Volunteers

Our garden has an added feature of mystery. Since we use composted material in each row, we never know what might volunteer to grow in with the preferred vegetables. Pictured above is part of a large butternut squash plant which is growing in with the leeks and onions. Pictured below is an acorn squash growing in the pot with a palm. Since these squash plants have very similar leaves, we never know what it might be until it sets fruit.

Amaranth, above, volunteers aggressively. I usually pull the plants when they are smaller than this one.

I depend on basil to choose its own place to grow. We have been growing basil for 15 years, but rarely  have actually planted any. It is growing in with the cucumbers and in the lettuce and spinach bed.