I May Be The Only Person I Know Who Really Enjoys Weeding
I really am a better gardener than photographer, but I've been promising a few pictures so I gave it my best shot. And it's just as well that I'm not trying to type too much today. I think I may have over-done it a WEE bit these past couple of days. There's just so much that needs doing!
I have realized I might be the only person I know who really enjoys weeding. I like approaching a bed choked with weeds, knowing that somewhere in there are baby plants needing to be rescued, and stepping back when I'm done to survey a bed of happy plants, free of invaders. Perhaps my love of weeding dates back to when my children were young. When they were young, after supper I'd head out to the garden for some quiet time. (This usually involved weeding and pruning.) When they approached me, asking me to do something or, more often, complaining about something their brother had done, I'd sweetly invite them to join me in my weeding. This would result in their turning tail quickly and leaving me to my quiet time!
This past Sunday I weeded those potato beds (the before and after pictures hardly do justice to the situation, and there were THREE rows!), and we started putting in the fence. Ah, the fence. Darn those glaciers that dropped boulders across our fields! Every fence post hole has involved the removal of at least one rock bigger than I'd like to be hauling around, and somehow I'm the one who gets called in for the really. big. rocks. Oh well, I wanted to add some muscle to my arms anyways!
Speaking of arms, my forearms are telling me to quit typing and get some ibuprofen into my system.
If anyone likes taking pictures of gardens, let me know. I'm sure we could work out a trade. Photography for vegetables.....?!?
Susan Petroni
12:22 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Renee - I love photography. I'll try to swing by next week with my daughter to check out the garden and help you out with a few photos for future post! Plus, perhaps we can get some ice cream at Eastleigh too!
Renee Faubert
12:44 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Susan, it's a deal! You have no idea how many tomatoes we could be talking about here....
Ingrid Peschke
2:50 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
What is it with kids and weeding?? It really is a great way to suddenly find yourself alone...Weeding to me is always a metaphor for life: when you get the junk out of the way, you finally see and make room for all of the good that's right under your nose. Let me know if you have any extra bounty that you're willing to part with, perhaps in exchange for a little weeding??
Renee Faubert
3:02 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Ingrid I would LOVE some help and some (adult) company! I'm sure we can work something out. Let me know when you're free!
Ingrid Peschke
3:09 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
With the kids out of school soon, I will be somewhat freer. Maybe I can connive them into going to the farm for ice cream and while they eat, I can weed! (Hmmm, that sounds slightly unfair, but worth it for fresh veggies.)
Donald Wendt
8:42 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Something must be wrong with my four year old, because he loves weeding. I actually use it as a reward, "if your good I will let you weed the garden!" I wonder how long I can milk this?
Renee Faubert
8:46 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I had my first plants when I was 7, and my first "real" garden when I was 9. Nothing wrong with loving the plants at an early age. Feel free to send him along to help me if you run out of weeds at your place!
Cheryl Tully Stoll
8:19 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Renee, I had my first tomato plants when I was seven as well. I used to help my neighbor with his vegetable garden every night. When I was 11 I had a garden of my own. Now I'm in a neighborhood with too many lawn services and more wildlife that Southwick Zoo. Protecting raised beds wouldn't be worth the effort. It is fun however watching the chipmunks team up to strip our huge blueberry bush every year--they are very creative.
Renee Faubert
9:57 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Cheryl any time you need a gardening "fix" come see me. Mary's on protection detail. You've SEEN our fence, right?!? I'm waiting to see how things play out up North but I'm hoping that all the cows and dogs will scare off most of the bunnies and woodchucks. Stay tuned!
barb
11:38 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
I don't really mind weeding either...once I can motivate myself to get out there and do it!! It's instant gratification once it's done...unfortunately it doesn't last long before the weeds are back!!
Renee Faubert
8:06 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Barb I've been putting down salt marsh hay as I go. It doesn't completely block the weeds (as the black landscape fabric does) but it does slow them down, especially if the area is completely free of weeds before I lay it.
barb
5:42 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Renee, thanks for the suggestion...where do you get it? Can you put mulch over it?
Renee Faubert
8:48 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Hi Barb,
I have purchased it at Russell's in the past, but they were out of it the last time I was looking for it so I ended up going to Volante's in Needham for it. You CAN mulch over it but you don't have to, as the hay itself is a mulch. The color tones down after a couple of days and it actually looks OK by itself.
barb
12:49 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Sounds like an interesting alternative. Your garden looks like a very ambitious project!!!
evie jane
3:49 pm on Sunday, June 17, 2012
My oldest loved weeding when she was young (until she was about 5) and still enjoys gardening at 12. I hope it is a way for us to remain somewhat connected during the upcoming teen years. That and our mutual dislike for weeding!