I've been weeding for what seems like days in the garden. Actually, it was only about four hours, but they were definitely backbreaking, tough hours on my knees and back, pulling out buttercups. That pretty name doesn't tell the tale of the tough work it is to get that plant out of my garden. In that picture, just a little right of center is a HUGE pile that I pulled today. They are heaped in an unused garden plot and represent perhaps half of what I still have to be completely free of them. I will NEVER AGAIN go so long without weeding. They grow in a long vine and stick roots in every couple of inches. Here's the undone part of my plot:
That green stuff between the plants is mostly buttercup weeds, and I will hopefully tackle the rest of them before too long. They are fairly easy to pull out of the non-compacted soil, but I wrestled with them long enough to feel unable to continue to do any more today. My garden neighbor to the west of me never has ANY uncontrolled growth in his section; he told me he rips it out as soon as he sees it. I will do the same once I get all this under control. That's my hope, at least.
This shows some of the garden fruits. The pretty cabbage in the upper left is probably ready to be harvested, but I am too tired to even think of it right now. We ate one of the cabbages already, and it was divine. The tiny tomatoes just about to ripen are on the upper right; every time one gets close I pop it into my mouth, so I'm the only one to have enjoyed them yet. In the lower left is a beginning baby zucchini. I didn't realize until this summer that the fruit develops UNDER the blossom. I'm watching this one so that it won't get too large, since they are best when under six inches long. And last of all, lower right, is one of the delicata squash. I accidentally knocked one off the vine today, so I cut it open to see how close to ripe they are. Not close, but the seeds have begun to form in the middle; the flesh is not yet orange. Oh, these will be good to eat when they are ready, I just know it.
I made that collage with a new app I bought ($5, TurboCollage) from the Mac app store this week. If you click on it to enlarge, it makes the pictures full size, the better to admire the fruits of my labors. It's time for my wine, and I'm pretty sure my back will be feeling much better after I finish it!
:-)
That weeding is something you have to keep on top of. I do remember helping my mom with her garden when I was a kid. The only other time I had anything to do with a garden, as an adult, was with my second husband--his garden. He used thick black plastic in between the rows and I don't know how he tacked it down. We only had to pull weeds in a narrow strip where the plants were and he had some kind of mulch under the plastic that retained moisture really well, too. Fabulous garden! And once the plants started to really grow we didn't have to pull hardly any weeds at all. I bet you could google how to do that--LOL!
ReplyDeleteEverything looks great. Once you get it all cleared out well it will be a lot easier to keep up with, I bet. Enjoy your wine!! :)
i like your little collage maker thing! your garden looks really good, weeds and all! :)
ReplyDeleteEverything looks great. I'm sure from now on you will pull out the weeds when they are tiny. I do miss having a garden and having fresh veges.
ReplyDeleteIt looks real good after you weeded! I can tell you want your garden to look perfect..do you have a hoe? I have a short handled special thing..it has a triangle shaped head and it will take care of weeds pretty fast. Weed right after it rains..weeds are easier to pull out then:)
ReplyDeleteWine o'clock is a wonderful reward for hard work. And yes, weeding definitely qualifies.
ReplyDeleteI love the results of your garden labour. I need to get out into mine. I always need to get out into mine.
my oh my how your garden grows.....yeah weeding is one of those things you gotta keep up with...hope the wake up in the morning is not too bad...that is when it usually hits me....
ReplyDeleteButtercups do sound very pretty and the flowers are pretty, aren't they? Four hours of weeding would definitely do me in. Wow! How exciting to see all your vegetables though. That's fabulous!
ReplyDeleteNow I remember why I don't garden, those darn weeds. Them & assorted insects chased me to the supermarket.
ReplyDeleteAh, bringing your garden back from chaos to order. This is good.
ReplyDeleteThough I take it you weren't jumping out of planes today.
That's a very nasty weed. It looks like one of those that if you leave one piece it will start a new plants. Your plants look great.
ReplyDeleteI love reading about your garden and seeing your beautiful vegetable. Oh those pesky weeds! They kill my hands to pull them out to. I have a wonderful garden tool that I use to weed. It makes my work so much easier. I will find a picture of it and send you information on it. It is my favorite garden tool of all time.
ReplyDeleteVery appropriate to use the collage feature for your garden photos, as it takes up less space. Now you know why I refuse to take up gardening as a hobby. My back kills me when I bend down to pick up stuff.
ReplyDeleteLOL...everything looks great, DJan....and a little back pain is worth it all...right?? RIGHT??? lol
ReplyDeleteWe don't have much problem with weeds...or else I just don't care. The weeds I do pull, I feed to my chickens. That works out pretty well.
But--I am not one of those orderly fussy gardeners, either. I think some weeds might just make a good distraction for some bugs, so I try to stay reasonable about it. :)
Oh, all that weeding made me tired just to think about it! I really need to get out and look at what is happening in our garden. For some reason, I haven't made it out there . . . I guess because tomatoes and corn just keep materializing on the counter! The corn isn't so great this year, but the tomatoes are heavenly. My husband reminded me that I have beets out there. He doesn't eat them, so he doesn't pick them, either! That's ok!
ReplyDeleteI like the collage app. I'll need to look into that one!
I am sooo impressed with your veggies. Well done with your mammoth weeding session.
ReplyDeleteYes, the weeding - if you miss it for a bit it creeps up very quickly. You just cannot let up on it at all. My uncle would send us all into the garden every day after supper to weed and let me tell you, he inspected it after, so we got to know all the weeds and their names. He was very fussy about his garden. Nice collage DJan - I will check that out at App Store. Garden veggies are the best, eh.
ReplyDeleteMy mind went straight to, "How did she do that?" And then I read the answer. Very nice. I am not a Mac user; wonder if there is a device for the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteI am joining an organic gardening group in the Fall and one of the requirements is that I must weed 1xweek, while 2 is requested. If I can't get to the garden I must request a "Garden Angel" to do it for me. Maybe that's what you need for your garden:)
Dear DJan, I am so glad you began gardening this year and that you've shared with us the marvelous adventure it has been/is being for you. I've never eaten a delicata squash and so I'm eager for your posting on how it tastes and what recipe you'll follow to prepare it for eating. Peace.
ReplyDeleteWeeds! You just reminded me why I haven't had a garden in a long time. Yours is looking great despite the buttercups. That's a cool little app. I just wrestle with Photoshop when i want to make one of my rare collages.
ReplyDeleteOh, if only there were some way to have a garden without weeds. But if we didn't have to work for it would we enjoy the rewards as much?
ReplyDeleteThat cabbage looks ready to harvest. It's going to be delicious.
Wow now you are a gardener in every sense ,pain and all! Weeds are a real issue.
ReplyDeleteThe collage looks great and makes it much easier to enjoy multiple photos. Thanks for the tip.