You have the most thought-provoking videos! And you are courageous to go against what we have been taught in the last few decades. I watched a video from another site where the young man advocated cutting weeds and other green plants and soaking them in a bucket for 3 weeks. The resulting tea is then diluted and used as plant food. What do you think?
"Thank you! The video has certainly created a lot of controversy! But I think it's important to look closely at some of our common garden beliefs to see whether they are supported by our understanding of how natural systems work. Is this the video you mentioned? - The Magic of Weeds in Water (ua-cam.com/video/c68N0vPJb0bo/v-deo.htmlsi=2XmsYBJunCnQtafP)? Making weed tea is useful if you have the time. I prefer simply chopping and dropping the weeds to act as slow-release fertilisers!”
Great information. I have learned to eat a wide variety of weeds instead of trying to kill them all...For those of you who have not tried Purslane, I highly recommend it! It is quite tasty and, from what I've read, pretty nutritious...Can't beat Springtime dandelions for a nice salad green too!
Thanks John! We had an intern working with us over the last wet season who works in market gardens outside Melbourne - and they sell some of their weeds to restaurants!
John I am glad that the information is helpful. You may find the Eco-logical Gardening Handbook a useful resource. I'd love to create a version for children. But in the meantime the information could be easily adapted for your 4th graders (www.learningfromnature.com.au/ecological-gardening-handbook/)
Thanks Kim. We're actually planning a video answering this very question that should be released in the next month or so. In the meantime, I would recommend - yes trimming them by cutting them back before they seed, to improve the supply of leaves and stems to your soil organisms. Let me know if you want more detail?
Shameen this is a good resource - www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/235995/une-weeds-nutgrass.pdf Nutgrass can be knocked back by growing taller, shade producing plants. These would also increase the supply of organic materials to your soil community, improving your soil structure and therefore also drainage. Have you seen our video on improving soil - ua-cam.com/video/b_SD4RORwPw/v-deo.htmlsi=z1YMr_Emjk0k3NYQ
RE weeds stealing nutrients from our veggies - this can be true for some types of weeds. Some weeds can benefit our veggies as shocking as that may sound. Curious? Click here: ua-cam.com/video/EwQQdmePIzQ/v-deo.html
I have asked this question on a few channels, and don't get a response. In Georgia, USA, we have Bermuda grass, crab grass and several other invasive grasses. I have tried many things with little result. These grasses choke out vegetables if left unchecked. I don't use poisons, and we are using raised beds for most, but anything planted in the ground will quickly be overtaken by grass . Are these practices practical in hot, weed infested, bug infested areas like Georgia? Another example is squash. I vacuum squash bugs in the morning, but each plant will have about 20 bugs, every morning. Eventually , you miss enough to kill the plant. I am just looking for a practical answer, do these practices work in harsh environments?
Great question! At least you know that your soil must be in reasonable condition because grasses generally only colonise land when the annual weeds have done their job! We have issues with couch grass here, and know what it is like in veggie garden beds! Have you tried newspaper, cardboard or weed mat with mulch over the top to kill these grasses? You can remove the weed mat and use it another time. You may like to watch this video showing how we used weed mat years ago - ua-cam.com/video/9wn2uo2aBWA/v-deo.html
@@LearningfromNature Thank you for the response and referral to the video. We do apply plastic to kill grass in the area, and that enables us to grow, but the grass comes back quickly. I appreciate your candor, some people make it seem easy, without addressing the real challenges of local weeds and pests..
This kind of knowledge is actually new. If our ancestors knew about this wisdom, we have no problem with soil degradation, desertification, climate change.
Absolutely Byan! It's so heartening to hear that you really see the value of growing food eco-logically. And you are so right this approach will help with soil degradation, desertification, and climate change.
