"Thinning out, is one of the many tricks of the trade, not an invention of nature; it is entirely the invention of a good workman."
My Friend the Garden by Fernand Lequenne
Though acting on the above advice, there are still days, I must admit, when my garden seems overwhelming to me. Like, um. Now. This is the comfrey that grew back double, from the very same spot I'd moved it from last season because it was getting unruly and crowding out the chives and the chicory and generally wreaking havoc in the small raised bed it was planted in. It was shy and demure the first year. No trouble at all; then took off. Always it seems, there are things to be done, in every corner, and before I knew it---there were three huge bushes. Now, in two locations. No doubt waving to each other from across the yard and secretly plotting their next move. I asked one of my daughters, who's studying and practicing herbalogy, "What's this one good for again?" Mainly, abrasions and bruises, she tells me. (oh) Naturally. And for good reason.
