Going upscale

Last week I heard a rather prominent thump on my balcony. There I saw a large squirrel meandering around the plants. It didn't bite into anything. Perhaps it is waiting for some nice fresh tomatoes to whet its palate.

Taking heed from that old expression, "prudence is the better part of valor", I went to Lowes and bought some chicken wire to protect the plants (well, two of the plants).

Gone are the computer box materials. Gone is the video equipment bag. I have gone upscale.

the Novelty is over

When you first get a plant, it is a novelty. You spend all your idle time watering it and fussing over it. Just like when a family gets a dog, at first, the kids fight over who gets to walk it. With a cat they argue over who gets to clean the kitty litter. Soon, the novelty wears out and the kids are complaining over their new chores just because Mom wanted a dumb dog or alley cat.

The same goes with plants. At first you are so excited. Then it becomes a chore. "Darn it, I have to water the plants. Oh cr-- there are weeds all over the garden. And I was just going to watch the View"

I am at that stage with the balcony plants. Fortunately plants know they have to blossom and flower to keep up their owners interest. Tell me when they flower. I think Barbara Walters is on today.

Editor's note: I have changed to settings to allow anonymous comments. It's not like I was being overwhelmed or anything.

More are planted

It was a rush job. The sky contained a menacing black cloud directly overhead. The plants were quickly dumped into the ground.

Later we headed to a bar for beer and whisky. On the way, we saw a pair of rainbows.

Editor's note: Photo from Independence Mall in Hamilton, New Jersey.

The old man

The old man loved to garden but he was cursed with the clay soils of Northern New Jersey. After hours of patience and work the meager plot in Hackensack would at most yield two or three tomatoes, usually in late August or around Labor Day. I always remember the time we grew corn and Mom was rewarded with one ear of corn which the family shared.

When the folks retired to Texas they had a bigger yard and better luck with the gardening operation. In the upper right hand corner of this picture is the retirement victory garden, fenced in to protect against birds and other varmints.

More rain

So we're still getting more rain. April was like May and now May is like April. Enjoyed the You Tube video sent by Mr. Bartok. I used to play Bartok alot when I was a classical music DJ in college. Wonder if they're related.

One thing I would never have the courage to do is to prune the way he does. I always feel happy to have anything and could never behave that way.

Well the tomato plants are getting bigger anyway. My father always waited patiently 'til August before he got a tomato he could sink his teeth into.

Fertilizer

So I am not an organic gardener. I went to a plant store, saw a jar with a tomato on the label and bought it. According to You bet Your Garden (a popular public radio show) you should also grind egg shells and put them in the soil. Here are some hints for tomato gardening I found on the show's website. I have broken most of the rules, starting by rushing the season.

Lolling around the house listening to public radio on a Saturday is one of the great treats of being childless. I feel sorry for all the parents standing in front of the Shop-Rite with their progeny selling stuff so the kids can have sports uniforms.

Editor's note: Comments?

It's cold

A month ago it was warm and I put out two of the tomato plants. Since then, it is like fall, getting colder every day. My home and office are freezing since everyone turns off the boilers on May Day. So far the plants are still alive. It should get warmer today. So much for the Farmer's Almanac.