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A note on weeds
with CLAIRE RATINON — Organic food grower, writer and gardening columnist for The Guardian. Author of Unearthed.
Lesson 23 of 24
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A weed is just a plant out of place. In this lesson, Claire will explain why we need to reassess our relationship with so-called weeds and learn to see them for the diverse plants they are.
From the Lesson Workbook
A Note on Weeds
Nowadays many gardeners define weeds as a plant that is in the wrong place, or at least not where we want it to be in our cultivated gardens.
Given that we are in a biodiversity crisis, we need to rethink our relationship with weeds and start to think of them as natural parts of our gardens, rather than enemies that need to be destroyed.
The only reason you should be removing weeds is if they are in direct competition with your crops.
Annual and Perennial Weeds
Annual weeds have shallow root systems so they can be removed quite easily with a hoe or by hand. Perennial weeds on the other hand have much deeper and tougher root systems, which can make them harder to remove.
While it can be painstaking work, removing perennial root systems by hand is often the only way to get rid of them organically. Once they are out, put them in your household waste, not on your compost heap, otherwise, you will end up spreading them around your garden when you use your compost, as many can grow back from just a small section of root.
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Interior and exterior confidence
Create Academy has been such a great resource. I'm in the middle of renovating a bungalow with a very large garden and the courses have offered a wealth of information to dive into and explore new ideas. I'm...
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Absolutely love Create Academy
Absolutely love Create Academy! The instructors are extremely informative, and it is beautifully filmed. Create Academy is great value for money and plan on renewing my subscription yearly because there are ...
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May 31, 2026
Magic in small spaces
Butter's creativity is stunning! Her ability to incorporate brilliance in small gardens is magical!
Carla
May 30, 2026
Your Instructor
Claire Ratinon
Organic food grower, writer and gardening columnist for The Guardian. Author of Unearthed.
Claire Ratinon is a food grower and writer, specialising in growing food organically. She is passionate about the act of growing plants - especially edible ones - and the potential for this to be nourishing, connecting and healing. Her journey into horticulture began on a rooftop farm in New York City and since then she has spanned a range of roles, from growing produce for Ottolenghi’s Rovi restaurant to delivering food growing workshops and talks. Claire writes a regular column in The Guardian's magazine and is a contributor to Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, Waitrose Food Magazine and Bloom magazine. Her book, ‘How To Grow Your Dinner Without Leaving The House’, celebrates the food growing possibilities of small spaces, from window boxes to balconies.
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