National Weed Your Garden Day ~ Fun Facts
A Day to Uproot the Unwanted and Let Your Garden Thrive
National Weed Your Garden Day is observed every year on June 13—this year falls on Friday. It’s a friendly reminder to spend a few minutes weeding your garden to:
- Remove unwanted plants that compete for water, nutrients, and light.
- Promote plant health and boost garden aesthetics.
- Get a little exercise and fresh air—it’s surprisingly therapeutic.
Why Weeding Matters
- Soil & root space: Weeds steal nutrients and crowd nearby plants
- Sunlight access: Weeds can overshadow desired plants, stunting growth
- Good exercise: Around 180 kcal/30 min, plus mental health benefits from outdoor activity
How to Celebrate National Weed your Garden Day
- Pull weeds—best after watering or rain when roots come out easier
- Do an extra 5–10 minutes of weeding—it’s often enough to make a visible difference
- Use mulch or landscape cloth afterward to suppress new weed growth
- Compost the weeds—turns garden waste into nutrient-rich soil.
- Celebrate with a cold drink or treat once the job’s done—gratification guaranteed.
Fun Facts about Weeding and Garden Weeds
1. Not All Weeds Are “Bad”
While we often label plants like dandelions, clover, and plantain as weeds, many of them have surprising benefits. Dandelions, for instance, are edible from root to flower and are packed with antioxidants and vitamins. Their deep taproots also help break up compacted soil and bring nutrients closer to the surface for other plants.
2. Weeds Can Predict Soil Health
Certain weeds are indicators of specific soil conditions. For example, an abundance of chickweed might indicate fertile, moist soil, while moss often grows in acidic, compacted, or poorly drained soil. By observing the types of weeds in your garden, you can gain valuable insights into the underlying soil quality.
3. Weeds Are Survivors
Weeds are nature’s survivalists. They grow fast, spread easily, and can adapt to harsh conditions. Some weed seeds can stay dormant in the soil for up to 50 years, waiting for the right conditions to sprout. This makes consistent weeding essential to avoid long-term garden takeovers.
4. One Weed Can Become Thousands
A single weed plant can produce thousands—even tens of thousands—of seeds. For example, pigweed can produce over 100,000 seeds per plant! Missing just a few weeds during National Weed Your Garden Day could lead to a full-scale invasion if left unchecked.
5. Weeding Burns Calories
Weeding might not feel like exercise, but it burns calories and builds strength. An hour of weeding can burn approximately 250–300 calories—similar to the amount burned during a brisk walk. It also improves flexibility and balance and even reduces stress, making it a sneaky form of physical and mental wellness.
6. Weeding Can Be Meditative
Many gardeners describe weeding as a form of “green therapy.” The repetitive motion, fresh air, and sense of order it brings to a space can lower cortisol levels and promote mindfulness. It’s one of the few chores that’s both productive and peaceful.
7. Some Weeds Are Ancient Medicinal Herbs
Plants such as nettles, burdock, and mallow were once highly valued in traditional medicine for their healing properties. What modern gardeners remove as nuisances were once gathered as remedies for inflammation, digestion, and more.
8. Mulching Is a Secret Weapon
Weeding on June 13 is a great first step—but adding a layer of mulch afterward can reduce weed growth by up to 90%. It blocks sunlight, retains soil moisture, and improves soil health over time.
Ready to weed?
Set a timer for 10 minutes on June 13, grab your gloves and trowel, and clear out those unwanted invaders. Whether it’s pulling, mulching, or composting, your garden—and your well-being—will thank you.
How to start a home-based garden.
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