Volunteers

I love volunteer plants, but I’m being over-run this spring!
My raised herb bed has a walkway that is covered in what we call “chat,” or crushed limestone. I have a number of plants that have decided they like the limestone better than they do the raised beds which are filled with dirt and compost.
Feverfew, thyme, lamb’s ears, oregano, garlic chives, and lemon balm are trying to run rampant. It rained briefly in the past three days, so this afternoon I went out with the shovel and lifted the volunteers I don’t wish to keep. I raked up all the plants that had been loosened, sorted through the pile to separate the plants from the chat, and then raked the limestone back into place. I was going to spread Preen in the walkway to discourage future volunteers, but realized that I have kitty litter, not Preen, in the garage. I’ll have to get some Preen soon, or I’ll have to repeat this process.
My sister and her family are coming for Easter, and I plan to beg for help to get the beds weeded and ready for seed.
April 1st! Who would have thought I’d be out working without my sweatshirt so early in the year!?

2 thoughts on “Volunteers

  1. No need to beg. I’m sure you’ll have help inside and out. We spent the afternoon in the gardens today . . . I’m so amazed to be watering already. We’re so dry!!

  2. What energy you always seem to have, Buffy! (I swept the porches and walks a couple of days ago and still have tendenitis from it!)
    Hope you and your family are making head-way in the weeding and seed bed prep, this weekend.
    There is some sort of silly little weed that grows in a star pattern (sending shoots out in all directions) within my sedum ground cover. The weeds grew all winter, while the sedum came back to life a month ago. We’ve had enough rain that it is relatively easy pulling (the weed stems break off easily, and the root must be pulled); but, I’ve spent several days and have it “under control” for the moment. Actually, at the end of each stem, the weed sports a microscopic little, clear blue flower. I really need to get it identified.

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