Wet weather a boon for ditches

In addition to keeping grass green and ponds full, all this wet weather we’ve been having has been wonderful for plants along roadsides.

Ditch mowers have been sidelined by the rainy weather, leaving nice stands of grass and plants in area that normally by now have a scorched-to-the-earth look.

I passed a prime example Tuesday while driving to see some of the champion trees of Illinois located in the Peoria area.

While driving I saw big bluestem with seed heads standing like turkey tracks.

I saw wild asparagus in plenty of places that I vow to visit next spring when the shoots will be tender and tasty.

I saw gray-headed coneflower, still my favorite yellow prairie flower.

I saw various sunflowers.

Day lillies.

And best of all, on the Kentville Blacktop between Kewanee and Hennepin I saw more compass plant blooming than I have ever seen along one roadside. It was enough to make me smile all afternoon—and to wish for more rainy summers that will keep the mowers at bay.