Let’s talk about weeds
Too often, we view them as nuisances—something to control, remove, or eliminate. But what if they’re not problems at all? What if they’re nature’s way of communicating what the land needs?
Every so-called “weed” is responding to a specific environmental condition—soil disturbance, compaction, nutrient imbalance, or succession gaps. When we repeatedly intervene, stripping away these natural indicators, we prevent the land from self-healing. Instead of fighting against weeds, perhaps we should pause and ask: What is the soil trying to recover from?
The Dock Lesson
Take dock, for example. Walking through our fields, we noticed areas where dock dominates—tall, unruly, and largely untouched by our horses. At first glance, they seemed unwanted. But when we took a closer look at where they were growing, a pattern emerged:
- Near our new arena—where ground disturbance was significant.
- Alongside the track—where the horses spend most of their time, compacting the soil.
- By an old pipeline trench—where subsoil was replaced instead of topsoil.
Meanwhile, in our fields, docks are nearly absent. What does this tell us? Every area where docks thrive has something in common: disturbance. Whether it’s compaction, nutrient depletion, or disrupted biological activity, these plants aren’t appearing at random—they’re responding to an environmental need.
Docks serve an ecological function. Their deep taproots break up compacted soil, improving aeration. They draw nutrients from deep within the earth, making them available for other species. They release root exudates that stimulate microbial activity, enriching soil biology. If we prevent docks from doing their job, we create a cycle of nutrient-poor, biodiversity-starved land where life struggles to thrive.
Shifting Our Mindset
So what’s the real solution? It isn’t eradicating weeds—it’s building resilient ecosystems where they aren’t a problem to begin with.
This requires a mindset shift. Instead of trying to control nature, we should work with it. By nurturing soil health and microbial diversity, we foster resilience, making weeds less of an issue naturally. When we take this approach, we stop seeing weeds as a nuisance and start recognizing their role in guiding us toward better land stewardship.
If we want truly thriving landscapes, we need to rethink how we manage them. Instead of fighting against nature, let’s commit to working alongside it. Start by observing the plants growing on your land—what are they telling you?
The Weeds That Speak in Patterns
Weeds don’t just act alone—they thrive in communities. By paying attention to the specific species growing together, we can gain deeper insights into soil health.
For instance:
- Dandelions + Plantain: Likely signals compacted soil, as both species thrive in low-aeration conditions.
- Chickweed + Nettles: Excess nitrogen, indicating an imbalance in nutrient availability.
Instead of reacting by removing these plants, we should ask: Why are these species thriving here? When we tune into weed communities, we stop reacting and start responding. Adjusting grazing strategies, improving soil structure, and restoring balance become far more effective when we let the land tell us what it needs.
Ditching Chemicals (Safely!)
If weeds are nature’s indicators, chemical applications are one of the worst ways to silence them. Glyphosate and synthetic herbicides devastate soil microbiology, disrupt fungal networks, and weaken pasture health. Worse, they leach into waterways, contaminating drinking supplies and impacting animal (and our own) health.
The ultimate solution to weed problems isn’t killing them—it’s preventing the conditions that cause them in the first place. Thoughtful grazing management, soil health restoration, and biodiversity-friendly strategies can make chemical interventions unnecessary altogether.
Rethinking weeds isn’t just about land management—it’s about shifting our entire relationship with nature. When we stop viewing weeds as adversaries and start seeing them as ecological messengers, we open the door to a more resilient, self-sustaining landscape. True regeneration begins with observation, patience, and trust in the natural process. The land is always speaking. The question is: Are we ready to listen?