Once you’ve been gardening in the same spot for several years, one of the annual joys is seeing what comes up on its own. They say a weed is a plant growing where you don’t want it. But a welcomed volunteer is a desired plant you didn’t plant yourself or start from seed.
Each year I’m blessed with a bounty of sunflowers that grow themselves, usually in the same spot. Sometimes there are some that sprout randomly in the garden, but they are easily transplanted early in the season.
This year I had several tomato plants that popped up, some in the holes of garden fabric I had laid out to limit weeds early in the season. No need to move those, as they were right where I needed them. Using heirloom varieties makes these “volunteer” plants more numerous.
Even herbs and lettuce showed up unexpectedly this year. Seeds can be bundles of surprises when they sow themselves. If you’re new to gardening, be on the lookout next year for your own crop of “volunteers” and discover another joy of gardening.
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