Of weeds, Spring, and aging
I am old. My ancient bones and muscles are creaking out groaning complaints of misuse and abuse.
Yesterday after work I got my Roundup out and made up a small bowl of it up. That and an old sponge were all I needed to do my normal Spring ritual involving Henbit and Wild Onions. Those are the evil ones over there on the left. I swear--the devil must have created those plants, and maybe mosquitoes too.
Both these plants really resist eradication so I have to coat them twice, about a week apart, in herbicide. I like to do it early before the grass becomes active so that the herbicide won't kill the grass too. That's also why I use a sponge to apply the Roundup instead of just spraying it pell-mell. That way I can place the Roundup just on the long upright leaves of the wild onions. Henbit stays close to the ground so I have to use a sprayer for it. Much to the detriment of the nearby grass, I'm afraid.
I've lived here for 3 years now and each year there's less wild onion so I'm winning the war against it--but I don't seem to be making much of a dent against the henbit. I really hate that weed with a passion.
Since I am tall and the plants are short, applying the Roundup requires a lot of leaning over and squatting--and today, the day after, this involves sore hamstrings and lower back. Somehow I forget every year how much an hour of leaning over and moving from nasty weed to nasty weed in a crouch will affect me. Damn, I feel old!
Any particular Spring rituals you engage in? Please share them with me regardless of whether they're dutiful work or shameless pleasure. I promise not to judge! LOL
Yesterday after work I got my Roundup out and made up a small bowl of it up. That and an old sponge were all I needed to do my normal Spring ritual involving Henbit and Wild Onions. Those are the evil ones over there on the left. I swear--the devil must have created those plants, and maybe mosquitoes too.Both these plants really resist eradication so I have to coat them twice, about a week apart, in herbicide. I like to do it early before the grass becomes active so that the herbicide won't kill the grass too. That's also why I use a sponge to apply the Roundup instead of just spraying it pell-mell. That way I can place the Roundup just on the long upright leaves of the wild onions. Henbit stays close to the ground so I have to use a sprayer for it. Much to the detriment of the nearby grass, I'm afraid.
I've lived here for 3 years now and each year there's less wild onion so I'm winning the war against it--but I don't seem to be making much of a dent against the henbit. I really hate that weed with a passion.
Since I am tall and the plants are short, applying the Roundup requires a lot of leaning over and squatting--and today, the day after, this involves sore hamstrings and lower back. Somehow I forget every year how much an hour of leaning over and moving from nasty weed to nasty weed in a crouch will affect me. Damn, I feel old!Any particular Spring rituals you engage in? Please share them with me regardless of whether they're dutiful work or shameless pleasure. I promise not to judge! LOL
Comments
I don't really have any specific Spring rituals other than to start gardening again as everything starts growing. I have something similar to your henbit. I can't get rid of it and it is very pervasive. Horrid stuff.
I am a compulsive spring-cleaner..I spent the weekend, scrubbing baseboards, windows, windowsills, cleaning out closets, etc., On Monday, I felt much like you described in your post.
Old and sore.
Couple days you'll be back after those nasty weeds.
You must give.me.a.small.break, Dave. You are NOT old (compared to me).
Can you eat wild onions?