What in the world is that?

It seems that you can tell the health of your soil by the weeds that show up in your yard and garden.

Different plants thrive in different conditions.  If you have an abundance of a particular weed, it should tell you a lot about your yard. Remember that weeds are not a problem but rather a symptom.  Treat the problem and the weeds will often (but not always) go elsewhere.

Here are some examples:

• Moss, Mullein, Wild Daisies:  acidic soil lacking in nutrients

• Chicory:  rich soil, possibly alkaline and compacted

• Plantain:  compacted soil lacking in nutrients

• Dandelion or burdock:  compacted soil, lacking nutrients

• Crabgrass:  compacted soil that lacks calcium

• Purslane:  high phosphorus

• Dock:  wet soil

• Fragile Fern:  dry ground

• Lamium:  high nitrogen

• Centaurea:  high potassium

• Wood Sorrel:  high magnesium and low calcium

To be absolutely sure of your problem, send a soil sample to your local extension service or testing company.