Weed...Wildflower...Weed...Wildflower...Whatever

  To some folks, every plant that that they did not specifically choose for the garden is a weed.  I guess I am just a tad different.  Sure, Cogon Grass does not belong in my tomato patch and morning glories will choke the life out of the zinnias but a wildflower now and again won't ruin the garden.  It all goes back to a childhood chore back on the farm. Weeding was one of my least favorite jobs to do.  In fact, I think it was one of the most distasteful chores ever!  Pop kept the fields immaculate. Nary a weed was to be found.  Most of the time, he tended the rows himself.  This was a huge task as he planted acres upon acres but, every morning hoe in hand, he would walk the fields and chop out each weed.  All was clean except for one row of onions...always the onions. Let one of his kids misbehave and it was his or her job to head to the field and weed that row of onions....always the onions!  (It is amazing that I love onions to this day because I did a LOT of weeding.)  Weeding was not terrible other than the rows seemed to be miles long and the gnats attacked in hoards and that usually it was a punishment.  So, a weed, now and again, in my garden is not deemed despicable.

  All of the talk of weeding and chores brings me to the lovely "wildflower" found blooming in the middle of the carrots. Actually, there were three plants and each were allowed to remain growing where they were.  I sort of like them as they add a certain whimsy to the garden.  I admit to planting flowers in with the veggies so a wildflower sort of blends right in with the others.  This wildflower/weed (depending on who is identifying the plant) is none other than fleabane.  There are several different types of fleabane and I think all of them grow right here on the Bayou.  Not that I am complaining since I think they are all gorgeous.  

  So...wildflower?  Weed?  Pull it?  Keep it?  Yep, it will stay.  Pop is probably shaking his head right now and thinking "Where did I go wrong with this one?  She needs to weed those carrots."