Another glorious day, despite set back.

 Got an early start to the day for various reasons, barely a breeze compared to the last few days and it got down to the high 30's last night so it's very much jacket weather if you are not in the sun. Once I got out to the garden... sigh.

The pictures speak for themselves. On down already and the other two I'm not holding out much hope for. Going to do some internet searching to see if I can dig up the other two and glean what I can from them and if it's too late to start another batch for my area.

I don't get any more money until next week so can't do much right now. If I did the cardboard box I would need to put it on a flat surface like stepping stones There's no room left in the raised bed. I was so bummed about finding that I didn't even get a close look at the lettuce seedlings progress. I'll go back down after the apt. manager comes and does her inspection. 

If you notice the two spots in the first picture that looks like the dirt is disturbed, that was me yesterday checking moisture level. Nothing to worry about.

I tossed a small shovel full of dirt on top of the compost and hope to get that turned over tomorrow or soonish. I pulled the downed potato plant apart after I put the dirt on so just left the greens there hopefully for the snails to eat.

It's been 11 days since I planted the carrots, minimum days listed for when they would germinate. Another thing I need to go back and check on as well.

Yesterday walking to pick up my grandkids I stopped to see if I could read the variety on the dead rose bush in a yard and startled two lizards. I had to get a picture of the second one because it stopped to watch me and it had a blue sheen to the scales on it's back. I suspect this is a male and the other I didn't see.

I also got a picture of the other rose bush next to the antique single that I only just now realized may be a rootstock. Bingo! The picture I have right there is not the same as the other one but have discovered that the smaller almost alpine type rose is Rosa rosa 'Manetti'.

 

 This is why I couldn't find it or get a handle on the name. It's not something that is generally grown on it's own. This one however, was left to grow from neglect of the original rose. Considering the dead one where the lizard was it makes more sense. The more recent picture is also likely a root stock rose and, despite it looking different, may well be the from the same bush. 

Well that's a load off my mind. It really is actually. I hate to see something and not know what it is or what the name is because that's just hte way my brain works. OCD? Mild Autism? ADD? Whatever, it's why I was so good at what I did at the nursery is names just stuck in my head when I identified something. Images and names were paired almost tangibly when I saw something or heard a word associated with something.

The tomato seedlings are coming along nicely and even better actually since I started putting them in the window. They get the occasional breeze (as well as movement when I go from corner to window and back) which help them develop a good stem and growth. The sun is also helping, they're working on the second set of leaves now and as soon as they gain a bit more in size I'll be able to transplant them possibly outside.

But not until I get a containment system to keep the gophers out!

I have so many tomatoes I need to dig that entire 2'x5' area to lay down poultry netting to plant at least three or four of them. Recommendations are at least 2 feet apart. I have maximum 5 feet to work with so technically, could only plant two. In the ground. I could push it to three but that's all for that bed. Hoping by the time the tomatoes are ready to plant the peas will be done and carrots/lettuce will be up and gone as well. That gives me room for about four more but will need to make room for at least two after that.

 

I have nine pellets with tomatoes. 3 in the north bed, 3 in the raised bed and three more for containers looks like it. Most definitely cannot put them in the ground unless there's gopher protection. South bed has too much shade at this point, it gets plenty of sun in the summer but there's only room for two there. The two pepper seeds I put in the pellets haven't even thought about germinating it seems. Much too cold still I suspect but there's time enough for that.

Okay, more ruminating and planning and saving pennies and nickles for future projects.