It’s time to garden

I have gardened all my life. There have been all types of  gardens; formal, city gardens, Large country gardens, cottage  gardens and now that I am older, a town garden with mostly  raised beds. In all of the gardens there has been one constant.

I have waged a lifelong fight with that one constant... and it  is BINDWEED.  Google tells us: “Field bindweed is more than a nuisance;  it's a pernicious weed. Like many nonnative invasives,  bindweed is a tough plant that threatens to take over once it  gets a toehold.

Its cosmopolitan presence in many temperate  climates has earned it 84 names in 29 different languages —  most of those names are not kind. There aren't many positive  things to say about a plant that can smother a garden in a season  and reappear Terminator-like after the most conscientious  yanking.”  When I found my little house in Coquille I knew bindweed  would be there to greet me... and it was.

I am sure I saw it  quake a bit as I inspected the yard.  This will be the second season I have pulled bindweed in  Coquille. In the past, I have tried all methods of irradiation,  even, at one point, a hypodermic needle filled with roundup  shot into its veins. Did it work? NO. But, I am stubborn and  my bindweed, although healthy is reduced and, I hope, nervous.  Let me know your secret remedy for bindweed if you have  one. You can be sure I will try it.

Of course bindweed does not spoil gardening. Over the  weekend I planted cosmos and a few poppies and cut a large  bouquet of lilac and tulips. Oh, yes... I pulled every visible bit  of bindweed.

Have a productive week,  Jean Ivey