Every gardener has a different idea of what constitutes a weed, but the simplest definition is that a weed is a plant growing in a place where you don’t want it. The biggest downside of certain weeds is that they are often vigorous growers that edge out preferred plants, but this isn’t the case for all species. 

Certain varieties of weeds work to enrich gardens by supporting beneficial insects, reducing soil compaction, acting as a living mulch in winter, preventing erosion, adding nitrogen to the soil, offering shade to plants, and more. 

While this doesn’t mean you need to start letting weeds take over your landscape, consider allowing a border of beneficial weeds to grow around vegetable beds or in other areas of your garden where their presence may be useful. Ahead, we’re sharing the weeds gardening experts say are actually great for your soil.

We’re all shaped by family lore and old wives’ tales, whether we’re in our laundry rooms, kitchens, and yes, even our gardens. Often, this advice lasts generations because it’s so on point. Other times, it’s simply become a habit.

With this in mind, we decided to check in with a few garden pros to find out what gardening advice they learned from their own grandparents, and which tidbits have stood the test of time.

Feed the Soil, Not Just the Plant

Gardening pro Mary Phillips says her grandparents’ favorite mantra was feed the soil, not just the plant.

“They never just sprinkled chemical fertilizers,” she says. “Instead, they used generous amounts of compost, aged manure, and leaf mold to replenish the soil every spring and fall.”

For Phillips, this advice not only worked, it’s lasted into her adult life. 

“Feeding the soil is the secret to a thriving garden,” she says. “Healthy soil supports a diverse ecosystem, improves water retention, reduces the need for synthetic fertilizer, and ultimately leads to healthier plants.”

As a big proponent of wildlife-friendly gardens, Phillip says her compost bin is just as critical to her own approach to gardening as it was to her grandparents.

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Ward Off Pests with Human Hair

According to pro garden designer Linda Vater, her grandparents used to use hair from a hairbrush to ward off pests.

“The idea behind it is that adding a human scent to the garden will scare the pests away from your prized plants, reducing unwanted nibbling and protecting your garden bounty,” she says.

While another generation might have sworn by this method, Vater has her doubts—particularly because you apparently have to replace the hair frequently. 

“There are plenty of other solutions that have a proven track record of success,” she says. 

Instead, Vater is a big proponent for planting pest-resistant plants, such as ones that feature thorns and rough textures that are difficult or unpleasant to chew.

“You can even plant these pest-resistant plants as a border around more tempting flowers, fruits, vegetables, and herbs to deter garden snackers,” she says.

Never Leave the Soil Bare

As another tip from her grandparents, Phillips says she was taught never to let the soil be bare. 

“They were firm believers in mulching, often using straw, shredded leaves, or undyed wood chips around their plants,” she says. “If they didn’t have mulch, they’d plant groundcover.”

Now, as an adult, Phillips understands that this is a great way to support soil health and conserve water.

“Using native groundcovers and mulch suppresses weeds, reducing competition for resources,” says Phillips, who notes it also moderates soil temperature, prevents evaporation, and adds organic matter. “Bare soil erodes easily and dries out quickly.”

Bury Banana Peels Next to Rose Bushes

According to rose expert Wes Harvell, his grandparents taught him to bury banana peels at the base of his rose bushes. This, they said, should help them bloom bigger and brighter.

“While this can be true, [banana peels are] a targeted nutrient addition of potassium, only one of the nutrients needed for roses,” Harvell says. “Always start with a soil test to know what your soil needs before you amend it.”

However, when facing soil that does call for a potassium boost, Harvell admits he still uses a version of this same trick—just with a twist. Rather than solely burying whole banana peels, he chops or blends them and mixes them into his compost.

“It’s a simple, sustainable way to reuse waste and feed the soil naturally,” he says. “The peels can also be soaked in water for a few days to make a tea that can be used to water roses.”

But if you find banana peels aren’t doing anything for your garden, Harvell says it’s best to opt for a balanced rose fertilizer that includes both potassium and phosphorus.

Catch and Release Small Pests

According to gardening architect and author Pieter Croes, he has fond memories of his grandfather’s daily pest-removal process in his vegetable garden. 

“He told me that everyday before having his breakfast he would take a walk through the garden to catch the snails and remove them,” says Croes. “This became part of his morning routine—he would go to check on the vegetables but also see if the snails were causing trouble.”

