Eight Weeds Warning You About Drought-Prone Soil

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Though plants like dandelions can be dismissed as “weeds,” the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) said they’re a great way to attract wildlife and pollinators as part of a wildflower-rich garden.

Nettles, meanwhile, are brilliant for moths and butterflies, and can even be used for tasty recipes.

And according to the University of Connecticut’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (UC), they can help you to work out which kind of soil you have, too.

That’s important in general, as your soil type determines the best plants to grow in your backyard. And it’s useful for finding drought-prone sections of your garden ahead of heatwaves and possible hosepipe bans, too.

Which weeds might mean I have drought-prone soil?

Some weeds, called “indicator weeds”, can reveal “clues” relating to soil health, existing nutrients, growing site conditions, and the potential health of the turf, UC said.

These include:

White cloverBlack medickPlantain (especially broadleaf and ribwort plantain)Prostrate knotweedRed sorrel (sheep’s sorrel) Yellow woodsorrel CrabgrassSilver cinquefoil.

UC also listed American goosegrass, or Eleusine indica (which is different to UK cleavers, also sometimes called goosegrass here) and spotted spurge in the list – however they’re less common in the UK.

What should I do if I have drought-prone soil?

Drought-prone soils tend to be sandy. They usually feel gritty to the touch.

Help them to retain water by mulching them, adding potassium as needed, and avoiding heavy traffic on these soils (like walking or driving on them, especially during periods of drought).

Organic matter is especially helpful for improving the quality of sandy soils. Manure and composted bark, wood chips, leaves, and straw can be very useful.

Try not to add too much clay to sandy soil, though, as that can lead to a “concrete”-like material.