Greetings mates, Wilson here for the first Friday of June and the 157th day of the year. Today we’re doing something different as we join our friends at the LLB Gang for this week’s edition of Nature Friday. Trees have leafed out but blooming flowers really haven’t changed, Mum has noticed the only thing new has been the direct result of our weather. It was the second week in a row where rain showers fell nearly every day. In fact, yesterday’s afternoon walk around the neighborhood saw us getting soaked. Again. What the bloody dog? Mum knows I don’t like rain on my fluffy white head but there she was dragging hustling me along to try and find some cover under the trees.
So what does all this rain mean? Well things are green and lush. So much so, grass seems to grow overnight. And so do the weeds. And if you haven’t guessed by now, Mum is highlighting the weeds this week {eyes rolling}.
Yes, you heard me right…bloody weeds. I’d think she was in the sun for too long yesterday before the clouds and rain rolled in after working in the garden all morning, pulling two bins full of weeds. She said it’s the yang aspect of Nature and she thought we should see the other side of what happens when there’s lots of moisture. Not that we’d ever object to moisture, mind you…but weeds? Come on Mum, just admit it…your brain is fried and you’re suffering from writer’s block.
The Mum: Good morning, House Pony. I see you’ve set a somewhat negative stage for today’s Nature Friday focus on the reverse side of Nature. When you usually have a lack of moisture, plants struggle. But give them even just a little spot of rain and voila!…they are transformed into a scene from Little Shop of Horrors where gardeners swear they are hearing the baritone wail of Levi Stubbs (of Four Tops fame) who was the voice of Audrey in the movie-Feed me Seymour.
Wilson: Ermmm, didn’t mean to cast dispersions, Mum, but seriously…weeds. That’s the best you’ve got? Surely there’s gotta be something far more exciting, not to mention far more visually pleasing.
The Mum: Sorry, it’s just reality. You can water the garden like crazy and it’s so-so but even with a tiny little rain sprinkle and poof, instant greening up and lushness.
Wilson: Well, ok…if you say so. I still stand with my observation that you might be suffering from a spot of writer’s block but let’s move along. Some of these weeds universally vex us all summer long, rain or not…like the bindweed and spotted spurge but some of the have grown to gargantuan dimensions like the prickly lettuce and that plant that resembles hemlock which is a member of the carrot family.
The Mum: I swear that bindweed is going to be the death of me yet. I have yet to be able to eradicate it and the recent rains have acted like nitrogen fertilizer. Oh sure, the ‘morning glory-like’ blooms are pretty but this weed will strangle the life out of everything around it.
Wilson: It looks quite innocent but I noticed it went from just a few blossoms to an entire carpet of them. This weed may be your Waterloo, Mum but mine are the foxtails that typically show up along sidewalks waiting for unsuspecting dog legs and paws to attached their bloody barbed seed awns.
The Mum: As I was researching foxtails for this post, I noticed “wall barley” (sometimes called false barley), is very similar in appearance and can’t be 100% certain if what’s pictured is actually foxtail or false barley. Either way, you’re right saying these seed awns can be not only dangerous to dogs but depending where they’ve entered a dog, can be lethal if not promptly and fully removed.
Wilson: I will chew on my toes if some piece of grass gets stuck which apparently is some sort of code to dog mums that something is stuck between our toes/pads and needs immediate remediation. I swear even if I just look at my feet, you’re all over me examining me with a whole battery of combs and other grooming tools to remove any offending bits and bobs. I appreciate it but you descend on me like grasshoppers/locusts from the Dust Bowl and that’s somewhat terrifying.
The Mum: Trust me, the alternative would be much worse. It’s for your own good.
Wilson: It’s funny how things us dogs dislike are always accompanied with that phrase. Anyway, I’m glad you’re obsessed on guard for them. And because I’m a benevolent floof, I had you take a photo on our walk for this morning’s post-dawn walk of a white lupine in bloom. We have the purple and pink variety in our garden but had never seen a white version before. It’s rather pretty and a nice offering for Miss Rosy after all these lame weed pics.
Whether you’re suffering from writer’s block or have loads of things to write about, we hope your weekend is full of joyful exploration and discovery of both sides of Nature. Have a great weekend.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
I’ll never understand why weeds grow so well compared to plants we want to grow.
It’s a complete mystery that Nature foists on gardeners!
Flowers and gardening . . I never could wrap my head around how some people can have such a knack for it. Me? Not so much.
Don’t worry Wilson, us kids also think “for your own good” is something we don’t need to hear. But believe me, we need to have someone who believes it for us.
