A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in rows.
— Doug Larson
Garden plot on June 3, 2012, two weeks after planting
Since planting my plot at Roseville Community Garden on May 19, the weather has been incredible for growing. Growing weeds.
Oh, don’t get me wrong, the tomatoes and peppers are doing great. And wavy green rows of Cherry Belle Radishes, Crimson Giant Radishes, Parris Island Romaine lettuce, fennel, Danvers 126 carrots, Kaleidoscope carrots, Chioggia beets, broccoli, and Ruby Red Swiss Chard are all popping up and growing like…like…well not like the weeds!
All this rain and the unseasonable warm nights has sprouted a carpet of grass and thistle between the planted rows, and it seems there is no stopping nature from trying to utilize every square inch of exposed soil. Fortunately for me, my parents are here visiting from Minneapolis, so the three of us spent a few hours Sunday morning hoeing and pulling and beating the rascally weeds into submission, if just for a short while. It looks quite nice too, if I do say so myself!
We also planted another hill of Early Acorn Squash, Cucumbers and Black Beauty Summer Squash to fill in the “bald spots” where previous seeds had not sprouted, or been lost to small rivers eroding the loose soil when torrential rain hit just a day after planting.
I must say, it’s amazing how the plants that are supposed to be growing have taken off in just 14 days – see for yourself by comparing Sunday’s photo (above) to one taken just two weeks ago.
If I can believe the seed packet write-ups, I should have some Cherry Belle Radishes ready for eating by next week, which will be great as my mother loves radishes and it would be great to send a bunch along home with her when she leaves next Sunday.
So that’s the latest from my little 15″ x 15′ slice of heaven on earth – look for another update next Saturday. I’m hoping the weeds take a break this week, and the vegetables add more proper green to the plot.