Hunting for Lions

Every now and then, I arm myself with a bottle of Roundup and head off into the depths of Springfield.  I usually have a successful hunt because our garden is the perfect habitat for lions – dandelions – and if I come across some bindweed, ground elder or a bramble, then that is even better.

I have a pragmatic relationship with weeds.  In an acre of garden, where there is a lot of grass, open countryside, neighbouring gardens, hedgerows AND gravel paths, we are more likely to win the premium bonds than eradicate the less than welcome plants.  As long as the weeds are manageable and don’t invade the vegetable and fruit beds, then we are fairly easy going.  It is wonderful how naturalised violas, primulas and cowslips nestle in with all kinds of weeds, some of which are quite attractive.   Most of the time the different plants sort themselves out and learn to live with each other.  I love to see the buttercups and daisies.  The trouble is though, that weeds by definition are very successful wild plants and they can take over if you give them too much slack.  I think the best thing to do is lift some and leave some. 

I can hear readers wincing at my mention of chemicals and I apologise for that because I really would like to be free of chemicals in the garden.  Dandelions have really long tap roots and unless you are able to dig the whole plant up, then even the tiniest bit of root left in the soil is perfect for a new plant.  Sometimes I need a little help.  For the ground elder and bindweed, I find that they are indestructible without chemical warfare and we have reduced these invaders over the years by repeatedly killing all signs of them.

I am mindful of the old farming saying:  ‘One year’s seeding means 7 years weeding...’  So I try to minimise the number of dandelions by grabbing any clocks whole with my fist and then drop them into a carrier bag.  I zap the parent dandelion before it gets a second chance.  However, I remember that as a child I used to search out dandelion clocks and see how far I could blow the seeds.   My mum was a very keen gardener and I don’t remember her ever telling me off for this.  Perhaps she thought that it was good that I was outside, taking notice of nature and enjoying myself.  Perhaps she did not want to put me off gardening by telling me not to mess around.  If it was part of her plan, it worked, didn’t it? 

I quite like doing a little light weeding with my trowel and a radio in my pocket for company.  Most of the tiddlers are easily lifted from the flower borders and it gives me the opportunity to get down on my kneeling mat and see what is happening at ground level.  As I work my way along the bed, I see what is doing well, what needs a bit of a tidy up and take note of any plant which needs to be moved.  It is also a good way of spotting trouble early on.   And still, after all these years I peer at an unknown plant and wonder if it is a weed or a plant.   I have probably got some prize specimens that other gardeners would have long since put in the dustbin!