I posted a sign to alert visitors to my problems.

It is that time of year, when the weeds can be overwhelming.  However, my pleasure in weeding increases after a soaking rain and there has been plenty this summer.  After a rain even onion grass, dock, bindweed, lamb’s-quarters, shepherd’s purse, and chrysanthemum weed can be pulled out from soft ground without a trowel.

There is much to be learned from weeding, but not all of it pleasant. A streak of silvery slime on the ground or over a leaf tells me slugs have taken up residence. Squelching slugs is great sport, but not for the squeamish. If I weren’t at ground level, I might not have noticed what was afoot until huge chunks were missing from the leaves.

More often, however, this close-in approach is a treasure hunt.  Peering at the innocent, purple foliage of perila seedlings, I realize they might be good transplanted into a hole in the flower border.  Near-by I spotted forget-me-not seedlings—perfect for the woodland garden where daffodils will bloom next spring.  Verbena bonariensis too, is easy to spot below the sunflower seedling. I think I’ll leave the sunflower where it is. It will be conversation piece and I don’t want to chance loosing it. Of course, bindweed, clover, dandelions and other undesirables have reared their ugly heads. I’ll eliminate stress pulling them.