I believe a lot of them did hence why the world has made it so far and drastically degraded since the advancements in conventional agriculture. For thousands of years the people made it and even created civilizations while also managing food security enough to get us to here and within my 30 years alone I have been able to research the effects of soil discing prior to my birth and even my fathers birth. I truly believe if we take these measures like the big UA-camrs of regeneration are doing and pushing for within 100 of years this planet can be insanely productive in terms of food, structure and temperature security. And in turn promoting mental health. Just a pipe dream from a naive mind I suppose but every day I wake up I see another thing Mother Nature does that reminds me she’s still completely in control and nurturing us back to her roots. Thank you for sharing your experience and wisdom!! 🤙 you’ve gained a long time subscriber! Excited to see more
Actually, our ancestors, especially indigenous peoples, DID know this wisdom, but since the Industrial Revolution, agricultural methods focused more on efficiency at the cost of our soil’s heath.
@@carolyndilbeck7654The irony is that 'modern' agriculture is more similar to hydroponics than actually growing in deep organic soil, while also being at the mercy of the weather. The quality of the soil is so poor that if nature deals up a little too much rain, or not enough, the crop is a loss and the farmers cry poor. It's not efficient when you lose the entire crop.
I am little slow at understanding. If you can help me get your point across in even simpler way. Are you saying we let weeds grow and thats the solution?
Don't weeds growing next to plants take minerals and other valuable substances from the soil? I mean, won't our vegetables be robbed of nutrients in the soil? Is your method to grow vegetables and weeds at the same time, together in the bed?
Thanks for your comment. Yes, you're right they do remove nutrients from the soil. But overall they have a net benefit because they return these nutrients when we cut and drop them on the ground or they naturally die back. Weeds also capture solar energy through photosynthesis and supply this energy in the form of carbohydrates to our soil ecosystems. In this video that you've just watched, we've focused on using weeds to repair severely degraded soil - where weeds are the only plants that will grow. But weeds also can have a beneficial role in vegetable beds as long as they don't take up all the physical space and sunlight. Some commercial vegetable producers now use weeds by allowing them to grow once their crop is sufficiently established - see here www.learningfromnature.com.au/weeds/
If using synthetic fertilizers then yes the weeds would take nutrients away from the plants, but in an organic system the more plants you have the more microbes you have, and the more microbes you have the more minerals and nutrients are converted into plant-available forms. The main thing to consider with weeds is to make sure they don’t block sunlight from your veggies. Other than that they are soil improvers and free mulch to reduce evaporation!
Thanks for adding useful information. The only comment I have is that microbes don't run the nutrient recycling system on their own. Making the nutrients in dead leaves, roots, and other plant and animal waste materials available to plants is a complex process. It necessitates these organic materials being broken down into smaller parts by many different soil organisms. Microbes play a vital role. But earthworms, woodlice, snails, other invertebrates, and other soil organisms are also required. Together, they recycle nutrients, communicate with plants, and make the required nutrients available to plants for reuse. Their combined expertise is also necessary to control pests and pathogens and maintain a habitable soil environment.
Yeah ask a farmer who has a potato field whether he wants all those far more vigorous (& nutrition depleting) fat hen weeds choking out his yields. Theory is useless until it is put into practice.
I love weeds, they show us what kind of soil we have and also they cover the uncovered soil...
You have the most thought-provoking videos! And you are courageous to go against what we have been taught in the last few decades. I watched a video from another site where the young man advocated cutting weeds and other green plants and soaking them in a bucket for 3 weeks. The resulting tea is then diluted and used as plant food. What do you think?
"Thank you! The video has certainly created a lot of controversy! But I think it's important to look closely at some of our common garden beliefs to see whether they are supported by our understanding of how natural systems work.
Is this the video you mentioned? - The Magic of Weeds in Water (ua-cam.com/video/c68N0vPJb0bo/v-deo.htmlsi=2XmsYBJunCnQtafP)? Making weed tea is useful if you have the time. I prefer simply chopping and dropping the weeds to act as slow-release fertilisers!”
Great information. I have learned to eat a wide variety of weeds instead of trying to kill them all...For those of you who have not tried Purslane, I highly recommend it! It is quite tasty and, from what I've read, pretty nutritious...Can't beat Springtime dandelions for a nice salad green too!
