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Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Toad Went A-Courtin'

I went back to my community plot after a hiatus, and it was overrun with bindweed. Ugh! Bindweed everywhere, and nutgrass, too. And the sunflowers are looming -- glooming -- over the other little plants. I wanted them to shield the plants from the worst of the sun, but there are too many. The tomatoes and the onions are not growing well in constant shade. And so I began thinning them.

community garden plot
The sadly thinned plot, boo!

And I saw him. Mr. Toad. Backed into his little scooped-out hollow, with the soaker hose above his back, looking at me. And I had already pulled several large sunflowers. Boo, hiss! His little living area, now quite possibly too light.

woodhouse toad in the desert with funny face
I think he is making a gesture at me...

I decided to start on the other side, and leave him the middle area and the other end. He will have to dig another hidey-hole, because the sun now gets through to that one. So the pulling began of sunflowers on the other side and other end of the plot. I just wasn't thinking. Or, I was thinking too much of what I wanted.

And then I saw HER! Oh, she jumped, and I jumped. I screeched, as usual. Another toad, a smallish one! His little ladylove, perhaps, leaping frantically away from the now-sunny corner of the plot and into the thicket of sunflowers still standing!

NOW what? I tucked some chile pepper plants into the sunny spot and sprinkled them with the hose. May they grow quickly and lend some shade again. 

I sprinkled water on some mint at the very end of the plot. And out jumped another toad, and hop hop hop, hop hop hop, sought shelter under the lemongrass at the opposite end of the garden. 

lemongrass clump


But...THREE toads? I was all ready to throw the first two a lil' toad wedding, with a piece of Kleenex for her veil, and a chunk of cat food to attract flies for the elegant repast at the reception near the third turnip.

little hidden toad
It's a terrible picture because I completely lose my bearings at such an exciting time. 

I am not going to pass judgment on the living arrangements of these three toads. Ménage à Toad might be their nature, or maybe they aren't even dating, but are forced into that little oasis together!

So, I've decided: I can grow vegetables, or I can grow toads. And I have chosen toads.

No more pulling of the sunflowers. Not a single one can now be moved, or it will get too hot and bright on the dear amphibians. And extra watering dishes will be placed in the plot (there is just one right now), one deep enough to hold tadpoles just in case one of them is a lady toad. No more gathering cilantro because it would take away the leafy undercover they are enjoying. No pulling of the onions. But if I get some tomatoes, I'm picking them. I will leave them one. I will share.

Because they are plug-ugly to most, toads get mistreatment. They are the lowrider gargoyles of the garden, and don't get the love the prettier froggies do. I wish love of all God's creatures was emphasized in grade school. 

I have gone from "Toad Catcher" to "Toad Hatcher." I feel I have been blessed with these handsome toads, out in the desert. Would you choose the veggie plants or the toads? 

Kind regards,

Olde Dame Holly, Toad Wrangler

26 comments :

  1. It's hard to say, Holly. I am not sure I've ever seen a toad except in photos. I suspect they prefer country areas to city areas.

    I will say, if you have a yard or even just a bit of dirt, you will get bindweed. It can be hard to stay on top of it if you are neglectful, like I have been this spring. Your lemongrass is looking great, though. Enjoy growing toads, dear.

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    1. The bindweed is awful. I had not encountered it before. It certainly grows well ha ha.

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  2. I will certainly choose the toads! How can toads survive in the desert ? Happy June!

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    1. I do not understand how they have survived, either. One is so big, it can't be his/her first year!

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  3. I will say that those toads are blessed to have found your plot! I hope you both can grow some veggies and care for the toads!

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    1. Yes, you are right, maybe both? I hope the chiles, tomatoes, and the bell pepper might make some now that they get some light, and the toads live, too!

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  4. While I love toads that means no snakes in the garden and they are great bug catchers I would still want some veggies.
    Cathy

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    1. I have hope the tomato might make some tomatoes since I did pull out the big sunflower above it!

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  5. I choose Toads, always here is my label for Frogs, be careful, i got caught up in FEEDING the tadpoles and it went on for months and got expensive. love the post
    https://snapperone.blogspot.com/search/label/Frogs

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  6. I'd choose both. I'd think a nice thick layer of mulch and some more water dishes would make them happy. I've also seen little toad houses, no idea if toads actually use them. They are basically medium-large clay pots upside, with an entry hole.

    I did not have bindweed for years, all of a sudden it's shown up everywhere a couple of years ago. It's one of the few things I break out the weed killer for, as it's nearly impossible to get rid of by pulling, with it's brittle underground runners that can go great distances.

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    1. I had not thought of mulch! I did put more pine straw in. I have a piece of broken pot in there for them to hide under, and there are two large stones, also.

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  7. Ah, it’s a lovely little tale! I should think you might be able to have both. I have a collection of geodes that I keep filled with water for the critters.

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    1. Wow! Your critters get to drink from crystal-lined goblets! Living the high life!

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  8. You might have to have a "toad area" and a "veggie area"? They are interesting beings. :)

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    1. You are right, Lisa. Right now one end and part of the other end are where the sun shines, and the middle is Toadland. The plot next to mine is 100% overgrown Jerusalem Artichokes (sun chokes) but the gardener doesn't keep it moist. Maybe that could be their "porch" area.

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  9. You can't win with those toads,can you? I just had my new little jalapeno pepper plant eaten. I suspect a lizard did it.

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    1. Look for lizard fanning its mouth! Ya got some crazy lizards over there.

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  10. I love the way you wrote this.. so much fun.
    I have toads and frogs living in the garden this year. And that is a sign of a good healthy garden. Three Cheers for Toad Gardener's. :-)

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  11. Oh my! What a story! So kind of you to have mercy on the toads. I hope they will survive and live hoppily ever after! And maybe your vegetables will grow so big and tall that the toads will have plenty of shade and you will also have plenty of vegetables. Why can't you have both? Keep us posted on the progress in Toadville Garden. LOL. Love this. Makes for a great story...you should write a children's book. Lily Grace could help you in the garden with the toads...

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  12. Ménage a Toad. You crack me up!!!

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  13. I LOVE this post! Count me in! I am a toad gardener too! :) The sun is hot hot hot in my little garden so I've created a small oasis using the tray bottom from a large flower pot; filled with water and a few rocks in the center. For shade I lined one side of the tray with four potted rose of sharon plants. It's fun making this every year. Last year there were two lizards plus frogs living in the garden.

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  14. LOL on the Menage a Toad. I love seeing the toads in my garden because they eat the bugs. Janice

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  15. I've always chosen toads, and generally named them Tod.

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  16. Oh my heck!! What an absolutely, positively, DELIGHTFUL tale! I do hope thee is a sequel! The ménage-a-toad cracked me up...as did the reception at the third turnip. (Hmmmm....I can see a restaurant being named in their honor: "The Third Turnip"...or perhaps "Le Troisieme Navet??) Perhaps since you were so long gone "Mr." Toad and "Mrs." Toad got a "jump" start on their family plan and the third toad may be their first born?? (Sorry...couldn't resist the "jump" start. ;-)) As for me, I will take toads (and frogs for the matter) over greens any and every day of the week. I have several toad houses scattered throughout my borders/gardens and, well, yes, frogs dropping (not to be confused with frog's droppings or frogs' droppings) on one's head when entering the back door has been known to happen...on more than one occasion. Happy Toading! ~Robin~

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  17. I've never spotted a toad ( or even a regular frog) in my garden and I have lots of shade. I did have a garter snake come to the birdbath one dry summer. Maybe it's still around hence no froggies.

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