If this irritates you, you may have a few (or a lot) of OCD tendencies. But here on the homestead another good gauge of OCD is how (and what) you do with your property's volunteer population -- those plants you had nothing to do with buying or seeding -- which just show up one day, usually in a funky place where they do not belong or fit in.
This gaillardia, for example is so stunning I am dying to move it to a place where it can be shown off, rather than where it currently sits in our pasture. But since it looks like this with absolutely no supplemental water and has been here for as long as we have, I am afraid if I try and move it I'll sever the tap root that's probably keeping it alive. I'm sure if we ever get livestock I will fence it in or borrow a tractor to dip deep and bring it up, but for now I get to enjoy it every once in awhile when I am down pruning berries or weeding.
These coyote bushes showed up in the exact spot you see them in, when we killed the front lawn (intentionally) the first summer we moved in, as we prepared to plant some drought tolerant plants. I decided to leave them in and they are now two massive, oval-shaped shrubs, which do require shaping but little else (including water). And both the birds and bees absolutely love them, so I'm happy to allow them to stay. True, I had to do my landscape design around them, but to have two such mature-looking plants in the yard after only three years was worth some revision.
These baby coyote brush plants (above) will be transplanted up to the top fence line of our property, where we plan on having a privacy hedge. One thing I can say about coyote brush is that while many of our neighbors remove it as soon as they see it, we use it. Free native plants, right?
And this little tomato somehow withstood all our winter freezes and is planning on blossoming soon. This is perhaps our most important volunteer, because through its survival, I now know we have a significant warm microclimate in this spot in the yard where it may be possible to grow citrus. So thank you persistent tomato plant.
Oh yes, that top pic bothers me! Just like my wood rack under the little barn. Hubby didn't level & it's tilted. Of course it's filled w/wood so I just have to live with it for now. I avoid looking at it when I'm on that side of the yard.
ReplyDeleteYes, tilted objects bother me too, so we're alike there! Hubby hung a curtain rod very slightly crooked, and it's bothered me since Day One. Sometimes you just have to look the other way haha!
DeleteAs is likely not a shock, I have some raging OCD tendencies. But funny enough things like the top photo don't bother me a bit. Unless of course I had been the one to do it, in which case I would never forgive myself. Love your attitude with volunteer plants! I'm pretty accepting in that way, too. I've always found my volunteer herb and occasional tomato seeds to be highly productive and easy in the way of care
ReplyDeleteThey are a bit like stray animals in that they seem grateful to have found a home that allows them to stay! Perhaps that's why they are so productive. ; )
DeleteI agree about volunteer plants. As I've mentioned before, I do not have a green thumb and have pretty much given up trying to coax something to thrive where I planted it, and allow nature to take its course.
ReplyDeleteAs a result, our little acre is more parklike than manicured. Our lot is heavily wooded, so plants that need a lot of sunlight don't thrive here. My job is just to keep things looking neat and to enjoy the rest.
Molly, I really think that's the best kind of stewardship in regards to the land we own (especially when it's land and not a small yard). Let it be what it wants and needs to be. It will be a much better environment if native plants are allowed to grow and protect and nourish native species. We humans always think we're improving things when we clear lots and plants pretty things, but usually we are not!
DeleteFinding volunteer plants is like getting presents. A couple of years ago, I had a beautiful red Texas Sage that sprouted in one of the rose beds. There's a yellow Crocus in my Hellebores, most certainly a gift from the neighbors via some squirrel. My best volunteer is a rose seedling, totally unique and different than anything in the garden, but bearing a striking resemblance to the two adjacent roses. http://hartwoodroses.blogspot.com/2015/06/a-chance-seedling.html
ReplyDeleteThe manhole cover makes me jittery.
Aw, I clicked the link for that post, but it said it did not exist. Must be a Blogger issue, it's such a finicky program sometimes! But I agree with what you're saying, it's funny that we think of the squirrels as pests, but they are responsible for a lot of seed transport! And you are right, volunteers really are gifts placed in unusual spots.
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