tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85308737309287748112024-03-08T05:53:09.202-08:00a gardening yearIn the garden with Class 2ijdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14538401214133470087noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530873730928774811.post-72567076267994504912009-11-26T02:49:00.000-08:002009-12-01T02:51:18.862-08:00New plants from old<p>Just take a look at this sad-looking specimen.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT04QCZAjI/AAAAAAAABhM/ZfN6jiaNs2Q/s1600-h/IMG_38692.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3869" border="0" alt="IMG_3869" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT040ZDVpI/AAAAAAAABhQ/fqYRi9yXvwA/IMG_3869_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>It, along with a dozen or so similar plants, was ‘rescued’ from a rather neglected one-time ‘display’.  What, we wondered, had gone wrong.  The crisp brown flowers and the withered buds, not to mention the dusty soil that was as-dry-as-the-proverbial-bone pointed towards them not having been watered for a <em>very</em> long time.</p> <p>But never mind.  Class 2i to the rescue!  Our job?  To give the plants a ‘hair-cut’, snipping off the crispy flowers and those withered buds…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT050IiFdI/AAAAAAAABhU/sj19r22wgZQ/s1600-h/IMG_38702.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3870" border="0" alt="IMG_3870" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT06WZqd3I/AAAAAAAABhY/hD0ZDvvniMQ/IMG_3870_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>(<em>just</em> the crispy flowers and those withered buds mind)…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT07PZwgWI/AAAAAAAABhc/kgRf7rQQQn0/s1600-h/IMG_38742.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3874" border="0" alt="IMG_3874" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT07rRw0II/AAAAAAAABhg/pM-kum1dcyc/IMG_3874_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>being careful to keep our fingers…..</p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3883" border="0" alt="IMG_3883" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT08ITbWHI/AAAAAAAABhk/wmMIKwSlLcU/IMG_3883_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></p> <p>safely tucked out of the way.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT08_5p0WI/AAAAAAAABho/I5xkNIrK4MI/s1600-h/IMG_38752.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3875" border="0" alt="IMG_3875" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT09Tzi20I/AAAAAAAABhs/6eqNbBDHPsY/IMG_3875_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>You see, we needed to stop the poor plants from wasting precious energy trying to keep themselves covered in blooms, when actually they ought to be conserving their strength for the cold weather that is on its way (and incidentally, as I type this I am looking out at freshly snow-dusted pine trees).</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0-YAyLoI/AAAAAAAABhw/W9A0Hxe8FwI/s1600-h/IMG_38852.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3885" border="0" alt="IMG_3885" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0-yaW-QI/AAAAAAAABh0/wDjaNEygZtY/IMG_3885_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>The newly-trimmed plants were then tucked into some of our friable well-dug soil…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT1AYlxfdI/AAAAAAAABh4/wztTfFpQaHQ/s1600-h/IMG_38892.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3889" border="0" alt="IMG_3889" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT1AznN71I/AAAAAAAABh8/eYaFriFQ0uM/IMG_3889_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>and most-importantly, watered in.  There to over-winter.  And recuperate.</p> <p>But, that was not all.  There were also trimmings from the rosemary bushes.  Far too much for Sunday’s roast lamb!  No, we were going to have a go at making (more) new plants from old.</p> <p>First, grip a sprig of rosemary firmly in your hands.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT1BhJ3lZI/AAAAAAAABiA/H2vQrRteXak/s1600-h/IMG_38762.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3876" border="0" alt="IMG_3876" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT1CCvIL-I/AAAAAAAABiE/6MsF1FI3Xyc/IMG_3876_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Using your thumb, scrape off the leaves on the lower part of the stem.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT1C6A9zXI/AAAAAAAABiI/0hXiqsYqOA8/s1600-h/IMG_38772.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3877" border="0" alt="IMG_3877" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT1DfzFz-I/AAAAAAAABiM/pCH78w_KlRo/IMG_3877_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Toss these into the bucket…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT1Esf788I/AAAAAAAABiQ/EbS8yOh3X_c/s1600-h/IMG_38872.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3887" border="0" alt="IMG_3887" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT1FRSP5bI/AAAAAAAABiY/1g10l-1gxgg/IMG_3887_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>later to be dumped onto the compost heap.  Next, snip the stem with a <em>diagonal </em>cut.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT1GJEKYsI/AAAAAAAABic/NbgLiqnlCQA/s1600-h/IMG_38733.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3873" border="0" alt="IMG_3873" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT1GhJg2II/AAAAAAAABig/YjDmQfxhDoM/IMG_3873_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="124" height="162" /></a> </p> <p>Finally, poke it into a pot of our famous soil…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT1HTTVXtI/AAAAAAAABik/1vcB5gddYpc/s1600-h/IMG_38822.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3882" border="0" alt="IMG_3882" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT1HzDl0_I/AAAAAAAABio/8H7UJkRF-7Q/IMG_3882_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>trickle on a dribble or two of water…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT1Iyq6mQI/AAAAAAAABis/g5NuJWWr8Ew/s1600-h/IMG_38862.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3886" border="0" alt="IMG_3886" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT1JW2U_AI/AAAAAAAABiw/lTOhOkLekYM/IMG_3886_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>and fingers crossed until spring!</p> jdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14538401214133470087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530873730928774811.post-3203085016971844762009-11-19T02:47:00.000-08:002009-12-01T02:49:17.603-08:00Dig It!<p>We couldn’t help noticing during last week’s garlic-planting session, that in spite of our best efforts, the raised beds were looking a little squished.  In need of a bit more soil.</p> <p>Thursday therefore, saw us stomping en ligne to a newly-acquired heap of healthy soil that had been dumped in an area under the trees.  Our job; to fill buckets with spades full of crumbly soil which would be lugged over and emptied on top of the needy beds.</p> <p>First we would need to learn the correct back-saving way of using a ‘proper’ spade.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0eGfoyaI/AAAAAAAABgU/KEtPYhHApuQ/s1600-h/IMG_36205.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3620" border="0" alt="IMG_3620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0e2BiYII/AAAAAAAABgY/UVjT8cQb-Tc/IMG_3620_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Grip the handle and then carefully place one booted foot on top of the blade.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0f-UX-GI/AAAAAAAABgc/3dAO3fO-dKw/s1600-h/IMG_36222.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3622" border="0" alt="IMG_3622" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0ga2WB6I/AAAAAAAABgg/I6uugKYYJHA/IMG_3622_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Push gently so that the blade slides down into the soil.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0hg5UTLI/AAAAAAAABgk/eRwK34a6sLQ/s1600-h/IMG_36212.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3621" border="0" alt="IMG_3621" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0ieUN9rI/AAAAAAAABgo/525_YvmHUug/IMG_3621_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Wiggle the spade backwards and forwards to loosen the soil, and then, gripping the handle with two hands (while making sure you don’t forget to bend at the knees) carefully lift the spade, complete with its load of soil…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0jZQys1I/AAAAAAAABgs/qpL2r26zU9Y/s1600-h/IMG_36252.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3625" border="0" alt="IMG_3625" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0lM-TOWI/AAAAAAAABgw/Jt05WP6b24M/IMG_3625_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>and dump it into a bucket.  When a bucket is full, find a strong friend to help you carry it…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0mP84_yI/AAAAAAAABg0/5hH8KkV0ddY/s1600-h/IMG_36262.