mander - Posted - 07/24/2026:  06:21:51

It isn't that nature bats last, it is that it is ALWAYS at bat.

Yesterday, I thought, dang, those figs are looking good! They just need another day. Tomorrow, I'll pick them all.

This morning, ALL but one of them were hanging on the tree half eaten. Nature was hungrier than I was.

What is nature up to your way?

mike gregory - Posted - 07/24/2026:  07:42:27

Got no figs.
Got some kind of vine, growing up the front of the house.
A couple of years ago, paid a fellow to do what he could to eliminate them.
Got some kind of vine, growing up the front of the house.
Mom Nature doesn't give a flying flounce what we do or don't want growing up our walls, and across our walkway.
Looks like the pathway to Sleeping Beauty's castle. Too many weeds to wade through.
So, I went out with an electric bush trimmer, and sawed through a bunch of them.
Now, to rake them off the walk, so it looks like we're ready to allow visitors.

reminds me of when I worked in the hospital, decades ago.
From the third floor, we could look out onto the flat roof of the 2nd floor annex.
Piles of leaves had collected in the corners, and some maple seeds had sprouted, and the saplings were 2 or 3 feet tall.
Reminded me that INDIVIDUAL lives were fragile, or the building and the business wouldn't even BE there, but that LIFE itself will grab on wherever it can, and do what it must, to continue.

1935tb-11 - Posted - 07/24/2026:  07:51:40

mine are blackberries... dang birds are quick on the draw around here when they come in.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 07/24/2026:  08:17:40

Mine is grass, high grass. The problem? I have a hard time finding a yardman who will come over and mow, edge and blow off the residue.

I had hired a guy to come over yesterday morning and he was a no show. Stayed home all day waiting. Needless to say, I was very unhappy. Grass is way too high and I just don't have what it takes to do it any more.

Mad Hornet - Posted - 07/24/2026:  08:42:00

I learned that hard lesson about sweet corn a few years back. If I don't put electric fence around it the raccoons will get it all and we will get none.

steve davis - Posted - 07/24/2026:  08:49:22

Mine is also "high" grass.

chuckv97 - Posted - 07/24/2026:  08:51:05

Sumac bushes were invading my brother’s property for years,, they look nice and red in the fall but they spread like wildfire

eagleisland - Posted - 07/24/2026:  08:55:10

Rabbits destroyed my bean plants - to my surprise, in that I've got a pretty competent fence. Surrounded that bed with a plastic hardware cloth and replanted - let's see if they mature by first frost.

OTOH, eggplants, tomatoes, and squashes seem to enjoy the current weather, and my alliums - shallots, garlic and onions - are all doing fantastic. All the shallots and most of the garlic has been plucked and is now drying in the garage - I'm delighted with the size they all reached. The onions need a few more weeks before they get pulled.

Nopix - Posted - 07/24/2026:  09:26:28

quote:

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Originally posted by Mad Hornet

I learned that hard lesson about sweet corn a few years back. If I don't put electric fence around it the raccoons will get it all and we will get none.

---

An old friend swore he was going to keep the racoons at bay with a few highway barricade flashers, and a boom box. 

The next night he went out there, the racoons had shades on and were dancing between the rows.

Mad Hornet - Posted - 07/24/2026:  10:43:14

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nopix

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mad Hornet

I learned that hard lesson about sweet corn a few years back. If I don't put electric fence around it the raccoons will get it all and we will get none.

---

An old friend swore he was going to keep the racoons at bay with a few highway barricade flashers, and a boom box. 

The next night he went out there, the racoons had shades on and were dancing between the rows.

---

Yep.  It totally resembles the aftermath of a wild frat party.  

The electric fence doesn't have to be elaborate.  I got a solar powered headend from tractor supply.  They (the coons) will test it out and let you know where the weaknesses are and they you just correct the holes and next thing you know your family is enjoying corn, not those pesky coons.

steve davis - Posted - 07/24/2026:  11:21:52

Marigolds planted around the edge help pretty good.

Jon Borcherding - Posted - 07/24/2026:  17:05:14

PURSLANE!!! I freaking hate that obnoxious crap weed! In my driveway, in my garden, taking up all the water and nutrients. Yeah, you can pull it if you have that kind of ambition but it's rhizomatous, so the little scraps of weed left in the soil regenerate within a couple days and I have to start all over again. Yeah, yeah, I know, its supposedly edible. Come on over and bring a fork, ok?

Owen - Posted - 07/26/2026:  08:51:10

Here here, nature is just doing its "things-tend-to-average-out" thing, though it's been plenty hot lately and a 1/2" rain would be good right about now.*   However things are markedly different not too far from here in any direction .... B-I-G rains in June AND July >>> flooding / road washouts / etc.  

Speaking of weeds, we recently traveled to AB and back.  Appears to be a bumper crop of foxtail in pretty much every low spot.... and even a modestly sized slough (?) probably produces enough seed to re-seed the whole region.    [Overall though ... from the highway... the crops and pastures look pretty good ...  waterlogged areas notwithstanding.]

And speaking of weeds in the garden, a hoe generally does the job on the ones that escape the grass-clippings mulch that my lovely and talented assistant applies.  In the crushed-rock driveway and close to buildings/fences, glyphosate gets 'er done.

* cucumbers are maturing at just the right rate .... a couple to eat [w/plenty of salt] and an odd one to give away most days.