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Magical Neighbors

Category: Garden in the Ghetto | Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:24 pm

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Incredible amounts of updates for the last month and a half. It's been so busy that I'm left yearning for my usual time with the Stew.

For starters; my Dad has the most amazing next door neighbor. Clem (Chowder to his employees, family and friends) is a giant Russian landscaper and future mythical creature of Oregon folklore. My Dad gave him a deal on a sewing machine cabinet for his wife, Marfa, maybe 7 years ago. Ever since he's given our family random gestures of radness ranging from Alaskan smoked Salmon
"I get this from my Brothers, there is too much"
Homemade salsa
"Marfa tell me to bring this to you"
Help loading music equipment
"Where is your husband? Where is your father!? You are too little to carry this"
And everything in between.
Last week he noticed Dad and I struggling to get the new garden situated after the paver stones were installed (pictures soon!). On Wednesday we had 5 yards of soil delivered and were trying to get it in by nightfall. Clem helped cart it to the back yard (that man does wonders with a shovel), let us borrow a suitable wheelbarrow, rototilled what was left of the netted sod, had his son edge the front lawn, etc.
During all this he offered us part of his new vegetable garden. I'm not shocked that the sweet elderly couple that moved from the large property behind us (developers had been pressuring them to sell for decades) gave him full permission to do what he wanted with the yard that will eventually become a 7 lot cul-de-sac.
By Thursday afternoon Clem had tilled 4 new rows for us
"You don't want fence blocking all the sun for your tomato, grow them here. It will make them bigger."
All week I'd be raking the new dirt and planting what I could and he'd pop his head over the fence
"It look good in there, but you'd better start planting vegetables here! Chop-chop"
followed by a hearty laugh.


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Whirlwindish updates, breathless explanations, stones.

Category: Garden in the Ghetto | Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 12:06 am

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Ever since I got back from Seattle it's been absolute madness with freakish amounts of dialing-in, as we like to call it. Had a great show in town this weekend, but getting a drummer proved quite... well it was a mess, but I pulled it together somehow. It worked out for the best in a lot of ways.
Busy season is upon us and after a winter of little-to-do, my sword of responsibility is heavier and more difficult to wield. Rock and Roll music, in its own right, is a full-body sport. It'd be one thing just to play and get paid, but there's this whole networking/b.s. radar/dealing-with-people-you'd-rather-not part they don't teach you ANYWHERE. Did you know that almost everyone in the biz is a complete and utter flake? But it's all educational and fun if you look at it from the right perspective.

Now that I got that out *sigh*.... Most of the new plants remain unplanted. I know I'll be able to juggle effectively once I get a little more acclimated, which is exactly what I was trying to say in the rant above but it didn't work out that way. Speaking of, we've had a bout of amazing weather! It 's 76F right now and not a single cloud. I have been able to dig a garden bed over the last 10 days or so, in hour-long increments between here and where ever.

Tomorrow the stone guy is coming over to give us an estimate on a patio area and some cool paths. I'm going to call him the stone guy from now on, because it reminds me of the trolls from the Hobbit.

The fungicide seems to be working on what's left of the wee tomatoes and basil. I started more seeds last week, just in case, although I doubt Toms'd be ready in time. The Nasturtiums and Morning Glories are getting huge despite the kitty having knocked them over TWICE.

I gotta hit the gym now, so my update must come to an end. I'll try and catch up with y'all soon.


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Hammer of Thor!

Category: Garden in the Ghetto | Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:51 am

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I may be entitled to a gold star for my efforts on Saturday. I'm going to let you in on a little secret right now: I am the biggest procrastinator in the world when it comes to at-home projects. I truly intend on completing said tasks every weekend... from the very bottom of my heart. There's just one small problem: I always try completing every chore on my list, and a few I picked up along the way, simultaneously. With a mind like mine you can't possibly retrieve something from the closet without realizing the closet could use a bit of tidying up while you're at it. Next thing you know you've got a toothbrush in your hand, the devil in your eye and you're scrubbing every inch of caulking the house has to offer. You have no idea when things got so out of control!
HOWEVER I believe I've solved this particular conundrum in an immensely effective way: never sleep more than 4 hours when you've got the list, checked it twice and know you've got the drive, man! *By you, I mean me*
It comes down to the simple scientific fact that you're brain goes slower when you don't sleep. For Lexxi Vexx's this is probably the only time where focus is a possibility.

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The List: 4/12/08
Make bonemeal
Faerie garden
Start Nasturtiums & Morning Glories
Baking Soda bath for Rosemary (powdery mildew)
Soap spray for all
Sweep driveway
Laundry
Dishes
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The small children within a 2-block radius are most definately convinced that the chick with perpetually changing haircolors & the nose rings is an insane person and I can't say I blame em'. What would you think if you saw someone hunched over a bunch of seashells in her driveway, methodically pounding them with a ball pein hammer and wearing SKULL BOOTS?! I can only hope that it inspires exaggerated eerie stories that each and every kid should have about at least one neighbor.