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3626" border="0" alt="IMG_3626" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0nvW4ViI/AAAAAAAABg4/1kW9YX28hvU/IMG_3626_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>across to the garden. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0otlQXRI/AAAAAAAABg8/UQnPOvI1S6w/s1600-h/IMG_36272.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3627" border="0" alt="IMG_3627" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0pI9JEPI/AAAAAAAABhA/dvMMHWmF6n0/IMG_3627_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Keep your eyes open while digging – we don’t want too much grey sticky clay to end up in our soil-mix!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0qKpTl_I/AAAAAAAABhE/hp1jTh9F9cs/s1600-h/IMG_36242.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3624" border="0" alt="IMG_3624" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0rG9bsyI/AAAAAAAABhI/EPfJmTN6FHk/IMG_3624_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> jdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14538401214133470087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530873730928774811.post-79096624520511804342009-11-05T02:45:00.000-08:002009-12-01T02:47:29.181-08:00The outdoors equivalent of housework<p>Now that the weather has taken a turn for the colder – and wetter - nothing much is growing at this time of year – other than the odd plant that escaped the harvest.  Like these potatoes, for example.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTz9orLHcI/AAAAAAAABe8/uysZxom7aHE/s1600-h/IMG_32192.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3219" border="0" alt="IMG_3219" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTz-Ud0tmI/AAAAAAAABfA/j1Ph6xWXJEM/IMG_3219_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>So November in the garden largely means the outdoors equivalent of housework.  There are leaves to be raked…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTz_WErnEI/AAAAAAAABfE/Tx3KP8Yjp1U/s1600-h/IMG_32242.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3224" border="0" alt="IMG_3224" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTz_6YMLsI/AAAAAAAABfI/WpQ1sH_qS4Y/IMG_3224_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>and gathered up.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0Au6x22I/AAAAAAAABfM/5YyhPyAIqgo/s1600-h/IMG_32252.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3225" border="0" alt="IMG_3225" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0BW0KRBI/AAAAAAAABfQ/EhiZm463Tok/IMG_3225_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Herbs such as mint need to have their straggly stems cut back.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0CCnxfiI/AAAAAAAABfU/NHVXmQsI-Bw/s1600-h/IMG_32282.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3228" border="0" alt="IMG_3228" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0CvKceSI/AAAAAAAABfY/wsqO27emn5Q/IMG_3228_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>There are weeds to be pulled up.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0DaGuFII/AAAAAAAABfc/g4kS9VAbdZU/s1600-h/IMG_32202.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3220" border="0" alt="IMG_3220" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0D185HeI/AAAAAAAABfg/5Os-EPPulcM/IMG_3220_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>All of which can be tossed into buckets…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0FMF0fnI/AAAAAAAABfk/9tUa3dYM1gc/s1600-h/IMG_32222.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3222" border="0" alt="IMG_3222" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0F1EUBwI/AAAAAAAABfo/QH86WoIM9Go/IMG_3222_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>and dumped on the <a href="http://class2ipregny.blogspot.com/2009/10/composting.html">compost heap</a>.  There may also be the odd plant that needs to be put <em>back</em> into the ground.  Oops!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0GwlLAyI/AAAAAAAABfs/BZr2vnXTlco/s1600-h/IMG_32272.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3227" border="0" alt="IMG_3227" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0HmIAGWI/AAAAAAAABfw/znjK2o3qZ7I/IMG_3227_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Soil that has been rained on (and goodness, how it has rained these past few days!) is likely to become compacted, or squashed, if it is trodden on too much.  Boards placed on top…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0JPps92I/AAAAAAAABf0/-1B_8cp_XjU/s1600-h/IMG_32262.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3226" border="0" alt="IMG_3226" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0JljXDbI/AAAAAAAABf4/SXRW6OwIOxA/IMG_3226_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>help to spread the load and stop that happening.</p> <p>Something else that helps keep the soil aerated is this wonderful stuff.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0K170MYI/AAAAAAAABf8/YnEdvJudNEM/s1600-h/IMG_32332.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3233" border="0" alt="IMG_3233" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0LbmsLeI/AAAAAAAABgA/x8Mm5lMqg08/IMG_3233_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>From seed to ground cover in two or three weeks.  It can either merely be pulled out and used on the compost heap…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0M_nQDXI/AAAAAAAABgE/H-wxNjYSyZU/s1600-h/IMG_32362.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3236" border="0" alt="IMG_3236" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0NeO5neI/AAAAAAAABgI/Uga5MMdizTM/IMG_3236_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>or can be dug back into the soil so that it rots – and passes on all its goodness directly.</p> <p>Either way, we are guaranteed crumbly weed-free, <em>tidy</em> soil.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0PH1kGcI/AAAAAAAABgM/NDxzhZmeKfA/s1600-h/IMG_32312.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3231" border="0" alt="IMG_3231" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxT0QGSqhMI/AAAAAAAABgQ/6CpaTeN4J2A/IMG_3231_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> jdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14538401214133470087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530873730928774811.post-17281305089387478552009-10-29T03:43:00.000-07:002009-12-01T02:44:52.033-08:00How the weather confuses us all…..<p>Bitingly cold wind a week or so ago was soon replaced by the most gloriously clear and sunny weather, giving warm and balmy days. Finally, the perfect autumn.</p> <p>Unless you are a daffodil bulb that is.  You see, the cold snap tricked the bulbs into thinking it was already winter (actually, I have to admit to being tricked too!)  And then when (thankfully) it got all warm and lovely again, those poor confused daffs thought that winter (blessedly brief) was over and spring had come.</p> <p>And we know what bulbs do in springtime, don’t we.  They send down wiggly roots….. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzgXGfzEI/AAAAAAAABeM/jkiMpP8AnZw/s1600-h/IMG_29042.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_2904" border="0" alt="IMG_2904" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzhIuoMII/AAAAAAAABeQ/_TvV5KFIaus/IMG_2904_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="243" /></a> </p> <p>and push out new green shoots.  Like these.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzhkjwS1I/AAAAAAAABeU/fw485aP36cE/s1600-h/IMG_29062.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_2906" border="0" alt="IMG_2906" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTziLn4s1I/AAAAAAAABeY/EdiQC6hGaBs/IMG_2906_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Well, that won’t do, will it?  What will those tender green shoots do when the real winter…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzi-my_NI/AAAAAAAABec/QB0d_97njT0/s1600-h/IMG_01352.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0135" border="0" alt="IMG_0135" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzjioCwdI/AAAAAAAABeg/PUGr4kGDygg/IMG_0135_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>hits us?</p> <p>So we carefully replanted them, using good healthy soil…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzkX7XYlI/AAAAAAAABek/Veqst5dLLB8/s1600-h/IMG_29172.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_2917" border="0" alt="IMG_2917" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzlrYsasI/AAAAAAAABeo/58s8YjZGnLw/IMG_2917_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="243" /></a> </p> <p>in sturdy orange boxes…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzmcmk_cI/AAAAAAAABes/xoLX4GsS3Qw/s1600-h/IMG_29262.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_2926" border="0" alt="IMG_2926" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTznZk4jbI/AAAAAAAABew/nr59v42VvYw/IMG_2926_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="243" /></a> </p> <p>and secreted them away to a cool, dark, wintery place (the store room beneath the school) where hopefully they will stay safe until spring really comes.