Planted!

The beds are full. I think I may need more. From left-to-right: Cucumbers, corn, corn (with parsnips between), reserved for cumin and cayenne, beans (two rows of bush green, one lima), compost, tomatoes (w/carrots between), currant bush (surrounded by lettuce), tomatoes and hot peppers, grapes, broccoli and brussel sprouts, peas, strawberries, raspberries, blue berries, raspberries, and strawberries off the right edge. I am experimenting with the “betweens”. I have no idea if that will be too close or too shady. We’ll find out.

Even if everything comes in perfectly, grows perfectly, and produces an abundant harvest, that is not enough food for two people, let alone two people over the winter. I’m not aiming for self-sufficiency (or I’d just plow the entire yard), but still.

No squash. No melons. No onions. No garlic. No room. We’ll see how this year goes; and maybe next. The square sections on the end and corner could be extended inward. However, if I wait beyond next spring, my teenage labor will graduate from high school.

Bonus Miniphany: I realized the brown spots in my lawn correspond to the places where the sod is on the original soil. The dark green spots are on the new dirt. This is not a water issue. This is a soil fertility issue. Conveniently, I’ve already bought the Weed-n-Feed (and I have a small spreader). Guess what the after-work task is.

Writing Update: I have no idea who Eileen is or what she does. This is a problem because our intrepid heroes are meeting her (and her husband Pete, who I understand). Their brown cow is giving chocolate milk. My System is not evil; heartless, but not evil. I guess I’ll skip ahead and let that scene percolate.