Gardening has its challenges, and I’ve got my share of dislikes. Mowing isn’t fun, pests drive me crazy, and I’m not a fan of pampering our few roses. But the absolute worst? Weeds. I gear up for a battle I’m destined to lose every year.
The abandoned house next door and my neighbor’s wild yard don’t help. Across the street, another neighbor even cultivates weeds for medicine and food! With weed seeds constantly blowing into my garden, the fight feels endless. No matter how hard I try, I never come out on top.
The Struggle Is Real
If there’s one thing that makes me grouchy about gardening, it’s weeds. Sure, dandelions feed honeybees, and milkweed supports butterflies. But let’s be honest—my garden doesn’t need the chaos weeds bring. Left unchecked, they overrun my plants, turning my garden into a battlefield.
From February to the first snow, I wage war on weeds. Because my yard is organic, I can’t rely on chemical shortcuts. That means battling weeds the old-fashioned way—with natural remedies and a lot of manual labor.
In my area, the worst offenders include purslane, puncturevine, sagebrush, thistle, curly dock, and even poison hemlock. Farmers can spray them away, but my weapons are homemade brews and sheer determination.
The Pain of Pulling
Hand-pulling weeds is my least favorite gardening chore. It’s a never-ending task that has me sweating in triple-digit heat, yanking stubborn plants from the ground. And just when I think I’ve made progress, more weeds pop up a few days later.
I’ll be weeding away when, like clockwork, a gust of wind carries dandelion seeds from the abandoned house next door. Those parachute-like seeds float right into my yard, settling in as if they belong. It feels like an invasion—unwanted guests setting up camp on my turf.
Homemade Weed Warriors
Pulling weeds isn’t my only tactic. My arsenal includes homemade remedies made from everyday kitchen staples. Vinegar, dish soap, and essential oils become my secret weapons. Black plastic, weed barriers, boiling water, and my trusty flame weeder round out the lineup.
The flame weeder is a lifesaver, but it has its limitations. It’s only useful on windless days (rare around here), and I need a hose nearby for safety. Even with these tools, the battle against weeds is exhausting and often feels pointless.
The Never-Ending Fight
Weeds are my sworn enemy. They drain my energy, test my patience, and seem to mock my efforts. If I could keep them at bay for more than a few days, it might feel worthwhile. But no—this is a war with no end in sight.
Still, I won’t give up. Call it stubbornness or sheer determination, but I’ll keep fighting. Let the weeds try to take over—I’ll be here, flame weeder in hand, battling until the bitter end!
