Consequences

The fact that Northamptonshire County Council has technically gone bust has received wide publicity. Severe cutbacks have been imposed on various aspects of public services and the effects have overwhelmingly been negative. However...


I strolled out earlier today and noticed that the grass verges along Christchurch Drive now consist of more weeds than grass. Whether this is the case in other parts of Daventry I don't know, nor do I know whether these 'weeds' are a consequence of cutting back on weedkillers, mowing regimes or whatever. I paused for a while and did a brief check on what forbs were present. (The word 'forb' is a very useful one which originated, I believe, in America. It refers to any flowering herbaceous plant which is not a grass.)

The verges along Christchurch Drive are, in places, more weeds

than grass. 2 March, 2019

So, for the record, I noted:


Shepherd's Purse  Capsella bursa-pastoris
Broad-leaved Dock  Rumex obtusifolius
Groundsel  Senecio vulgaris 
Common Chickweed  Stellaria media
Yarrow  Achillea millefolium
Red Dead-nettle  Lamium purpureum
Common Daisy  Bellis perennis
Common Speedwell  Veronica persica
Prickly Sow-thistle  Sonchus asper
Common Whitlow-grass  Erophila verna
Small-flowered Crane's-bill  Geranium pusillum
Dove's-foot Crane's-bill  Geranium molle
Dandelion  Taraxacum vulgare agg
Common Fumitory  Fumaria officinalis
Ribwort Plantain  Plantago lanceolata




Common Whitlow-grass in flower. Christchurch Drive, Daventry.

2 March, 2019

I am of the opinion that a 'well-kept' lawn is a rather dull affair. Give me a few clovers and medicks to add colour - and to attract bees and butterflies too. If they occasionally stray into the border it is a price well worth paying.

Fumitory about to come into bloom. Christchurch Drive, Daventry.

2 March, 2019

Of course, some of the original Perennial Rye Grass. Lolium perenne, had survived but Cocksfoot Grass, Dactylis glomerata, was present too, as was Annual Meadow Grass, Poa annua.

I estimate that I spent about 90 seconds looking for these plants. A few more minutes would, of course have added, to the list (clovers and buttercups?). Please, when money becomes available for vital services, may I hope that weedkillers are left off the list!