could do it. There's no multibillion dollar industry to be had from real permanent solutions.

[@anla3957]

Can I get more information on these reparative plants?

[@Shambala_G]

We had wild fire sweep through our land 2 years ago and the amount of ferns is phenomenal. Thanks for explaining their role as harvesters of potassium. At least I know why I'm chopping and dropping them now :-)

[@andrewparry1474]

Great video. I had a less informed understanding that weeds can be great pilot plants. Thanks for expanding on that. But I'd never considered that ducks might compact the ground. We learn something new every day. Thanks again!

[@DiscoverPermaculture]

Enough regular ant traffic can compact the ground.

[@duncanmarshall241]

This is great! I for one would love more of these covering as many weeds as you have knowledge of and what they communicate about the soil. 👌👍👌

[@Daniel-qj3tp]

Loving the Muscovy Ducks!!

[@richardb4787]

Nature is a canvas. Elements can be replaced, but no blank canvas.

[@fusion9619]

Incredible. If this were in a book, with lots more examples and strategies, I'd read it.

[@silviuvarzaru9664]

Amazing just by observing how nature is working with its own rules, we can cooperate in harmony if we understand all these processes.

[@jowoo7237]

The mind behind nature... Amazing and thought provoking....

[@Florestinhadamontanha]

Another fantastic lesson. Perfect. I can even say: a poetic class.

[@hannahparker3644]

Geoff Lawton is such an inspirational person! The first person, I ever heard about Permaculture from was him, and I am so glad. To this day he is still my favorite teacher. I so want to take his course in Jordan, some day Lord-willing! His work in dry desert lands is so incredible because it's relevant to us who live in those conditions and still work so hard to grow and create abundance in the most difficult climates. Thank you for all you do Geoff!

[@alanstephens7022]

Geoff; most really, for me, this is the most pivotal account of an observation/explanation/interaction of/with biodiversity, in action, that I've ever seen. Thank you! I just understood, absorbed and processed more useable information here, in just a few minutes, than what would've been transmitted through a whole college term of bloody minded botany back in the day. That was good, but, yours was brilliant. I salute you.

[@zulhiyadinanda7199]

What an enlightment i received just now ! WOW ! Thanks Geoff

[@brianNYC546]

Amazing. How cool is it that you can learn about the condition of the soil based on the type of weeds growing. And that you can use weeds to your advantage.

[@jorgeespinoza3150]

Thank you for your information. You're a very good and very knowledgeable presenter. Greetings from Texas!!!!

[@chee1989]

wow, 2 mins in and you already showing me a new perspective

[@cpnotill9264]

Well presented Geoff and I will share this for sure. I truly look to you for valuable information and what a difference in the world you're making. 💖🌱👍😁

[@raphaelward1711]

He's brilliant, top revolutionary, would love to work with him.

[@lutvijahrnjic9670]

Geoff, I can’t thank you enough for sharing your knowledge with us. I think I’ve seen all your videos and have learned a lot.

[@gabrielaligenza5623]

Buongiorno from Tuscany and Sardinia , just came across your videos as trying to source a composting toilet. Truly inspiring ! Will follow

[@michaelt5082]

Hey, I believe that this system is getting me back to my roots. My fathers' side of the family has grown food and owned farms forever. My grandfather had a farm in Cali that looked very similar to what you showed on Zatuna. At least part of it. The difference is that he was retired and had only 12 years to develop his crops after retirement from the military. He was laid to rest in 82. I am glad that I strived to get my acreage and find this system. I am watching your and Bills videos at the moment. Good stuff. The book is awesome also. Nothing like a college text to study. Thanks again.

[@vali21398]

It's so great to listen you. So interesting and a lot to learn from you. 😊

[@dmnmawrie9259]

wow.... this really blows me away... Thank you Mr Lawton for being a wonderful teacher.. my garden is usually full of weeds during the summer and I can now understand their function as they function to prevent leaching during the heavy rainfall.

[@bitTorrenter]

This guy is a cut above. Extremely knowledgeable.

[@piknikist]

thank you so much Geoff.... you have just answered soo many old questions[for myself] from observing thus changes.... please keep the content coming... good on ya mate!!

[@katrinawebbheim3772]

I love his perspective on life and observations

[@vrwesternaustralia3118]

I'm from Western Australia, recently living in the central valley California. The soil here even though it's rated to be the best in the area, still talks with its weeds? Soil loves it's organic materials .

[@rickyfromthehouseofpaton7586]

We need to walk with weeds to reduce stress in our idea of the garden

[@rickyfromthehouseofpaton7586]

Scared earth healers

[@monkeymanwasd1239]

or walk on the weeds that also helps

[@andrewparry1474]

And where exactly should we walk to?

[@monkeymanwasd1239]

@@andrewparry1474 deserts are a good example desert weeds are often leguminous spiky drought tolerant short short-lived in other cases long-lived but in general weeds make amazing Garden starting plants and fertilizer you might want to check out the documentary "Geoff Lawton Greening the desert project"

[@andrewparry1474]

@@monkeymanwasd1239 I know about weeds as pilot plants. I was just being silly. He says that we need to "WALK" with weeds. That said, I have been meaning to look at the greening of the desert - and sooo much else. Geoff never gets boring does he!

