Thursday 23 January 2020

Thursday

I have come to the conclusion that we are lucky here in The Dales.   Every morning I watch the weather forecast and for the last few days the forecaster has said, apologetically, that it will be cloudy everywhere.   Somehow we have missed that cloud here in The Dales and each day we have had quite a lot of sun.   Not hot of course - it is Winter - but sun and (out of the breeze) warmish.   My Gardener even came this morning and did a couple of hours tidying up in my garden - and by golly it looks better for it.

Between us we have decided to plant up the 'empty' section with shrubs.   I say 'empty'; those of you who have read my posts over the years will know that one section of my garden is severely infected with the weed Mares' Tail.    It has had several sprays with a specialised Weed Killer but to no avail.   Reading up about it another suggestion is to plant it with shrubs and just  keep hoeing at the weed whenever it shows its face.   Should you not be familiar with said weed I will tell you that it is thought to be the 'oldest' weed in history and virtually ineradicable.   So watch this space.

 

19 comments:

JayCee said...

I am pleased to see you posting today. I hope that your headache has passed and that you are feeling well again?
You are indeed lucky with your weather if you have escaped the fog that has been afflicting lots of areas these past days. Once it lifts it has been quite mild but is very unpleasant when shrouding us in cold and damp tendrils.

the veg artist said...

So glad you're up to blogging again. You had us worried! I'm fond of shrubs in a garden - reliable and colourful.

Heather said...

So pleased to hear from you again. I think planting shrubs is a great idea. At least the mares tail wont have all the soil to itself, and shrubs are good for birds and insects as well as being good to look at.
We have had some beautiful crisp winter days down here but they have been interspersed with grey, wet and dismal ones, but as you say - it is winter. However, there are snow drops in flower and daffodils in bud, so we are moving in the right direction.

Ruth said...

I was really worried about you - it's wonderful to see you back and without a headache!! Thinking of gardening is a joy at this time of year. Stay safe and well!!!!!

Gwil said...

About the only thing I know about weeds comes from Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men - their best friend was Little Weed.

Lynn Marie said...

I'm imagining you and your gardener as intrepid warriors, in armor, with swords, axes, and hoes doing battle with the oldest weed on earth.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

We have your clouds down here, if you'd like to come and collect them! It barely got light today. Good luck with the mare's tail; it was here when the dinosaurs roamed the earth and I have a feeling it'll still be here long after we've gone.

Terra said...

Best wishes in your war against the Mares' Tail. I have awful weeds in my back yard which I call Iron Grass. You will have fun choosing your shrubs with berries for the birds, etc.

justjill said...

Glad you are ok and planning. Shrubs good. Blackbirds rake about underneath. You never know they may do some weeding too!

Rosie said...

Glad to see your post, Pat - I was thinking of you. How lovely to see a bit of sun! It has been so relentlessly grey, dark and cold down here in Reigate, but the bulbs are poking their heads through already, and there are fat buds on the magnolia and camellia. It will soon be spring, I hope!

Bonnie said...

It is good to see you. I was also concerned after your last post. I hope you are feeling better. How nice that you have the sun out for that will always raise a person's spirits. It sounds like you and your gardener already have a good plan for spring. Take care and have a nice weekend!

Oklahoma Girl said...

Good to see your post. Glad you are much better.

Joanne Noragon said...

That is quite a weed. Thank goodness for your gardener, doing the work.

Cro Magnon said...

I also believe that Mare's Tail is poisonous for horses, but I'm not 100% certain.

Librarian said...

Like the others here, I was worried about you and am glad to see you have been blogging again.
On a cold day, a bit of sunshine can do so much to make us feel better, can't it!

thelma said...

Glad you are back blogging. Persistent weeds are not fun. One has only to see Himalayan Balsam romping along our river bank, or Japanese knotweed in Wales. And then ground elder, planted by the monks as a first edible of spring. Strangely I respect these old hangers on though, they have history!

pam nash said...

We have that plant here also. I do have some planted in a container but treat it as a bog plant and keep the container full of water. I did one time plant it in the ground and, I never got rid of it. It came up everywhere including the other side of the yard! I suspect the people that bought that house battle it still. But, it is considered a beneficial herb with medicinal properties along with being an annoying, invasive pest. Good luck!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Pam - I cannot imagine planting Mares Tail from choice!!!
Thelma - I quite resoect these hangers on as you call them, as long as theyare not in my garden.

Thanks everyone for your comments.

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