For the past few weeks, we’ve been enjoying wonderful spring weather. Temps have been in the low 20’s (70’s F) during the day and a bit cooler at night. It’s been mostly sunny although we’ve had some cloud now and again as well as the threat of a big storm that failed to materialise last night. So for the past few days, Sharon, Will and I have struck a number of big items from our “To Do Around the Garden” list.
The main one concerns our vegetable garden. One of the things Will and I wanted to do when we moved out here was to grow our own veggies. Sharon liked the idea as well so together, we staked out an area of the garden for the plot. Back in March, Will and I turned over the earth using a pitchfork and shovel and although it’s not a big area (approx 200 sq ft), we had to do it in three separate sessions because the dirt was very compacted and full of rocks. Next we decided what we wanted to plant and bought the appropriate seeds, getting a bit carried away in the process and ending up with at least four times as many seeds as we have space for. We also decided to add a layer of top soil to the plot since the existing soil needed a bit of help.
Over the past few weeks, Sharon did almost all the shopping for seeds, soil and other related items. Before sowing the seeds, we were waiting for the weather to improve so that there wasn’t a risk of frost at night and as of the last few weeks, that’s no longer a concern. Additionally, we need to wait for the moon to be in the right phase. Yes, you read that correctly – in France, seeds are sown according to the moon. Personally, I don’t believe in astrology or anything else that reeks of pseudo-science but every single French person we spoke to about the garden implored us only to plant at certain times. The general rule is that things that grow up / above ground such as tomatoes, beans, lettuce etc. must only be planted when the moon is waxing. On the other hand, things that grow down / into the ground must be planted when the moon is waning.
As of Sunday, the moon was just beginning to wax which meant it was time to plant the lettuce, spinach and herbs so that’s what we did. In the coming days, we’ll plant the other things that grow up, which include beans, tomatoes, peppers, courgette and squash (for whatever reason, they are planted during the second phase of the cycle). Where they’re all going to go, I’m not sure but hopefully we’ll make room for a few specimens of each. Then in a week or two, it will be time to plant the carrots, onions and leeks.
In addition to the veggie garden, we’ve done a few other spring-related activities. The main one for me was mowing the lawn. As a youth, I used to make a bit of pocket money mowing lawns. I don’t remember detesting it but I recall it was a pain in the arse. This time around, however, I have to say that I didn’t mind it much. This is despite the fact that garden here is actually five different sections of lawn, divided by stone walls, which means having to stop a lot to drag the mower up and down the walls to reach the various sections. Anyway, I may feel differently about it come September but nostalgia helped make it a more pleasurable activity than it otherwise would have been.
The last task on the list of chores was to give Lola (the car) a good cleaning. For some reason, this took up most of the afternoon today but she’s now in a state of pristine beauty. I know not from whence it came but she had lots of tar caked onto the fenders and all along the running boards, in back of the wheel wells. So in addition to hoovering and dusting the interior, I used Sharon’s jet-wash to clean the exterior. Then I went around with white spirit to remove the tar and finally, I cleaned the windows inside and out. I guess that explains why it took so long. While cleaning the boot, I found a small can of touch-up paint so tomorrow, I will go around and cover Lola’s many small blemishes and then she’ll be good as new.
I realise that most of these activities sound pretty mundane but I must confess that I feel really good for having done them, and not just for the sake of having them completed. Anyway, that’s what we’ve been up to for the last few days, just in case you were wondering.
Er guys, it might well be different in France, but don’t leeks grow up?
Hope you’re well
DC x
Everything grows up (except my inner-child). The distinction is between plants that bear their “fruit” above ground vs those whose fruit grows underground. So although carrots, onions, potatoes and yes, leeks have leaves above ground, the edible part grows underground.
Hopefully that clarifies what I was trying to say in the post.