Thanks John! We had an intern working with us over the last wet season who works in market gardens outside Melbourne - and they sell some of their weeds to restaurants!
Great info Wendy! Thanks
You are so welcome!
I just found your channel, thanks for all the great insights. I help teach 4th graders gardening here in Ohio. I’ll share your knowledge. Thanks
John I am glad that the information is helpful. You may find the Eco-logical Gardening Handbook a useful resource. I'd love to create a version for children. But in the meantime the information could be easily adapted for your 4th graders (www.learningfromnature.com.au/ecological-gardening-handbook/)
@@LearningfromNature, I just got your ebook. I love the links to the videos. Great learning resource.
Wonderful! How do you recommend that a gardener manage the weeds rather than removing them? Trim them?
Thanks Kim. We're actually planning a video answering this very question that should be released in the next month or so. In the meantime, I would recommend - yes trimming them by cutting them back before they seed, to improve the supply of leaves and stems to your soil organisms. Let me know if you want more detail?
@@LearningfromNatureyes please more details
Wow! Great learning from you. Thank you from India ❤️🙂
My pleasure!
Thanks for the explanation, what is the best way to improve our soil within a short time, so that I can control the nutgrass problem
Shameen this is a good resource - www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/235995/une-weeds-nutgrass.pdf
Nutgrass can be knocked back by growing taller, shade producing plants. These would also increase the supply of organic materials to your soil community, improving your soil structure and therefore also drainage. Have you seen our video on improving soil - ua-cam.com/video/b_SD4RORwPw/v-deo.htmlsi=z1YMr_Emjk0k3NYQ
@@LearningfromNature Thanks lot
But the weed competes for nutrient with our desired plant, thereby coming out with poor yields. How do you relate these two.
RE weeds stealing nutrients from our veggies - this can be true for some types of weeds. Some weeds can benefit our veggies as shocking as that may sound. Curious? Click here: ua-cam.com/video/EwQQdmePIzQ/v-deo.html
I have asked this question on a few channels, and don't get a response. In Georgia, USA, we have Bermuda grass, crab grass and several other invasive grasses. I have tried many things with little result. These grasses choke out vegetables if left unchecked. I don't use poisons, and we are using raised beds for most, but anything planted in the ground will quickly be overtaken by grass . Are these practices practical in hot, weed infested, bug infested areas like Georgia? Another example is squash. I vacuum squash bugs in the morning, but each plant will have about 20 bugs, every morning. Eventually , you miss enough to kill the plant. I am just looking for a practical answer, do these practices work in harsh environments?
Great question! At least you know that your soil must be in reasonable condition because grasses generally only colonise land when the annual weeds have done their job! We have issues with couch grass here, and know what it is like in veggie garden beds! Have you tried newspaper, cardboard or weed mat with mulch over the top to kill these grasses? You can remove the weed mat and use it another time. You may like to watch this video showing how we used weed mat years ago - ua-cam.com/video/9wn2uo2aBWA/v-deo.html
@@LearningfromNature Thank you for the response and referral to the video. We do apply plastic to kill grass in the area, and that enables us to grow, but the grass comes back quickly. I appreciate your candor, some people make it seem easy, without addressing the real challenges of local weeds and pests..
Setuju. Setelah memakai Jadam, secara ajaib rumput di lahan saya langsung berubah❤
Revolutionary!
Thanks Kai.
weeds can be used to make biogas or vermicompost by mixing 50% with cowdung and incase medicinal weeds make herbal products
Thanks for the info!
Very informative Po mam watching from glecious tv your new friend
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi all I live in Asia there is hot summer now rainy season how I grow vegetables and herbs any one tells me in my garden
One of the best places to start is by improving our soil. This video may help you on your journey - ua-cam.com/video/b_SD4RORwPw/v-deo.html
This kind of knowledge is actually new. If our ancestors knew about this wisdom, we have no problem with soil degradation, desertification, climate change.
Absolutely Byan! It's so heartening to hear that you really see the value of growing food eco-logically. And you are so right this approach will help with soil degradation, desertification, and climate change.
