among the weeds

Elinor and I have had a tomato garden for the last two summers and we’re growing one again this year. We generally grow basil and some peppers and other things in the spaces between the tomatoes. Yesterday evening around dusk I was out weeding the garden. It was tough going – we haven’t been good about weeding lately and some grasses were taking over one end and along the edges. So I was on my knees prying up grass plants one at a time when I noticed a tiny, two-leaf basil plant trying to make it in the grass jungle. A second generation basil plant! I didn’t even know last year’s crop had gone to seed. We grew our basil from seed last year and it was really successful, making humongous plants with trunks bigger than my thumb at the base, so I guess I’m not surprised. A little later I discovered another little seedling.

I dug up huge clods of earth under and around the seedlings so I could pick out the grass as carefully as I could, trying not to damage the basil roots, then replanted the seedlings in clear, weed-free soil. Even though we have some purchased basil seedlings to add to the garden, I really hope these two little guys make it.