June has brought many storms and much growth in the backyard. For about a week I didn't have to water the plants at all, it was raining so often, and I began to worry that they were getting over watered. I couldn't decide: how much is too much? The soil level in the pots was decreasing, which I assumed was just because the water was compressing the soil and packing it down. I decided they were okay (read: didn't know what to do but cover them with a trash bag which seemed too silly for words), and lo and behold, after the rains lifted and the sun came out, each plant seemed not only alive and well, but quite invigorated.
About two thirds of the plants have been transplanted, and the structure they were living in was rapidly becoming too small. I recently came across a large table that neighbors who had been moving out left in the backyard. I seized the opportunity for more space and placed said table right by our back door. I carefully arranged all my plants on the table, ensuring they were well distributed for light and co-mingling. It was an attractive sight, seeing all of them thriving on this new piece of furniture.
I awoke the next morning to find all my plants on the ground (safe and sound, don't worry) and the table nowhere to be seen. Apparently I was mistaken when I assumed the table had been thrown out.
Since then, I've left the plants out to fend for themselves, while moving the former structure into the shade for the lettuce. While the lettuce started out wilty and sad, it seems to have taken a liking to all the shade and rain, and is slowly reviving itself back to health. Even the thyme, which I was sure was my first plant category casualty, is making a comeback (I may name it Landon Donovan).
Yesterday, I decided the tomatoes were becoming far too akin to stooped old ladies (bending & falling over) and they needed some staking. As any sane person would, I furnished stakes out of wooden chopsticks and dental floss. It is a temporary thing.
And finally, as we speak, my garden-structure-builder-helper-extraordinaire is laboring in the pre-storm afternoon to get a new, larger structure built for what will hopefully be a full contingent of plants in pots (as of now, some are still in cottage cheese containers..). As the plants (hopefully) begin budding with veggies, they will become ever more appealing to the numerous critters in the region, and I want them to be safe and sound.
More to come, as I look forward to harvesting my first basil in just about a weeks time, and attempting a seaweed & fish emulsion liquid to feed the plants!
p.s. Paul Kelly, From Little Things, Big Things Grow