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzoAN6uDI/AAAAAAAABe0/gA5WjyxHVQs/s1600-h/IMG_54362.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_5436" border="0" alt="IMG_5436" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzo6qO3bI/AAAAAAAABe4/KWQCeT51bzc/IMG_5436_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> jdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14538401214133470087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530873730928774811.post-76629756386719265092009-10-15T03:41:00.000-07:002009-12-01T02:43:24.452-08:00Bulbs and boots – and a surprise in store<p>Whatever do you do with Wellington boots once you have outgrown them?  Unless you have a younger sister or brother, that is.</p> <p>We had earlier been given a rather puzzling note requesting that our worn-out and too-small ‘wellies’ and the like should be brought to school.  What for, we would find out in due course.</p> <p>On Thursday, to be precise. When we went outside for our weekly session in the garden, we discovered a heap of apparently perfectly sound boots.  On closer inspection, however, they turned out to have had holes mysteriously drilled into the soles.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzHQcRlfI/AAAAAAAABdM/TG3aQkbGo08/s1600-h/IMG_18532.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1853" border="0" alt="IMG_1853" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzH5HOclI/AAAAAAAABdQ/duOoym6FHkU/IMG_1853_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>How very odd!  What’s more, there were also lots (and lots) of different spring bulbs in various packets and buckets.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzJc9HjnI/AAAAAAAABdU/wWTZ76Wj7LA/s1600-h/october18.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="october1" border="0" alt="october1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzKRRqjcI/AAAAAAAABdY/wZhV4eCYMcU/october1_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="412" height="256" /></a> </p> <p>Curiouser and curiouser.</p> <p>It turned out that we would be planting the bulbs <em>in the boots!</em>  All that was needed was a scoop or two of the perfect mix of soil…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzLN-v_LI/AAAAAAAABdc/84YAIBLj95k/s1600-h/october4.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="october" border="0" alt="october" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzL8zPZqI/AAAAAAAABdg/dmjcrjWX_do/october_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="409" height="240" /></a> </p> <p>and a bulb - or two, or three (the correct way up!)…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzMr4uHaI/AAAAAAAABdk/4DWCm_34XOo/s1600-h/IMG_18572.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1857" border="0" alt="IMG_1857" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzNa_4sBI/AAAAAAAABdo/m3IcShC9yCk/IMG_1857_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>tucked down inside.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzOMEjm0I/AAAAAAAABds/GrexwP72AEI/s1600-h/IMG_18582.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1858" border="0" alt="IMG_1858" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzOiwgZmI/AAAAAAAABdw/KP01ePJf46E/IMG_1858_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>A further sprinkling of soil on the top…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzPY6DyRI/AAAAAAAABd0/AQ5wmxHopfs/s1600-h/IMG_18592.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1859" border="0" alt="IMG_1859" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzPxd4XpI/AAAAAAAABd4/UgAE7m9UP7A/IMG_1859_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>patted firmly down.  Finally, carefully stand your bulb-stuffed ‘wellie’ in place on the garden…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzQyg0KHI/AAAAAAAABd8/JJyyt_TEJuM/s1600-h/IMG_18542.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1854" border="0" alt="IMG_1854" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzRdSh1HI/AAAAAAAABeA/CRcHhfrs--g/IMG_1854_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>where they will wait, lined up on their long walk towards spring…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzSFgKjCI/AAAAAAAABeE/XEyEZpbUBUM/s1600-h/IMG_18622.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1862" border="0" alt="IMG_1862" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTzS2MIYqI/AAAAAAAABeI/zeR3KxaZv2A/IMG_1862_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>and hopefully the surprise of a beautiful show of spring colour.</p> <p>And what about those holes drilled in the bottoms?  <em>We</em> know what they are for.  Do you?</p> jdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14538401214133470087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530873730928774811.post-1851874988365775162009-10-02T03:38:00.000-07:002009-12-01T02:40:44.327-08:00Composting<p>We gathered under the trees for this week’s session in the garden.  Found a bit of clean dirt on which to sit – and looked upwards.  Up towards the canopy of leaves.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyZ-luIuI/AAAAAAAABbw/KKgCgoDuwlM/s1600-h/IMG_10672.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1067" border="0" alt="IMG_1067" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyaZWEfEI/AAAAAAAABb0/ebm2BuKSzfg/IMG_1067_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>What did we notice about the leaves?  That leaves which had been green during the long summer months, were beginning to change colour.</p> <p>Looked down to where we were sitting.  What did we notice there? </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTybn19ZeI/AAAAAAAABb4/4NLQ8ZxgSTU/s1600-h/IMG_10682.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1068" border="0" alt="IMG_1068" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTycX2NOXI/AAAAAAAABb8/UEkDnfBaI1w/IMG_1068_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Brown, crisp, dry, curled leaves.  <em>Dead</em> leaves, as Can noted.</p> <p></p> <p>What, we wondered, made those leaves turn brown and fall from the tree?  Well, take a green leaf and tug at it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTydWxkdlI/AAAAAAAABcA/yAFN0t7wus0/s1600-h/IMG_10702.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1070" border="0" alt="IMG_1070" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyd0GKrHI/AAAAAAAABcE/I9Y8-4MZc_o/IMG_1070_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>You can tug quite hard, but the tree doesn’t let it go.  But just watch for a moment; and you will see brown ones floating and twisting and curling down to the ground.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyeg--62I/AAAAAAAABcI/CwIn9BrdRYM/s1600-h/IMG_91642.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_9164" border="0" alt="IMG_9164" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTye9LR8dI/AAAAAAAABcM/dDhAZ3mBy_w/IMG_9164_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="243" height="244" /></a>  </p> <p>In the summer, the tree ‘sucks’ up moisture from the soil; it travels through the roots…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTygEhLK1I/AAAAAAAABcQ/vihj33Q_7N0/s1600-h/IMG_10712.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1071" border="0" alt="IMG_1071" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyg9p96VI/AAAAAAAABcU/Gf9hJ147rGc/IMG_1071_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>up the trunk…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyhkXW10I/AAAAAAAABcY/hMVLh0hqIh0/s1600-h/IMG_10642.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1064" border="0" alt="IMG_1064" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyiAI9caI/AAAAAAAABcc/_cczTAqrJSc/IMG_1064_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>and all the way along the branches to the leaves.  But as the weather gets colder, the tree needs to conserve its moisture so that it doesn’t die.  So it closes the little ‘trap-doors’ to the leaves, thus turning off the water supply and allowing them to shrivel up and fall off.</p> <p>Now think back to what we learned last week about the ‘ingredients’ of soil.  Water, air, minerals and organic matter.  Organic matter, remember, is things that were once living.  Things like dead leaves…..</p> <p>We want to use some of this organic matter to improve our soil.  We are going to have a go at <strong>composting</strong>.</p> <p>Just like last week, we will work in ‘teams’…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyigZBVYI/AAAAAAAABcg/ZXgBmf1seP4/s1600-h/IMG_10972.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1097" border="0" alt="IMG_1097" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyjYf8A3I/AAAAAAAABck/xfU8oC3uH1o/IMG_1097_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>with each team responsible for raking up…..