I woke at the first alarm, at five, and got up about ten past. It was still dark, the sun only rose after six, but I let my mippies out anyway. Janey and Ziva excitedly chased froggies on the porch - Janey ate something, possibly a frog ... she seems fine.
I've been doing some reading on growing vegetables, for now, I've focused on tomatoes and peas, since I've had some success with both. What I learned explained why my tomato plants in PE were doing so poorly! Apparently, tomatoes can grow - root to tip - about 2 1/2m, with half above and half under ground! In PE, they had at most 30cm depth for their roots. After that, it was rock hard and they couldn't dig deeper.
I have the same problem here. And I can't plant them in a pot tall enough, because the plant would grow beyond my reach. I've been considering getting bottomless pots, giving them plenty of root space inside their container, but also giving them the chance to dig deeper. Still, the pots would need to be about a meter in diameter! AND: I'd have to build something to stake and support the plants on - which needs to be in the solid ground, so it doesn't topple.
If I had a tablet, I could do all this research outside, and just make notes on paper. I think in the debate between tablet and smartphone, the tablet is coming out tops - for my needs, at least.
Back to the plants. I considered getting some plastic fencing, like they use to edge beds, and shaping that to suit my needs, then fill it with soil ... but I don't like using plastic. Earthenware, on the other hand, gets too heavy, even empty.
I don't have to achieve the perfect solution, though - I can start, for now, with something which may not produce the best results, but will at least be an improvement. Rome wasn't built in one day, either! And I'm not exactly flush, financially, and would rather use what I already have than go out and buy materials.
I keep coming back to what I saw in PE, where Rose feeds the dogs sometimes. They had built raised beds with Vibracrete walling, having built four pillars in the corners, then slid the slabs in to complete the bed.
I think a temporary solution will be to simply get large, plastic pots. That will be enough to get the plants growing and yielding while I come up with a permanent solution. I actually want something mobile, which I can move around, since my ultimate goal is to make this soil arable. Yeah, I know, that is going to be quite a project! But I love working in the garden, far more than even cooking - at least at the moment!
I had a laugh at Mewthos earlier. He had gone to explore doggie territory and when he was discovered, and doggies happily came running and barking, he turned Mohawk and came running at top speed back to the safety of my garden! The black ridge along his back is all which stands up - like a Mohawk! Or like a Ridgeback, except it only stands up, it doesn't swirl.
Speaking of swirls, I found my twirly jersey in the kitchen this morning! It sure travels through the house!
Today I need to do some house work, so, naturally, I go out and start weeding! Sigh, I'm not a good housewife these days! I sat and cleared under the tree by the little bench, cutting the grass, which had grown to a meter, but lay flat, and pulling those fluffy pollen-grass out as much as I could. I also trimmed the tree a little. I don't like cutting trees for aesthetic or comfort reasons, I stick to just trimming what's dead or competing with other branches. I filled yet another wheelbarrow!
I was careful to stay in the shade, though - I really don't need to add another layer of pink on my shoulders!
I took a nap and tried to set my mind towards house work ... unsuccessfully, I'm afraid. I cut more grass and pulled more weeds, instead.
Eventually I worked myself up to working inside. I've now finished washing the dishes, the first load of laundry is on the hanger and the second load is in the machine. I still haven't decided what I'll do about food, though.
I know I had some big plans of activities in the kitchen, once I'm in Pretoria. That's changed, however, in part, because the work is far, far more strenuous than I had anticipated and int part quite simply because I enjoy being outside, in the garden, far more than cooking and eating. Yes, even eating! I've been somewhat slack with feeding myself - my mippies eat much, much better than I do!
Well, tonight I ate reasonably well. I cooked pasta with a variety of frozen vegetables, grated cheese and put that on top. I can't wait to get vegetables from my own garden! I was talking to my landlady yesterday, and we both like peas - but you can't get them in stores anymore, except frozen! Anyway, I have enough left to take to work, and for tomorrow's dinner.
I've been thinking I should try to get to Ninapark Spar tomorrow night - get that over with. Sigh. I really don't like shopping! I much preferred going early Saturday mornings, while PE was still asleep - but Pretoria doesn't sleep.
I've watered the garden, I've watered myself - aka showered - and enjoyed the sunset outside. For once, Mewthos didn't sound the dinner gong - or, in his case, siren dinner time. I could wait for Ziva to come back from her last round, and all three strolled inside. I didn't even use the 'm' word! Poor darlings, don't know that I have to go to work tomorrow. Sigh.
While enjoying the sunset, I also enjoyed seeing the results of my labours these past four days! I've really done a lot! I've done everything that needed to be done, and I also finished everything I wanted to finish. Well, with one exception: I didn't make the time to upload photos here. Sorry! Blame the mippies! If they hadn't needed such a lot of cuddles all day, every day ... ha ha ha!
I treated us to an ice cream tonight. Yup, anything I eat in the armchair is considered fair game to share! Lady Jane isn't overly fond of ice cream, though, and neither is Mewthos, although Mewly slurp, slurp, slups along for a while. Ziva watched every single slurp and every single spoonful eagerly! When I was done, I put the bowl down for her - she adamantly refuses to participate in the sharing ritual. I'm not entirely sure why.
The open windows have lured some insects inside, which are entertaining my mippes - while at the same time endangering my furnishings! Mippies get so intent on catching insects, they forget absolutely everything and have already thrown my fan off the dresser and I've been picking up odds and ends ever since they've arrived! So far, only Mewthos has broken dishes, though. First the glass in PE, and then the bowl here. I can now safely put an ice cream bowl on the table, though - he's not attempting to pull it down again.
Well, early to rise again tomorrow ... and early to work again. Sigh ...
No comments:
Post a Comment