Do you love any plants that are weeds? The definition of a weed is a plant growing out of place.
A very long time ago, I planted a wildflower mix which did well for the first two years. Then the patch gradually died away to dogs, grass, and sumac that took over. I still notice some yarrow growing through the grass (green ferny foliage with white flowers) which I mow around.
In the annual flowerbed, there is a loosestrife plant which you can not buy in most states because they overgrow in wetlands. I leave it because it is very attractive and has never set any seed and you can not call this area a wetland. Loosestrife could never compete with the cattails anyways.
There is a boxelder tree growing in a spreading juniper that I left. We do not have any boxelder trees around for miles. This one is a male, so no bugs. Also, the yellow-leaf elderberry plant sprang up the pathway to the house. I will leave that one also. Plus, the honeysuckle that is growing on one end of the lilacs.
Under the tamarisk tree is a gooseberry plant that planted itself a couple of years ago producing loads of gooseberries. When I was in high school, we had a gooseberry patch that gave out 40-plus years ago.
These volunteer plants started with no help from me. No extra watering, fertilizing, or maintenance. They go stronger and more vigorous than the plants and shrubs I spend years caring for. So, why not give them a chance?
What is a home inspection? It is when a buyer pays for a professional analysis of a home. Remember this has nothing to do with the value of the home but with the condition of the home. They will also not give the cost of fixing any problems. The buyer pays for the inspection usually around 300 to 400 dollars depending on what they want to inspect.
The standard home inspection deals with the interior and exterior of the home. Your inspector will check the foundation, roof, and other structural components. They will also check the electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and appliances. They will not usually check sewers, chimneys, or pipes.
There are additional specialized inspections for mold, radon, asbestos, sewer, and septic systems. Each specialized inspection requires different types of inspectors.
The home inspection is not required except for FHA loans or VA loans before approving the loan. A home inspection contingency is a clause in your purchase agreement and if you want one, you have a certain amount of time to complete it. If a major problem occurs, this contingency allows you to withdraw from the contract or renegotiate some aspects of the purchase agreement.
Think this year about planting an outside herb garden. It can be part of your garden or flowerbed or in grouped containers on your deck accessible for home cooking. Anyplace with more sun than shade is good. You can buy plants from a greenhouse or start from a seed. So, what herbs can be grown outside?
Chives in bloom
Chives is a grass-like, onion-tasting perennial that can be used fresh on anything. Who does not like baked potatoes with sour cream and chives? The plant also produces purple bloom in your garden. There is a garlic chive with flatter leaves that have a garlic flavor with white flowers.
Italian basil
The annual sweet basil (Italian) plant should be a standard in any herb garden. There is purple basil which is less sweet, lemon basil which tastes and smells like lemons, Greek basil which has more of a spicy flavor, cinnamon basil with a cinnamon taste, and Thai basil smelling and tasting like licorice. We can keep going, however, there are up to 150 types of basil. One thing before you plant basil is to wait till the temperature warms to above 50 at night. Along with making spaghetti sauce, try a leaf of basil on a slice of tomato.
Flat-leaf parsley
There are two types of parsley, the curly leaf, and the flat leaf varieties. I think the flat leaf has a stronger flavor which is used in cooking better. There is the Hamburg parsley which has roots similar to parsnips. Why do they place a sprig of parsley on your dinner plate? Well, for a hundred years, it has been used as a breath cleaner. The plant is a biennial that sends up a flower stalk the second year and then dies, so you can treat it as an annual plant by replacing it each year.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a tender perennial, evergreen shrub that should be brought indoors each year. In the Mediterranean, it grows to a medium shrub up to 4 feet high. You can take cutting off of the plant. It is a staple for seasoning stews and soups.
Marjoram
Marjoram is a sweet-tasting, small herb for use in meat, fish, or vegetable dish. Sweet marjoram is the most common variety which is a member of the oregano family. Variegated marjoram has yellow-green variegate foliage.
Oregano
Oregano is a woody perennial belonging to the mint family. It has a peppery flavor with a minty aroma for any tomato-based recipe. Common oregano has white to lavender flowers also used for wreaths. The Greek oregano is for cooking.
Tarragon
French tarragon is a perennial with light green, long leaves used in meat dishes. There is a Russian tarragon which is not as flavorful and coarser.
Sage
Sage is an easily grown perennial with greyish leaves. It is used for meat and bean dishes and of course for stuffing. It has purple, white, and pink spike flowers.
Thyme
Thyme is a low-growing perennial herb with a strong pleasant flavor used in soups, grilled meats, and vegetables. The French or English thyme is the most grown. There is a Lemon thyme and a Caraway thyme, and various variegated leaf thymes.
Chocolate mint
There are a lot of varieties of mints. Most are vigorous-growing perennials that can get away from you. Grow in a large pot sunk into the ground if this would be an issue. Mints are used for all kinds of dishes, especially in teas. The most common is spearmint, but others are peppermint, apple or pineapple mint, and citrus mint all having different flavors and aromas.
Lavender
Lavender is a tender perennial which can be overwintered in sheltered areas. Otherwise, take a few cuttings in the fall and bring them indoors to overwinter. The most common lavender is the English lavender with its dark purple flower spikes. Dry lavender for placing in your sheet or towel storage areas. Lavender is used for potpourri.
Dill
Who does not know about dill? It is an annual herb used mainly for pickles. The leaves and seeds are used for many fish dishes, potato salads, and soups. Dill is also the host plant for the black swallowtail caterpillar. Allow the seed to set for a supply next year. Fernleaf dill is grown for the fern-like leaves and is slower to set seed. Bouquet dill produces a lot of seeds. Mammoth dill is a tall variety that is one of the best for pickles.
Cilantro
Cilantro (you either love or hate the taste of it depending on genetics) is a tender annual used in various sauces like salsa and cooking. The seeds are called coriander and are mainly used in making loaves of bread. The variety ‘Costa Rica’ is slower to set seed.
