Tag Archives: weeds

The rodent revolution has begun.

.

It was bound to happen. You can’t evict multiple families of vermin over the course of a summer and not expect retribution.

The other day? I spotted this:

.

IMG_3359

.

Do you see it?

.

IMG_3360

.

It didn’t look impressive, just a weed growing in the gutter. But when I asked the husband to grab a ladder and remove it?

.

.

We realized it was more like a potted plant.

.

.

With a large amount of potting soil.

.

.

Half of the down spout was packed with dirt and had to be removed.

.

.

Shaken heartily.

.

.

And unclogged with a screwdriver.

.

.

Piles of lovely dark potting soil were packed in there for what I can only surmise were nefarious purposes.

It was momma red squirrel, I know it.

.

.

That bitch has been plotting her revenge ever since I chased her children out of the eaves. And if you think a rodent revolution is ridiculous?

.

.

History disagrees.

.

They do come in threes.

 

First my husband wanted to clean out the barn.

Then he planted some trees.

And if those two things weren’t miraculous enough? I woke up the other morning to this:

 

 

The husband, behind the baby barn.. with a pick axe.

 

 

Rototilling some dirt the old fashioned way.

 

 

I couldn’t believe it was happening.

 

 

But he was finally willing to do something with the giant patch of weeds he wouldn’t let me turn into a garden bed.

 

 

He turned the soil over.

He raked it.

He even *gasp!* spread grass seed.

 

 

I couldn’t believe it.

 

 

Then he pulled this out…

 

 

And I could.

 

 

No new fangled high tech sprinkler for my husband. No sir.

Not when one from the middle of the last century he bought at a yard sale for a quarter is available.

 

 

Did it work?

Well, not quite.

 

 

The twirling sprinkler didn’t twirl…. but the husband was not deterred.

 

 

He twirled it manually with the rake handle while I tried (unsuccessfully) not to laugh.

But the biggest miracle of all?

 

 

Was his sacred pile of dirt.

That weed encrusted dirt pile has been an eyesore for almost 5 years. I was forbidden to touch it because, it’s dirt.

He might need it one day.

 

 

But…

 

 

He dug into it….

 

 

Leveled it flat and spread grass seed.

 

 

Though he did switch to my more modern hose attachment for the final watering.

So there you have it. Proof positive miracles do happen.

And come in threes.

It felt good to play in the dirt, until….

 

Spring has been a long time coming and I’m way behind on my garden work.

By this time I’ve usually got all the beds cleaned out and a few flowers blooming.

This year?

I’ve got weeds.

 

 

And random spikey things.

 

 

I spent 3 hours today getting rid of both.

 

 

I also reseated the brick border and tackled a bit of the bush from Hell.

 

 

If anyone ever asks if you want a flowering quince? Run.

Run far, and fast.

Preferably after you punch them in the throat for suggesting it in the first place.

Ours was here when we moved in and we’ve been battling it ever since. It grows over the roof each season and has roots that are 300 friggin’ feet deep. We’ve tried to dig it up, burn it out and hack it down to nubs numerous times.

I believe it likes the challenge….. and comes back stronger every time.

 

 

Did I mention it’s also full of thorns?

 

 

Good times.

I did 6 beds in the back and on the side of the house and felt good….

 

 

Until….

 

 

I turned over a brick and disturbed an ant nest. Within seconds those little suckers were crawling all over me and I had to run for a hose.

I rinsed most of them off but not before a few crawled up my pant leg.

 

 

Sadly, yes…. there were.

And the little bastards bit me too.

You’re never too old to learn…. Knotweed Flutes.

 

It’s time for class!

 

h6CF857A7

 

No worries, there won’t be a test.

Maine Adult Education offers endless opportunities to  shake your head and say WTF? enrich your mind. Last year there were some fascinating topics:

 

You’re never too old to learn…. Spoons.

You’re never to old to learn…. Potatoes.

You’re never too old to learn…. Ukulele

You’re never too old to learn…. Chakra Toning.

You’re never too old to learn…. Mindfulness.

 

And this year started off with a bang as well…

You’re never to old to learn…. Tin Cans.

 

Today’s selection from the  brochure of the bizarre  curriculum is:

 

weed

 

Yes, you too can have your very own flute made from a pesky weed in your backyard.

To hell with cutting it down…

 

 

Blow into it and start a band.

You’ll be the envy of your friends, I promise.

 

iRmDDYt

 

And in case you’re unfamiliar…

Japanese Knotweed is a large, extremely invasive plant.

 

japanese-knotweed

                           actual photo of Japanese Knotweed swallowing small child

 

It’s almost impossible to get rid of once it takes hold, and ironically… cutting only spreads it.

There really is only one reliable course of action available.

 

e0cf98f127f8d9848a6ea604c1b2a2c4dc9ed09e

 

So why not take the class…

And make a flute before it swallows you whole?

 

knotweed

 

 

 

 

 

Nursery chuckles and organic weed control.

 

I’ve never met a flower I didn’t like, so I never pass a nursery without stopping in to check out the new arrivals.

The other day?

This made me laugh.

 

IMG_4754

 

Best name for manured soil…

Evah!

 

092384uerygf

 

And then there was this little succulent…

 

IMG_4755

 

Who clearly wanted a hug.

 

3504661

 

When I got home that afternoon and saw all the dandelions popping up on our lawn, I lamented the fact that we don’t use chemicals for weed control.

But then I saw this out our bedroom window.

 

 

 

Bless his little Chucker heart.

He wandered around and ate every bloom he saw.

Suck on that Monsanto!

 

1ynow7

 

I knew it!