Fruits of my labor
Post categories: Sara's garden,Ìýlettuce,Ìýsquash,Ìýtomato
| 10:48 UK time, Monday, 1 June 2009
I like to think that when George Harrison penned Here Comes the Sun, he was sitting in his kitchen looking at some squash seedlings nestled on his windowsill, and the line, "little darling, the smiles returning to their faces" was in celebration of his plants perking up after a near-death experience. I'm pleased to report that my squash plants are out of intensive care and are in a serious yet stable condition; thanks to the glorious sunshine this week, while they aren't exactly smiling, the depressed grimace has definitely lifted slightly. The leaves are still pale but thanks to the odd splash of fertilizer and a few days holiday in costa del back patio they are again standing a bit more upright. Huge high 5s as ever to Ann and Chris for their advice.
My tomatoes loved sun-bathing too, in fact my whole patch seems to have shot up...which brings me to my lettuce. I've just checked out the lettuce video on the dig-in page and realized I didn't quite follow the advice about pulling up the weaker plants to make enough space for the stronger ones to flourish into lovely big Lollo Rossa. I think I should've done this weeks ago, and so unless I can blag a go in a time-machine I'll have to be happy with my heaving, over-crowded square of miniature lettuce resembling the horticultural equivalent of the first few rows of a Take That concert. The worst thing is I provided the voice-over for the vid so I've no excuse for such a basic blunder. They seem perfectly formed, just very petite.
Later... Here's the big news, my name is Sara Cox and last night I ate some vegetables I've grown myself. Wooo! Loved trotting down to the patch and picking a few lettuce leaves to throw into a side salad,ÌýI totally channeled my inner earth mother domestic goddess. Couldn't resist taking a few leaves to my sisters today to add to the barbeque feast she'd lovingly prepared. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my sister, her family and my life partner for feigning interest in my homegrown dwarf veg so valiantly at lunch. Took the plunge with the lettuce because they look ready to eat. Hope I've not jumped the gun. They tasted sweet enough, and no-ones died yet.
Thanks for your tips in the comment section, I really love hearing how you're all getting on...I don't think I can use blood, bones and fish 'cos think my basset hound Snoop would struggle to resist the subtle yet heady scent of eau de meat. Loved the bronze statues recommended to me by BarneyWol though they are so beautiful I think I'd find them too depressingly gorgeous. When I get up in the morning and look out over my garden and I'm sporting dodgy pajamas and sideways hair, I want my statues less-supermodelly and more womanly; pretty but not threatening, more Winslet then Moss.
Comments