[@Mikdeelow]

powerful info! tyvm! btw, 39 Monsanto execs disapprove!

[@Christodophilus]

The classic bindi, in the backyard, is a soil compaction weed. It's bindi season here at the moment. :)

[@kathyboutros9593]

Geoff thanks a million for your knowledge on weeds. We are in North west of Melbourne and have paddocks full of serrated tussock. I will try and cut it back and replace some of it with nitrogen fixing weeds. We are on 85 acres and it’s going to be quite challenging.

[@danam2584]

Love your work Geoff!!

[@Andrea-zh3zs]

I had no idea! Thank you Geoff, that was beautiful!

[@piracybringer4057]

Love that you write down the full vidéo in description!! So useful, thx

[@THEBIGKUSH420]

RESPECT - GEOFF

[@ryanbarr4910]

Fantastic video, Geoff! Thank you for all the education you provide.

[@sylvielftMada]

Wonderful demonstration, thanks Geoff!

[@inyayardhomestead5693]

G'day mate, great and interesting video, every time I watch your vid's I always learn something new. Thanks mate.

[@lupusexperience]

Beautiful video, thank you!

[@soonchoi5481]

Thank you Jeff!

[@Shini869]

Love this! The totally Plant-based version, leaving the chickens to their own eggs, and allowing-nurturing natural bee hives (therefore no honey collection) is the paradisical avenue for me! :-)))

[@grzegorz16100]

You are brainwashed aren't you?

[@v4dim83]

Вы романтик. Даже о сорняках говорите с любовью)

[@wado3765]

Great work , thanks Geoff

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

The world needs more "pure observation". Great video. We had a beautiful garden. Last year it was redeveloped by the owner. As a result the garden was dug up and destroyed. Trucks, concrete waste was on it all winter. Completely devoid of life. In the spring over 200 beautiful poppies came up. Interesting thing is we never had poppies in our garden ;). Looked absolutely beautiful and better yet the owner got to see mother nature's "middle finger" all summer lol we've saved 100's of thousands of seeds and will spread.

[@abrevas]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience with us.

[@jmholguinguerrero7404]

awseome lecture and neat video! keep posting!

[@ThePikeywayne]

Thank you, that explains soo much. We've acquired some land that's had heavy horses on before and this has identified issues perfectly

[@spoolsandbobbins]

This is so incredibly helpful and interesting. Thank you Geoff, from Nova Scotia Canada

[@braenickeen6006]

what we think we knew, simply gets up rotted by the fundamentals of nature. learnt a lot in this short vid

[@ferferiify]

I enjoy my journey double when watching your videos (and the weedy garden too ) Thank you so much 👧

[@deancarlyle7431]

Powerful information!

[@mrunderhill3970]

Thank you

[@bernardputersznit64]

marvelous awareness - thanks for sharing these insights

[@lovepeace29981]

My God !!! I'm just blown away with the knowledge you have. I'm falling in love with this study. Thank you so much for your efforts. Anyway to contact you ? Please let me know.

[@keawhitmore3842]

More please! I just learned so much. Thank you!!!!!

[@laer497]

You are a great teacher

[@PkSage89]

Astonishing really. Find myself going through more and more of your videos and gradually building into practice. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@advancedagroforestry7762]

Great video full of useful information about plants. I have seen Weeds like those before with the net roots and the deep roots as well.

[@lyndonnelly]

Really interesting giving me a whole new view on our weeds in the paddock and how to work with them

[@martinjacob580]

Thank you so much for spreading your knowledge freely ;)

[@lawrencemckeon6802]

This is really great information. Thanks.

[@nishantupadhyay01]

The most unique piece of information i have ever seen. I love nature!

[@JackelineBon]

Thank you for the Information!

[@kennethlatimer4607]

Amazing view of nature. Loving every episode. Richard Attenborough of horticulture.

[@fernandoriusdemoro5580]

Excelente .gracias Maestro!

[@evanever]

Awesome video.

[@ameisherry]

You have the best videos I’ve seen so far over all the KZbin videos Gives you a huge thumb up

[@janlabuschagne4759]

I pick it up by Christine Jones , thanks for your video.

[@davidb9059]

Hard on. Good broadcast Geoff 👍!

[@subash15]

This is amazing information.. thank you sir !!

[@simombreeds9501]

Brillient thats the best show on KZbin.this man is the garden guru🙏🙏👍👍😁

[@LordZoth6292]

This knowledge is invaluable

[@0edrich0]

Truly informative and this is great

[@bluejay1360]

Thanks for the wisdom. I see my yard in a different light now!

[@gor4988]

Good on ya Geoff Keeping Bill's dream alive and building on it Found you through the weedy garden

[@growersgold2354]

Brilliant!

[@junglejarred6366]

This is fantastic. Thank you