Post Weeding Press Conference

Transcript of a Post Weeding Press Conference…

Carol, we noticed you spent almost two hours weeding today with just one break. How do you feel?

I feel good. No particular aches or pains. I was able to get up and down easily and managed to finish my goal of weeding all along the fence in the Vegetable Garden Cathedral.

What kind of weeds did you find out there?

Oh, the usual. Lots of purple dead nettle, plus veronica, which I was tempted to leave because the flowers are so blue. But I pulled it out, along with chickweed, hairy bittercress, and a bit of henbit.

What about thistle and dandelions? Do you feel optimistic about controlling them this year?

It’s early yet, but I feel quite optimistic though I know there will be dandelions in the lawn. I did dug up some thistle just coming up, but I definitely need to keep on it, or it will be everywhere.

We noticed you didn’t touch the wild violets. Will you be leaving them again this year?

Of course. Next question.

What about the bees? Are you concerned you removed some of their favorite flowers?

I don’t feel a bit bad about removing the weeds, even if some of them were flowering. I’ve got daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, grape hyacinths, glory of the snow, windflowers, starflowers, and hellebores all in bloom, and it looks like the crabapple will be in bloom in a week. Plus I’m leaving all the violets and dandelions in the lawn. And they’ve had crocuses to feast on since late January.

Fair enough. Where else do you plan to weed this week?

I need to make a first pass through Plopper’s Field, of course, and then dig out all those allium seedlings that are popping up under the serviceberries. There will be dandelions in there too, but I’m going to be careful there because that’s the area where the morel mushroom popped up last year.

Why didn’t you have a press conference after the first mowing last week?

Well, I thought about it, but I only mowed in front last week which didn’t seem to warrant a full press conference. You know I wait as long as possible before mowing in the back lawn to give the crocuses time to grow, plus the chionodoxa is still blooming out there. I might have a press conference after mowing in the back for the first time.

That would be great. Now, one last question. Are you concerned that pulling all those weeds will leave fewer hiding places for Easter eggs?

Not at all. There are plenty of other places to hide Easter eggs, and the weather forecast looks good so I think it will be a great hunt. Plus, since I did all that weeding, the garden does look better overall.

Thank you, Carol, and best wishes for a great season of gardening!

Thank you!