A Different Route to Rooting

Summer days proved themselves, once again, labile. One day it would be overcast, the next we would hit miserable 100+ temps across the Southland. We're hanging on to the last bits of summer-like weather.  And my tomato plants have all but vanished. Though leaving the watering task to my neighbor's kid while I went on vacation may have been part of the issue, I think the weather's unpredictability coupled with my suboptimal soil could have largely contributed to the problem.  I say that because despite the tomato's demise, my cucumber plants continued to flower and blossom with same quality soil. Ideally, composting would be the way to go. But at this time it remains the impractical option.

With soil being my ongoing point of contention, a peculiar discovery reminded me of nature's sweet surprises amidst disappointing outcomes.  I was watering my veggie plants yesterday morning,  and as I walked back to the water source, just behind the coiled hose, I noticed for the first time a random tomato plant, all by itself had taken root.  And in sandy soil for that matter!   Very strange.  So I thought it either cross pollinated, or somehow, I, with my less than perfect seed-sowing skills, must have inadvertently dropped a seed near that spot.  What a delight. I tugged a bit, in disbelief,  and it looks solidly planted underground.  So, will see how this little guy turns out, and what kind of variety will emerge :)

What Shoots Down Must Come up!

Well, it only took like 6 months....not kidding! I put down these seeds around end of December or early January. Not even sure it should take this long....I can only attribute the weather and lack of direct sunlight to slow growth. But this gorgeous array of dwarf and rainbow carrots definitely took their sweet crunchy time to develop.  I suppose I could have left them in a bit longer, but I was eager to use their space to transplant zucchini and other summer squash.
The day I pulled these out, I took them over to the family BBQ, where I brushed them with some butter, wrapped em in foil, then served them like candy.....unbelievable flavorrr...........!

The beginner gardening workshop series came to a close last week, and the best thing I gained from it was learning the importance of soil. It's all about the soil as master gardener Mark Rice explained. All of the activity that happens underground affects directly how your plants will mature and thrive.  The healthier life under there, including worms, and vital nutrients, the better. So, as I amended my patch of soil where last summer's tomato plants stood, I decided to transplant my cucumber seedlings there.  I have heard so much about the fragile nature of cucumbers, how difficult it can be to grow them.  They need soil to gain a certain warmth to get started. Then they need to be tended so as not to get rotted or eaten by pests. Without getting too caught up with the fear of failure I just remembered what Mark said: So much of gardening is experiment, you have to be willing to fail and start again over and over. That is the nature (and fun) of the gardening process, rather than reality of outcomes. Slowly,  I turned my peet pots upside down and started transplanting  my healthy green seedlings into mother earth. I realized this most ethereal, fresh, sweet fragrance coming from the roots(or sprouts). Better than any perfume I've ever tasted. As if those vibrant leaves were fed by the roots concentrated with cucumber essence. If only I could bottle that!  I put down about 8 plants in the patch. Crossing my fingers they will take off. But I will have to remember that Buddhist principle of "non-attachment" to get through this season of planting...