I worked front of house in restaurants for years. If you were in the weeds, you were in trouble. Like the time a man came to ask where his espresso was and I lost it, because five other people needed espresso, too, and I had to deliver checks to tables, and the owner chilling on the patio needed his pink Cosmo, and an order needed to be fired and the fucking salad that we tossed ourselves was not tossed and there was a table of people needing menus glaring at me. So I told him where to put his espresso.
It wasn't until I was two hours into weeding in our 1st Place plot yesterday, wet with August sweat, that I appreciated the trouble with weeds.
It has been a long, long time since I have had to weed, seriously.
I never want to see another morning glory. Take your quickweed and shove it. And mulberry weed is a den of mosquitoes. For the first time - ever - the vision of a quirt bottle of Round Up danced across the screen of my mind whispering, Sprayyyyyy them.
I went on weeding.
____________________________
My favorite time to weed is after rain. Doesn't work with big patches of ground, though. One would be at least ankle deep in mud.
ReplyDeleteoh i feel your pain... but look look look at those nice bones showing thru... someone did something there before... archaelogical digging...
ReplyDeletethis too shall pass.. of course that nice big glass of wine helped i bet when you were thru!
so excited to see this come alive!
(yes i have new garden envy - i redid one of my beds this past year... its still a work in progress but i have the landlord's ideas to deal with - which means a huge central patch of grass that i hate and that he insists remain... sigh. of course he doesnt mow it either)
HaHa yes I hear you. I think when you get this mess under control and you just have to keep up with a few weeds it might actually be therapeutic.....I find it that.
ReplyDeleteAt least you don't have the poison ivy growing and hiding amongst the columbine and Virginia Creeper that I have here. At least I hope you don't, in which case be sure and scrub like a maniac every so often.
ReplyDeleteA warm hello from poison ivy acres Cape Cod...
DeleteMorning glory will drive you to madness...I have fought it for years and still have to fight it constantly. This year I did resort a limited use of that stuff that we shan't name and it has beaten it back, but hardly killed it. Argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIn Harlem, morning glory seeds still were germinating as we left, two winters after the last plant - from previous tenants - was removed.
DeleteHow can you not like morning glories?? They're lovely. But you'll replace them with something wonderful, I'm sure. Weeding is way too much work but I can't wait to see it once you start putting stuff back in.
ReplyDeleteThe flower is pretty indeed, which is how so many invasive plants got a foothold in new territories.
DeleteTrue, I've been trying hard not to admire the late summer fields of goldenrod accented by large stands of invasive, but beautiful, purple loosetrife.
DeleteProud of your progress. Would you disown me for suggesting a bit of Preen to help with preventing future generations of morning glories?
ReplyDeleteThat soil doesn't look bad. I've got Round Up on my mind for the Bitter Sweet that's taken hold on the garage...I'm determined to get rid of it, but I keep 'forgetting' to pick up a bottle.
ReplyDeleteCheering you on!
This year's Mosquitos have been vicious! I have collected quite a few bites from when I forgot to use the spray. For a plant spray, we use: 1 gallon vinegar, 1 cup Epsom salt & 1/4 cup original Dawn dish soap. This won't hurt your bees. It works great for the weeds between pavers.
ReplyDeleteIt seems you have quite a nice space in your new place, and actual soil on the ground for planting.I see a lot more veggies in your future and a whole bed, rather than a pot, of strawberries! Are you thinking of hooping it for some temperature protection? You might still be able to harvest a late (or early) crop of carrots and beans...
ReplyDeleteWhen weeding I tend to slip my spade in like I am lifting sod, but not turning the soil which turns over more weed seed, and then pull. Rain helps! I find my center in weeding Zen. Happy weeding!
Do I sense some tension here? You did great, true, meaningful manual labour while I was lazily riding my office desk, still as a surfer frozen by an instant cataclysm...
ReplyDeleteI guess weeding is one of those unavoidable evils born from the greatest things in life. Like a boat that needs constant washing and scrubbing, like a paraglider that must be logged around the world in a heavy bag, like dirty dishes always follow the most delicious meals, a garden seems intent on reminding its lover that negligence would be a costly mistake... ;-)
I think that in this so regulated world, weeds represent freedom, freedom to run around wild and free. And it is amamzing how they do with so little : a little earth, a tiny spot of shade, or a few drops of water and they are thriving!
DeleteWhen we moved into our house over a decade ago, the previous owners were not gardeners. There were beds of nicely groomed...weeds! They had gardeners in to do maintenance too. So we weeded out loads which included the bindweed! Lots of digging and sifting via a screen! I feel your pain but it will be worth it in the end! Your new place looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteI hope you signed more than a one year's lease...can't wait for this garden to emerge. Safe travel! Gabriela
ReplyDeleteMost leases in the city are for one year.
DeletePS Have you unpacked your spring giveaway teak chairs yet? The guy who donated them would love to know!
DeleteI've been meaning to, but the summer has gotten away from me... I was away mid June through July and have been weeding since... It is on my to do list. They came packed so well that I have no worries. I will report when done and hope it is before Labor Day. GH
DeleteA 7 year war on Morning Glory. Those seeds are old Brooklyn hardened.
ReplyDelete