</p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="compost" border="0" alt="compost" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTykNvwGyI/AAAAAAAABco/zwb7nNKXi1U/compost_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="392" height="228" /></p> <p>and gathering the leaves…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTykyEM_kI/AAAAAAAABcs/gzeQl8gBARw/s1600-h/compost14.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="compost1" border="0" alt="compost1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyllljUVI/AAAAAAAABcw/lbtDGN_dgHg/compost1_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" height="234" /></a> </p> <p>before putting them into buckets and carrying them…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTymNKPalI/AAAAAAAABc0/09gqmvEwlXs/s1600-h/IMG_10782.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1078" border="0" alt="IMG_1078" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTym-Jki6I/AAAAAAAABc4/9P3jqA_luhY/IMG_1078_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="225" /></a> </p> <p>over to our ever-growing pile…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyn78YhkI/AAAAAAAABc8/cdGZ8QdX2Ag/s1600-h/IMG_10832.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1083" border="0" alt="IMG_1083" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyom4Q79I/AAAAAAAABdA/7MqYpOFcYGQ/IMG_1083_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>and emptying them onto the top.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyqNx0zjI/AAAAAAAABdE/YR-pAVDL-vM/s1600-h/compost34.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="compost3" border="0" alt="compost3" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyq96ohRI/AAAAAAAABdI/REYOfQpGL4I/compost3_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" height="234" /></a> </p> <p>Next stop, rich dark well-rotted compost?</p> jdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14538401214133470087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530873730928774811.post-24421147436880358112009-09-24T03:36:00.000-07:002009-12-01T02:38:43.442-08:00Soil Sample<p>Take a look at this.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTx6qfwocI/AAAAAAAABaM/q1jcW3XIzIQ/s1600-h/IMG_06092.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0609" border="0" alt="IMG_0609" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTx7R0ietI/AAAAAAAABaQ/mqOxb4DDVWk/IMG_0609_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>A handful of soil.  But what exactly <em>is</em> soil?  Well, soil contains these things:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTx7wVGX2I/AAAAAAAABaU/iogJqGDKc-Y/s1600-h/IMG_06122.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0612" border="0" alt="IMG_0612" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTx8wjwjcI/AAAAAAAABaY/vjQt9Czvwcc/IMG_0612_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a>  water</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTx93npuLI/AAAAAAAABac/w19YlL9IY-Q/s1600-h/IMG_06152.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0615" border="0" alt="IMG_0615" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTx-f7TgtI/AAAAAAAABag/rB6ag0DxCtU/IMG_0615_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a>   air</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTx_WU6FLI/AAAAAAAABak/xrY4mYb3orw/s1600-h/IMG_06162.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0616" border="0" alt="IMG_0616" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyAK_GKLI/AAAAAAAABao/DFDiKEpB1rM/IMG_0616_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> organic matter</p> <p>(that means things that were once living, like dead leaves)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyA0sIpdI/AAAAAAAABas/u-S8t3qZmg0/s1600-h/IMG_06172.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0617" border="0" alt="IMG_0617" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyBVQ5zxI/AAAAAAAABaw/urPfsVzq_50/IMG_0617_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> minerals</p> <p>(minerals are things like stone or sand, that come from the ground)</p> <p>But not all soil is the same; not all soil contains the same amount of water or air, or the same amount or kind of organic matter or minerals.</p> <p>And some soil is better for growing things than other soil.</p> <p>Which brings me to today’s ‘mission’.  We would work in a ‘team’ to see if we could find samples of <em>at least 4</em> different types of soil in and around the garden.</p> <ul> <li>We should be able to find <em>sandy</em> soil, that is a bit like the sand in our sandpit; dry and grainy and pale in colour. </li> <li>We should be able to find dark sticky <em>clay.</em> </li> <li>We should be able to find <em>stony</em> soil. </li> <li>We should be able to find rich, dark, sweet-smelling, crumbly, ‘<em>perfect-for-growing-plants’ </em>soil. </li> </ul> <p>With trowels…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyCO2ieVI/AAAAAAAABa0/ia0fPQDZx58/s1600-h/IMG_06142.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0614" border="0" alt="IMG_0614" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyCuBcHrI/AAAAAAAABa4/bgHIyBylLY8/IMG_0614_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a>  </p> <p>and containers at the ready, off we set.  Pretty soon we discovered dry, grainy, pale <em>sandy</em> soil under the trees…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyD4lcj-I/AAAAAAAABa8/-HO1ww5Ao6A/s1600-h/IMG_06192.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0619" border="0" alt="IMG_0619" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyEliZo_I/AAAAAAAABbE/w0B6vjX--bk/IMG_0619_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>and <em>stony</em> soil nearby.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyF5ULmHI/AAAAAAAABbI/Xrh2JsvxSfo/s1600-h/IMG_06202.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0620" border="0" alt="IMG_0620" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyGngBPCI/AAAAAAAABbM/_dauSVUHJEw/IMG_0620_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>There was dark sticky <em>clay…..</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyHbHQZKI/AAAAAAAABbQ/90xjZ0TnpjM/s1600-h/IMG_06182.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0618" border="0" alt="IMG_0618" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyIMvfx1I/AAAAAAAABbU/wllL3I_gCJo/IMG_0618_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>at the edges of the flowerbeds; and underneath the pretty flowers…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyIye9sxI/AAAAAAAABbY/yTfDOM-smjg/s1600-h/IMG_06232.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0623" border="0" alt="IMG_0623" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyJrVbdTI/AAAAAAAABbc/cceIpJgwl_8/IMG_0623_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a>   </p> <p>and the juicy peppers…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyKE8cXcI/AAAAAAAABbg/RdIHy69w3RA/s1600-h/IMG_06252.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0625" border="0" alt="IMG_0625" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyK9yP9RI/AAAAAAAABbk/81bBjFmnE7s/IMG_0625_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>we found find rich, dark, sweet-smelling, crumbly, ‘<em>perfect-for-growing-plants’ </em>soil.</p> <p><em>At least 4</em> different types of soil in all.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyL9q67II/AAAAAAAABbo/y5mGSZpbn8U/s1600-h/IMG_06242.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0624" border="0" alt="IMG_0624" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTyMv2vgfI/AAAAAAAABbs/LgAj4L49JOE/IMG_0624_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a>  </p> <p>I wonder: Can you tell which is which?</p> jdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14538401214133470087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530873730928774811.post-58793317028984150172009-09-17T03:32:00.000-07:002009-12-01T02:35:33.388-08:00In the garden – in September<p>Toes sensibly buried in shiny boots…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxAg__fcI/AAAAAAAABY0/hTSSue1KJEw/s1600-h/IMG_04033.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0403" border="0" alt="IMG_0403" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxBSdt-oI/AAAAAAAABY4/LMco53NGcxc/IMG_0403_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="196" height="196" /></a>  </p> <p>we clomped out into the Thursday afternoon sun, ready and willing to do our bit in the now well-established school garden.</p> <p>September in the garden means a lot of tidying up.  It means pulling up the tangled plants that have died and harvesting the fruits of others.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxCR66B-I/AAAAAAAABY8/f4sPGs8l9Mo/s1600-h/inthegardeninseptember93.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="in the garden in september9" border="0" alt="in the garden in september9" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxDObwXEI/AAAAAAAABZA/lO4X3KmVKAI/inthegardeninseptember9_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="215" /></a> </p> <p>It means collecting certain seeds for planting next year and saving others for the birds.