Marie Cachet
"What Do Weeds Tell about the Soil?: Observe 191 Wild Plants, Decode Soil Science, Improve your Gardening" 2024

Have you ever wondered why certain herbs grow in specific places?

The seeds of wild plants break their dormancy under certain conditions, and those same plants will thrive if the soil and environment suit them.

Do you know what? It’s possible to work backward: by identifying and observing the spontaneous plants in an area, we can understand what they tell us about the nature of the soil, its composition, its pH, its water retention capacity, water contrasts, pollution, the presence of water sources, and even the history of the soil, including archaeological remains it contains and much more.

The method proposed in this book is simple and effective, without opening the soil or using laboratory tests. First, you will learn the basics of soil science, and then you will learn to read the soil through full-color pages of 191 of the most common wild plants in North America and Europe.

Is your land overrun by plantain, goosefoot, brambles, amaranth, thistles, or hazel?

You will understand why and learn how to assess the strengths or weaknesses of a plot of land. You will also learn how to improve the soil to reduce certain weeds and enhance your gardening or farming practices, as well as your experience in permaculture, all while respecting the soil with non-invasive methods and through a no-till homesteading approach.