Renowned gardener Monty Don advises spring gardeners to stay vigilant against couch grass, a persistent weed that invades roots and proves nearly impossible to eliminate once established.

In a preview for the new 2026 series of Gardeners’ World, which returns Friday, March 13, at 8 p.m. on BBC, Don showcased the threat during a recent Morning Live appearance. Holding freshly pulled couch grass, he explained its dangers to viewers.

Couch Grass: A Springtime Invader

Couch grass (Elytrigia repens) emerges early in spring, often outpacing other plants and forming thick underground mats. This perennial spreads aggressively from spring through autumn, especially as temperatures rise.

Monty Don stated: “It’s a really successful plant, and once it gets established, it takes over. Couch grass works its way into the roots of other plants. That’s its real problem in a border. If it works its way into perennials and shrubs, let alone into hedges, it is almost impossible to get out.”

Effective Removal Strategies

The weed’s brittle nature means any fragments left in the soil can regrow rapidly. Don recommends extracting as much as possible and burning the debris rather than composting it.

Couch grass poses the greatest challenge in flower beds, vegetable patches, and borders, where it entwines with desirable plants. In lawns, regular mowing limits its spread, though underground stems may extend into nearby areas.

Wildlife Value and Garden Balance

Despite its reputation as a weed, couch grass supports biodiversity. Its leaves feed caterpillars of butterflies and moths, such as speckled wood and ringlet species, while clumps provide shelter for beetles and other insects.

The Royal Horticultural Society notes that couch grass thrives among border plants, lawns, and allotments. Those seeking pristine gardens should remove it early to prevent establishment. However, in ecological approaches or species-rich lawns, its flower heads add attractive movement and benefit wildlife.