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxEN_P1JI/AAAAAAAABZE/zXu2piYhoT8/s1600-h/seattlemisc3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="seattle misc" border="0" alt="seattle misc" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxE1B79CI/AAAAAAAABZI/zQpSpUSq6UY/seattlemisc_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="215" /></a></p> <p>It means squatting down…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxF_6JRhI/AAAAAAAABZM/4M8H7MP85Bk/s1600-h/inthegardeninseptember13.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="in the garden in september1" border="0" alt="in the garden in september1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxGsLiaYI/AAAAAAAABZQ/feyLrjrFhrI/inthegardeninseptember1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="369" height="214" /></a> </p> <p>and getting our hands mucky as we dig over the compacted soil to loosen it…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxHVGP12I/AAAAAAAABZU/a3sypc_Z8eE/s1600-h/inthegardeninseptember23.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="in the garden in september2" border="0" alt="in the garden in september2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxILiYHvI/AAAAAAAABZY/V7XiDCTKdDM/inthegardeninseptember2_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="215" /></a> </p> <p>and taking away the larger stones – by the heavy bucket-load.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxJdSAGTI/AAAAAAAABZc/RETSWoHle-E/s1600-h/inthegardeninseptember43.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="in the garden in september4" border="0" alt="in the garden in september4" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxKA8PYwI/AAAAAAAABZg/WEF-DN_dquc/inthegardeninseptember4_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="371" height="216" /></a> </p> <p>It means raking the remaining soil to a fine, friable tilth in preparation for the next batch of seeds.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxLIJx_AI/AAAAAAAABZk/fOAd_BaJnxI/s1600-h/inthegardeninseptember4.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="in the garden in september" border="0" alt="in the garden in september" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxL17kPSI/AAAAAAAABZo/4zFdMQcM6vY/inthegardeninseptember_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="371" height="219" /></a> </p> <p>It means taking the time to enjoy a bit of colour…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxMr9GqXI/AAAAAAAABZs/VebFZwuO6mI/s1600-h/inthegardeninseptember33.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="in the garden in september3" border="0" alt="in the garden in september3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxNUrEQaI/AAAAAAAABZw/-BZ3rm9LPOg/inthegardeninseptember3_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="216" /></a> </p> <p>as well as getting to know one or two…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxOAapA1I/AAAAAAAABZ0/t0Kt9JMSCy4/s1600-h/inthegardeninseptember63.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="in the garden in september6" border="0" alt="in the garden in september6" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxOoKVXWI/AAAAAAAABZ4/-72VYI3z-54/inthegardeninseptember6_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="217" /></a> </p> <p>or three or four…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxPUksy_I/AAAAAAAABZ8/TOyk7TjSjy8/s1600-h/inthegardeninseptember74.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="in the garden in september7" border="0" alt="in the garden in september7" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxP_RygoI/AAAAAAAABaA/l5zvMstNa50/inthegardeninseptember7_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="220" /></a> </p> <p>of the more interesting residents!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxQ2CiWKI/AAAAAAAABaE/YspqAm8m-4w/s1600-h/IMG_04154.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0415" border="0" alt="IMG_0415" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vyJfGpt_qwg/SxTxRjPL8SI/AAAAAAAABaI/0rWYv8xcwjk/IMG_0415_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="190" height="190" /></a></p> jdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14538401214133470087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530873730928774811.post-32188521124994822862009-05-29T03:28:00.000-07:002009-12-01T02:29:28.650-08:00The Green Schoolyard<p>We have a shiny new sign.  Well, in truth, it is neither shiny nor new; it is ‘green’ as in recycled.  And it took my eye; largely because of the fact that the letters had been cleverly formed by leaving spaces unpainted white.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQe0rLnhSI/AAAAAAAAPbY/cRle13oGlbM/s1600-h/IMG_6490%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6490" border="0" alt="IMG_6490" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQe328nVGI/AAAAAAAAPbc/lKglZRovt4w/IMG_6490_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>But I digress (so no change there then!)  I am here (again) because of our latest ‘workout’ in the garden (which I should probably start calling the Green Schoolyard).  Sadly we have had a bit of a problem.  Just take a look at this wheat.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQe7Gx1AMI/AAAAAAAAPbg/UQj0dWQY5jE/s1600-h/IMG_6465%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6465" border="0" alt="IMG_6465" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQe-Y0WTlI/AAAAAAAAPbk/iaJop_ORY7Y/IMG_6465_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Look closely; what do you notice?</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQfCMmTd0I/AAAAAAAAPbo/ulx-yfJtj88/s1600-h/IMG_6464%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6464" border="0" alt="IMG_6464" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQfF_1EXxI/AAAAAAAAPbs/q-u3iQ0cDNE/IMG_6464_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>What can possibly have happened to it?  Suggestions included the possibility that someone had walked on it or that it had blown over in the wind, or even that a hailstorm had flattened it.  But we learned that it was not that at all.  To help us understand, we were cunningly corralled into a squashed up roped-in place in order to ‘grow’ from tightly-packed seeds into tall, strong healthy plants.  And it turned out to be impossible for us to grow so tightly-packed without falling over.</p> <p>The same would have been true for the growing wheat.  Seeds that had been too generously scattered left growing plants with too little space to become tall and strong.  Instead they just keeled over.  An important lesson noted to be remembered for next year.</p> <p>And then we went off around the rest of the garden to look for similar signs of too-tightly-packed seeds having led to weak plants.  We quickly spotted floppy lettuces.  But with lettuces it didn’t matter too much because you can eat them.  Which we did!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQfJrH2YtI/AAAAAAAAPbw/absnMyFPvjM/s1600-h/pregny%20garden1%5B7%5D.jpg"><img title="pregny garden1" border="0" alt="pregny garden1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQfM-6ws9I/AAAAAAAAPb0/muXZGAFvIV0/pregny%20garden1_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="305" height="185" /></a></p> <p>There was work to be done too.  Warm sunny weather and rain had meant that everything (including things we <em>hadn’t</em> planted) had shot up.  </p> <p>The roses were a profusion of colour…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQfRhbWnEI/AAAAAAAAPb4/X4TN8QeZo9A/s1600-h/pregny%20garden2%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="pregny garden2" border="0" alt="pregny garden2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQfVSg0w_I/AAAAAAAAPb8/3-1ZrzHenM8/pregny%20garden2_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="184" /></a></p> <p>but in amongst the healthy peas…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQfZqlHHyI/AAAAAAAAPcA/oFF0htvmRS8/s1600-h/IMG_6484%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6484" border="0" alt="IMG_6484" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQfcl8HzoI/AAAAAAAAPcE/PGpgyYOHdNU/IMG_6484_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>and run-away beans…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQfgOOo7OI/AAAAAAAAPcI/KL3jm-z78f4/s1600-h/IMG_6473%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6473" border="0" alt="IMG_6473" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQfjdmnK1I/AAAAAAAAPcM/fSanaKGdWl0/IMG_6473_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>were ‘weeds’…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQfngB70AI/AAAAAAAAPcQ/jrOsEk-PN4g/s1600-h/IMG_6482%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6482" border="0" alt="IMG_6482" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQfq52eaDI/AAAAAAAAPcU/PVsHjCUxcLU/IMG_6482_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>that needed to be cleared, in order to give more space to the plants that were <em>supposed</em> to be there.  