by Ginny Cheek
You look out on your lawn and you see weeds cropping up. What is your yard trying to tell you?
The presence of broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) in your yard is often an indicator of certain soil conditions. It can tell you a lot about the health and structure of your soil:
What plantain indicates about soil:
- Slightly acidic to neutral pH: It tolerates a range of pH levels but tends to prefer slightly acidic to neutral soils (around pH 5.5–7.5).
- Compacted soil: Plantain thrives in hard, compacted ground where grass and other plants struggle to grow. Its strong taproot helps it break through dense soil.
- Poor drainage: It often grows in areas where water tends to sit, indicating clay-heavy or poorly draining soil.
- Low fertility or disturbed soil: While not exclusively an indicator of low nutrients, plantain is commonly found in disturbed or neglected areas.
The presence of dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) in your yard also reveals useful information about soil conditions:
What dandelions indicate about soil:
- Compacted or disturbed soil: Like plantain, dandelions have deep taproots that allow them to break through hard, compacted soil. Their presence often means the soil structure is tight and could benefit from aeration.
- Low calcium, high potassium: Dandelions may suggest an imbalance in soil nutrients—specifically low calcium and relatively higher potassium levels.
- Slightly acidic soil: They tend to prefer soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (about 6.0–7.0).
- Poor microbial activity: Their presence can point to lower biological activity or organic matter in the soil, which limits competition from more nutrient-demanding plants.
Despite being seen as weeds, dandelions can actually help improve soil over time by bringing nutrients from deeper layers up toward the surface with their taproots.
Virginia three-seed mercury is a member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) and produces small, inconspicuous flowers from mid-summer until frost.
What Virginia three-seed mercury indicates about soil:
- Disturbed or Bare Soil: Virginia three-seed mercury thrives in areas with disturbed or bare soil, such as vacant lots, roadsides, and recently tilled fields. Its presence often indicates that the soil has been recently disturbed or lacks established vegetation.
- Sunlit Areas: This plant requires direct sunlight to germinate and grow. Therefore, its presence suggests that the area receives ample sunlight, which is conducive to its growth.
- Soil Texture and Drainage: Virginia three-seed mercury can grow in various soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. However, it prefers well-draining soils. Its presence may indicate that the soil has good drainage properties.
- Soil pH: While specific pH preferences are not well-documented, the plant’s ability to grow in a range of soil types suggests it can tolerate various pH levels
While Virginia three-seed mercury is not considered invasive, it can be managed through practices such as hand weeding, especially in garden beds or cultivated areas. Applying mulch can help suppress its growth by blocking sunlight and preventing seed germination.
The presence of wild violets (genus Viola, especially Viola sororia) in your yard or garden can tell you several things about the soil conditions:
- Moisture: Wild violets prefer moist, shady, and cool environments, so their presence suggests that your soil retains moderate to high moisture and may be poorly drained in spots.
- Soil Fertility: They tend to thrive in rich, fertile soils with good organic content. If wild violets are growing well, your soil is likely to have a decent nutrient profile.
- pH Level: They can tolerate a range of soil pH, but they often prefer slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 6.0–7.0). If you see many violets, your soil likely isn’t too alkaline.
- Compaction: Wild violets can survive in somewhat compacted soil. Their roots spread easily, allowing them to outcompete grass in compact or neglected areas.
- Lawn Health Indicator: In lawns, wild violets are often a sign that grass is struggling—due to shade, poor drainage, or low mowing. Their spread can signal areas where turf management may need improvement.
There is another way to get a feel for what your yard is telling you. (Drum roll—a shameless plug coming up). The MSU Extension Office here in Oxford has soil sample kits for $10. The kits are free, but the results are $10 (check or money order) and give you a great idea of what your yard may need. For information on how to collect a soil sample refer to Ready, Set, Garden- Soil Sampling 101 on the MSU Extension Website.
