06.17.09

Over the weekend, a friend came over to help weed the garden. While working, we met a man who has a plot down at the end of the garden. His plot is HEAVILY secured, with safety-orange construction netting stretched around it to prevent anyone accessing it with ease. He had some sort of refreshing beverage in a paper bag, and loudly went on and on about how someone had stolen seven brand new tomato cages from his plot. He proceeded to stand over us making inane chitchat while we worked, which I found rather irritating but eventually he moved on.



I'll be the first to admit that I don't know what the back story is, but the woman who's across the way from me later told us that she thinks that HE is the resident garden thief and his behavior, especially going on about his stolen tomato cages, is an attempt to divert attention from him. She told us about how one year she had a huge row of beautiful collard greens. One day she came in and realized that someone had taken care to cut off the growth from the back side of the row so that it looked great when you walked by on the sidwalk, but was completely shorn when you saw the row from the side and back. I am hoping that what's in the past is past, but we'll see.



Thanks to all of the weeding over the weekend, the plot is looking good. I think I can start harvesting my mesculin and I need to thin out the tomatoes and cucumbers soon. The sugar snap peas are growing well, as are the broccoli and the swiss chard. Jasper and I went over to water this afternoon and sampled som of the sugar snap pea shoots that broke off when I was arranging them - delicious! I can't wait to taste everything!





The backyard is also looking great - very green and lush. We are down to two decently-sized peaches, but that's okay. The tree has grown at least two feet from when we planted it, which is exciting. One of the lupines is blooming, as are the foxgloves. The hydrangea is looking great, as are the morning glories and one of the rose bushes. Once we get the back fence panel replaced (a goal for the summer, I hope!), I plan to take out the existing hosta and replace it with a lilac bush.