So it was ‘all hands on deck’, removing them.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQfupMMbxI/AAAAAAAAPcY/cZwE3Obq5L0/s1600-h/IMG_6489%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6489" border="0" alt="IMG_6489" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQfyl16rZI/AAAAAAAAPcc/xSH7xShXk9o/IMG_6489_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Being careful to remove just the things that were <em>not supposed</em> to be there.  After all, we want to be able to harvest our strawberries and our cabbages…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQf2Cnc5dI/AAAAAAAAPcg/6MXOYecNho8/s1600-h/IMG_6477%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6477" border="0" alt="IMG_6477" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQf74JrEdI/AAAAAAAAPck/StK_pDajOKI/IMG_6477_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>as well as pick the odd bunch of Sweet Williams and even sweeter lavender.   Mmmm!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQf_zigFsI/AAAAAAAAPco/bfW6iBGCd9c/s1600-h/pregny%20garden3%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="pregny garden3" border="0" alt="pregny garden3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SiQgC_vSQyI/AAAAAAAAPcs/7M1IescQFHE/pregny%20garden3_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="303" height="184" /></a></p> jdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14538401214133470087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530873730928774811.post-3618454613864309252009-04-24T03:17:00.000-07:002009-12-01T02:18:33.187-08:00From winter to summer in two short weeks<p>Having spent the last Friday evening before our Spring Break huddled round the fire in multiple layers of assorted clothing, following a return to sub-zero temperatures, imagine my surprise on our return a mere two weeks later.  Erstwhile bare trees…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQZYJgPqI/AAAAAAAAPGk/rWBSOv5aXWA/s1600-h/IMG_4392%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4392" border="0" alt="IMG_4392" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQaq60oHI/AAAAAAAAPGo/PxEHB53MljY/IMG_4392_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>are now clothèd all in green (ho ho).  The <em>mauvaises herbes</em> are all <em>poussing</em> like mad.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQbnu-IYI/AAAAAAAAPGs/60MXJABI7vM/s1600-h/IMG_5022%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5022" border="0" alt="IMG_5022" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQcoiz9XI/AAAAAAAAPGw/4CdhDxQBZVk/IMG_5022_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>And the school garden is virtually unrecognisable.</p> <p>Tulips…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQd6D7d8I/AAAAAAAAPG0/S7utKWK9_uE/s1600-h/IMG_4974%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4974" border="0" alt="IMG_4974" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQe2ph-VI/AAAAAAAAPG4/XGCzPPCoW7U/IMG_4974_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>and narcissi…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQf---nnI/AAAAAAAAPG8/CFJ4JbAQdy8/s1600-h/IMG_4992%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4992" border="0" alt="IMG_4992" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQgm_6lMI/AAAAAAAAPHA/HLLS1z1zHEY/IMG_4992_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>are nodding their pretty heads.  The allium gigantium…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQhjDy0-I/AAAAAAAAPHE/YO8bg-SLmvU/s1600-h/IMG_4988%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4988" border="0" alt="IMG_4988" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQineZ7JI/AAAAAAAAPHI/oARMTewVmM8/IMG_4988_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>looks fit to bust and Chloe’s sparkly tee shirt…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQj3NSjJI/AAAAAAAAPHM/i4KWCsHFl68/s1600-h/IMG_4980%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4980" border="0" alt="IMG_4980" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQk8k1IkI/AAAAAAAAPHQ/-s0PyMLhjQg/IMG_4980_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>is glinting in the sunlight.</p> <p>Those radish seeds we planted?  Almost ready to be munched upon.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQmBC6OsI/AAAAAAAAPHU/Z2nFX_IvLUQ/s1600-h/IMG_4975%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4975" border="0" alt="IMG_4975" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQnW0tMoI/AAAAAAAAPHY/AIAhJsh5wQo/IMG_4975_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>The garlic?  Heading skywards.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQoXtZ9QI/AAAAAAAAPHc/Vw76zXvC_pE/s1600-h/IMG_4959%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4959" border="0" alt="IMG_4959" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQpVmjNlI/AAAAAAAAPHg/v5T2Sook2XQ/IMG_4959_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>The well-watered herbs obviously relished their pre-vacation soaking…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQqn-eFII/AAAAAAAAPHk/QWab9He0YlI/s1600-h/IMG_4984%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4984" border="0" alt="IMG_4984" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQr4cdBuI/AAAAAAAAPHo/dEXiHsSBq_M/IMG_4984_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQta1jiwI/AAAAAAAAPHs/Ri1o2CsqFHg/s1600-h/IMG_4986%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4986" border="0" alt="IMG_4986" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQuZFeBxI/AAAAAAAAPHw/8Fr3M_YZkNE/IMG_4986_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>and the transplanted (by another class) chard….. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQvp07SUI/AAAAAAAAPH0/PWz20wQY8vQ/s1600-h/IMG_4961%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4961" border="0" alt="IMG_4961" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQwrQP7RI/AAAAAAAAPH4/uzcqldPjDao/IMG_4961_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>and cabbage seedlings are glistening and shiny with health.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQxrhyJXI/AAAAAAAAPH8/9Ofd9qfyJsA/s1600-h/IMG_4989%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4989" border="0" alt="IMG_4989" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQy7SyzGI/AAAAAAAAPIA/zg7m5pi9FZg/IMG_4989_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>But we had work to do.  Trenches to be dug and marked out in preparation for the planting of flower seeds.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQ0JH2VWI/AAAAAAAAPIE/dyEMKxa36ao/s1600-h/IMG_4976%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4976" border="0" alt="IMG_4976" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQ1NmQTTI/AAAAAAAAPII/RzidzrtJQw0/IMG_4976_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>And a challenge.  In the form of a handful of bamboo canes…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQ2UXaOcI/AAAAAAAAPIM/8gH4eE7kIUo/s1600-h/IMG_4965%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4965" border="0" alt="IMG_4965" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQ3n5VieI/AAAAAAAAPIQ/4zP9JZoZ7o0/IMG_4965_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>and the biggest ball of string I have ever seen…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQ40CKKPI/AAAAAAAAPIU/zub_QLO_xn8/s1600-h/IMG_4964%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4964" border="0" alt="IMG_4964" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQ5z5oxjI/AAAAAAAAPIY/32RI5sdiAmk/IMG_4964_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>which need to be turned into ‘tepees’ for runner beans to spiral up.</p> <p>What to do?  A team effort is definitely required.  Someone to hold the canes steady…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQ64Rw3QI/AAAAAAAAPIc/IuUIqJEj_GM/s1600-h/IMG_4971%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4971" border="0" alt="IMG_4971" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQ73pds-I/AAAAAAAAPIg/1bKcd8-ex9E/IMG_4971_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>while lots of hands work with the string…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQ9C019CI/AAAAAAAAPIk/V54y1Hwnsrk/s1600-h/IMG_4970%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4970" border="0" alt="IMG_4970" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQ-DpVbJI/AAAAAAAAPIo/76jXYbDwl-M/IMG_4970_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>winding it round and around…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTQ_SbelWI/AAAAAAAAPIs/fKqSBnj1soE/s1600-h/IMG_4978%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4978" border="0" alt="IMG_4978" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTRAGVcDiI/AAAAAAAAPIw/uRgbgoTLoRw/IMG_4978_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>and around!</p> <p>And just look here.  