Lock-down Day 349

I woke on time, but got up late. Traffic was bearable, bumper-to-bumper for twenty minutes - which is normal on Soutpan Road, apparently.

Oh crap! Load shedding is back! I'll be in the dark until 18:30 tonight and again from midnight till 02:30!

I'm sticking my head back into my garden. Right, so I said that I decided to clear the bed between the carport and the succulent bed. Why? It doesn't get morning sun, because it's right next to the house? Plus, with that dead tree in its corner, everything I plant is likely to get trampled, when that tree is removed?

Well, the answer is very simple: convenience! Watering is no problem, I just stick the sprinkler in the succulent bed, and it's not far to walk. Work from the house outwards, that's my motto.

I've just checked my order, and it's now scheduled for the 18th ... still next week, so, no worries. I've also refreshed my memory: I ordered one greenhouse - well, it's covered stand-alone shelving - and two types of grow tunnels. One open at the bottom, for plants in the ground and one closed, to place pots inside. I'd like to place the open one in that bed - but, gosh, will the weeds just love that, eh?

Anyway, I'm trying to decide just WHAT I would like to get growing. So I googled 'what grows best in peat pellets' and came across an article comparing peat pellets to grow trays - reusable plastic trays, you fill with soil (well, not everybody knows that! I wasn't 100% sure, either!). The pellets are best for plants with delicate roots - the ones that don't like their roots disturbed. Trays are more economical, because you can re-use them - and buying soil is cheaper than the pellets.

For the greenhouse and the closed tunnel, I may need to get more pots ... I meant to wait until I have those, to see what best to get - but with Monday, 22nd being a public holiday ... I just know I'll want to do something productive! Hmmm ... I think I should take a trip to Builders Express tomorrow. Yes, yes, I know: budget!

The problem I'm having is twofold: with the peat pellets, because I don't have a water resistant tray, they are not staying moist. I sometimes find them fairly dry when I get home. An enclosure, like the tunnel, should help with that. But having a plastic tray would be much better. And the other problem is with the soil. I've been using the soil from my pots, which isn't working too well for the seeds. Same problem with moisture. So far, only the Rosemary seems to be making any effort. Considering how long I'll have to wait to harvest, I find that a little ... frustrating.

Soil isn't expensive. The trays might be, though ... and I really don't want to spend a lot of money! I'll take some more time to think it through, and make that trip next week ... 

You know what? I'm being silly! Looking for an expensive solution to a simple problem! I used the cat food cardboard boxes as containers for the peat pellets, so why not simply add a plastic bag? I've got plenty of those! Yeah, I just mentally facepalmed myself ... 

But I will get some soil for seeds. I've got a fertilizer, which helped, but the soil I used is a bit too dense, or something. It dries out quick and hard. I'll also get seed trays. And a wheelbarrow - depending on the price and whether I can fit it in the car.

Done! The last patch of jungle is gone! All clear!

That was what was left Sunday night. Yes, that's Smeagol cuddling the ponytail ...

Five leaves on the biggest of my Litchi trees!
If you look closely, you can see two green stalks in front of it.

Well, I finished my chores, finished the patch of jungle ... I was done by half seven. It's dark by seven, so ... I just cleared a bit of pavement.

Bread in the oven, bathed, now for dinner and a movie. Well, an episode of 'Vera', the series I'm currently watching. Two hour episodes, that qualifies as a movie, right?