Where There Is A Weed There Is A Way

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Like any other living creature, weeds compete for resources to foster growth and reproduction.

Weeds grow fast by having competitive genetics that allows rapid growth and reproduction. They are superior at outgrowing surrounding plants by adapting to a range of environmental conditions. Weeds are also dominant in reproducing by having very efficient seed-dispersing mechanisms. For these reasons, weeds can be found virtually everywhere and can cause a detrimental impact on the environment, if left uncontrolled.

Before we look at how weeds grow so quickly, we must first discuss what a “weed” is. Once we know what a weed is, we can look at a few examples of weeds and the mechanisms they have in common to foster growth and expansion.

A “weed” is not a scientific term to identify a specific plant or a family of plants.

We often hear “weed” being used to describe a plant that has grown in an undesirable location. We often associate weeds with plants sprouting in inconvenient places, and we usually pull these out using our hands. They’re an eyesore to our gardens, and we spend time removing them one by one. 

An example of a garden weed is the common Dandelions (Leontodon taraxacum) that propagate as wildflowers. These plants sprout bright yellow flowers that poke up in unexpected places in our back and front yards, driveways, and sidewalks.

Other weeds are more invasive and disruptive to local agriculture, such as noxious weeds. The government identified these as detrimental to natural habitats and ecosystems if not managed correctly.

An example of this is the Milk Thistle. These highly competitive and persistent plants rapidly invade abandoned fields, roadsides, and disturbed sites. One of these plants can produce about 6,000 seeds that can remain viable for nine years. You can imagine the difficult task of trying to control this weed!

What is and isn’t a weed is a matter of opinion. However, there are shared characteristics of commonly agreed weeds, such as:

• Plants that grow in undesirable locations
• Plants that grow very quickly
• Plants that have extensive root systems
• Plants that produce lots of seeds
• Plants able to live in extreme and poor environmental conditions

Weeds can grow 2–3 inches in 24 hours, given the right set of circumstances. 2 inches may not sound like much, but when a cluster of crabgrass sends out blades of grass in every direction, a couple inches of growth on each blade turns a minor nuisance into a major weed.

In the right conditions, with a combination of rain and warm weather, weeds can grow 1–2 inches overnight. You really can go to bed with weeds seemingly under control and wake up to a crop of weeds taking over your garden and lawn.

Weeds grow quickly in our lawns and gardens because many species of weeds sprout from large underground roots that give them an energy boost in spring. Weeds also thrive because local weed species are adapted to their climate. Additionally, weeds have short lifespans, requiring them to progress from germination to flowering in very little time. Keep a close eye out. Weeds can grow extremely quickly, overtaking a yard or garden in a matter of days or weeks if not controlled early.

We know the following about weeds:

• Weeds sprout earlier than some other plants and often have the benefit of established root systems.
• Weeds are highly adapted to their local region.
• Weeds can grow 1–3 inches in a day, given the right conditions.

These factors can account for the fact that weeds seem to be growing a lot faster than your grass. Weeds get a head start on growth, thrive in the local climate, and are capable of growing extremely quickly.

The good news is, your plants are capable of similar growth in ideal conditions (many lawn grasses can grow an inch or more in a day if given the proper set of circumstances). If you create a watering schedule that benefits your desired plants, they can compete with weeds. A healthy lawn and garden can even resist weed invasion because there are fewer places for weeds to sprout.