family life, gardening

Weeds, be warned

JOY journal

“I’ve never written a quote I feel would be suitable for my gravestone. Wouldn’t it be ironic if it were this one? ‘Oh, and could you pull a few weeds while you’re here?’ ” Ryan Lilly, Write Like No One is Reading

The coming weekend is probably the one.

It happens around this time each year. The whole family bursts into the garden like the Galactic Empire has been at its dirty work just outside our doors all winter long.

We mow. We tie up climbing roses that are sagging. We weed. We dump the potted soil of summers past into wheel barrows and freshen it up with crumbly black gold. We wear ridiculous hats and debate the merits of lavender vs. cone flowers vs. covering the entire property with artificial turf.

Onion grass, your days are numbered.

It’s not easy living on a corner, with a crazy cottage garden that’s in full view of everyone and their dog. Literally.

Later, a small meadow of flowers will lean and tumble over our picket fence, distracting passersby from any weeds that may (by which I mean “will”) still be lurking. In early spring, however, there’s a rush of crocuses then not much except dirt, brown leaves, patchy lawn and way too many clumps of onion grass.

This state of affairs can last for several weeks, depending on the weather. Tidiness is the only thing that can visually separate us from, well, the kind of place where one might find syringes.

So, neighbors human and canine, we are on it. Weeds, be warned.

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Published by JOY journal

After a long career writing for local newspapers — and, on rare occasions, for publications such as The Washington Post — Nora is enjoying a second wind as an innkeeper. She still blogs and does writing projects of special interest. She lives in Appalachia with her husband and a dog named Finn, who is beside himself with joy when the family's daughters have college breaks.

14 thoughts on “Weeds, be warned”

    1. It’s supposed to be near 80 today here, but right now, it’s still chilly. I’m just thankful to be somewhere where it’s not snowing. Stay warm!! 🙂

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      2. Every summer! It’s not so bad now that I’ve learned to use yogurt on it. It takes away the itch for several hours. 🙂 But, I try to stay away from it as much as possible.

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