Weedy wisdom, and some darn good sauce

12 years ago

Last week I went out to remove last year's dead branches from the lantana along fenceline, then started cutting down the raspberry vines on my side, trying to keep things tidy and be a good neighbor. They're really tasty, btw, and I was eating the ripe ones as I worked. Until I let them go the past couple years, the fenceline was kept trimmed and tidy on both sides. The old lady who lived on that side was militant about "them weeds" but about the same time I lost control on my side of the fence, she became unable to get out and do any gardening, passed away, and her grandson lives there now with his family.

Anyway, the grandson came out and was inspecting his veggie patch and we were talking for a few minutes, then he went inside. He came back out a few minutes later and handed me a pretty, big bottle of barbecue sauce. He said he had just made it and it had a lot of berries in it. I thanked him for the unexpected and very generous gift and took it inside, and sat down to take a break. And then it hit me - that was his gentle way of telling me it was OK to leave the raspberry vines to grow, and probably his preference.

I thought this was a great example of how gardening can teach us so much, so many parables are illustrated here. He could have said something about how he wouldn't mind if I just let the berries grow but it could have started a disagreement if I disagreed. We don't know each other hardly at all so although I wouldn't have disagreed, he had no way of knowing that and I just love the way he chose to make his point without the possibility of creating any dischord.

I could have spent the rest of the day getting scratched up and sore, removing more vines. But my neighbor, through his diplomacy, showed me it wasn't necessary. So I ended up with a huge nasty chore that no longer needed to be done, and some seriously good sauce! It's incredible, we've had it on grilled chicken twice already.

Sometimes we're beating ourselves up just because we think we should. Our focus can become so narrow that we miss the big picture. Now I'm not saying everyone should stop pulling their weeds, but hey. If you sit back and think about it, maybe there's some lemonade to be made from whatever lemons you're dealing with. Even if all you can come up with is appreciating their contribution to your compost.

What have your weeds taught you?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
12 years ago
What a nice story! Be SURE to try that BB sauce on pork, too. :-)
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
Original Author
12 years ago
Mmmmm, you're right! It was delicious on pork chops and inspired me to make some similar sauces when our figs started coming on. I've also discovered that the "wild garlic" in the yard is delicious!
Related Discussions
The wisdom in allowing this wild cherry to live
Q
Comments (7)
Oh, Ken! I love you. LOL I wrote out your answer in my head as I was posting mine. ;) I live on a quarter of an acre. Between me and my immediate neighbours (to the back and one side), and the wilderness area to the other side, there are over 50 tall pines surrounding my house. We have 17 or 18 or 19 on our property alone (the fudging in numbers comes with the fact that some of the trees aren't totally on our land). Add to that the sweet gum and the two lives oaks and the sourwood (still tiny, but destined to be big if it lives for long enough) I planted 2 years ago, and we have all sorts of things that could plummet woodily down on to our house. But the shade is amazing! :) I don't have any other cherries on my property, but there is a lot of wilderness within a mile of our house, so I'm sure they're around, and I'd way rather a weedy, enthusiastic native than an invasive. This wasn't a spot I was worrying about, but now that the tree is there, I'm okay with it. I'd half considered adding another viburnum here, and I might still add that in. I don't think it's necessarily something of value for me, but as esh says, it's valuable for wildlife and I value that. Thanks all! Yes, even Ken.
...See More
Anyone live near me and would share their wisdom
Q
Comments (27)
I just found the FL forum, I have been posting in the Tomato forum the whole time! lol. Steve, I am very close to you as well, right off 1-75 and Fletcher(USF exit), next exit down from David. I live on a cattle farm, and am only a 3rd year gardener, so I have much to learn as well. I am currently limiting myself to tomatoes and peppers, I love salsa and hot foods. I tried lettuce/broccoli/carrots/radishes, but the lettuce and broccoli didnt do too good. I have some pepper plants that are a couple years old now, I just cover them durring frost. This winter I am going to try using water jugs durring frost. The big Zepherhills water jugs, just cut off the bottom and put it over the plant. Its like a mini greenhouse. I start pepper seeds in November for a March 1st plant out. I currently have 3 bhut jolokia(ghost chili/current world record holder) seedlings going. And should have some more cool varieties from the tomato/pepper exchange. For tomatoes I try to follow the 2-season approach. I start seeds January 1st, plant out March 1st. Then I start seeds July 1st, plant out Sept 1st. I might try to get some shade cloth and try to get them through the summer next year. -Corey
...See More
Need a good sauce, I think
Q
Comments (4)
Barb, I feel your pain. My husband is on a low sodium diet and so must restrict his Parmesan cheese intake. And it's the Parmesan that gives the lovely flavor to Alfredo. Plus any processed product like a Stouffers meal will include extra salt. That said, I do make bechamel sauce for pasta & vegetables that taste OK. But you'd never confuse it with a real Alfredo. To cut calories, you could use milk rather than cream or half & half. Make the sauce with cornstarch rather than a roux -- although I think butter adds a lot of good flavor. Start the sauce with some sauteed finely chopped onion and/or garlic. Throw in some fresh or dried herbs you like for extra flavor. Perhaps use some no-salt-added chicken broth for some of the liquid. Be sure to add some freshly ground pepper. Other possibilities include adding some sour cream or cream cheese for richness and a bit of tang. Both of those are low in sodium. You could probably use the low fat versions, but I'd avoid the fat free stuff. Depending on how low salt you want to go, you could save the shredded Parmesan for sprinkling on top. I often add about 2 tbsp. to the sauce and then sprinkle a bit on top. A great way to add low sodium flavor is to make a crumb topping. I combine breadcrumbs with garlic and fresh or dried herbs (sometimes I'll add red pepper flakes for some kick) in a small skillet. Brown them in butter and take off heat. Add a couple of tablespoons of shredded Parmesan, and I've got a tasty pasta topping that's much lower in sodium than straight cheese. The bottom line for me is to make something that's tasty but without a lot of sodium. I know that I cannot duplicate standard recipes. But I can fiddle and come up with something that tastes good and satisfies my husband. For example, if he sees a KFC commercial & gets a craving for fried chicken, that's what I'll make. But I use no-salt-added fresh chicken and don't add salt to the dredging flour. It's not the same but it's pretty darn good.
...See More
Wisdom Teeth Recovery
Q
Comments (36)
Soft food, not hot and not cold. I second the suggestion of flexible frozen veggie packs. I don't recall difficulties or pain when I had mine out. Not my regular doc, but once when a dentist asked me to "Open wide", my jawbone popped out! The poor dentist hopped about six inches into the air and just about had kittens ... but I assured him that my jawbone did that from time to time and that it was no big deal. I did feel somewhat sorry for the poor guy. Good wishes to your daughter for an uncomplicated procedure and a comfortable, uneventful recovery. ole joyful
...See More
linda_schreiber
12 years ago
No story as great as yours, Purple. [Sincere compliments. Great story, and well told. I suspect that the grandson is going to be a good neighbor. Would like to meet him.]

