Chickweed, Stellaria media, is best thought of as delicious rather than a pernicious weed. Its young leaves are packed with vitamins, so it makes a healthy addition to salads. However, it can also harbour greenfly and spider mite, so remove it immediately if it appears in your greenhouse.

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Symptoms

Chickweed is a tenacious weed that can grow quickly and form thick mats, which smother nearby plants.

Find it on

all over the garden

Organic

Hand weed or hoe out seedlings as they appear, or smother them with a good layer of compost or mulch. The most effective control is to remove the plants while they're seedlings.

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Chemical

Use a total weedkiller. Avoid spraying on a windy day, or when the weed's near other desirable plants.

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