My latest obsession is of the green geek variety.About a month and a half ago, I planted seeds. It was just a harebrained idea and as a born and bred city boy, I had never actually grown my own plants. I built the bed and broke the bricks to supply the plants some drainage. I also dug out the bed, put in the pavers and knocked them into place with a rubber mallet.
All of this was in 100° heat or more. August in southern Arizona may not have been the ideal time to get the gardening bug up my ass!
The two random packets were from the Livingston Seed Co. Apparently they’ve been in business since 1850. For a little over $3.00, I had found a way to get myself out of the cyclic stupor and actually do something. It wasn’t easy work, but it was rewarding.
First in my hand was a classic orange pumpkin, a “Small Sweet Sugar Pie” pumpkin. The packet reads:
“Small Sweet Sugar Pie is the standard for baking pumpkin types. Average weight is 5 to 7 pounds. Plant 3 or 4 seeds per hill.”
I just need to say that the 3 or 4 seeds bit, is dependent on the size of your hill. Believe me!
Second was a funky pumpkin package. Livingston calls is a “Jaradale” (the Internet spells it Jarrahdale. Either way, the blue-grey rind of the pumpkin called to me. Visions of blue pumpkin pie danced in my head. Sadly, the flesh inside is still orange.
The packet reads:
“Baking, mashing, roasting, and broiling are all possible with the top quality flesh of this pumpkin. The Jaradale produces 6-10 pound fruits that will continue to please long after the growing season.”
No guidance was given on how to plant these suckers. So I followed the instructions on the other package. Yeah, that’s what I get for thinking.
This new passion may not be the “classic” definition of geeky behavior, but it’s kind of odd for a city kid, part-time writer, rpg enthusiast, and full-time husband to try his hand at gardening.
It got me out of the house and into the Arizona sunlight so my doctor doesn’t have to prescribe more Vitamin D. Get out and grow folks, you never know when you’re going to have to stock up for the impending Zombie Apocalypse!
I just hope mine aren't mutant pumpkins... or mutant Zombie pumpkins!
Yes, those are 1' by 1' pavers, just in case you're wondering!
Cheers folks!
2 comments:
Yay for gardening. I started gardening on my balcony this year and while I didn't harvest much, it was brilliant to eat my own potatoes and carrots fresh out of the ground. For good advice on gardening and some serious skills at making your own stuff, I highly recommend John Seymour
I have to say, I'm rather enjoying it!
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