Comments on: Free sowers vs. freeloaders

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:12:18 +0000

I think it’s a good reminder for all of us gardeners: just because a plant isn’t identified as invasive doesn’t mean it can’t become a weedy pest under the right conditions. Remember… always deadhead the freeloaders in your garden!

By: melanie watts

melanie watts — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:54:49 +0000

I learned the hard way to to systematically cut the seed heads off my invasive plants. Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’, one of those hardy cranesbill geranium, was my biggest problem. I didn’t bring a cutting of it with me when I moved into my new house. I wish I had your problem with the freeloading lemon balm. I haven’t ben able to find any seed for it.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:43:12 +0000

Would you believe I have a dear friend who can’t grow mint? I’ve given her so many clumps to grow and she kills them all. Would you like me to give her your address? LOL! It’s all part of the learning process…

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:41:09 +0000

I like to leave seedheads for birds foraging in winter, but ONLY ones I know won’t invade the beds the following spring should the birds snub them. Echinacea (or coneflower) is a good example of a healthy self-sower. Finches love to feast on the seeds and the rare few that escape their notice aren’t enough to spread far and wide throughout the neighborhood.

By: Tee Riddle

Tee Riddle — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:49:57 +0000

I was terrible about growing just about anything that seemed “neat” when I first started. Big mistake! I, happily at the time, planted a small patch of mint in the front yard flower beds. I enjoyed the smell of mint and adding it to teas. That was twelve years ago, and I am still losing the battle of conquering my mint invasion. It has spread throughout the entire flower bed, and front yard. I no longer have much grass as it has all succumbed to “The Interloper”. At least it smells great when I mow the (mint) lawn.

This article is a perfect reminder to double check our garden plans, and think twice about what we are going to plant.

By: Annica

Annica — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:21:45 +0000

Great article! and a good reminder for sure. I am SO guilty of not dead-heading properly and every year I cuss myself!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 12:58:57 +0000

Thanks Carole, for your kind words and for encouraging conversations among gardeners and growers! As Spring (s-l-o-w-l-y) comes on it’s an ideal time to take a closer look at not only what we’d like to grow but we’re already growing and how better to care for them.

By: Carole

Carole — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:45:14 +0000

This is kind of funny. I’m making my way around my favorite sites to see what’s new as I write my “Best of the Web” post for tomorrow, and there’s my name, right in the beginning of your article! Thanks for the shout out and the gentle reminder to dead-head and take responsibility for what we grow. BTW, this article will show up in best of the web tomorrow. Great stuff!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 02:27:30 +0000

It’s a fine line between re-seeding and weed-seeding sometimes. I love lemon balm but the yearly chore of digging up over 30 or so seedlings serves as a reminder to DEADHEAD! Thanks so much for your comment!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 02:24:51 +0000

Thanks! I seem to learn many valuable gardening lessons the hard way…LOL!