A vegetable and herb bed has been left to grow for a few weeks, and I can’t tell what’s planted and what’s a weed. How should I sort it out without pulling anything useful?
How can I tell which plants in this overgrown bed are weeds?
Asked by Runnel
Answers
If you’re unsure, give the small shoots a little time. The first leaves can look alike, but once a plant has a few more leaves it’s easier to compare its shape with the vegetables and herbs you meant to grow. No need to clear the whole bed in one go.
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Look for a pattern first. Plants in neat rows or evenly spaced spots are more likely to be what was sown, while a random patch is more likely to be weeds. Herbs can also be easier to recognize by their scent. Rub a leaf gently, but don’t taste anything you can’t identify.
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Start with the plants you can confidently recognize, and weed carefully around those. Leave the mystery plants alone for now. Even just clearing around obvious crops gives them some room, and you can decide what to keep as the rest becomes easier to identify.
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