Japanese Knotweed!

Figured it out! That stupid crazy shrub taking over my garden and backyard is a notorious invasive weed named Japanese Knotweed. I'm at school right now, and while my six awesome GAIA kids are working on their newest bulletin board, I decided to do some research online and browse images of invasive shrubs and weeds. So excited to have found it, and it turns out it is a BIG problem all over the country...

Image Taken from: http://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/japanese-knotweed

There are all sorts of web resources-- and even companies -- committed to the removal of, control of, eradication of this annoying plant. Oh crap, I knew it was a problem. Blogs, E-How's, Forums,Websites, YouTube videos .. the list goes on. Apparently the plant has rhizomes deep under the soil and it spreads underground, sending new shoots up year after year. As an ornamental shrub, it has no natural predators on this continent and is a problem from coast to coast -- even Alaska. It chokes out all native plants...It is banned in several states and disposal is regulated by law in some places to prevent contamination. Burning it does not kill it, one source claims. You need to dig it up and pull out the rhizomes...some sites recommend with a backhoe...It can come through concrete, as I have seen in my backyard... Ugh, can I say.. WTF?

Good news.. its edible. It is extremely high in vitamin C and tastes somewhat like rhubarb, I've read. In some Asian traditional therapies, the tea is used as a mild laxative and there are claims that it has other medicinal properties including being antiarthritic, antirheumatic, analgesic, detoxicant, antitussive, expectorant, antibacterial, antiviral, and it contains the potent antioxidant Resveratrol. Apparently only red wine contains more Resveratrol, which is known for its anti-aging properties. Ok. So maybe I drink some tea with the stuff ... and substitute it for rhubarb in rhubarb pie (which I have never made..) to get some anti-aging goodness into my body rather than throw it into the old compost. But I don't see it replacing my beloved red wine any time soon. ;)

~MP~

Magenta Weeds, Compost & Peas

Great news ...

It was finally a full week of spring (almost summer-like) weather so the garden is responding.

My compost pile is fixed! I added all those leaves(and worms) last week and it is heating up really nicely, the smell and sliminess is gone as well. Yesterday, I stirred it a bit ... and will turn it fully next weekend. Really excited to use the compost with my garden this year.

Last week when we were clearing the garden I was constantly pulling these magenta-plants. Ugh. They are everywhere in the yard and I have no idea what they are. Invasive weeds? Some exotic ornamental that was planted and refuses to stay in one spot? They are literally everywhere in the yard and I want them gone.

Big Magenta Weeds

Here they are when they are several WEEKS old. Huge, right?  What are these things? How do I get rid of them? Any ideas for online databases of annoying invasive plants??

Younger Magenta Weeds

MOST of my seedlings are responding really well to the warm weather. Everything except the eggplant is showing signs of sprouting now.  :)  I transplanted the peas into the garden yesterday, and sewed carrots directly next to them.

Newly Transplanted Pea Plant

I also sewed thyme directly into the garden, along the right hand border of the top terrace.  I envision it growing in a viney, sprawling, tangled fashion all along the brick border of the terrace.

All the baby mesclun lettuces were also ready to go out. :) I'll thin them out as needed this week once they take root and I can tell the strong from the weak.

Mesclun Lettuces

The beets and chard should be ready to transplant to the garden next weekend.  Maybe the parsley, cilantro, basil, and chives as well. I only see signs of a few cucumber, beans, and cantaloupe beginning to poke through the soil, so it looks like 2  more weeks for those plants. But I am most excited about those tomatoes!! Finally, finally, I see six glorious little seedlings pushing through the soil.  I can't wait to eat some delicious heirloom Italian tomatoes this year.  I'll keep saving the seeds and hopefully in the next few years as I get better at this gardening thing, I can can them and make fresh yummy sauce all year long! :)

A view of the garden

Considering how things have changed, I'm cautiously optimistic that by next weekend my eggplant, thyme, and carrots will be showing signs of life. :)

~MP~