The Beauty of Weeds

I'm teaching an environmental science elective next term, and I wanted to do some research about the flora biodiversity of our property at school before the first frost. While wandering around with my camera, it dawned on me that some of the weeds - the great unwashed of the botanical world - are actually beautiful when you forget that they are supposed to be unwanted interlopers. Here's a sampling. (PS - I attracted a lot of attention by crawling through gardens in my work clothes with a camera. Luckily, my coworkers understand that I am a nature nut and a nerd.)

C'Mon Irene

It's impossible for me not to do cartwheels when I know I'm going to get to experience my first real hurricane in a week that I already experienced my first earthquake. However, the hurricane has me a bit worried - not so much for the house, but for the garden.

Yes, that's a hurricane - who cares if it will be a minimal one? - cruising right up the New Jersey coast.

We took in the potted plants today, along with the birdfeeders and baths. I did my best tying up the tomato plants, but I fully expect them to bite it. The flowers left on the phlox and black-eyed susans probably won't make it, either. The peach tree is so young and flexible that it should be fine, and I have faith in our little wee street tree out front. Our neighbor's tree across the street...not so much.

It's been a good growing season. Hopefully Irene doesn't bring it to an abrupt end.