Happy Monday peeps
Thanks Marc. Clearly it’s universal then-no one likes to hear “it’s for your own good.”
I learned years ago that’s it’s better to work with nature when gardening skills are iffy at best. Saved me a lot of aggravation (and probably a load of denaros too).
Nope. No one.
Hahaha! You are a wise woman.
Not sure about the wise part, but I {eventually} have learned to make life easier as opposed to making it harder. 😉
Hahaha! That’s wise!
Youss’ are drownin inn weedss Miss Monika an Wilson!!! That Prickly Lettuce plant lookss like sum sort of Triffied….iss scarey!!
Wee thott THE Bindweed was Mornn Glory….so that weed
purrtendss to bee a propurr flowerin plant??? Die-a-bol-call!!!
Bee careful Mss Monika pullin THE weedss. An Wilson watch out fore notty weedss two!
**nose bopss** BellaDharma an ((hugss)) BellaSita Mum
Bindweed is probably the hardest weed to get rid of-you can never get all the roots and I’ve seen pieces that were torn out and they somehow managed to root again from just the pieces! You just hope to maybe manage because it’s a never ending battle!
I think most “weeds” are persistent flowers that are easy to care for (they don’t need any care). Give me weeds any day (except foxglove).
They truly are hardy buggers. I’m of the belief that weeds are just perennials that you didn’t buy. 😉
Yep!!
Java Bean: “Ayyy, we had one of those pricklies growing right outside the back door! Our Dada thought it would be a good idea to try to pull it by taking hold of it ‘down really low where there aren’t as many needles’ and so he didn’t go get his gloves. Unfortunately when he did that it fell over on his arm.”
Lulu: “The next day he had all kinds of little red spots where the plant landed and both his arms were all itchy, even the one that the plant didn’t touch.”
Charlee: “Do you think Dada learned his lesson?”
Java Bean: “Ehhhh, probably not.”
Those things can only safely be removed in armour! Trust me, I have the experience (much like your Dada’s) and scratches to prove it! 😬
That’s one dangerous-looking prickly lettuce!
Indeed, they are-you don’t try to remove it without lots of layers or better yet, armour!
Once upon a garden: Michigan, then Florida, then Maryland (not now in my high rise city apartment) … would treasure and treat (with gloves) some of my “weeds”. Big or small (if not a danger or poisonous), they could be beautiful to see, interesting in shape, size and color … and even work well to fill-in spaces, if not allowed to totally take over. After all, Mother Nature did contribute them to the garden, did she not … perhaps they deserve a little bit of a home there.
I’ve always believed weeds are just perennials you didn’t buy. 🤣
WOWZERS! You all have some mighty interesting weeds out West…..We’ve had an abundance of rain here too – nice for the grass, etc. Mom is now having to mow every three days. Keeps her from monitoring me as closely as usual (tee hee).
Hugs, Teddy
Nature goes out of her way to provide some rael doozies! We’re finally starting to dry out which will be nice for folks who have been mowing multiple times a week. Here’s hoping there’s loads of fun and monitoring this weekend, dear Teddy. 😻
We are getting the cottonwood fluff everywhere! Wilson is adorable as always!
Aww, thanks. Cottonwood fluff looks like snow when it’s in bloom around here. It’s almost scary and it plays havoc with people’s allergies!
It seems to be a banner year for weeds of all sorts. Mom pulls them all and the next day they are back but like double the number. Have a fun weekend!
I share your mom’s pain. Same thing here but we’re entering a dry period so hopefully that will help. I’ve been picked weeds for an hour or so just to keep on top of them so they don’t get too out of control. We hope you guys have a great weekend doing lots of fun stuff.
Rain isn’t fun for pups when you have a need to go outside Wilson. I enjoyed your Friday display though. Have a fun weekend!
Many thanks, Terry. It was sunny this morning and wouldn’t you know it, it rained on us for our afternoon walk. LOL Have a great weekend.
I suppose one can get too much of a good thing, but I imagine the gardens around you are rejoicing. And no need for the gardener to spend time watering thirsty plants.
We’ve been blessed with ample rain this spring, which is fine by me… I like nature to do most of the watering, but yeah, I have to put in a fair amount of time with the cultivator/hoe. It’s one of my favorite tools!
You won’t catch me complaining about the rain here. It’s not often that we get rain (I always say we’re more likely to receive snow than rain) and both Wilson and I have enjoyed the crisp temps on our morning walks are so enjoyable. I think the forecast is calling for a gradual warming trend so I guess all good things must come to an end. Have a terrific weekend-hope you won’t have to use that hoe! 😉
We don’t have your weeds and have zeroscape. Any weeds that get through the rocks, granite, or turf and handled easily. Foxtails were a bane in California when we lived there. I hope you have a peaceful weekend, Monika.
