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Mark of Intention - Garden Plots

Category: My Not So Secret Garden | Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2022 9:05 am

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Several years ago, I put in for a community garden plot close to my home. Just when I was on the cusp of having the hope of getting accepted into that garden community, it was snatched away and postponed until I'm fifty or older. So I've now got a little over a nine-year wait. It cannot be helped.


This year, while I will still play nice because that's just how I operate, I will be less self-sacrificing in the face of adversity. If there is a garden plot out there, my ambition is to get to it.


Given that I have no car and will be dependent upon either the transit system or rides, this will take more than a bit of planning. Baltimore is a big place for a pedestrian and some people here have great difficulties driving with accuracy.


I am also agoraphobic, with a host of other issues along with that one. However, in the furtherance of my goal to grow gardens and help others, I think I can push it aside long enough to get several hours of gardening in before getting back to the protection of my room.


With Food Insecurity so high right now, I could be an asset to the people I know in that I could grow a few gardens, give away the food, and hopefully, encourage others to grow gardens themselves. This would have the effect of encouraging people to not only eat healthier and wholesome diets but would also encourage more physical activity and improved health conditions overall.


I keep having this recurring dream of a network of gardens and gardeners. Each person growing a little but contributing to the greater whole and helping alleviate the sufferance so many have been under in food deserts and food-insecure regions.


This is a lot to take on. More a wishlist than a plan at this point but I think I can do it. :)

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So, About Those Pitaya...

Category: Container Gardening | Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2021 9:48 pm

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They are coming along pretty well considering they're in a pot and crowded all together.



Multiple Pitaya Seedlings ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )


I am hoping to keep them for as long as I can. Years, if possible.





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Pitaya Seedling Picture

Category: Container Gardening | Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2021 3:38 am

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The promised picture of my Pitaya seedlings. I have four thus far with (hopefully) more on the way.






Four Pitaya Seedlings ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )





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Pitaya RISING!!!!!

Category: Container Gardening | Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 4:08 am

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It is night time here at the present, so I can't get a good picture but the Pitaya seeds are finally starting to germinate. Thus far, two have made their presence known. I planted at least twenty seeds. I'm hoping more will come up so I can hand out babies. :) :) :)

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It Has Been Some Time...Hi!

Category: Container Gardening | Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2020 4:50 am

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So, I haven't been up to much since the disappointment of losing out on the allotment. Like many people, I've been avoiding Covid-19 and just maintaining as much as I could under the circumstances.


Imagine my shock when I opened the door one day and found about 30 lbs worth of fruit sitting on my doorstep. Included in this gift from on high were plantains and Pitaya. Neither of which I've had the pleasure of exposure to before. So, of course, everything with seeds from pineapple to Pitaya is getting planted in soil.


This is the Pitaya fruit.



Pitaya ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )


The thing is I've previously grown Pineapple. I might not grow those right away, if at all. Pitaya, on the other hand, looks like an interesting plant and it has been some time since I last had a cactus in my possession. The Pitaya is already in the soil and (hopefully) germinating. I'm still on the fence about the pineapple.





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Fallow In Hope and Garden

Category: My Not So Secret Garden | Posted: Sat May 25, 2019 4:28 pm

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I knew it was too good to be true.


I got a call this morning from the Garden Lady. She had apparently had a plot waiting for me to sign up for. Once I'd listened to the message, I raced at getting ready with the burning hope of, finally, having a garden.


I then returned her call and everything appeared to be all set for me to have my very own plot of land to grow things in. I was just about to head out of the door to catch the bus to the site with either my bankcard or checkbook when she called me right back. Less than ten seconds after we'd hung up.


"Did we discuss that the gardens were for people fifty-five and older?"


With that one question, all my hopes of having a garden within reasonable walking distance were dashed. I'm thirty-eight years old.


I'm back on the waiting list until such time when they open the garden for people of all ages.


Sadness would be an understatement of what I'm feeling right now.


:'(

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A Truly Lengthy Germination Period

Category: My Not So Secret Garden | Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 7:55 am

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For anyone who has followed this blog from the beginning, you may remember this post from February 2016.


