d

doodle by andre: oh yeah, sure; the weeds are sorry

CARD_The_weeds

DO YOU THINK I BELIEVE THIS FOR ONE SECOND? After nearly 30 years of fighting (losing?) the good fight, I know the one thing we can count on is that garlic mustard will outlive us. Thanks to Andre for another great doodle. If you need more than a laugh to cope with your weeds, try these stories:

margaret’s weed 101

MAKE A PASS through each garden bed each week, since weeds are not just unsightly but steal moisture, nutrients and light from your desired plants. Top up mulch where needed (or maybe you need a layer of cardboard or newsprint first?). First: Learn to identify your opponents, and the tactics and timing for best control.

These links help in that valiant effort (or you can just hope Andre was right, and the weeds won’t do it again–your choice):

  1. James Golden says:

    If only weeds had feelings!

    With the rain and cooler temps my Canada thistle and garlic mustard have sprung to life. The Canada thistle is doing especially well. Oh, and the pasture grasses I’ve tried to kill for three years are green and clumpy, getting bigger every day … my own vegetable version of Night of the Living Dead.

    Enjoyed your visit on Ken Druse’s Real Dirt.

  2. susan says:

    They might me sorry, but they will do it again. Seems that you can always count on them trying for some space in our gardens. Thank you Andre.

  3. margaret says:

    Welcome, James. ‘Night of the Living Dead,’ love it. I am reading Ken’s new book now for an upcoming review–it’s as beautiful as all of his works. Hope we see you again (unless the thistles get you).

  4. Hmmm. If weeds had feelings, I’d have to believe that bindweed is one angry, spiteful pain in the you-know-what. I sincerely believe it enjoys toying with me, having me believe I’ve finally gotten rid of it, and then springing anew throughout my garden simply to crush those hopes.

    No, bindweed would never be sorry. The dandelions, maybe (they look so darn cheerful!) but never the bindweed…

  5. andre says:

    I quite like weeds. Though clearly not the evil weed beginning with B.

    In England, our future King (oh god may Elizabeth never die) Prince Charles talks to his plants (and possibly his weeds). Apparently they can hear him. And it makes them feel happy. And they grow better. Perhaps people should also talk to their weeds?

  6. Kathy says:

    This is definitely my favorite doodle to date. But it will add to my garden worries…I don’t want to start feeling sorry for the weeds.

  7. margaret says:

    I have been away today giving a garden lecture (NOT about weeds), leaving Andre in charge, and I come back to see Andre’s comment about Prince-who-will-be-King Charles. Almost threw up from laughing. Thank you all for the feedback (and Andre, will you pls warn me if you are going to tell Prince Charles jokes in the future? We could do a whole series on Camill(i)a).

  8. Donna Oglesby says:

    No. Talking to weeds is out of the question. They take enough of a gardener’s energy as it is. Speak softly, carry big clawed stick.

  9. joyce says:

    Who needs to talk to the weeds? Not the guy I saw pulling and eating wild onions with his lunch!!! No kidding –he was eating them.
    If I’d had enough nerve to approach him, I would have invited him to graze in my flower beds.

    Doodle that!!

  10. Dee/reddirtramblings says:

    That’s the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time. Don’t believe their sweet faces. They will be in the proverbial cookies jar again as soon as your back is turned. I can hear mine growing right now.~~Dee

  11. sharon says:

    Andre: thank you and thank you and thank you.
    One picture is worth. . . . . a million weed seeds

    If weeds could talk, what would kudzu say?
    OMG, shades of Stephen King

    meanwhile I just started a major assault on porcelainberry vines
    going up a tree

  12. Lorie says:

    Never in my long life, in the burbs, did I know of garlic mustard until I started volunteering at our Botanical Garden and learned what a massive threat it was to the entire outdoor space. Volunteers were recruited yearly to hand-pull it and that was hardly the end of it.
    Now I have seen it rapidly take over the woods that I call home. It’s a matter of “wild space” where none of the homeowners saw this coming and homeowners who don’t give a damn now that it is very visible and doing real damage to a lovely area.
    I am defending my small area, but it does appear to be a losing battle when the majority aren’t rowing the boat.

  13. Kate Gutierrez says:

    A full turn out was present when you came and spoke in Morristown, NJ at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum. Armed with wonderful slides for a very interesting presentation, the large room was silent as not to miss a word. At that time I was the Horticulture Volunteer Coordinator with our wonderful crew of volunteers enjoying your lecture , taking the handouts, making notes thoroughly focused.

    Thank you so much & A New Year 2019 filled with sweet surprises.
    Best regards, Kate Gutierrez, The Morris County Park Commission, Retired

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.