For Croes, this instilled the idea that every aspect of gardening can be meditative and relaxing.

“It connects you to the garden and makes the maintenance less of a burden and more of a moment of stillness and joy.”

Always Remember Gardening Is About Joy

One thing we all often forget when it comes to tending to our homes and gardens is that this should all be about joy. Phillips says her grandfather, in particular, was a huge proponent of remembering this critical fact.

“He taught me the value of  coexisting with and supporting wildlife, and fostering a relationship with the natural world,” she says. “The garden is a living system, where everything is interconnected.”

Garden experts almost always recommend adding an annual application of natural organic mulch to vegetable beds, but how exactly does mulch work and how do you use it to your advantage?

We spoke to Caleb Goossen, an organic crop and conservation specialist, for his top mulching tips and tricks for soil improvement, fewer weeds, and healthier plants.

Benefits of Mulching Your Vegetable Garden

When applied over garden beds, mulch acts like a natural insulator, shielding soil against the harsh wind, driving rain, and hot summer sun.

“This helps to keep the soil cooler, conserves moisture, and blocks weed growth,” Goossen says.

Today, gardeners can choose between inorganic mulches—like synthetic landscape fabric—or organic mulches like bark, wood chips, pine needles, and compost. But while both of these mulch types have their perks, Goossen favors organic mulches, which offer particular benefits to veggie beds.

“Mulch composed of a natural organic material will feed soil life as it breaks down,” Goossen says.

This is great news if you’re looking to build soil health over time; however, natural mulches don’t just contribute nutrients to garden beds. They also enhance soil structure, boost water retention, and increase the activity of beneficial microbes and earthworms.

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5 Types of Mulch to Add to Your Vegetable Garden

When choosing a mulch for your garden, there are many factors to consider: cost, availability, and whether or not the mulch is appropriate for the types of plants you’re keeping.

“Good mulches are typically easy to get your hands on and free of weed seeds or other contaminants,” Goossen says. “Ideally, they should also break down slowly to provide a long-lived mulch in relation to the lifespan of the crop in question.”

Goossen explains that straw, bark mulch, and hay are particularly common mulches in the Northeast. But gardeners in any region can find a number of effective natural mulches for vegetable gardens, including:

1. Compost. One of the absolute best mulches for food crops, compost is typically used as a soil amendment to boost soil fertility, but it can also be layered across soils as a mulch. Since compost naturally resembles soil, it blends right into landscapes, and it can even be made at home to reduce gardening costs.
2. Chopped autumn leaves. Autumn leaves are another potentially free garden mulch, although they should be chopped with a mulcher or leaf shredder before use. Chopping leaves keeps the mulch from matting and it helps the nutrients leaves contain become incorporated into the soil a little faster.
3. Pine needles. If you live in a region where pine needles are easy to find, this natural mulch can also be gathered for free. Pine needles don’t change soil pH significantly and can be used as a mulch on most plants, but they’re particularly popular for acid-loving crops like blueberries.
4. Wood chips or bark mulch. Wood or bark mulches are often used in ornamental beds, but they can also be applied to garden walkways and perennial vegetable gardens as long as you choose a natural, un-dyed mulch. Just remember to apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer when using wood mulches as these products can tie up nitrogen in the soil.
5. Weed-free straw or hay. Goosen notes that straw and hay are more likely to contain weed seeds than other mulches, so be sure to purchase these mulches from reliable suppliers. Straw and hay mulch are typically used to mulch strawberries, but they’re handy for growing melons and hilling potatoes as well.

How Mulching Helps Keep Weeds Away

Empty soil is an open invitation for weed seeds, which is why the best way to prevent weedy problems is to keep soil covered at all times. Groundcovers, cover crops, and weed barrier fabrics can all be used to shelter soil from weeds, yet mulching is still one of the most popular and traditional ways to smother out existing weeds and keep new weed seeds from germinating.

Shallow layers of mulch are less effective at suppressing weeds than thick mulch coverings, but you don’t want to apply mulch too deep. Ideally, aim for about three inches of mulch over garden beds and keep mulches a few inches away from plant stems to prevent rot.

Applying a layer of new mulch once a year in spring or fall will replenish old mulch, keep beds looking tidy, and ensure weed seeds don’t creep in over time.