Field Report
I mowed yesterday. Mostly from force of habit. No rain means no grass to speak of, only the little weedy plants and they’re not that tall. Of course, there’s the random thistle that needs no encouragement at all. Besides the lack of grass, which sits in the negative column, I also spied a lack of Khaki Weed, which sits in the positive column. I did spot a random plant or two. But they’re like stragglers on the battlefield. They know they’ll be caught in mopping up operations and there’s no escape.
I remember the days when the pesky plant gave my life purpose. The yard was literally carpeted with the stuff. I’d be on my knees each spring digging as they came up, knowing I had two yards worth of the little pesky plants. I gained ground year by year until finally it was simply a matter of walking around and spotting an errant plant. It’s a satisfying feeling. Although, I do remember that last year I was thinking about re-seeding my lawn with a new grass variety. I have no idea where that plan went.
My new enemy this year is bindweed. It looks lovely, with its tiny blue flowers that give it the allure of a miniature morning glory, but it’s a little devil that, like kudzu, will cover any plant that gets in its way. It got away from me last year, but it’s a marked plant this year. I’ve already pulled several stands of it. I’ll probably never get all of it, but I can get most of it. It simply requires a bit of diligence and the willingness to go out each morning and hunt for it in the garden. As purposes go, if feels like a good one, and I shall endeavor to do it. If only I could use it in a salad.
John W. Wilson is the author of The Long Goodbye: A Caregiver's Tale