A Gardener's Diary

[Monksdream]

Feb.28-As intended, I switched my routine in order make progress with my watermelon hills. I completed #1 and placed a stake with a ribbon on the mound. The last three wheel barrows of soil were from the slope. I placed more 20 inch square boxes in a row where I'm making line for who knows what will grow there. Starbucks loaded me up this afternoon. I had enough coffee grinds for the compost pile and tomato box #4. I did seed a row of America spinach but nothing else. I took a nap in the afternoon.

The mockingbird which makes its home on the farm chased off more robins. Its repertoire of songs is incredible to listen to.

Rico spent most of the day working on Ali's Café, this patio about 20 feet on top of storage box. He did check on the broken water line. It will probably take all of 15 minutes to repair it.

Three stalks of asparagus were ready. I gave one to Ali and ate the other two. This variety, Precoce d'Argentueil is amazingly tender. I will order a packet from Baker Creek Seed later this month.

The six Cherokee Purple tomato seedlings rode with me on the morning bus. They're a bit leggy, which is to be expected when starting plants on a window sill. When I arrived home I found four more, so I made up more newspaper seed cups.

Another Rosa Bianca eggplant emerged, making seven, then #8 later this evening.

Muhammed, one of Ali's main men, promised to take to the horse stable Wednesday for aged manure. He'll drop me off and come back. I collected up 50 2.5 or 3 gallon containers to have them ready. It has been so long since I last gathered manure.