Magical Monday Weeding

Hi all,

It looks like the weather will be just fine for Monday 2-3pm with a bit of rain overnight and in the morning.

With the weather definitively warming up (at least during the day) some of the Onion Grass (probably old ones) are thickening and planning to flower (see first photo). We certainly do not want them to produce seeds but on the other hand, each very short lived pink flower makes that weed much easier to spot and deal with - nice screwdriver in hand. That flower seems to only open in the middle of sunny days ie not first thing in the morning nor later in the day.

The more Onion Grass get extracted now the better as they disappear underground until next year after fruiting . We will certainly target them tomorrow Monday, but if you have time any other day, please go for a wonder, screw driver in hand. When you see one, oh so gently ease them out to keep the plant whole then pull them out. Each successful extirpation saves years.

Some of the area where they are will be burnt this year which seems to make their spotting easier too. So overtime they won't be any left, there are already significantly less of them by a long mile.

For good measure, and your enjoyment, the second photo is of an area I weeded yesterday. I had a lovely time and filled up a crate. It is only at the very end that I spotted the young Bulbine. A great reminder that the weeding art at the Patch is to: 

- spot the problem

- circle it to well define the problem

- pull it gently so as to leave the rest in place

Use that photo to see how long it takes you to spot the bulbine. If you can't or do not know what a bulbine looks like, great time to ask! 😊

Thanks to those who already told me they are or they are not coming. I hope to see some of you tomorrow or at the Adopt a Native Pea this Saturday 1st Sept  or the Wildflower Walk and Weed on the 15th of Sept. Or I may bump into you when I randomly go and weed there.

Enjoy the coming of Spring!

Pascale.