I will say I was so zombie-brained that the thought of sunscreen never occurred to me in the 6+ hours I spent with my back to the FREAKING SUN! Subsequent aloe vera usage was required, but I took care of business, business is good and, as George Thorogood once said, I just love good business. My apologies for crappy camera phone pictures.





The little path/lawn dealy in the middle is corsican mint. There's chives, lemon Thyme, Sage, English Thyme, a lonely pansy I rescued from slugs and eventually the ARP Rosemary that needed the bath for a powdery mildew problem (it's already improving). Hopefully everyone is happy there and the fae folk dig their hut and cafe'.

I've got Critterpainter to thank for the seashells idea last year when I asked about a cruelty-free substitute for bone meal and Joann for having such an enviable faerie garden that I had to try my hand at it.

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Tub Thieves!

Category: Garden in the Ghetto | Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:49 pm

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It would have been one thing if my seemingly friendly, albeit trashy, ex-neighbors assumed that I wasn't coming back for my garden containers. But they had seen me, even spoke to me in the weeks prior to Robbie's move from the Vancouver house. Saw me with their own filthy eyes.
It was the last day of cleaning/loading. I went out to dump the bins and hose em' off, but they were missing. I asked Rob if he'd taken care of it before he broke his leg (skateboarding accident a week earlier).
"No babe. Sorry, I didn't get a chance. Maybe Steve moved em' to the side of the house to mow the lawn?"
I went to investigate, but realized the big red tubs had been directly behind me in the neighbor's yard. Violent expletives and flailing ensued.
I stomped over there to drag em' back. Then I saw the tin, the only nice container I had, displayed brazenly on their porch. I made an audible gasp of disgust and shouted "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?! YOU DON'T EVEN GARDEN!!".

The soil in the red tubs was so water-logged that I couldn't even move them. Unfortunately I'd dumped the tin months prior, because it was my full intent to pour the soil on their lawn furniture and barbeque. I was MAAAAAD. Madder than a hornets nest.

The funny thing is: I was too embarrassed for them to ask if they would kindly move the stolen items back into my yard. It's okay, they have to live with knowing that I know. They stole two 3 dollar plastic tubs; cracked, sun-damaged and uglier than sin. What kind of an animal would do something so stupid?

Last edited: Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:39 am

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Back with a Vengeance

Category: Garden in the Ghetto | Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:46 am

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"Lexxi, you got some splainin to do!"
Yes, I know. Shame on me! I miss you all.

The long and short of it is; my nomadic lifestyle left me with a severe lack of yard and constant internet connection. After having narrowed things down to Rob's new house and the Family compound (couch surfing should be left to the professionals only), I still faced an ever-increasing, sometimes heart-wrenching garden lust that my portable rosemary and thyme just couldn't cure.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is rapidly approaching in the Pacific Northwest. Wild fantasies of rare heirloom tomatoes, multi-colored carrots and jungles of delicious basil began to occupy my thoughts and dreams. It usually starts with the Daffodils.

As soon as I catch a glimpse of those arrogant little devils shooting up in late February it drives me to an absolute frenzy. They're my favorite flower of all time, mostly because they frustrate me to no end! How dare they show their proud, beautiful, YELLOW faces at a time like this?!? The nerve. The Willamette Valley's spring is more of an extension of a winter that started in October. Oh, sure there's camellias, 'dils and cherry blossoms... but it's hard to enjoy them when it's still 48F and raining IN MAY!

Tangent alert. Seriously, Daffodils do that to me.

Okay, so the point is: I did stuff today. I was on my way from babysitting my friend's spawn and fully intended on going straight to The Fort (see: my Dad's garage) and starting the seeds I'd purchased over the weekend. Next thing I knew I was walking out of Keizer Nursery with new lemon thyme and sage plants in tow. However I DID complete my assigned task for the day: giving peat pellets a whirl. I've got a pictorial to post later, but as your legal advisor I strongly suggest purchasing a grip! They're like 10 cents and oh-so-convenient.

So the plan this year is actually a double garden. Glass half-full! It sometimes pays to have semi-permanent living situation. See, my folks love the idea of pretty flowers and tasty veggies, but haven't the time to toil in the dirt. Robbie's roommates are starting their first veggie garden and requested my help/advice in exchange for plenty of my own growing space. The legend prevails! Garden in the ghetto is back in the saddle!


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We Will Rock You(r Garden)

Category: Garden in the Ghetto | Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 12:36 am

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Vexx's Log:
It is now 10:45 am, Pacific Standard Time. I have consumed one cup of delicious Java-fuel and taken a detailed survey of the land. It might not be easy, it might not be pretty, but we will have a foot path by dinner time! Great physical and emotional strength are imperative to this operation... and the occasional fresh tomato.

