What is a weed?

[Loosehead]

Now I know what I think it is but I'd be interested in the views of the AB gardeners

[Clanad]

The word has no definite application to any particular plant, or species of plants. Whatever plants grow among corn or grass, in hedges, or elsewhere, and are useless to man, injurious to crops, or unsightly or out of place, are denominated weeds. At least according to On-line Dictionary...

[woofgang]

a plant in the wrong place!

[Gnu]

As Woofgang says, a weed is a plant in the wrong place.  The great thing about this is that it makes weeding so easy ... just walk round the garden saying things like "I think that dandelion looks really good there".

[Loosehead]

Yep I agree, any plant in the wrong place, has always been my understanding.

[jake-the-peg]

Legally in the UK there are five defined "noxious weeds" which are Common Ragwort, Spear Thistle, Creeping of Field Thistle, Broad leaved Dock and Curled Dock.

Farmers have top control these

Ragwort in particular is dangerous to animal health and is subject to an act in itself. 

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/weedsact/default.htm

So I guess it depends if you're asking a gardener, a farmer or a lawyer!

[shaneystar]

All I know is that after all the rain here the last couole of days ..my garden is full of them!!

[woofgang]

now you see Gnu, If you have tortoises, not only do dandelions look fabulous but you have to cultivate them and other "unplanned plantings" as they provide valuable nourishment!!

[Emily Ball]

Yes woofgang, I have to do just that, so I nurture my dandelions and sow thistles as carefully as my garden flowers.In fact  I actually buy weed seeds to grow in my tortoises' enclosure.

[woofgang]

mine mostly roam loose in my (well enclosed) garden. Can I ask where you buy the seed from?

[juliely]

A rose in a cabbage patch!