Weeds and grasses are unwelcome volunteers in the garden, but sometimes we get lucky, and actually find useful or beautiful plants volunteering. Here are photos of a few of my welcome ones.
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Dill grows in several areas around the garden shed, where nothing else would survive.
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This volunteer tomato is growing in an area behind the shed that doesn't even get watered. I have no idea what variety it is, as I haven't grown tomatoes back there since 2010. I'll let it go and see if it produces anything.
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Carpet of Snow alyssum has been volunteering for the past two years, since I originally planted it in 2010. It is very welcome, and provides me with many seedlings that can be placed wherever I want them in the garden.
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A few cosmos volunteers have popped up here and there. It depends on how tall they get if they will be allowed to stay. I planted two varieties last year, but one grew into gigantic trees. If these get over 3' tall, they'll be ripped out and disposed of!
I have other welcome volunteers in my garden, but none as lovely as those of my cyber friend, Langela. You might remember the post about this unknown species of plant, that was eventually identified as a Dognip.
Dognip plant in Langela's flower garden, May 2011
Well......just look at the volunteer that popped up this year!
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The Dognip must have been a hybrid plant, as the volunteer didn't quite grow true. I guess this one is a Catnip.
Cute!
ReplyDeleteNartaya, I wish they were mine!
DeleteI usually expect to get volunteer dill but this year it has started dying for some reason. I'm so sad. I might not get dill seed this year.
ReplyDeleteDaphne, it's too bad I can't send you some! There is much more than I'll use fresh, but the seed will be saved, it's always useful.
DeleteHa! Ha! That tomato looks like it's hiding from you...just sorta' peeking around the ladder. I love my volunteers...silly little plants. This year I have a watermelon! I NEVER grow watermelon in my garden. My husband grows them commercially so we have 100's of acres...I have no idea where this guy came from...maybe chicken poo!
ReplyDeleteLynda, I gave the little thing a drink of water this morning, but it's doing so well in its neglected stage, I don't want to smother it with love. I have potatoes growing from peelings in the compost below my melons, and I keep pulling them out but can't dig down to destroy the peels!
DeleteI was looking to make a strawberry garden in my wheelbarrow and stumbled upon your blog. Love all the beautiful photos, your garden and cooking looks amazing. I am also a grandma, have two crazy dogs who run this house (they just let us live here), and of course, also garden. I live on Long Island, in New York. So nice to meet you, I am now a follower. Lana from www.lifeatwildberrycottage.com - Come visit!
ReplyDeleteLana, welcome to my blog! We have a lot in common, as my two dogs (shhh....they think they're humans) let us live hers, also. I'll be over to visit you today!
Deletewhat a lovely post!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mrs. P. Aren't those last two plants just adorable?
DeleteI like the last two volunteers the best! Wouldn't it be great if some volunteer gardening helpers would pop up in the garden???
ReplyDeleteRobin, I'm absolutely in love with Buddy, the Dognip plant. Then she hits me with the "volunteer", LOL!
DeleteI love when flowers and herbs plant themselves!
ReplyDeleteVanessa, so do I, IF they do it in the right places!
DeleteGranny, you didn't show how invasive those volunteers could be if "volunteering" in the middle of your hostas, irises, daylilies, and any other huge, beautiful plant in the gardens. At least I live in the country where people only get a quick glimpse of the gardens while driving by.
ReplyDeleteLangela, I'd let them be as invasive as they wanted if they were mine....of course, I'd build a fence to keep them off of the important stuff ;-)
DeleteAnnie would flatten my garden if she could get in, but Otto is pretty good to lie down on the paths.
I love that kitten! Beautiful white long hair fur and blue eyes just melts my heart. :)
ReplyDeleteJenny, isn't she adorable? Of course, being a dog person, I'm partial to Buddy.
DeleteI am a dog person too but that kitty is adorable! Nancy
ReplyDeletePrecious dog and kitten. And this year I have had tomatoes pop up in the strangest places in my garden. Places where no tomato has ever been grown. I left one which popped up conveniently in a bare spot. I'm curious as to what variety it will be.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your blog btw.
Awwww, some people like cats, but I ADORE the doggy photos! :)
ReplyDeleteErin, me too! If I knew where Langela lived, I'd kidnap.....er, dognap that Dognip! LOL!
DeleteFunny! Thx for the laugh!
ReplyDelete