Weeds, weeds everywhere!

Why so many weeds?? Why? Why? Why?  

And to Adam he said: "Because you ... took to eating from the tree concerning which I gave you this command, ‘You must not eat from it,’ cursed is the ground on your account ... thorns and thistles it will grow for you, and you must eat the vegetation of the field. In the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground ...”

~ Genesis 3: 17-19

     I recall reading this account in the Bible and thinking, "Aha! That's why we have weeds! Thanks a lot, Adam!"

     Among the gems growing in my yard and pictured here are:
- Bermuda grass
- Creeping woodsorrel
- Crabgrass
- Dandelions
- Stinging nettle
- Chickweeds


- Purslane
- Groundsel
 
- Kikuyu grass
- Mallows
- Mistletoe
- Puncture vine
- Spotted spurge

     I'm sure I've forgotten, or have not yet identified, even more ... ugh.
     Weeding is one of those thankless, yet necessary, evils of gardening. Does anyone ever remark,  "Oh, look at what a lovely stack of weeds!" Nope. Friends will comment on the grapes, the hollyhocks, the irises ... even the persimmons, before they'll notice the lack of weeds. It's like doing dishes. No one wants to do it. No one will say, "What a clean sink you have!" But leave ONE DISH there and oh boy, you're a lousy housekeeper. Same thing with the weeds. Yank and pull, shovel and remove ... but leave one patch of clover, one little spotted spurge ... then you turn around and KUH-BAM! The offending plant takes over that one neglected spot in the garden ... and THEN friends pop over. "Uh, love what you've done with the garden ... NOT!"

     Well, I won't lie, folks. There ARE weeds in my yard! In the rose border along the driveway, in the flower borders in the front yard ... they've taken over the "cactus yard," in the fruit orchard, in the front summer garden that needs to be completely yanked out! Dang it,(pardon my French) they're everywhere. 

     I'm just kooky enough to think I can control all those weeds without spraying pesticides everywhere. I've got shovels, hand tools and lots and lots of buckets to collect the weeds. Try as I might, these uninvited plants keep popping up. There's got to be a better way!

     First, identify the problem, in other words, know the weed and how it propagates (spreads so darned fast) and maybe I can weed smarter, not harder. But how? I'm no expert : - (

     Thankfully, the UCCE Master Gardeners of Tulare and Kings Counties are pros. These good folks conducted a Plant Propagation workshop Saturday at the Mill Creek Trailway (in Visalia, CA). While I learned some good ideas on starting more plants without breaking the bank, I also picked up a Pest Notes handout. Aside from plant diseases and management methods, there's a loooooong list of weeds on the sheet. On their actual web site, each link explains how that weed spreads and the best way to control it. 

     Check it out: http://ucanr.org/sites/UC_Master_Gardeners/UC_Gardening_and_Pest_Info/Free_Gardening_Information_by_Topic/#weeds

     Not on the list, but definitely out in my field is California Jimson weed, a.k.a. "Datura." At first, I admired the large trumpet-shaped flowers that opened at dusk and twirled closed at morning. Like a big sister to my little morning glory vine. Little did I know that this plant is highly poisonous and is said to have caused "many deaths particularly among experimenting teenagers." Oh, those teenagers! Let's just not go there, kiddos. While some cultures still use it as an herbal medicine, I think avoiding all hallucinogen-inducing plants is the safest route for me!

     Well, I'd better get to it. Nobody likes looking at weeds, just like that eyesore sink full of dishes. Besides, I can just hear the compliments now ... "Look, what a fabulous stack of weeds!"