Eli5 Why are weeds so hard to kill while desirable plants so hard to keep alive?

Question

Weeds grow, well, like weeds, out of the cracks of the pavement with nothing but municipal runoff to keep them alive. Meanwhile I have to work tirelessly to keep my tomato and pepper plants happy and fruitful. Why do weeds dominate a garden?

In: 61

Answer 1

Weeds, particularly invasive ones, are growing without any if their usual pressures such as grazing animals, insects, viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc.

Weeds also often have a smaller growing form, easier and faster to grow rather than woodier plants with fruit.