The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

A few weeks ago I wrote an “Under The Wire” in which I complained about my on going battle with weeds here on the Hodgson Rancho. It included descriptions of moving, spraying, chopping with a shovel, grazing with cattle and horses, anything to discourage their growth. Nothing seemed to work. My list of problem weeds read like the Who’s Who of bad plants of the world. In spite of my efforts, they flourished nearly everywhere. Then, one day something mysterious happened.

It was one of those sunny fall days when you just can’t find much of anything wrong with the world. The sun coming through the pickup windshield was warm and soothing. The cattle I was checking were lying around soaking up the sun, almost too fat and full to get out of my way as I drove through them. The fall colors were spectacular, many shades of green mixed with reds, yellow, orange, whites and grays. As I marveled at the beauty, all of a sudden it hit me. All those wonderful colors were not tree leaves. Heck, I was out in the middle of a pasture in Eastern Colorado, which is code for “no trees.” To my surprise the color was coming from the weeds that had survived my efforts at extinction. Odd as it may sound, they were beautiful. As the old saying goes, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”

Now for the best part. Eastern Colorado doesn’t have much of a tourism industry. However, thousands upon thousands drive right through here on their way to the mountains to view the changing colors. “Leaf Peepers” some call them. Why not suggest they stop and view the wonders of Eastern Colorado’s colors. “Come see Creamy Kochia, Sublime Sand-bur, Gorgeous Goat-head, Spellbinding Bindweed, Marvelous Mares-tail, Picturesque Pigweed, Thunderously Beautiful Thistles and Fascinating Foxtail in all their stunning glory.” I might also have to add, “And nowhere can you see more of the Wonder of Weeds than at the Hodgson Ranch. Call to reserve your very own guided tour. Four wheel drive suggested.

Yep, It’s a win/win situation. Save money on spray and diesel fuel for the tractor and get paid for growing them. Weed problem?

Maybe I was wrong.