G is for Ground Growing Dandelions Not Roses

I’m awful at caring for plants. It’s just not my thing. Oh, I’ve read up and researched, but it still feels like a hit or miss. Sometimes they thrive and other times they…don’t. This year, I haven’t made the usual trek to the local hardware store for weed spray. In the past, when I have, invariably there’d be someone asking an employee, “But is there a way to get rid of the weeds without pulling them out?” And the response would be a slight laugh followed by a “No.” Sprays aren’t typically recommended for the safety of plants nearby as well as pollinators.

Really, the best way to get rid of weeds is to pull them out by the root. But that takes a lot of time and energy. Thanks to the rains, I have a lot of weeds. And I’ve been tempted to leave them…because they look healthier than some of my actual plants/flowers. Apparently, I can grow weed. No, no, not that weed. Dandelions, mainly. My uncle suggested I start making dandelion wine. Sounds disgusting. At least my tortoise is awake and taking full advantage. She loves dandelion leaves.

Before Barry B. Benson and the bee activists get on my case about pulling dandelions, I am aware they are good for bees. However, I also have other plants that I handpicked for that same purpose. They love my lavender plants (they’ve been swarming them as of late). I have other flowers, but it’s the lavender plants that are always full of bees.

If I don’t pull them, they’ll choke out the plants I currently have. So I’ve done a little at a time, pulling weeds. I’m probably halfway through…eh, maybe less. *sigh* The thing I discovered? My dog doesn’t seem to think the weeds are a problem. In fact, she loves running through them. I wonder if she fancies herself a wild dog (or perhaps Indiana), pushing through her make-believe jungle in search of the lost ball of tennis.