BBBBHBH
(Big Bad Blue Berry Hill Bramble Hunter) The former title that I had claimed, ‘Debrambleer’, had gotten old and lost its punch. Besides it sounded too polite and cavalier (casual; lighthearted) and I felt that the job needed to sound a little more authoritative – hence the name change. But to allow the title to take on the gravitas it deserves, a more definitive definition was needed to describe this evil plant enemy, the bramble. Bramble refers to the thorny plants of the Genus Rubus in the Rose family. Brambles include blackberries, loganberries and other closely related plants.
Many members of this plant family are cultivated and produce very good fruit for human consumption. Some other plants in the bramble family grow wild and are the bane of my garden and blueberry patch. The main troubler is a variety that has a trailing growth pattern – growing along the ground – and if left alone, they will intertwine into a woven thorny mess. Plus they steal the nutrients from the plants that I desire to grow in the places these interlopers put down roots.
It is time to plant our garden, but before this happens, the weeds and tall grasses – mostly in the rye, wheat or oat families – must be mowed to prevent them from winding around and clogging up the tines of the tiller. This has been done but a new problem presented itself in the form of stray brambles hiding in these grasses, just waiting to multiply among the plantings of veggies. These were dug out last year and there are not nearly as many as then, but they must be removed.
Today the bramble hunt began with the hunter and his weapon searching out the sneaky plants that re-grew from small segments of root that was left in the soil last year. The weapon of choice today was a narrow shovel with a long handle and you would remember his name from past missives if I mentioned it, but he chooses to remain anonymous because of the dangerous mission he is on.
The sun was leaning toward the horizon when the hunt began and it only ended when the Spice said it was time to eat – a man has to have priorities. But between those times massive deracination was going on with no mercy shown to these thorny trespassers. It was so hard not to show great glee and even an occasional chuckle when the offender was found and dug up by the roots – deracinated. Many roots bit the air today and their little plant bones and limbs will now die and dry to be oxidized by the flames of the burn pile with other offending and condemned plant forms.
Many of the roots broke off so I know there will be some re-growth, but many grizzled and lumpy roots were found and ripped out – never to offend the gardener/hunter or his fruits and veggies again. There were two small beds and four large ones to clear – and today the two small and one of the large ones were finished. Another large one was about half completed when mealtime occurred. Tomorrow is another day and hopefully these can all be completed and the garden tilled as well.
Some of us may have some pretty thorny situations in our lives, but there is One that can help with the removal thereof so that the garden of our heart can produce proper fruit for the Master. ec
Many members of this plant family are cultivated and produce very good fruit for human consumption. Some other plants in the bramble family grow wild and are the bane of my garden and blueberry patch. The main troubler is a variety that has a trailing growth pattern – growing along the ground – and if left alone, they will intertwine into a woven thorny mess. Plus they steal the nutrients from the plants that I desire to grow in the places these interlopers put down roots.
It is time to plant our garden, but before this happens, the weeds and tall grasses – mostly in the rye, wheat or oat families – must be mowed to prevent them from winding around and clogging up the tines of the tiller. This has been done but a new problem presented itself in the form of stray brambles hiding in these grasses, just waiting to multiply among the plantings of veggies. These were dug out last year and there are not nearly as many as then, but they must be removed.
Today the bramble hunt began with the hunter and his weapon searching out the sneaky plants that re-grew from small segments of root that was left in the soil last year. The weapon of choice today was a narrow shovel with a long handle and you would remember his name from past missives if I mentioned it, but he chooses to remain anonymous because of the dangerous mission he is on.
The sun was leaning toward the horizon when the hunt began and it only ended when the Spice said it was time to eat – a man has to have priorities. But between those times massive deracination was going on with no mercy shown to these thorny trespassers. It was so hard not to show great glee and even an occasional chuckle when the offender was found and dug up by the roots – deracinated. Many roots bit the air today and their little plant bones and limbs will now die and dry to be oxidized by the flames of the burn pile with other offending and condemned plant forms.
Many of the roots broke off so I know there will be some re-growth, but many grizzled and lumpy roots were found and ripped out – never to offend the gardener/hunter or his fruits and veggies again. There were two small beds and four large ones to clear – and today the two small and one of the large ones were finished. Another large one was about half completed when mealtime occurred. Tomorrow is another day and hopefully these can all be completed and the garden tilled as well.
Some of us may have some pretty thorny situations in our lives, but there is One that can help with the removal thereof so that the garden of our heart can produce proper fruit for the Master. ec
posted by mreddie | 11:54 PM
5 Comments:
Crabgrass? Bindweed? Ranunculus? Blackberry? They all have underground roots that don't respect boundaries. Every spring, I pull out the little invaders. Every fall they are back with revenge!
Bonita - It is a constant battle to keep the population of these noxious plants down to a manageable level. The infestation was less this year because of the hard work last year, but they always are there trying to encroach again. ec
Excellent post, Mr. Big Bad Blue Berry Hill Bramble Hunter!eufht
A search and destroy mission--how fun :)
SSN - It is a tough job but somebody has to do it. :)
Kila - I envision these plants gasping for dirt as their little roots bit the air. Have to do what I can to make a tough job fun - or at least sound fun. :) ec
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