Thanks John. Yeah, those foxtails can be truly dangerous for dogs and once they manage to embed, they can be tough to remove completely because of that barbed end. Here’s to a relaxing weekend that’s not too hot down your way.
Everything is so green and lush!
It truly is…people are having to mow lawns about every 5-6 days instead of 7-10. So glad I got rid of my turf years ago. Wishing you and the kitties a rejuvenating weekend with no bruises to your liver. 😉
oh crap foxtails terrifying with dogs
the new weird invasive asian grass looks like it kind of
I saw loads of icky mushrooms around the ‘hood today. So true, you water and little grows but 20 drops of rain and it’s weed city and not the good kind lol
be careful out there….
I despise foxtails-they were particularly vexing with Sam. I was always terrified one of my dogs would sniff and inhale one and when that happens it’s a serious and expensive vet appointment. With all the moisture, mushrooms are sure to be popping up in the strangest places. I think the afternoon showers are done and the temps will start rising which is too bad-both Wilson and I have enjoyed the cool temps. Hope you have a good weekend.
I think Spurge is an edible weed…has a lot of vitamins and mineral! Go figure!
Some weeds are actually rather pretty…like the bindweed, but yes it does cause a lot of trouble to what I want to grow. In my efforts to clear away some of the smaller tree mess for the May bad weather, I have encountered a poison something or other, now I have an excruciating itchy rash here and there, even on areas that were covered…come to think of it, the only part of me that wasn’t covered in gloves, clothing or boots was my head…and its even on one of my ears. No idea what it is from. I may need a visit to urgent care if t gets any worse.
Your lupines did not like my garden at all, and they never r]came back for year two…sigh…do critters like them?
From what i found, spotted spurge is actually poisonous and should not be eaten by humans or pets. It can cause gastrointestinal distress, eating can lead to vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. It may cause liver and or kidney problems and may irritate the skin. The stuff we have here has a milky sap that may irritate the skin. It’s also doggone sticky!
So sorry the lupines did not return. I read where the seeds need to be scarified in order to germinate by soaking the seeds in warm water for 24-48 hours, or by rubbing the seeds with sandpaper or a file. I was surprised at all the new plants that came up this spring. They do tend to like well drained soil which is surprising given my garden soil is fairly clay-like. If you want, I’d be happy to mail more seeds to you.
It takes a lot of rain for me to get tired of it, but I am noticing a certain amount of cabin fever setting in.
Love your Lupine! Ours are covered in aphids, which were driving me to distraction until I saw ladybugs and their intimidating larvae having an orgy in the garden.
Thanks, Amy. Rain is so rare, it feels criminal begrudging afternoon or evening showers especially when the mornings are so lovely and cool. For the record that lupine is not in my garden but we walk past it every day. I’ve never seen white lupine. Sadly most of our lupines tend to be full of aphids too. Maybe I should ring a dinner bell for impatient ladybugs waiting for a meal reservation. They’d be well rewarded! Have a terrific weekend.
Nope, we never turn down moisture from the sky.
I feel your pain about the weeds, though. It’s like rain has fertilizer mixed into it or something.
You lupines are gorgeous. Ours are looking good, but are covered in aphids. Very frustrating, until I saw ladybugs and their intimidating larvae beginning to have an orgy in the garden. Yay!
The rain must be heavy with nitrogen because I’ve literally seen weeds appear overnight (after being plucked the day before).
I love bindweed because it reminds me of morning glory, LOL. We’re in our May gray June gloom phase here in SD, so I like that we get a little morning moisture–makes pulling weeds so much easier. Last pic is gorgeous!
Thanks, Lisa. I had to chuckle, a friend who lives part time in SD is always saying “May grey/June Gloom” and it makes me smile. Bindwood is so insidious…once it starts growing, you can never get rid of it and it will chock the life out of everything in its path. Morning glories are so much kinder, gentler. 😉 And yes, it is easier to pull weeds after a shower but it’s also folly to think I’ll ever get rid of it fully. 😵💫
Here’s hoping there’s some sunshine in SD this weekend.
So true about how things grow when there is rain! I am over run with coyote cilantro….there’s a limit to how many leaves I can use when cooking beans…..
I swear between the bindweed and the spurge, that stuff grows overnight! It’s maddening but with rain in the Mile High City, you are thrilled when it falls. Have a great weekend-hopefully with a lot less cilantro.