One of my favorite pastimes living here in northern New England is exploring various farmers' markets to sample the fruits of my neighbors labors. It also gives me the opportunity to discuss the topics of the day within the horticultural and agricultural worlds. Every town, village and small hamlet peppered throughout these green mountains, hosts some form of a market where I can fill a bag with produce that I find too cumbersome to grow within my own garden and, perhaps, even get a taste or two of our local golden ambrosia, better known as maple syrup.

One warm summer's day I wandered through a local market. My garden was quietly doing its thing allowing me an afternoon off with clean hands and knees. After poking through the vegetables and crafts I spied a stand of potted perennials. I knew I needed them like a hole in the head but my curiosity overtook me. There I was kneeling down between the pink and white coneflowers when out of the corner of my eye I saw an insidious little invader hiding behind the stem of one of the plants.

I pinched out a small but a tenacious slip of goutweed (Aegopodium padagraia), and stood up slowly, smiling at the abettor of this self-regenerating pesky little plant. He smiled back. "Nice coneflowers, don't ya think?" he asked. I handed him the culprit and asked if he knew what it was. He looked puzzled. I went on to inform him that this innocent looking greenery was a nasty little weed which is a major pain to remove from a flower bed. Initially I am sure he thought me to be somewhat invasive as well. But as I continued to explain he looked down at his plants, picked one up in his large weathered hands, plucked out another seemingly innocent invader, and smiled.

Field grown plants are not the only source of unwanted guests. I have come across weeds of various sorts at the nurseries as well. Don't get me wrong, though, it is the exception, not the rule to find problems in a pot. But, over-exuberance can often lead to overlooking what will later become an overwhelming problem.

No, I don't advocate calling in the armed guard. Just don't hesitate to advise the powers that be when you stumble across a plant growing amid its arch rival. It's your right and obligation, as a member of the gardening community, to educate and inform. And, most importantly, keep your eyes open!

by Cathy Dellinger