OUR runner beans, that we planted <em>in the classroom</em> in September, and which survived both the winter <em>and</em> spring breaks; temperatures which were too hot and too cold; being given too much as well as too little water…..somehow, against all the odds, had a sudden spurt of life and have now been transplanted outside and teased up one of the cane tepees.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTRBI-xDRI/AAAAAAAAPI0/miywu_VKXd4/s1600-h/IMG_4983%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4983" border="0" alt="IMG_4983" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfTRByCZxqI/AAAAAAAAPI4/stOkS-rIJc8/IMG_4983_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>One final thought, though.  I hope we have spiralled the beans in the right direction…..</p> jdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14538401214133470087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530873730928774811.post-44644331119265809102009-04-03T03:23:00.000-07:002009-12-01T02:23:56.545-08:00Trouble in the vegetable rack…..<p>Thursday evening; hunting in the dark recesses of the vegetable rack for a clove or two of garlic, to perk up the dinner.  What did I find?  <font color="#008000">Green</font> shoots.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR75_daF9I/AAAAAAAAPDA/HSNxnT3noZM/s1600-h/IMG_1450%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1450" border="0" alt="IMG_1450" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR768EM6HI/AAAAAAAAPDE/bv1eDXiHiws/IMG_1450_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>I suspect that the dark had confused the garlic into thinking that it was underground and needing to ‘pousse’ or sprout.  Which, although it meant that I had to be a bit more creative with my flavourings than planned that evening, gave me ‘food for thought’ for the next day’s gardening tasks.  Perhaps it would continue to shoot, send down roots and fatten up in time for some later dinner if we were to plant it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR78MoWiuI/AAAAAAAAPDI/T8GTvbWfdIk/s1600-h/IMG_1459%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1459" border="0" alt="IMG_1459" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR79CiMUtI/AAAAAAAAPDM/_TjRH6TUSOc/IMG_1459_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="243" height="244" /></a></p> <p>So, let’s poke some of the sprouted cloves into our newly-prepared seed beds…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR7-Rkj8II/AAAAAAAAPDQ/BvK7bWZRxGA/s1600-h/IMG_1472%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1472" border="0" alt="IMG_1472" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR8DO7W_KI/AAAAAAAAPDU/CJHCNdr-QNo/IMG_1472_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="243" height="244" /></a></p> <p>and water them well!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR8Etmp0PI/AAAAAAAAPDY/xxZcJu8vaiQ/s1600-h/IMG_1484%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1484" border="0" alt="IMG_1484" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR8FqSWxrI/AAAAAAAAPDc/PqCNsFw2pYM/IMG_1484_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>And while we are at it, we had better make use of our prepared (raked and carefully measured) beds and a sunny afternoon, and get some seeds planted too.  Radishes, carrots and onions.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR_EBYmtQI/AAAAAAAAPFM/xdVNRDxY45s/s1600-h/IMG_1461%5B6%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1461" border="0" alt="IMG_1461" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR_FbRAv-I/AAAAAAAAPFQ/njZ3LaMEjQM/IMG_1461_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a>   <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR_HdltOtI/AAAAAAAAPFU/nMMC8zgEfdA/s1600-h/IMG_1457%5B7%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1457" border="0" alt="IMG_1457" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR_IqZVUEI/AAAAAAAAPFY/nnQEEMLaKe0/IMG_1457_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR_KIKMQfI/AAAAAAAAPFc/zSxxzm881kU/s1600-h/IMG_1460%5B6%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1460" border="0" alt="IMG_1460" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR_LcRh3zI/AAAAAAAAPFg/iY8eNmoQVfo/IMG_1460_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Some seeds are <font size="1">tiny </font><font size="2">so they need to be sprinkled onto the soil from a cupped palm.</font></p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR8ShsJ0TI/AAAAAAAAPEA/9w9ImeaUXfE/s1600-h/IMG_1475%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1475" border="0" alt="IMG_1475" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR8T0dT5yI/AAAAAAAAPEE/jnTbgVuLkKY/IMG_1475_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR8VLO4_II/AAAAAAAAPEI/UDPHuzWyJgU/s1600-h/IMG_1476%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1476" border="0" alt="IMG_1476" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR8WJ1SsoI/AAAAAAAAPEM/qNZsDv3Mbmw/IMG_1476_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>And then watered.  Well.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR_NIRm8YI/AAAAAAAAPFk/9KRa-cCROI0/s1600-h/IMG_1502%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1502" border="0" alt="IMG_1502" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR_ONXCC6I/AAAAAAAAPFo/KAtqs-u4V2U/IMG_1502_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Other seeds are big enough to be poked into the soil one-by-one.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR8aN8PrRI/AAAAAAAAPEc/o-AlBl_TIIE/s1600-h/IMG_1480%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1480" border="0" alt="IMG_1480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR8bXgVn6I/AAAAAAAAPEg/yiAKsK-rv48/IMG_1480_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>And then watered.  Well.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR8dBAweTI/AAAAAAAAPEk/qPQ0NpAG6rU/s1600-h/IMG_1496%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1496" border="0" alt="IMG_1496" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR8fXY2w0I/AAAAAAAAPEo/69SlZh8dLVI/IMG_1496_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>And while we have got the watering cans out…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR_Pt3VEpI/AAAAAAAAPFs/Vqn_2wx4KDc/s1600-h/IMG_1469%5B8%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1469" border="0" alt="IMG_1469" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR_QkVOlxI/AAAAAAAAPFw/Mra8KtZDH10/IMG_1469_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>I guess it wouldn’t hurt to give the rest of the garden a bit of water.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR8g8E3BtI/AAAAAAAAPEs/PyZGuwyANj0/s1600-h/IMG_1487%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1487" border="0" alt="IMG_1487" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR8iPpKAeI/AAAAAAAAPEw/kSTgtH7fVKU/IMG_1487_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR8jgwWgnI/AAAAAAAAPE0/2l-o5GSf4J8/s1600-h/IMG_1488%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1488" border="0" alt="IMG_1488" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR8kjncuKI/AAAAAAAAPE4/CedYPWmIuic/IMG_1488_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR8mOx_vwI/AAAAAAAAPE8/FVeO3sgG2Xk/s1600-h/IMG_1490%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1490" border="0" alt="IMG_1490" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR8nBTsoBI/AAAAAAAAPFA/rxm4svLpxRU/IMG_1490_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR_R0himYI/AAAAAAAAPF0/U7pOID6sqe0/s1600-h/IMG_1485%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1485" border="0" alt="IMG_1485" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR_TSM12xI/AAAAAAAAPF4/CS6NhdSH46s/IMG_1485_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>After all, there hasn’t been much rain lately.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR8ooBVMYI/AAAAAAAAPFE/8GhwtnK9iXI/s1600-h/IMG_1468%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1468" border="0" alt="IMG_1468" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SfR8pkwyGZI/AAAAAAAAPFI/rbyA3-RrFbs/IMG_1468_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> jdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14538401214133470087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530873730928774811.post-48692410273207881532009-03-27T03:05:00.000-07:002009-12-01T02:10:24.086-08:00Preparing the beds<p>Under the watchful gaze of the friendly scarecrow, our <a href="http://cdnpyp2il.blogspot.com/2009/03/getting-our-hands-dirty.html">winter wheat</a> is continuing to flourish.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUjvnmvQI/AAAAAAAAO_g/1PgzFnWMoL0/s1600-h/IMG_43302.jpg"><img title="IMG_4330" border="0" alt="IMG_4330" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUkLlGNUI/AAAAAAAAO_k/arPqtwn-MBE/IMG_4330_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Behind his (her?) back, all is busyness, as 24 eager Gardener’s Apprentices…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUlO_RrcI/AAAAAAAAO_o/dA1yRQVo2a8/s1600-h/IMG_43682.jpg"><img title="IMG_4368" border="0" alt="IMG_4368" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUmgJqNbI/AAAAAAAAO_s/5Y6WJ-jcqTQ/IMG_4368_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>learn that today’s task is to ready the raised beds for Spring planting.  