She takes a deep sigh in the mornings soft light, the cold air moving through the open kitchen door. She wants to run out and transfer the seedlings yet restrains herself, knowing the soil we filled our garden box with isn't quite ready for the babies.
Over the course of the last few days we have managed to turn a corner of the property from cement paving stones to a little patch of heaven. We couldn't take our eyes off of a patch of dirt, imagining together the lushness of a fully planted space.
The wood frame was made with wood from recycled packing crates, cost: $15 USD, the finish was an alcohol based stain with linseed oil another $15, nails, screws and odds and ends were another $5 plus a days labor which included some beer and fun. What we realize is that you couldn't possibly have that much enjoyment for thousands of dollars.
Yesterday we sourced soil, this was the most expensive part however if we weren't so impatient we could have found cheaper. We also spied a pile of cured horse manure on the side of the highway which we were permitted to fill two large plastic containers with it, some to catalyze our drum composter, also sourced for free.... and voilà here is the result of two days work:
While looking for soil and seeds we visited a nice size organic farm just outside of town, this visit proved valuable for several reasons. We parked our car inside the gated farm to find two Mexican women sitting inside a small rustic produce shack. I introduced myself and Cristian and asked if they sold soil or seeds, the initial reaction was pretty short and it felt negative; two curt replies, "No and no." Well I have had a tendency in the past to bristle at being rejected thus. Something has changed inside though, I felt the distance bristle yet it didn't surface so we started poking around in the little shop appreciating the difference between organically grown vegetables and the super market super produce (too big, too perfect, too bright). Within a minute the alpha female struck up a conversation; "So you are looking for Kale?" she asks. I say yes, it is difficult to find seeds here. She asks if we would like a plant because it produces for years. Oh joy! Yes we would.
What proceeded was the three of us, shovels in hand, went walking the planted rows, we ended up with a Kale 'tree' and an established artichoke plant plus we were able to find seeds scattered so we took some of those too... Lots of laughter and fun trying to dig deep enough to not disturb the plants roots. I was worried that the plants would suffer from being transplanted only to see this morning that they are bright and healthy! Maybe the orgonite charging plate in the middle of our little plot helped. Ok, it did! Last night in the setting sun I could really see the energy field it created and actually could feel the plants loving it ... all in a days work.
Kale and artichoke this morning:
Oh, we were also gifted with the name and phone number of a man who sells compost and seeds.
And ... in the previous days search have the name and number of a man who raises red earthworms, gardeners best friends.
i can't breathe.
