April 2024 Garden Update

The cleavers, also known as sticky willy, was running wild with an invasive power, trying to smother everything in its path in and around the raised beds.

The dirt under my fingernails is evidence of my rescue efforts early this morning.
The Hostas and dwarf Nandina are safe for now.

A large trashcan is now full of goose grass, another common name for sticky willy. It has even more common names.

Its scientific name is Galium aparine, and it is an annual herbaceous plant.

It is claimed to have many medicinal purposes, and this was interesting to read. However, I have neither the time or inclination to learn and practice herbal medicine at this time.

My time schedule is currently full. I was lucky to squeeze in the time for early morning weeding.

When I was done weeding I spent a few minutes enjoying all the blooming azaleas in my garden.
(I have posted a few of them.)

Then it began to rain.

Not all of the cleavers is gone. There is some left for the butterflies and moths to enjoy.
I will have to watch it so that it does not overrun its neighbors.