---------------11:32 am:
Rocks have been set in assumed positions, ready for placement SIR! Although heavy, they offer little resistance. I assume they mean to become my friends and allies.
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1:07 pm:
Heat and humidity have started taking their toll. Said elements will not foil my mission, for I am dedicated to the cause. Surrender is not an option, not even to the little canine insurgent next door that wishes to dig-up and liberate the stones. Half done and ready for more!
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4:54 pm:
Well played. There were interruptive phone calls, attempted cat escapes (Rob has a screen to fix when he gets home!) and a very sore set of arms needing many breaks. Welcome home, river rocks. Welcome home!

I'm really proud of the stump. I planted some of the Ivy-Leafed Toadflax seeds around it yesterday, so I decided it was going to become a focal point. Keep in mind this is my first attempt with aesthetic garden accessories.


*These pictures were taken on my camera phone, hence the poor quality. We used about 20 batteries in the real camera this weekend and the urgency of the situation required me to make due.


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Triumphant Weed Defeat (For Now)

Category: Garden in the Ghetto | Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:46 am

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Still fat and sassy from the celebratory feast of my "Very Veggie" potato salad, pesto pasta and a bottle of cheap wine.
We finally took back what was ours and planted some grass seed in the former stronghold of dandelions, crabgrass, clover and their allies.
Oh, we pulled, raked, seeded and cursed. Endurance and strong drink, in the delicious form of iced vanilla coffee, were on our side!
So, now that the weeds are gone, I suppose I'll share the victory pictures....

Rob being a MAN!

Here I am, basking in the glory...

Dressed for success. Even my garden boots were made to rock and roll.




We wanted to do our version of American Gothic, but the tomato plant takes horrible pictures.

Last edited: Thu Aug 23, 2007 6:21 pm

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The Great Weed Empire and the World's Ugliest Spider

Category: Garden in the Ghetto | Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 12:15 pm

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I'll try this again since it didn't post last time, but some of the original fervor will undoubtedly be lost forever to the land of unposted blogs and socks without a mate.
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There are reasons why you haven't seen pictures of my garden. Mainly, it's because my garden is located in my yard. My yard is something you don't want to see, unless you have a strange hankerin' for photographs of weeds. Seriously, lots of weeds.
The thing is, my landlord Steve (who happens to be my half-sister's-uncle-by-marriage, and McPhersons consider that kin!) doesn't really feel the need to give us any special breaks. And by "breaks" I mean the things he gives to all the other tenants free-off-charge. Things like faucets in their back yards, working garbage disposals/refrigerators, grass, etc.
This lack of grass has lead to a maddening frenzy of invasive and unsightly plants. Maintenance (Steve and Gary) are supposed to care for all lawns according to the rental agreement. I think Gary comes by once every other month to mow said weeds, and I still can't figure out why.
Not having a hose is the only reason why I haven't planted my own blasted grass. It's one thing to walk back-an-forth to the kitchen sink 5 times just to water the veggies, but it would get down right tedious trying to wet the entire yard with a gallon water pitcher.
There you have it, my melodramatic excuse for lack of pictures.
On another note I was yanking-up some of the insanity by the porch and this squishy, yellow body scurried out on bright red legs with giant eyes and what looked like pinchers. I thought it was some horrid larvae of a probably plant-terrorizing beetle. I screeched for Rob to put this creature to death. As a kid I would have fearlessly captured it for proper classification and subsequent release, but the dreams of a career in entomology died after 2 spider bites that resulted in trips to the hospital. Rob promptly unveiled this demon from his weedy hide-out and, upon further inspection, found that it was a spider, not a beetle. I advocated it's execution anyways, because I hate red-legged, crab-looking surprises. Rob made a big fuss, as I generally don't condone spider-carnage and force him to put them outside rather than kill. He ended it finally, intentionally making a huge production by using a bark chip as a bad guillotine, instead of his quick and diligent shoe. I felt guilty for a moment, until I shuddered at the mental image of that horrid creature crawling up my garden glove.

Last edited: Wed Aug 08, 2007 12:19 pm

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Tomato Paranoia and Zuke' Regret

Category: Garden in the Ghetto | Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 9:38 am

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The cherry tomatoes are just starting to turn red. I've almost killed that poor plant a dozen times, but luckily she came through. There's 40 tomatoes so far and she's still going.
Now that it seems all right, I'm constantly worrying that someone will steal my fruit! It started when my Grandpa told me that some kids snuck into his backyard and took 15 peaches off his tree. Although it was a hilarious story, I checked all my plants for evidence of theft as soon as I got home.
My partner, Rob, laughed openly as I theorized that everyone in the apartment complex is after our garden. It didn't seem like that far of a stretch, considering a neighbor's boyfriend stole our wallets and cellphones last year. Rob made a good point when he said:
"The meth heads aren't really interested in produce, considering they can't sell it and they don't eat. You bring food to everyone else already."

On another note, I might be the only person on the planet without enough zucchini. I have three plants and barely anything to show for it. Everyone else seems to be pawning theirs off to acquaintances, distant relatives and people they just met crossing the street. Madness. Absolute madness.

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