To those of you who have read my whining in these pages about the endless rain, good news! This past week we have had an abundance of sunshine. There have been a few t-storms late in the day, but the bright, warm sun has seemed miraculous. I’m sure than anyone who lives near the northeast appreciates what I am saying.
The end of the deluge meant that I could finally get out and play in the dirt a little. And that’s what I did. . .play!
Sunday afternoon I headed out to my little kidney-shaped border in the middle of the yard to attack the weeds that had been in full revolt for weeks. Admittedly, weeding is not my favorite gardening activity, but the joy of feeling the sunlight on my face and getting my hands into the soil was indescribable. The rain was gone, the wind was brisk, and even the bugs seemed to be taking the day off. At that moment I realized why many of us garden. There’s an indescribable joy in immersing oneself in something so fundamental as sun, earth, and plants.
Well, as I was working, I had some thoughts about weeding. You can check our other articles for more technical advice about weeds. My personal approach is very simple and corresponds to my particular knowledge of my garden and what I have planted there.
The rule is this: If I see something growing in a particular place and I know that I did not plant it there, I yank it out! On the other hand, if I see something and I am not sure what it is, I leave it. Soon enough — as my summer flowers begin to grow and blossom — I will know which ones are the legitimate tenants and which are the freeloaders.
Our motto at NewGardener.com is: “Because there is always more to learn.” That includes me. After I have planted a perennial and it is coming back for its second season, I am not always sure what I am looking for. So part of the process is learning what our plants look like during various stages of growth. Digital cameras are a great help here. Take photos, print them out and keep a gardening photo-journal. That way, you can jog your memory next year about what to expect.
The main thing, though, is getting out into the sun and getting your hands dirty!
