A Gardener's Diary

[Monksdream]

April 15-Halfway through the month of April, and the forecast for the next seven days is seasonal. The chance of a frost has become highly remote. I will be busy in the coming days transplanting tomato, pepper and eggplants. I put in two tomato, two eggplants, but held off on the peppers. I think they should be taken out of the greenhouse for a couple days to harden off. Especially on a windy day like today. In the past, I've put out pepper plants to harden on a windy day and regretted it.

Something new. Mohammed brought his 80 year old father with him this afternoon. He's from Syria, a very sad place on this planet. They worked up some soil in a bed and planted Persian cucumber seeds. The Persian eggplants, he said, will go into the ground soon.

I've noticed some tomato plants that volunteered themselves have produced new leaves, so I'm preparing some corners of the beds where I can transplant them. I have no idea what they will be. I'll just have to wait for them tell me.

I moved some wire fencing I will use for cucumber trellises. The bed next to the ledge looks like a good place for a row. But I need aged horse manure before I plant.

On the way to Harris Teeter for cat food I noticed a lady working some flower beds in this old Victorian house. I've passed it many times in the past. But this time I stopped and spoke. Turns out it's a restaurant. I told her who I was and where my boutique farm is located and she said she already knew of it. So I said I have lettuce for sale. She said she would contact the chef.

I googled the joint. It's called McNinch House, named after a Charlotte mayor who served around the turn of the 19th to 20th century. Definitely high end. Only serves dinners five nights a week. No Sunday. No Monday. Cheapest ticket is probably close to 100 bucks.