But various bouts with weeds, both minor and *huge* have taught me a few things.

Charming unknown friends that appear out of nowhere, and suddenly take up residence, should be welcomed. But after the initial welcome-party, you should go off to quickly and quietly check out just who and what they are.... Some you can laugh with over breakfast, and they will remain friends for years. Others, whose 'charming faces' are false, need to be greeted in the morning with a shovel. Or napalm.

One woman's frustratingly rampant weed is another woman's *very* welcome salad green.

It's lovely to have a vision for a part of the property, and make major changes in what is already pretty not bad there to make that vision a reality! But be aware.... There is such a thing as a long-term 'seed bed'.... The zombies awake, and start moving across the land. Be ready!! Gaahh!!

Ya can't judge a book by its cover, or a weed by its size. There are things that will get to be 5 ft tall that I will walk by and say "Ah, I'll get you later." And others that will be just a few inches tall that I will see, stop short, and dig out with vicious enthusiasm! Has to do with that old saying "Know your enemy!"

There are a few big weed problems that are serious. But most of them can be pulled tomorrow, or next week, as well as they can be today. So, for today, I will not weed. I will listen to the birds, and enjoy the breeze, and enjoy the flowers, and relax.....
anitamo
12 years ago
Great stories purple and linda. Excellent food for thought.
Ginny McLean_Petite_Garden
12 years ago
I so enjoyed those stories! Had a very frustrating day just with the chaos that is my life right now. Don't know what was wrong but nothing was right apparently. Went out to the garden or what used to be the garden to pull thistles since this was the first dry day in a long time. Felt 100% better when I came in 2 hours later with 2 tired dogs and covered in scratches. Oh that shower felt good!
First time on this forum and this is what I read. Thanks so much for posting these! :)

Ginny Garden
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
Original Author
12 years ago
Well, it's berry time again, and I am reminded of and thankful for this story. We've picked an awesome amount of berries this year but, I admit, most were eaten on ice cream and in pancakes instead of made into a sauce.

I've also discovered that if I call the weeds ground covers, the out-of-control aspect is diminished, mentally. Needing to teach the ground covers a lesson is so much more appealing and positive than needing to go pull weeds. No less sweaty or difficult, but sounds so much less dreadful.

Weedy wisdom, and some darn good sauce

Comments (6)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
Original Author

Related Discussions

linda_schreiber

anitamo

Ginny McLean_Petite_Garden

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Weedy wisdom, and some darn good sauce

Comments (6)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, ALOriginal Author

Related Discussions

linda_schreiber

anitamo

Ginny McLean_Petite_Garden

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, ALOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
Original Author

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
Original Author