In the Weeds

   

     There is an army of them,  little soldiers that  invade and claim the turf. I had only left my garden for a week, and yet they crowded out the smiling pansies and over ran the rosemary. A weed is simply a plant in the wrong place. Many weeds are used for medicinal purpose, teas and even food. While I appreciate their utility, I don't want them crowding out my flowers. So on a unusually crisp Texas morning, I found myself in the weeds.     The type of weeds that populate your garden can tell you a lot about your soil. Crabgrass, spotted spurge , moss and others favor moist soil. Dry sandy soil is perfect for plants like sorrel, nettle and pig weed. Low fertility soil harbors Queen Anne's Lace (wild carrot), mullein and fennel types. Queen Anne's Lace thrives in alkaline or sweet soil while sorrel seeks an acidic environment.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-types-and-weeds.htm

If you have an overgrowth of clover, your soil may be nitrogen poor. An infusion of high nitrogen fertilizer can make your yard less hospitable. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/lawn-care/lgen/what-the-weeds-in-your-lawn-are-telling-you.htm

     There are different ways to manage weed roots. The easiest weeding is done right after it rains. The invaders with shallow roots easily give way and the deep rooted ones are more pliable. Yet not all weeds are eradicated by immediate removal. The Canadian Thistle requires a consistent,creative effort.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/weeds/canada-thistle-control.htm

     The Canadian Thistle has a deep root system and a craving for low fertility soil. The first step is to improve the soil of your garden. Local extension services offer soil testing. Once you know your soil composition, you can use a chemical or organic approach. While chemicals are effective, they will also destroy surrounding plants. Pulling this weed out by the roots risks splitting the root and seeding it. Though time intensive, the scissor method is more precise. Cut the thistle off at the base, then trim any new growth that occurs. This will force the plant to use energy for regrowth instead of spreading. It will eventually wither away.
     Time in the weeds can be instructive. In the restaurant world if you are" in the weeds" you are so behind that you are on the verge of being over run. The server has too many tables and not enough time to take care of them properly. This happens in life too, especially during the holiday season. Expectations have a way of crowding out the beauty and peace. Flowers need space to flourish; People need space to flourish. Better to accomplish a few activities with joy, then a  full schedule with resentment. If you are like me, some of your expectations will need to be constantly trimmed back, much like a Canadian Thistle. That's the work of weeds. Weeds teach about soil, expectations teach us about ourselves.