A changing world as unloved dandelions show their beauty

Country Living with Francis Farragher

Our perceptions of the world are definitely changing. There was a time when any self-respecting gardener or farmer would have their plots as clean as a whistle without a weed in sight. Now, it seems, we don’t have weeds anymore – we have wildflowers instead.

Many moons ago (I’m getting a bit too fond of that phrase for comfort), I remember the occasional visit from a local Garda in early Summer, as he traversed the local roads and boreens keeping an eye out for what were termed ‘noxious weeds’.

Top of the list was always the much-maligned thistle followed by the colourful but poison dispensing ragwort whose overgrown yellow crowns reminded me of the plant equivalent of a cobra snake.

The Noxious Weeds Act dates back to 1936 and was aimed at keeping our countryside clear of those dastardly weeds which also included another ‘poisoner’ in ferns as well as the dreaded dock with its roots intent on reaching Australia.

Most years, the Garda mightn’t have to call but when he did, the solution would be the sharpening of the scythes as father and sons set about tackling each field, always starting with the most visible ones close to the road.

Like most of those tasks, it was a slow and arduous one with blades having to be regularly ‘edged’ to take the hard labour out of the cutting stroke, while often too, scythe handles would have seen better days.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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