We found an excuse to go to the house this morning. I don't remember what it was, but it was good enough to get a few hours of work before I went to work today.
It was a day of realization and learning. Most days are like that, but today was the biggest yet. In a good way, of course.
We started planting! Carrots, okra, and passion flower got planted. We chose these three because they don't have to be planted after last frost. It's in the 70s out today, but the latest frost in Texas is April 19th. I'll plant the rest when we get a favorable forecast that covers that day.
Realization number one: three beds are NOT going to be enough.
We planted the small 5x5 bed with seven rows of carrots. Pretty densely planted. I just cut a shallow row in the dirt with my hand and sprinkled seeds in it. Salt bae style. It only took half our packet, so we'll have more to plant at a later date.
Next we planted okra in one of our 5x10 beds. We got nine rows of 8-14 plants each. It took a packet and a half of seeds, so we still have enough to plant another whole bed. Rows were marked with sticks from around the property, but I doubt they'll pop up that way cause the baby likes playing in dirt...
Then I put us a row of passion flowers by the patio on the side next to the sunflowers. My hope here is that they'll grow up and give us some of those pretty flowers on the patio rail. The fruit has something in it that promotes good sleep, so it's not just a decorative plant.
When I went checking the clover area I saw some of the growth over there (not clovers) had put off some pretty purple flowers. There was a bee buzzing around em, which makes me happy. I need my clover to bloom and bring more bees.
Realization number two: I need a lot more clover seeds out here. A living mulch that enriches nitrogen sounds great. As does something lush and green, and not tall. It's gonna be a bear mowing this place. I'll order much more clover soon. Need to find a heat tolerant breed though because I learned my Dutch white clover are probably not gonna be able to hack the Texas summer.
Realization number three: as much as I like native wildlife being active in my property, I may have to fight some squirrels. These fellas have decimated my soffit boards on the shop and apartment. And the electrical work. Not sure yet how I'll handle it, but they seem to be an active issue.
That's about it for my major realizations today. There were a few dead mice in the yard this morning. We noticed a neighborhood cat around the house, so I reckon he probably brought em as a token of good will. It's appreciated. I'll take some tuna for him next time.
Stay relevant y'all, and keep learning.
Nate
Planting with kids is a great idea. Teaching them where food comes from and reaping what you sow! Awesome!
They've been having a grand time! They're usually playing close by or helping me pull weeds.
Jack Spirko, the guy that makes The Survival Podcast did an episode not long ago about growing children in the garden. It was a really insightful episode to me.
Sounds like you have made a proper start on the Good Life! All those Realisations fit in snugly! Go easy on the tuna or the cat might become lazy.
Okra?! Really? Of all the veggies in the world... Is there a recipe that makes okra edible at all!? Not so easy to get hold of here in Europe, maybe that's why it is always tough as leather. Maybe your fresh supply will persuade me how delicious it is... but let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Those squirrels would trouble me .... then again, at least they're not in the garden (proper) nibbling up the seeds. Put in fresh wire to keep them busy!
I'm sure your little helpers make great good luck charms!
Oh, okra is delicious! It's a main ingredient in most gumbo. And it tastes great when battered in corn meal and pan fried. Fried okra is a staple here in the south. And I'm pretty sure gumbo is all they eat in Louisiana. That and crawdads. So without okra, half the US would probably be dead.
Never thought of the kids as good luck charms. Mostly they run around not helping lol But I definitely hope you're right!
Your enthusiasm for okra puts it in a new light. (Never tried battering it: it's the same for aubergine/egg plant, works wonders!) I hope now, extra hard, though, that the bugs don't like it!
I'll murder any bugs that try to get my okra.
Thanks for reminding me that I really want some eggplant too!
Once in a while it's good to get the hands dirty and learn new things..weldone
Oh yeah. This kind of stuff is fun to me.