Weeding marathon going on right now, so today I like the BIG and TALL plants the best. You know, the giants that are like 8' tall by 4.5' wide? They can wait till last to be done, as so much more of them show above the weeds!

I have some WEEDS nearly that big right now, in my perennial garden... everything got quite neglected last year, due to a combination of circumstances, and it was all I could do to (marginally) take care of the veg garden, so now I'm paying the price!! I'm taking one area at a time and getting everything back in shape -- the perennials will have their turn next week if all goes well. Then there will just be one more spot to rejuvenate, an area with lilacs and daffodils out near the road... I'm actually starting to feel hopeful that I'll have everything back to being at least recognizable as garden areas by the end of the summer

Same here, Sandy. I missed the window of opportunity to get the outlying shadier areas cleaned up properly this spring, and it's been an epic battle with the mosquitoes ever since. Sunny areas are looking pretty good though, and that's totally reversed from the past few years, when the shadier areas received the most attention.

Here's one of those mid-height beds...the weeds are definitely taller!



I worked in it today; right alongside the hummingbirds. They didn't seem to mind its weediness a bit.

Even your weeds are attractive in that photo, Chelle.

zuzu said:Even your weeds are attractive in that photo, Chelle.

That's what I though too!

Right now I don't have 'beds,' I have rows. It finally rained enough and I finally have time so my flower rows are getting weeded. We had to mow the aisles, the grass was knee high. I'm fighting tall clover that cannot be pulled. I have to cut it down. But I've been making some headway. I thought I could condense into two rows but I forgot about the row of peonies and a row of glads so I guess it will have to be four rows. I really need to cut back!

And there are strawberries in here! I did get this weeded, then my son suggested we just get new plugs for fall! (they don't like the variety I have. Too tart for them.)




You can see the grass in the aisle on the left. Somehow while weeding I lost one of my cobraheads! I have walked the area four or five times and cannot find it and I have a bright pink plastic ribbon tied to the handle!

Well, at least we know we aren't alone in the "buried in weeds" category!

Arlene, I can certainly imagine losing a weeder in my mess -- or, like, my refrigerator if it somehow got out there...

I'm still looking for pruning sheers I lost about a month ago...in the weeds, somewhere...

Our stuff could all be part of an archeological dig at some point in time!

I'm on my way this morning to weed at the church...dew point is still in the uncomfortable range. Poor DH is shaking his head about my intentions...there are PLENTY of weeds right here in our gardens....

Have been using the serrated knife method recommended on ATP - nothing like low tech to get the job done!

I think those yellow blooms might be Canada Lettuce, but I'm not sure. I usually try to get them before they bloom, but not this year. Heaven forbid they ever set seed; I can't get rid of the ones I have now! I have stopped obsessing over them though, which is a very good thing. One of these days I'll end up getting enough of the other plants moved out of there that I can mow that area like lawn, but in the meantime I've learned acceptance. I did get most of them pulled (temporarily) yesterday, so that should get me through another year's bloom cycle.



A definite departure from what's usually shown...but here's a few pictures of those bigger, taller areas that somehow seem to look okay; even when they're past due for cleanup.

jerseyridgearts said:I'm on my way this morning to weed at the church...dew point is still in the uncomfortable range. Poor DH is shaking his head about my intentions...there are PLENTY of weeds right here in our gardens....

Have been using the serrated knife method recommended on ATP - nothing like low tech to get the job done!

I really appreciate those church gardens! Catherine, you're a brave and caring soul to work those gardens today. to you! I was going to say that with today's miserable-feeling weather, containers would be the ones I like the best (no weeds and quick to care for ), but your perseverance may get me out and doing after all.

Even the weeds give you beautiful flowers, Chelle!

It's difficult to tell the difference here, Sandy, I know, but the tall yellow and purple-blue flowers in the last set of pictures are actually my preferred plants! Maybe that's part of my planting and viewing strategy, eh? A naturalistic look that defies being categorized! One is never entirely sure if what's being viewed is supposed to be there!
I'm glad that you saw them as pretty flowers, because that's how I see them, too.

All the beds look great to me Chelle!

Thanks!
Now, y'all are going to aid and abet my slacking off if you're not careful!

We all just came in from the screened porch, soaking wet, where we were experiencing a major storm system as it blew through...fun stuff! My boy and I really like these summer furies. We might have some minor hail damage, but the rain is very welcome. The big and tall Inula helenium is listing a bit at the moment, but I think it'll be just fine.

Today I like the raindrops the best!


Arlene, I lost my best pruners this year, too. I'm really hoping that both of ours are just mislaid, and not laying out somewhere in the weeds and weather!


Anyone else have garden areas or types of plants that you're especially fond of, regardless of the situation? Share them with us, if you will... it's good therapy!

Chelle, I know my pruners are out in the weather because I was using them and then I couldn't find them. I need to find a tool belt that holds a pair of pruners!!! I'm probably going to have to come up with something myself that involves velcro! Like a velcro strap that hooks between the handles from the belt to the pocket.

A deep-pocket (cloth) waist apron might work for you, Arlene. I've used them before and found them to be handy but these days I usually just have a few moments here and there to prune, so I usually don't bother. When I used to use them it was nice to be able to remove it, fold it over and wrap the ties around it, and my hand tools stayed nestled safely inside. I'd just grab the bundle and go. I kept an oiled rag in there, too. I'm a bit obsessive about re-oiling my tools.

[Edited for clarity]

I used to have a bag I carried but the straps broke, for the second time so I started using a carpenter's belt but the pruners kept working their way out when I was bending over so much. After I lost them I started keeping my grasshopper with me and putting the second pruner inside the seat but it's a pain. I admit I have a bad habit of just setting them down on the ground/weeds as I work but I have been trying to be super careful. The oiled rag is a great idea. I always think I'm going to put sand and oil in a 5 gallon bucket to clean/oil my shovel, fork, whatever, but I still haven't done it.

Chelle. My avatar is a distant view of my big garden 'cuz I haven't gotten it all cleaned out this whole summer. Weather and terrible biting bugs, that are very prolific because of all the rain, and life seem to have put a crimp in gardening. I've still got hopes for catching up though! Well maybe not this year.

I don't see any weeds Susie! It's a beautiful garden!