National Weed Appreciation Day

National Weed Appreciation Day is celebrated every year on 28^th March to recognize the importance of weed in our ecosystem and our lives. Not all weeds are unwanted; some of them are really beneficial and are being used for centuries.

Twitter Hashtags:

#NationalWeedAppreciationDay

#WeedAppreciationDay

Related: Other National Days Celebrated on March 28th:

National Something on a Stick Day

National Black Forest Cake Day

Why National Weed Appreciation Day?

Weed is any plant that grows at an unwanted place. It can even be flowers growing in your vegetable garden. The word weed generally has a negative connotation attached to it. All the weeds are considered undesirable and useless plants that sprout in your backyard or driveway or lawn etc.

We need to identify which ones are good and which ones are harmful to our surroundings. For this, we need to acquire certain knowledge. And National Weed Appreciation Day is all about celebrating and acquiring that knowledge.

Many forms of weed have beautiful flowers and colors that are enjoyed when they spring up in the gardens. While some are a rich source of nutrients and packed with goodness and taste. Few have medicinal benefits as well. We lack knowledge that we fail to recognize their importance and treat them like a wild pest.

Weed is an important part of our ecosystem, as well. They provide us oxygen that we inhale and absorb the carbon dioxide that we exhale. They act as food for birds and insects. And some of them make the soil rich in nutrients. They also provide ground cover, which prevents soil erosion and depletion. Overall, they are pretty good for the environment.

Our ancestors used to treat several diseases with the help of wild plants and weeds. They used it in the form of paste, herbs or made concoctions using these things. Some of them are used to date to treat various ailments. Many weeds are used as herbs in the food to enhance its flavor and nutrition. The medicinal value of some forms is still not discovered by humans.

Another popular misconception about National Weed Appreciation Day is that it is often mistaken for something related to marijuana. These days, marijuana is often referred to as weed, which leads to confusion. However, it has a separate day dedicated to itself.

National Weed Appreciation Day encourages us to get familiar with the weeds and understand their worth.  This extraordinary day helps us to praise the usefulness and benefits of weed, which are otherwise plucked, burned, or ignored regularly. It helps us embrace the beautiful forms of weed and forces us to think twice before destroying them the next time. 

How Can We Observe National Weed Appreciation Day:

Following are some fun and interesting ways in which you can celebrate National Weed Appreciation Day-

• Wander in your lawn and identify the different types of weed growing there. Search and learn more about their uses and properties etc.
• Pick the edible ones (like Burdock) and make a soup or salad using the weed from your garden.
• Share a picture of your preparation or just yourself with the beautiful weed along with your knowledge about them on the internet.
• Plant a few edible weeds in your garden for the birds and insects to enjoy.
• Use the hashtag #Nationalweedappreciationday or #weedappreciationday on social media for posting the photos and information.

Interesting Facts on National Weed Appreciation Day:

Read the following facts about some popular weeds and learn how awesome they are-

• Out of the total 250,000 plants that exist on our planet, 80,000 are considered a weed.
• Purslane and Amaranth are a variety of weeds that are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, proteins, and much more.
• Dandelion is a food of many birds and insects. It is a rich source of calcium and nitrogen and helps in soil fertility through its roots. Dandelion wine is as amazing as it sounds.
• Burdock is also a commonly found edible weed that is used in soups and medicines.
• Chickweed also has plenty of vitamins along with a delicious taste.
• Dollarweed or pennywort is an aquatic plant that is edible and can be eaten in salads or used as a potherb.
• Lamb’s Quarter or goosefoot can be used as a replacement to spinach and tastes excellent in a lettuce salad. It is also rich in protein and Vitamin A.
• Chicory is a little plant with cute bright blue flowers. A drink made from its roots is very popular in the south, especially in Louisiana.
• Queen Anne’s Lace is a well-known flower in the English Gardens. But, it is considered a weed in the USA.
• Weed guards the crop against harmful pests and prevents soil erosion. They also reduce the loss of moisture in the soil.

History of National Weed Appreciation Day:

The founder and the origin of this day are unknown. Hence, history remains unidentified. However, we think the founder was someone who knew the value of weeds and truly admired them. This day’s celebration helps us learn the use of weed and its benefits in the medical field.