Last week I painted a picture of a garden where even though the pickings were slim, it was serene and harmonious. Well, apparently I spoke too soon. That’s right my Zen scenario has turned into a full on war after just a few rainstorms. What happened to Kumbaya? 

I mentioned previously that my Sicilian zucchini plants were attaching themselves to other plants in the immediate vicinity.  What I didn’t know was that with a little rain this plant’s tentacles would Hulk out and start taking over my entire plot of land. You must be thinking I am exaggerating but this is actually what has transpired. These tentacles of the Sicilian zucchini plant have woven their way out of the zucchini section of the garden and into the main garden. They have not only attached themselves to the tomato plants that were two and half feet away but have made their way – as far as five feet away – over to my onions to put their stranglehold on them. Actually, I had left the wheelbarrow out on the law and the zucchini not only grew three feet across the law but also attached itself to the handle of the wheelbarrow and then decided to made a right turn into the bin.

All this growth happened after we received three days of rain where I was unable to tend to the garden. So I did what I could – I retracted the tentacles and tried weaving them though the slats of my fence.  They then grew up and around the fence so this didn’t turn out to be the best idea. When I was resigned to the fact that fighting this plant was akin to playing a game of garden Risk – a battle for world domination, I knew I needed to use a life line. That life line came when listening to Sirius radio and happening upon Martha Stewart’s channel during a garden call in hour. I thanked my lucky stars and quickly dialed. I was told to purchase eight foot pieces of bamboo to build structures that resembled a teepee and cover them with string then coax the plant up them. My other option, which truthfully I never thought about, was to cut back the plant, but it would reduce the crop I would receive.

Seeing as this mammoth plant has yet to produce anything other than more tentacles I don’t think cutting it back would be prudent. I will head out to the local hardware store, purchase my sustainable supplies and give it a try. I will keep you posted. As always if you have any idea about how to tame the Sicilian zucchini beast please, contact me. Happy Organic Gardening!

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