Weed notes: Staying on full-time
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- Published on Thursday, April 3, 2014
By: Sid Lewis
myWestman.ca
To clarify an earlier column, I am, for the time being, staying on the job full-time till May 1, 2015 and then part-time helping the new person learn the ropes — or in this case, learn the weeds!
Terry was going through a seed catalogue this weekend looking for what vegetable and flower seeds she will order this spring.
Once she was finished I glanced through it checking what plants were promoted as flowers yet are actually weeds instead. I won’t go through the various weed seeds I found but will just caution gardeners to check before they buy, just in case you don’t realize you may be introducing invasive plants into your vegetable and/or flower gardens.
I will mention the “assorted” flower packages offered in many greenhouse catalogues, invariably there are at least three weed varieties I have found in the contents listing. Some local greenhouses are the safest bet to purchase plants from as they are the most knowledgeable of what is offered for sale.
Years ago a local business bought bedding plants from a large greenhouse company to have around the outside of the building. Once the flowers bloomed later that summer, I noticed four varieties of weeds, two that were not from this area.
The owner was quite surprised when I advised them of the problem and apparently, when the greenhouse company was approached, their answer was, “Buyer aware.” So if in doubt, please contact this office (204-764-2128) or any MAFRID office to see what may be contained in future purchases.
A few weeks ago I had to have a prescription refilled. Many in the Hamiota area will have met the new manager, Kyle Skayman. Kyle was asking his female staff how to get himself out of doo-doo with his missus, looking for the female perspective. Sensing some fun, I spoke up, mentioning that with 45-plus years of marriage under my belt and having been in every type of trouble capable, could I offer my suggestions as well?
When I returned to the office and walked by Gwenda’s desk (Kyle’s mother) I mentioned to her the conversation. For the first time ever, I saw Gwenda turn three shades of pale complexion within a couple of seconds!
