{"id":5300,"date":"2013-07-12T12:30:27","date_gmt":"2013-07-12T16:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/allin\/?p=5300"},"modified":"2013-07-12T12:30:27","modified_gmt":"2013-07-12T16:30:27","slug":"whoa-go-weeds-vs-volunteers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/allin\/2013\/07\/12\/whoa-go-weeds-vs-volunteers\/","title":{"rendered":"Whoa! Go! Weeds vs. Volunteers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Weeds vs. volunteers. Every gardener knows the one word definition of each: weed=unwanted, volunteer=dandy! While it’s true that volunteers occasionally get out of control and drift into the “unwanted” zone, they’re generally easy to remove and back off gracefully.<\/p>\n

So, herewith a sampling of both categories of plants observed in my garden during the past week.<\/p>\n

\"Bindweed:<\/a>

Bindweed: In areas where it’s taken hold, almost impossible to get rid of, very vigorous growth, and capable of strangling a Russian soldier in full winter gear. Convolvulus arvenis.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Galinsoga:<\/a>

Galinsoga: A South American invasive that colonized (also known as “gallant solider”) my garden about 25 years ago, loves cultivated ground, makes me crazy. G. quadriradiata.<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Cheeses:<\/a>

Cheeses: This one is sneaky ’cause it’s got a nice flower–its other name is “common mallow”–but don’t let it seduce you. Malva neglecta.<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Quack<\/a>

Quack grass and Jerusalem artichoke: Okay, no explanation needed about quack grass. Jerusalem artichoke should NOT be planted in or near your garden, even if you love it as a vegetable. It’s far too aggressive. Helianthus tuberosus.<\/p><\/div>\n

klkjl;<\/p>\n

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On to the favored volunteers…<\/p>\n

\"Nicotiana:<\/a>

Nicotiana: large plant, white flowers, very fragrant at dusk, easy to pull out when unwanted. N. alata.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Nicotiana:<\/a>

Nicotiana: purple\/pink. I think the white nicotiana is more fragrant. Both close relatives of tobacco.
N. alata.<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Dill<\/a>

Dill and Coriander\/Cilantro: welcome herbal volunteers, re-seed more than once a season. Anethum graveoleous, Coriandrum sativum.<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Spearmint<\/a>

Spearmint and Calendula (plus a few volunteer sunflowers): The mints spread readily, so beware. Once you plant calendula, you’ll never have to plant again. An annual that successfully self seeds. Mentha spicata, Calendula arvensis.<\/p><\/div>\n

df<\/p>\n

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\"Looks<\/a>

Looks innocent now, but we all know what’s coming–humongous zucchinis!<\/p><\/div>\n

And, then, there’s zucchini! Which doesn’t volunteer, but can take over our lives, eh? This is a photo of zucchini in my garden taken earlier this week. We’ve been eating baby zucchini in salads and stir fries.<\/p>\n

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What are you ripping gleefully from your garden…or nurturing like a mother hen? I have some photos from other gardeners I’ll be sharing here in a few days. Email your garden photos–of good or bad–to ellen@ncpr.org<\/p>\n

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