This article takes a closer look at a practical and eye-opening YouTube video that showcases how everyday garden weeds—often seen as a nuisance—can be transformed into powerful, organic fertilizer.
The video, produced by the YouTube channel GrowVeg, offers an in-depth guide on how to turn unwanted weeds into free and effective plant food, using nothing more than simple tools and techniques already available to most gardeners.
Reframing Weeds: Not the Enemy After All
Weeds are typically seen as garden pests. But as the video begins, we’re reminded that a weed is simply a plant growing where we don’t want it. Under the right conditions, these same weeds can become a powerful tool in a gardener’s toolkit.
Whether left to rot in place or turned into tea, weeds have the potential to feed your garden rather than fight it.
Chop, Drop, and Walk Away
One of the easiest methods shown in the video is “chop and drop.” It’s exactly what it sounds like: snip the weeds into smaller pieces and let them fall right back to the ground.
This encourages faster decomposition and returns nutrients to the soil.
But a few ground rules apply:
Avoid doing this with seedy or perennial weeds.
Make sure it’s a dry day so weeds don’t re-root.
Keep creeping roots out of the soil unless you’re actively composting them in a high-heat pile.
Weeds and Compost: A Match Made in Mulch Heaven
Larger or more problematic weeds, like nettles, can be added to a compost heap instead. Their high nitrogen content balances out “browns” like woody prunings, cardboard, or dried leaves.
Cutting up the weeds—or running over them with a lawn mower—can drastically speed up decomposition. Just ensure seeds and strong roots don’t end up in cooler compost piles unless you’re confident the heat will neutralize them.
Drying and Drowning the Problem
If you’re dealing with weeds that won’t quit, the video introduces two control methods:
Drying: Lay roots like bindweed out on a hard surface for a few weeks to let the sun desiccate them.
Drowning: Submerge the weeds in water for a couple of weeks until they break down into sludge. This method is unpleasant but highly effective.
The Weed Tea You Do Want to Drink (Your Plants, That Is)
The highlight of the video is making “weed tea”—a nutrient-packed liquid fertilizer created by fermenting weeds in water. Here’s how it works:
Add chopped weeds (like nettles, comfrey, grass) into a bucket.
Fill with rainwater (chlorine-free is ideal).
Optional: Add a handful of compost or leaf mold to speed fermentation.
Cover loosely to let CO₂ escape while keeping pests out.
Let it brew for 1–2 weeks.
Once fermented, dilute the tea 1:10 with water before applying it to plants. It can be used on vegetables, flowers, seedlings, and more. Just be warned: it smells as bad as it sounds.
For Sensitive Noses: A Concentrated Alternative
If the smell of weed tea is too much, the video also presents a low-odor, concentrated option. Here’s how it works:
Use a perforated bucket packed with chopped comfrey or alkanet leaves (alkanet being a relative of comfrey).
Place weights like bricks on top to compress the plant matter.
Let it sit inside a solid bucket to collect the dark, oozing liquid that drips through.
No water is added—this is a highly potent concentrate.
This version stores well and smells less. It should be diluted at a 1:20 ratio before applying to plants.
Weeds as Secret Garden Allies
From basic mulching to homemade liquid gold, this video makes a compelling case for rethinking how we handle weeds. With a little effort and creativity, what was once a constant frustration can become a renewable resource.
The creator reminds viewers that weeds don’t have to be the enemy. Handled wisely, they can be one of the most accessible and effective fertilizers available—no Miracle Gro required.
Whether you’re new to gardening or a seasoned grower looking to go organic, this video is a must-watch.
Looking for more sustainable gardening tips? Check out the full video on the GrowVeg YouTube channel and start turning your weeds into something extraordinary.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.