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Weeds
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| May is the gardener's busiest month. Weeding is one of many
chores demanding time. Since we spend much time pulling weeds, they
are worth learning about. Knowing about them can help us deal with
our pain, effectively attack or use our weeds, and appreciate their
interesting facets. |
| Offhand, most of us would gladly wish all weeds gone --just like
we'd wish for, say, plenty of free time and discretionary income. There
is, however, an iconoclastic view, i.e., to argue that weeds confer
some undeniable positive benefits, and to make all weeds disappear would
be a mistake. Sort of like saying illness is not altogether bad for us. |
| If weeds are considered in the broadest possible context, and
the peculiarities of each species are appreciated, the result is a fresh way
of seeing them. A benign wildflower in one place can be a troublesome
weed in another place. For example, blue gum (Eucalyptus
globulus) is a relatively unimportant native forest tree in Tasmania, but it's a weed
in California, although not in Seattle because it cannot survive our
colder winters. |
| Some weeds are wild vegetables. Some have lifesaving medicinal
potency. They cover bare soil quickly, interacting with other plants
and animals in ways humans may not dream. |
| If a weed bugs you, and you want to banish it from the face of the
earth, first try learning its names and life history. Then you can read all
about it or ask questions. Seattle is lucky to have a public weed display
and education garden. The exhibit showcases in one place labeled
specimens of many dozens of different kinds of weeds. The exhibit dates from
1982, and is at Seattle Tilth's urban agriculture demonstration gardens. |
| Tilth's gardens offer other attractions as well: vegetables,
culinary herbs, flowers to attract helpful insects, berry bushes, grape vines
and fruit trees, a border of "water-wise" ornamental landscape plants,
a children's garden, greenhouse, compost and worm education, etc.
And it's all in a lovely setting right next to the Wallingford P-Patch
(Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Avenue N; 633-0451). |
| The weed garden itself stands out, being uniquely enclosed by a
low brick wall. Each weed's white plastic label has English and
scientific names. A few common weeds are absent, such as dandelion and
horsetail; there is only so much room --about the size of a queen bed. |
| Maintaining a weed garden is not so easy as you may think. There is
lots of competition and aggressive behavior to deal with. The caretaker
must referee, ensuring that underdogs are not bullied away by
powerful, ruthless species. Another ongoing task is making sure the labels
are readable: their ink fades, rampant growth can hide them. Some
weeds need watering. Some insist on loose, fluffy, soil. Some need sun,
others shade. Some must be divided regularly for rejuvenation. To bring
them all together and pull it off recalls Noah's ark. |
If you're sleepless at night wondering about the identity of a
certain weed, but do not find it at the weed garden, leave a sample with a note
at Tilth's office. A weed expert there will try to pin a name on it.
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(originally published in The Seattle Weekly, May 1997)
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