Weeding Is Like Laundry

Weeding is like laundry. There is always a load to be done. The job is never ending and weeds are relentless. It is honestly surreal how quickly they can take over. The weather and my schedule are not helping the matter either. It feels like almost every evening after work, a summer storm pops up and either downpours or threatens to. I know, I know, it is summer and this is expected but it is frustrating just the same. If the weather is cooperating then it seems my schedule is not, so all this means I am not weeding at the frequency or as thoroughly as I thought I would when I was planning the work for the flower garden.

Weeds growing around Van Gogh’s Fantasy sunflowers.

In spite of me, most of our flowers are doing well. Varieties where we have lower or more sporadic germination rates make me think the weeds are partially to blame, but we still have lots of buds and even if a plant is struggling, once I remove the weeds and foliar feed, it recovers or at least seems to. I now completely understand why so many gardeners and farmers give so much thought and attention to weed control or admit that they sometimes just have to give up. If we had more planting area, this job would literally be impossible.

Weeds around young zinnia plants.