“Normal” weeds such as dandelions I can deal with. But there are two forms of weeds in my garden requiring constant attention. And by this I mean daily attention because they grow quickly and are invasive beyond belief. These are vines, each of which has an element to them I believe hold a certain appeal to some people. Fact is I have no idea what they actually are and I really should find out — there is a possibility they are legit plants that a neighbor planted and are just predatory.

Each of the four areas has a link where you can see some images, read more about it, and learn what I have tried to solve the problem(s).

Moonflowers. That is what I call them at least, it could be something completely different. These are insidious agressive vines with a root system that is hardy behond belief. Last fall I dug around the perimeter of my yard a foot deep and pulled out piles of roots. This year is much better, though they are still striving to grow and have actually grown out of the center of the lawn in an attempt to survive. When they bloom in late summer there are white blossoms similar in form to morning glories. It doesn't help that I have 3 neighbors that don't seem to mind these plants.

Last year, a minor back injury impacted my ability to consistently remove these plants and by the end of the summer my back yard was horribly overrun by them.

Another Unnamed Vine. I have no idea what this is ... I should ask people at GardenWeb. The foliage of this vine is quite attractive, but again it is predatory and almost impossible to contain. So, like the Moonflowers, I have been consistently ripping these vines out and tossing them into the garbage (rather than compost) because they are hardy survivors. Luckily this one is only evident on one side of the yard, though it has taken refuge among the irises and continues to sprout on a daily basis. I have seen vines creeping in from a neighbors backyard, so it could be a cultivar I am unfamiliar with.

Squirrels or as Carrie from Sex and the City called them “Rats with cuter outfits”. These industrious critters look for food consistently all year round. They dig holes into my flower beds and containers. They eat bulbs and particularly enjoy tulips (I no longer plant tulips). Legend has it they don't care for daffodills, and maybe it is true, but they have been feasting on my daffs. They dig up a bulb hop over the fench and have a leisurely mealtime on my neighbors bench.

Feral Cats. Of course I have yet to see a rodent in this neighborhood, I'll say that for them. And I welcome them to continue that endeavor. However, my back yard has become the neighborhood kitty toilet and I resent it.