Rain and rain...and planting potatoes

 Rained a good portion of last day of December. Seriously rained, a good portion of San Diego got well over 2 inches and, as some of you may have seen on the news already, mud flooding in parts where it shouldn't happen. We were just fine, other than a quick jaunt out to the pharmacy and store in the early part of the day when it wasn't raining too much. After that we hunkered down listened to the rain fall periodically pouring. 

No pictures from the day because it was raining all day, same with New Years Day. This is today, thoroughly soaked garden with a faily thick layer of clouds today and then rain off and on for the next week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think the little stuff under the cilantro is chickweed, which is okay, obnoxious but I'm okay with it in that bed. Can't tell but the tallest cilantro is about 10 inches. The carrots are all reasonably spaced so not going to pull any at this time. Given the variety that gets rather thick and short, might pull some later. The lone tomatillo is untouched and continuing to thrive. 

 

Everything progressing just fine in the raised bed, tomato looks a bit yellow but will see what happens. I decided to dig up several spots for the potato pieces and first spot was where I know I planted one of the 'half baked' ones. The red swirl is what is left of one of the tomatoes and the blue is a nice fat worm. There are definitely worms in that bed which is fantastic. 

 

First two potatoes down about six inches as I remembered the instructions. I won't be able to hill them as much as I should but will hope for the best. Third one in probably a bit too close to the tomato but it's the room I've got. Not supposed to put potatoes and tomatoes in the same bed and especially at the same time. So that's on me.

 

 Fourth and fifth potatoes completing the set. I pulled up the funky leaf thing and saw it was a seedling from something. Not going to worry about it, I seem to recall something like it last year as well. That slow growing I suspect it was a tree seed. Are they all about twelve inches apart? Not likely but hopefully far enough apart they'll not crowd each other too badly. I've seen more crowding in a cardboard box.

 

I left soil hilled around them for future use and then realized it was just begging for some hungry critter to go sniffing around and dig everything up. So, good use for the crate. Not like there's a lot of sun lately so not going to do any harm overnight and likely rain tomorrow. Almost crushed one of the onions but not a big deal. Potato leaf got in the way as I shifted the position but it all worked out. I could have used the chicken wire but didn't want the hassle. 

 

And then this little guy was hanging around. When I first walked into the garden it zipped along the wall and then disappeared between the fence and the building before I could get my phone out. I puttered around and it came out again but once more too fast for this old lady. Ducked behind the logs. This last time as I was heading out, I stopped and slowly got my phone out and was able to snap a picture. About 4 inches long so likely one of the babies from this summer. I really love that log pile except it is definitely full of termites which I hope the lizards are taking advantage of eating.

 

That grey duspile under the end of the log inside the curve of that black thing. That's a big pile of termite frass. I'm hoping they are staying in the logs and not getting in the building, but from what I've seen of the posts and support pillars...... that's wishful thinking. If they had to have a termite inspection for selling the complex or whatever reason, it would fail.

So. Starting to cloud over again and is drizzly now, glad I got out to the garden when I did.  The potatoes really needed to get planted, hope they sprout.

Yay potatoes!