Day 4 - Went late in the day but the sun was even HOTTER

I had to get out after spending the day working indoors. What a great balance gardening provides to all the 'office work' I'm doing of late.

I couldn't believe how hot it was late in the day today ... 28C and nowhere to get away from the sun so I set up a little portable shade for myself as a yanked weeds. Hauling manure meant I had to be in the sun so I did roll on extra sunscreen (which doesn't really go with flipping soil much less slinging manure). Before I left I sank up to my ankle in a mud hole I'd created trying to get an entire 'feature film's worth' of ants to leave the little spot they'd chosen at the side of the tomato patch. I hosed the mud off and left with a soaker. I was a right mess by the time I slunk back to the car carrying the rolling cart (which doesn't really do 'bumpy terrain' well). I was able to go about 2" per minute with a full load of poop which was 2" per minute quicker than if I'd not had it - so all in all it was a good think I brought it. I had a load from the day before and just needed one more to cover the new 2009 patch that I weeded.

Today I put in 4 hours and left late but ate while I was there and planted a few things and took water breaks. The entire time I worked I kept the hose on and moving throughout the garden so the soil is getting conditioned for transplanting! Thinking ahead. This is my 3rd year and I can't believe how much more I know than when I began in the garden two years ago. I remember going in with Barry and not understanding a thing he was saying. By the time we left I couldn't remember what he'd said was a weed and what was a treasure. I remember trying to ply Julie for the information again and being as overwhelmed with what she was telling me too. At a certain point, I just bent over and began pulling things out and putting things in.




I got purchases from Fiesta today into the ground and managed to get some out of each of the pots to bring home to the roof as well ... so I can see how well things do in both locations.

I created a little spot for some stevia, sage and winter thyme in the herb patch.

I purchased two new strawberry plants - alpine strawberries (which are to produce this first year and to give a continuous yield through until September - BINGO! (they are the two tiny plants in the background).

I broke down and purchased a pak of leeks. Last year I grew 4 leeks (2 blue solaise and 2 scotish) ... I have no idea what I was thinking when I just put 4 seeds in ... I know I don't normally eat leeks but growing 4 for an entire year just seems silly now. So I have two rows of them now! In the Fall I may also be wondering what I'm going to do with them but hey I'm going to Gayla's pickling workshop tomorrow at Barry's so I might just ask if they'd be good to pickle! Solution!

I left all my plants out tonight - most have been out for a few days already. I did bring the peppers and eggplants in ... I noticed that the leaves got a little fried ... I put them in full sun knowing they like heat - HA - not as much as I thought they might!

I have had my bath and can move again ... feeling this tired must be good! I will sleep well.