“Mom, why are weeds bad?”
The question gave me pause. Nicolas was doing his homework one afternoon last week, and the question came suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere.
“Well, I guess because weeds have a tendency to push their way in on plants and flowers that people actually want in their yards.”
“Oh. Well, I think they’re pretty.”
I’ve been pondering this for a week now. I find myself driving past yards full of dandelions, yards that would have homeowners’ associations sending scads of scathing letters.
This notice is to remind you that keeping your lawn weed-free will result in a more beautiful neighborhood, thereby keeping all of our home values at a desirable level. Failure to remove the weeds within fourteen days of receipt of this notice will result in removal of the weeds by the HOA at a cost to you of $250.
Every time I’ve passed a corner, a house, a field covered in dandelions recently, I’ve found myself enjoying the sight. Drinking in the floral sunshine. Smiling at the tiny bursts of color.
A number of dandelions have moved on to the parachute stage, ripe for hands young and old to pluck them. Make a wish and blow!
So, are the weeds actually bad? Or is it just that we want to pretend we have control over nature? Choose the plants we want in our yards. Show our mastery by kicking out the baddies! Begone, beautifully foul dandelions!
I’m finding myself in love with the dandelions this year.
I find myself not missing someone else’s idea of what makes our yard beautiful.
In THIS Life 
6 comments
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April 16, 2010 at 10:25 am
Beth
Oh no! You have fallen into the dandelion’s trap! 🙂
April 16, 2010 at 10:56 am
Mom
I so agree with you! I think that is why I love the wildness of our back yard. I have finally convinced Dad that the lovely wild violets that spring up each year do not need to be zapped. They are quite pretty, especially when the little purple violets start blooming. I figure if anything can survive Doggie Disneyland, then they deserve to be left alone. Except for the stinging nettle. Hmmm…
April 16, 2010 at 10:58 am
jen
I’ve NEVER understood what issue people have with weeds. I also don’t really ‘get’ the importance of using pesticides on the grass, or watering it for that matter.
then again, i’d rather have a meadow.
April 18, 2010 at 9:25 pm
Sheri
I agree with Nicky, those weeds are pretty. They are like mini sunflowers.
@Jen, you don’t HAVE to water? Here is we didn’t water, we would have no grass. We get very little rain from May to October, and in the summer 100+ temps are the norm.
Funny grammer thing…In my first sentence, it looks like I am telling her (rudely) that she doesn’t have to water, until you get to they question mark. I guess it’s not well phrased as a question either. But if you say aloud with proper intonation, it makes sense (at least to me).
April 20, 2010 at 11:48 am
amy
I would remove our’s if the stuff that kills them wasn’t toxic to everything. My daughters think they are flowers and it’s hard to go out and get rid of them when it upsets them. It’s sort of a weird way of looking at them!
April 20, 2010 at 6:27 pm
angelina
You know how I feel about them. I am purposely encouraging them to take over the ground around my monastery garden. I haven’t eaten as much of them as I have meant to. I think there’s still time. But I almost have enough petals to make wine out of them too. When I look at them I enjoy their sunny look too and then I think: nutrition! Medicine!
Oh and little violets? LOVE THEM! I had a white volunteer this past year, so so pretty. But the purple ones are my favorites.