Beneficial Weeds - an Oxymoron?

Weeds - or Natures Helpers?

• Nettles - add fertility to soil (then compost heap) - good for caterpillars.
• Clover - adds nitrogen to the soil, use as green manure, dig up in spring.
• Comfrey. Medicinal and Horticultural (http://www.allotment.org.uk/vegetable/comfrey/index.php)
• Wild Mustard - can eat?
• Wild Vetch - green manure, over-winter, dig over in spring.  Fixes nitrogen.
• Chickweed - can be added to salads.
• Shepherd's purse - edible, can be sauted.
• Wild grasses - green manure, over-winter, dig over in Spring

.... and many others! 
Nettles and comfrey can both be picked, then steeped in water (terrible smell results). Subsequently they can be diluted and fed to plants.
Also read Richard Mabey's book 'Weeds' to make you think again about these plants.


According to the following website, weeds also hold the soil and act as an indicator to soil type.  See http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/1987-07-01/Good-Weeds.aspx.


An interesting site to follow up (very soon); http://www.thegreenmanproject.com/2011/08/