Every journey starts with the first step, or in this case a first fork full! We knew from the start it was beyond our abilities, with only three of us, Nell, Chris, and me to remove just the spillage from the street. Next week, thankfully, we’ll have 15 volunteers through the City of Raleigh Volunteer program to helps us haul and spread the rest. In the meantime, we needed to get it off the street! Not only was it a driving hazard, but the City also posted no parking signs due to a resurfacing program. Although, the timeframe was for a month-long period, the first date began on this day!

Our dumping site was not Chris’ ideal place to dump, but given The Joslin Garden will be hosting an Art Show and Sale this coming Sunday (all are welcome); it was decided the timing wasn’t right for dumping in the driveway.

As our early morning went on, we got in a routine, lasting just about an hour, if that! Nell was filling the wheelbarrows, I was hauling the full barrels, one at a time, around the street-side and up the driveway hill. I left them at the top of the hill where I relayed with Chris to then take the barrels further up the path to spread on paths. Wash and Repeat. That lasted for about ten wheelbarrows full.

Through deep breaths, Chris suggested we “only fill the barrels half full".” Great idea; as it was, I had to stop three times on the driveway hill just to catch my breath. And so we went for about another hour.

In the meantime, Nell, noting our efforts deduced, rightfully so, we would never have it moved off the street…[in our lifetime]! Nell starting loading and carrying the chips to the back of the mound. Finally, we got smart, and at this point, we actually counted the number of degrees between us! If I remember correctly, we totaled seven, or what it eight? I also failed to mention I have a minor as well, but the point was well taken. Ha!

We huffed and puffed for the last time that day.

The best part of going up the driveway hill was the view of these beautiful rhododendron blooms! I did find them more beautiful going down the hill than through my huffs and puffs going up hill with a full or even half full barrels!

Instead, we agreed to switch gears. We decided to fill the barrels and take up to the nearest paths to cover. There is a slight incline, but we were able to do so with full barrels.

Fortunately, Volunteer Art was there to help out loading along with Chris. I moved the barrels to stage the mulch along the path to later be spread.

Soon after Art’s arrival, Volunteer Aillene was also there, and she then spread the mulch on the paths.

With just-in-time volunteers, we managed to get the pile off the street.

It was now 11 AM. Time to do something we love to do—Weed! Yes, we love to weed, and I believe, we will have a life-time of joy in The Joslin Garden. For now were are trying to get it to the point of low maintenance.

Nothing is more satisfying than to find porcelain vine/berry and knowing you will soon stab the Earth to remove the tap root. I give you permission to twist the soil knife for personal gratification reasons, if you find the need. I did!

I have tried for decades to eradicate this invasive non-native from The Bee Better Teaching Garden. I’ve not had much success since there are ten acres behind me, mostly cultivated, but with enough woods along the back of my property for seeds to fall undetected from the birds droppings everywhere.

In my home garden, I do a decent search every year to see if I can fine it before it starts to vine up.

PLEASE DON’T PLANT THIS VINE! Yes, I’ve seen it for sale. One year , I traveled for a month with my children, and when I returned, half of my GIANT ‘Brown Turkey’ fig tree was covered. So much for figs that year.

Did you know porcelain vine is a GREAT wildlife plant? The birds love the berries. The bees devour the flower’s nectar and pollen. Still, #WeCanAllBeeBetter!~ Helen Yoest

What makes this vine so alluring to fearless or naive gardeners are the beautiful berries. Also, most people when they see the foliage think it’s a wild grape and lets it grow to see what it will do. When finding the gorgeous berries, they are trilled with their choice. It is not until it is to late when they realized they are doomed with this plant FOR-EVER!

Next up was a nice patch of creeping Charlie, Glechoma hederacea. It’s not terribly hard to remove. One more patch down, @#^@!! to go.

While were enjoying out time, Nell was removing too much of a good thing, or at least it was once thought as one—Cow Parsley, Anthriscus sylvestnis. Another common name is wild chervil, or worse, mother-die. That can’t be good! Cow Parsley, is a herbaceous biennial or short-lived perennial, and blooming through Mother’s Day. What’s up with that!?!