What, though, lies behind the mysterious shadow (a welcome moment of sunshine, that!) in the red plastic bucket?</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUnKAvf-I/AAAAAAAAO_w/cefFM73Ip-w/s1600-h/IMG_43672.jpg"><img title="IMG_4367" border="0" alt="IMG_4367" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUn_CyzDI/AAAAAAAAO_0/evIwd3nkiEQ/IMG_4367_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>And why would we need to use a <em>measuring tape</em> as well as a rake?</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUomoI-BI/AAAAAAAAO_4/UIVzVIzBjVg/s1600-h/IMG_43312.jpg"><img title="IMG_4331" border="0" alt="IMG_4331" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUpB6E_8I/AAAAAAAAO_8/OO4AIFRHX1Q/IMG_4331_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>A peek inside the bucket revealed coils of string and scissors.  Hmm.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUplFyxUI/AAAAAAAAPAA/qvCI1sUh6q4/s1600-h/IMG_43432.jpg"><img title="IMG_4343" border="0" alt="IMG_4343" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUqGQK6qI/AAAAAAAAPAE/Uxa93hivVOk/IMG_4343_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>What <em>exactly</em> would we be doing?  Well, the beds would have to be raked…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUq9r53fI/AAAAAAAAPAI/6cbWY6vKDZI/s1600-h/IMG_43372.jpg"><img title="IMG_4337" border="0" alt="IMG_4337" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUrgFYNWI/AAAAAAAAPAM/L8Vy5KiUj8k/IMG_4337_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>and any remaining large stones removed.  Fat worms, though, would stay firmly put.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the dimensions of the beds (the length and the width) would have to be measured.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUsdSOINI/AAAAAAAAPAQ/ezdJSazuPzc/s1600-h/IMG_43332.jpg"><img title="IMG_4333" border="0" alt="IMG_4333" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUtOQ4gII/AAAAAAAAPAU/6kgWIFucHK8/IMG_4333_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>String would be cut to size…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUt5eruQI/AAAAAAAAPAY/lzbGclemOgc/s1600-h/IMG_43352.jpg"><img title="IMG_4335" border="0" alt="IMG_4335" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUuZw-0hI/AAAAAAAAPAc/xd6j2qOa_rI/IMG_4335_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>and tied…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUu4kzT4I/AAAAAAAAPAg/vB34g9YsjF0/s1600-h/IMG_43342.jpg"><img title="IMG_4334" border="0" alt="IMG_4334" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUvb1BpvI/AAAAAAAAPAk/nsS22otnMrs/IMG_4334_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>criss-cross across the bed…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUwJtoi7I/AAAAAAAAPAo/GAr1v68wA1k/s1600-h/IMG_43362.jpg"><img title="IMG_4336" border="0" alt="IMG_4336" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUwmvscnI/AAAAAAAAPAs/wlnyu9sNL94/IMG_4336_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>in order to mark out the planting areas.</p> <p></p> <p>Sweet William plants…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUy2KucEI/AAAAAAAAPA4/29IARYj5hhQ/s1600-h/IMG_43662.jpg"><img title="IMG_4366" border="0" alt="IMG_4366" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHUzh7hBbI/AAAAAAAAPA8/3qUFpfV7rS0/IMG_4366_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>and fuzzy-leafed sage…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHU0NW8xLI/AAAAAAAAPBA/PMNEzs7AG4s/s1600-h/IMG_43642.jpg"><img title="IMG_4364" border="0" alt="IMG_4364" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHU1ChDieI/AAAAAAAAPBE/NCKevnb0058/IMG_4364_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>are ready to plant.  Seed potatoes…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHU1nxVoMI/AAAAAAAAPBI/0RXJaYGnr2o/s1600-h/IMG_40492.jpg"><img title="IMG_4049" border="0" alt="IMG_4049" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHU2LBfpTI/AAAAAAAAPBM/D6cyT8bZ1uY/IMG_4049_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>and peas, radish, lettuce and carrot seeds….</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHU21k9u9I/AAAAAAAAPBQ/5gtZ9BZF3iA/s1600-h/IMG_14742.jpg"><img title="IMG_1474" border="0" alt="IMG_1474" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SdHU39D-LEI/AAAAAAAAPBU/8Td-YlZCKyw/IMG_1474_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>are on next week’s task list.</p> jdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14538401214133470087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530873730928774811.post-33802209485699063922009-03-20T02:52:00.000-07:002009-12-01T01:58:04.750-08:00Taking a closer look<p>Goodness it was cold on Friday.  A biting bise wind.  But gardeners go out in all weathers; and so, therefore, did we, albeit briefly.  </p> <p>Our task was to find out a bit more about soil; specifically, what goes on underneath the surface.  What might we find lurking there?</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/Sciql2ZCBrI/AAAAAAAAO6I/f2i5FPbnmlM/s1600-h/IMG_42712.jpg"><img title="IMG_4271" border="0" alt="IMG_4271" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SciqnPhJ83I/AAAAAAAAO6M/EAZ7GYPOAak/IMG_4271_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Armed with magnifying glasses…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SciqoBecnRI/AAAAAAAAO6Q/z0kfbaxbpkg/s1600-h/IMG_42632.jpg"><img title="IMG_4263" border="0" alt="IMG_4263" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/Sciqo6wMxTI/AAAAAAAAO6U/pnU5yXS5-hA/IMG_4263_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>and child-sized trowels and forks, we squatted down on our haunches (well, they did – I don’t think I have those any longer!) and so the hunt began.  Soon excited squeals were to be heard.</p> <p>‘I’ve got a worm!’</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/Sciqp-CFHnI/AAAAAAAAO6Y/dKVFAxmfzR4/s1600-h/IMG_42682.jpg"><img title="IMG_4268" border="0" alt="IMG_4268" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SciqrHC-29I/AAAAAAAAO6c/A4bPNWE1yLA/IMG_4268_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>‘Eeee – a worm; eugh!’</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/Sciqrz6lCXI/AAAAAAAAO6g/-5MfR9SMLxQ/s1600-h/IMG_42692.jpg"><img title="IMG_4269" border="0" alt="IMG_4269" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SciqtMNRH5I/AAAAAAAAO6k/RO9fGCqru9g/IMG_4269_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>‘Another worm!’  All carefully put back into the garden (quite possibly soon to be ‘found’ again by another ‘hunter’!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SciquR6eslI/AAAAAAAAO6o/Z_RqqPX3dD0/s1600-h/IMG_42672.jpg"><img title="IMG_4267" border="0" alt="IMG_4267" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SciqvyIiqnI/AAAAAAAAO6s/l0R_VyVH7kE/IMG_4267_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="243" height="244" /></a></p> <p>And then, ‘Roman pottery!’  Hmm!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/Sciqw4TfCUI/AAAAAAAAO6w/sHTuMPfZejE/s1600-h/IMG_42642.jpg"><img title="IMG_4264" border="0" alt="IMG_4264" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SciqxnuHI7I/AAAAAAAAO60/DAthDxhZs44/IMG_4264_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>And, ‘Look roots!’</p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/Sciqyf8xqSI/AAAAAAAAO64/4VS1KG30ogE/s1600-h/IMG_42662.jpg"><img title="IMG_4266" border="0" alt="IMG_4266" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/SciqzcVkehI/AAAAAAAAO68/rAJomqu1a2Y/IMG_4266_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Followed by, ‘I’ve got a plant.  It was buried!’</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/Sciq0d0kKBI/AAAAAAAAO7A/4bzfKI4OVZQ/s1600-h/IMG_42652.jpg"><img title="IMG_4265" border="0" alt="IMG_4265" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/Sciq1au7QUI/AAAAAAAAO7E/FC6d5dw_SaQ/IMG_4265_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>As well as, ‘Rocks!  Rubbish!’  All of which went into the wheelbarrow.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/Sciq2H3_9WI/AAAAAAAAO7I/LShFBucgh4k/s1600-h/IMG_42702.jpg"><img title="IMG_4270" border="0" alt="IMG_4270" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VCVHceBcFjY/Sciq21jiEMI/AAAAAAAAO7M/8tiQIq0i1Uc/IMG_4270_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="243" height="244" /></a></p> <p>The only disappointment I think was that we didn’t find any snail eggs.  That and the fact the the millipede was too fast for my camera – all those legs, you see!</p> jdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14538401214133470087noreply@blogger.com0