The Future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams! Eleanor Roosevelt
Twelve glorious days of February sunshine and my bleak yard erupted with winter weeds, in my garden, in my lawn and on my paths.
They probably were there before the sunshine, but the sunshine drew me into the garden to discover them. The temperature helped too, getting me into the garden and encouraging the weed growth.
There are so many weeds, I only removed those ready to go to seed. Mid February and I feel as though I’m losing the weed battle already. Must reframe that thought.
What do I know about weed suppression? Oh yeah. I must smother and layer! I will mulch those newly weeded patches with newspaper and compost to keep them weed free.
Five hours of weeding reminded me of how important digging in the dirt is for my mental health. What is that about? When I weed or plant I produce endorphins and get a runner’s high. Now that just makes no sense, it’s not that strenuous. But no matter how anxious, distraught or worried I am when I start, after a couple of hours I’m totally blissed out and idiotically happy.
Maybe free radicals are released when I pull the weed from the soil? Or maybe all that pulling pulls off an extra molecule or something. Whatever, it’s a good thing. I not sure I trust people who don’t like to get their hands in the dirt. I may have discovered a new analytical tool for Human Resource departments.
If you are any kind of gardener or wannabe gardener, may I recommend an indispensable tool? It’s called a hori hori and It's my favorite implement of destruction. It’s a wooden handled Japanese utility knife. Mine has an 8 inch blade , serrated on both edges with a pointed end. It is the best weedier I’ve ever used and my very favorite garden tool. A hori hori gives lots of leverage without lots of work. I’m in love with my hori hori. One website , Garden Shop Online, reports one of its customer’s says that it’s called a “diggy-diggy” in Japan.
My favorite place to buy this tool is Hardwick’s Hardware on 4214 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105. It’s worth the trip just to wander around the overstuffed store and discover the great tools they offer. The folks who work there are knowledgeable and know exactly what they have and where it is located. If you need it, they’ve got it. It’s the exact opposite of a big box store. Supporting the hometown team is sustainable and green. A visit to Hardwick’s is always an adventure and they always have a great selection of hori horis.
Those garden strips I put to bed for the winter under the leaves, coffee grounds and burlap bags are working. The cardboard hasn’t disintegrated yet but the leaves and coffee grounds are breaking down and no weeds in sight. Amazingly, none of the burlap bags have blown loose.
When I went into the garden shed to get the hori hori, I discovered a 5 lb net bag of daffodil bulbs that had started to sprout. I potted them up in 12 inch pots and planted the pots in the ground. When they have bloomed and are starting to yellow I’ll move them to an out of the way place in the back of the garden. Last year I tried tying those yellowing fronds into knots. I tried braiding them, but I didn’t like any part of the process. So I’m switching tactics this year. Move the whole plant out of sight.
In a recycle, reuse frame of mind, I’ve been acquiring unwanted plants from neighbors and friends. Just mentioning it to a few folks has vetted me 50-60 red twig dogwood cuttings, three coreopsis clumps, a couple dozen crocosima thinnings , six Shasta daisy divisions and at least two Japanese anemone divisions and probably 30 strawberry starts. I feel abundantly blessed by my own little nursery. Like a kid waiting for Santa Claus, I am counting the days until I can plant. In my dreams my garden is lush and green and weed free. For now I’ll keep weeding and mulching one weekend at a time.
Hardwick’s Hardware
4214 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
Or visit Greenwood True Value Hardware (Chinook Book coupon for 20% off on organic products and push mowers)