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A 'weed' is just a plant growing in the 'wrong place', and in my garden, most weeds are more than welcome. There are some exceptions, of course - Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam to name two - but the more green leafy weeds in my plot

Green manures are the perfect organic fertiliser. They improve soil structure, suppress weeds and return nutrients to the soil.You never see bare earth in the wild for a reason: autumn rains in particular can leach nutrients, damage soil structure

I'm not one for manicured lawns. I think lawn weeds are pretty. I'd really like clumps of bird's foot trefoil, dandelions, daisies, creeping buttercup and self-heal growing among the grass in my garden. In fact, I've just planted some clover

In 1985, Chris Baines created the first ever wildlife garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. Apparently it caused quite a stir - wildflowers in those days were often dismissed as 'weeds' - and his medal was mistakenly inscribed "Chris Baines, for a

of bumblebee rely on chalk grassland, hay meadows and other disappearing habitats that our gardens cannot provide for them.The problem for bees is that their favourite food plants are often considered to be 'weeds'. They don't go for highly bred double

are often higher than those for sports like football and rugby.Gardening injuries are horribly common. They normally happen in spring, when the first sunny day of the year inspires hours of weeding, pruning and digging after a winter of sitting on the sofa

flowers from March to May and is traditionally found in woodland habitats. It also grows at the base of hedges, in grassland and, of course, in gardens.  In fact, the dog violet is often regarded as a weed, and I can see why. Like many other weeds, it

that are big and stringy, remove these too to keep the crop coming. There will be plenty of time for saving seed later.Keep containers weed free, as weeds can compete with crops for water and nutrients and block light to developing fruit. Remove dead or dying

the absence of humans, another is areas of long grass, which provide shelter and breeding opportunities. Bare earth and piles of rubble provide warm spots for insects to bask and burrow, while 'weeds' (many of which are native larval food plants

are compacted mud, inconsequential rye grass and very common weeds in tree pits. What’s added" he said, "is more likely to be wildlife friendly.”Tulips are not more wildlife friendly than ivy.I went down to the site, where the ivy had been left on the pavement