I believe a lot of them did hence why the world has made it so far and drastically degraded since the advancements in conventional agriculture. For thousands of years the people made it and even created civilizations while also managing food security enough to get us to here and within my 30 years alone I have been able to research the effects of soil discing prior to my birth and even my fathers birth. I truly believe if we take these measures like the big UA-camrs of regeneration are doing and pushing for within 100 of years this planet can be insanely productive in terms of food, structure and temperature security. And in turn promoting mental health. Just a pipe dream from a naive mind I suppose but every day I wake up I see another thing Mother Nature does that reminds me she’s still completely in control and nurturing us back to her roots. Thank you for sharing your experience and wisdom!! 🤙 you’ve gained a long time subscriber! Excited to see more
Actually, our ancestors, especially indigenous peoples, DID know this wisdom, but since the Industrial Revolution, agricultural methods focused more on efficiency at the cost of our soil’s heath.
@@carolyndilbeck7654The irony is that 'modern' agriculture is more similar to hydroponics than actually growing in deep organic soil, while also being at the mercy of the weather. The quality of the soil is so poor that if nature deals up a little too much rain, or not enough, the crop is a loss and the farmers cry poor. It's not efficient when you lose the entire crop.
Upon getting the Brix of plants up to 18 to 24, you will end up with much less bad insects. The sugar will kill bugs.
Weeds are scouts, yes weeds are good !
What an interesting comment, Erwin. I am curious, what do you mean by weeds are scouts?
I am little slow at understanding. If you can help me get your point across in even simpler way.
Are you saying we let weeds grow and thats the solution?
Yes, that's right! But they need to be managed. This video explains how to manage weeds in vegetable gardens - ua-cam.com/video/EwQQdmePIzQ/v-deo.html
@@LearningfromNature
Thanks for reply. But your link is leading me to a page showing THIS VIDEO IS PRIVATE message on screen.
Sorry - we are finishing it off now. Can you check again in a few hours!
@@LearningfromNature Thanku. I subscribed you and will be reporting to you how our garden is doing this season.
Don't weeds growing next to plants take minerals and other valuable substances from the soil? I mean, won't our vegetables be robbed of nutrients in the soil? Is your method to grow vegetables and weeds at the same time, together in the bed?
Thanks for your comment. Yes, you're right they do remove nutrients from the soil. But overall they have a net benefit because they return these nutrients when we cut and drop them on the ground or they naturally die back. Weeds also capture solar energy through photosynthesis and supply this energy in the form of carbohydrates to our soil ecosystems.
In this video that you've just watched, we've focused on using weeds to repair severely degraded soil - where weeds are the only plants that will grow. But weeds also can have a beneficial role in vegetable beds as long as they don't take up all the physical space and sunlight. Some commercial vegetable producers now use weeds by allowing them to grow once their crop is sufficiently established - see here www.learningfromnature.com.au/weeds/
If using synthetic fertilizers then yes the weeds would take nutrients away from the plants, but in an organic system the more plants you have the more microbes you have, and the more microbes you have the more minerals and nutrients are converted into plant-available forms.
The main thing to consider with weeds is to make sure they don’t block sunlight from your veggies. Other than that they are soil improvers and free mulch to reduce evaporation!
Thanks for adding useful information. The only comment I have is that microbes don't run the nutrient recycling system on their own.
Making the nutrients in dead leaves, roots, and other plant and animal waste materials available to plants is a complex process. It necessitates these organic materials being broken down into smaller parts by many different soil organisms. Microbes play a vital role. But earthworms, woodlice, snails, other invertebrates, and other soil organisms are also required. Together, they recycle nutrients, communicate with plants, and make the required nutrients available to plants for reuse. Their combined expertise is also necessary to control pests and pathogens and maintain a habitable soil environment.
@@Yesimthatkid Thank you
Yeah ask a farmer who has a potato field whether he wants all those far more vigorous (& nutrition depleting) fat hen weeds choking out his yields. Theory is useless until it is put into practice.
Thanks but actually how to get rid of it!?😂
Can I suggest that you watch from here - 2:53.