Week Three

Trees, seedlings and the Tomato Project

Life trundles on. Ironically at an alarming rate.

And before you know it, you’re at week three of the Australian journey.

Anything spectacular happen this week?

I flick back through my diary. Nothing startling.

And yet, step by tiny step, things are beginning to change.

Despite the heat (temperatures up to 39 degrees Celsius), the little garden at the front of the house has grown.

Both in size and germination.

Basil, (voted by the household as the all round favourite plant) has grown sufficiently in its tiny grow pots to be safely planted out. Stepping up to big school.

Basil has no fear of heat and is valiantly, nay enthusiastically growing in its new environment.

Lettuce although still hanging in there, look as though they are not really enjoying the proceedings.

Briefly perking up each day at water time. Then spending the remaining hours wilted and bedraggled. I’m unsure if they will ever be up for a dinner plate appearance.

A little how I was feeling last night after a week of digging, carting soil and leaning over a garden bed burying seeds.

“You look exhausted” no. 3 proclaimed as I lay prone on the couch at 7:30pm. (Read Friday night - How my life looks).

“I’m. Just. Trying. To. Get. Through. Gardening. Australia. on ABC TV” I replied.

With that I struggled through the remaining 20 minutes as Costa Georgiadis bounded about a Perth garden with lovely water features. Its owners diligently gardening daily for the previous 30 years.

I was inspired. Only 29 years and 11 months to go.

With that, I retired to bed. Dreaming of garden beds brimming with edible plants.

As I wake this morning and survey the garden through a haze of mountain mist, nothing startling has occurred.

However all the trees purchased last week are in the ground.

Four blisters, a trusty pick and improved core muscles later.

The pomegranate first, followed by the nashi pear, nectarine, pink lady apple, lime and finally two cherries.

In hindsight, the cherries should have gone first. Their leaves reflect the unhappiness they felt at being left out of the ground too long. They haven’t  forgotten the daily temps of 37 degrees and above.

One half of the front garden fence now has a “garden” i.e. soil with seedlings. A multitude of seeds including, but not limited to, capsicum, okra, corn, beans, amaranth, broom millet, peas, thyme, onions, chillies, rosemary.

Is there anything in a gardener’s eyes quote so joyful as those first specks of green emerging from soil?

Joy only possibly surpassed by actual fruit being harvested. Germination is fascinating.

Hopeful. Joyous. Wonder. At how something so tiny has all the knowledge needed to grow into exactly the plant it came from.

Tomatoes going to Tomate.

Potatoes going to Potate.

Which leads me to another lovely progression I’m working on. Alongside an incredible human.

The Tomato Project.

Loose. Fluid. Brimming with ideas and our combined hope for a better future.

For People. The Planet.

Watch this space…

#regenerativeagriculture #regenag #GrowYourOwn #GrowItYourself #Growing #homesteading #SoilSister #TheTomatoProject #PlantTheSeeds #BeATomato #CalmYourFarm #TrustYourself #GutHealth

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