In it, I make mention of my plans to acquire a garden plot as soon as the opportunity presents itself. From that time to this, I didn't hear a whisper but, when it comes to things of this nature, I am a patient being. I recently reached out to the director of the community garden and left a voicemail, asking where I might be on the list at this point.


Several days later, I got a reply. Patience is a virtue.


So, there I am in my kitchen, making a carrot cake from scratch when the call comes in. Thinking at first that it was a Robocall, I barely glanced up at my phone and was shocked to see the name I'd been longing to see emblazoned across my phone's screen. Finally, the call that I'd been waiting for. With alacrity, I seized the device and tapped the screen to answer.


After an exchanging of pleasantries and an apology from her for the long wait, she got down to business and informed me that they were preparing the site for growing this year. She explained that last year's garden didn't do so well due to the All-Encompassing-Almighty-Deluge we experienced in the form of rain. For an idea of the amount of rain that this area got, look up Ellicott City or Baltimore and Flooding.


So, I was asked to prepare for another call within the next few weeks. I'm guessing that's when I sign papers and get the key to the garden gate. I hope anyway. For all I know, I might have to write a two hundred page thesis on the intricacies of horticultural development in human civilization over the past fifteen thousand years before I'm approved.



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Finally, Some Plant Related Stuff

Category: Container Gardening | Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:57 am

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Semi-recently, I ordered ten Crocus bulbs from a gardening catalog but had to wait for them to finish growing...I guess before they could be shipped to me late in September. Guess what just came in the mail yesterday.


Surprising my postal worker with my sickly chic pajama'd fashion sense, I awkwardly sashayed my way over to my mailbox and announced that I was expecting a package of Crocus bulbs from the given seed company. The Postal Workers on my route are so cool. Completely unperturbed by my get up, he handed me my box and wished me well.


From there the panic set in. I wasn't expecting the package until Friday and hadn't been to the local box store for potting mix yet. So I let my fingers do the walking on my keyboard and after much research, I put my newly acquired bulbs in the refrigerator away from any fruits and veggies until I could get to the aforementioned box store for the said potting mix.


Once I get the needed supplies, I'm planning on planting the bulbs in a couple of small containers before putting them in my window. They should add some nice color to my room.


In addition to this, I also have another third of the seed/bulb order growing up in the Aerogarden. The Patio Choice Tomatoes have been thinned and despite a partial power outage of four days, they are doing very well for themselves.


About the only other thing I need to get on top of is the epic saga repotting of my potted plants. The oldest of which is twenty-one years old and nearly as tall as I am.


I'll get it done. *determined*

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Holding Pattern

Category: Miscellaneous | Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2018 6:28 am

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I appear to be stuck. Mainly due to the heat. It has been far too hot to even think, let alone knit or garden recently. I've gotten by maintaining a watering schedule for my houseplants (which all need repotting) and Aerogarden. Sadly, this has meant that just about everything else has gone by the wayside, including knitting.


Not for much longer though. I'm determined to power through on this project so I can get to making my gloves and hat/scarf set for myself. I've put myself off for years and now is the time for me to get something nice.



Mini Sweater 08-28-2018 ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )



In the realm of plants, say farewell to the Basils and the Spearmint. I am sending them off to pine for the Fjords. You see, they've been taking advantage of the near 100F weather we've been having recently by growing abundantly. Under normal circumstances, I'd be happy about this. Not right now though. I am Basil'd out. In their place will be some yellow tomatoes. This will mark the first time that I will grow both yellow and determinate tomatoes.




Three Basils and Spearmint 08-30-2018 ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )


Thank you for reading. Have a pleasant day. :)


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Yaaaaaaaay!

Category: Miscellaneous | Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 4:16 pm

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I finished my Flax sweater!


This sweater took me from 26 August 2017 to 1 July 2018 to knit. I have such a sense of accomplishment right now.


However, now I have the burning desire to knit this sweater. Even though it is completed. I will just have to get a crocheted project to shake off the urge to knit upon waking.


My plants are all doing well. I actually have to trim the basils back...again.


Take care and have a fantastic day!



Mir Ist Kalt - 1 July 2018 ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )





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