How to tell what's a weed.

[milly143]

I'm really sorry if this is a stupid question but I'm the least green fingered person in the world. We have a small ares under the front window that I have planted some nice bulbs and plants in. They are all coming up really well but it's all getting a bit over grown. The problem is, I don't know how to tell the difference between a weed and the plants that were already there. Any advice?

[Robinia]

Hard to tell you milly, you'll have keep posting close up pics & asking 'Is this a weed?' :o)

Are there any houses with nice gardens near to you? Ask the people who live there if they'd mind pointing out the weeds for you.....Don't be shy of asking, most gardeners are only to happy to share their knowledge....after all they've had to learn too.

[jake-the-peg]

Not a silly question at all, especially at this time of year when things are starting to grow quickly.

Have a look here:

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/organicweeds/weed_information/weedtype.php?id=-1

If you follow the link marked a web based guide you'll find a number of sites, the top one will probably be the most helpful

[Clanad]

This may be of some help...

http://www.lawnweeds.com/info/identify-weeds.html

I've also found that most weeds grow rapidly, far outpacing desirable plants. A lot (but not all) weeds will have spikes, thorns or hairy stems. Most of these help protect the weedy plant. An example would be the small hairs on poison ivy that emit the toxin causing the rash... Best of luck!

[spudqueen]

If I don't know what a plant is I wait for it to grown (flower) and then decide if I like it or not. If I like it I'll keep it, even if other people would call it a weed, unless it threatens to take over the garden in which case I go made pulling them all out! Basically, if you like it let it grow!