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Common Backyard Weeds of the Pacific Northwest
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07 July 2026

Identify and learn about more than 100 types of common backyard weeds found in the northwestern United States and southwestern Canada.
Whether you’re a forager, gardener, homeowner, or are simply fascinated by nature, you probably have an opinion about weeds. But do you know which to pull, which to preserve, and which to put to good use? Learn to identify common backyard weeds in your area. Written by debut author and foraging expert Daniel Murphy, Common Backyard Weeds of the Pacific Northwest utilizes an innovative, user-friendly format that can help you identify weeds by their visual characteristics—from growth patterns to color. More than 200 full-color photographs are paired with easy-to-understand text, providing details to give you confidence when identifying each weed.
Created for beginners—but useful even to those with experience in botany—this handy book explains how each weed spreads, how to control it, and its possible beneficial uses. It’s a great visual guide to learning about backyard weeds—toxic, edible, or otherwise interesting—found in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and southern British Columbia.
Book Features:
- Identify 106 common backyard weeds by their visual characteristics
- Browse species by growth pattern, then by color
- Begin to learn which weeds have edible parts
- Learn the author’s tips for getting rid of unwanted weeds
Debut author Daniel Murphy is a horticulturist; a botanical garden curator; and the creator of Awkward Botany, a unique plant-science blog. Daniel has written for local newspapers, including The Idaho Statesman and Idaho Press (for the “Weed It and Reap” column), as well as national outlets like Wildflower Magazine, Public Garden Magazine, and Fine Gardening. He lives in Boise, Idaho.
Introduction
- About This Book
- Using This Book
- What Is a Weed?
- Native Plants vs. Introduced
- The Basics of Plant Biology
- How to Identify Plants
- Weed Control
- A Safety Note About Edibility and Medicinal Uses of Weeds
Creeping and Low-growing Weeds
Upright Broadleaf Weeds
Vining Weeds
Grasslike Weeds
Recommended Reading
Index
Photo Credits
About the Author