Let It Grow Organic Garden's Guide to Major Botanical Gardens Part 325

Visitors to the southern Appalachian hamlet of Hot Springs will not want to miss the gardens on the spa grounds. Set amidst the ruins of a nineteenth century resort, the Spa Gardens presents a wide array of second growth opportunistic species. The poplar saplings and the tree of heaven are just the start of this tastefully presented expanse. Late September highlights the goldenrod and the ironweed, charmingly  planted behind the mullein border. The sumac display is also not to be missed as autumn approaches. This garden features a greater array of opportunistic invasives than most road cuts, and many abandoned parking lots. The paulownia stand tall and proud over this truly memorable garden. It is not to be missed.

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The specter of death hangs over the farm. A foul stench settled in late Thursday evening; it surrounds the house and wafts in through the windows. It settles here, and disappears. It turns up there, and fades away. It rolls down the road and through the gate, leaking from the farm and into the valley.

Possum is my best guess. Could be raccoon or fox. If it’s a deer it will be around for a good long time.

I can’t find it. It’s strongest at twilight, when the air is cooling and settling down and pressing the farm back down on its self. I walk through the weeds. I go in circles. I can’t find the source of the stench.

I’d do something about it if I could. I need only locate it to do something about it. I need only find the source of the problem to address it. It eludes me.

I’ve got the tools to get the job done. Sort of. Odds are, if I knew where a decaying possum carcass was, I’d be able to find a shovel and get rid of it. I think there’s one in the shop. Maybe near the compost heap. If all else fails I seem to remember a pick axe somewhere near the nasturtiums.

I need only identify the source of the stench.