Mulching Like I’ve Never Mulched Before
Written by: adekun on 29 April, 2007 2:53 am - Filed under: blog — 5 Comments »
Across the road from JA there is one of the many rice machines that are dotted around the city. These thresh and polish rice at the press of a button and a few hundred yen. Many have hoppers for those with bigger loads. Although both the dust and chaff are put to good use, heaps can be found around the back.
The shop sells charred husks at what seems to be an exorbitant price, so a few yards away I was busy with a shovel and few sacks. It has been bloody hot the past week, fortunately Kento has been steadfast and managed to get me up before seven. As a result I mulched instead of mooched the garden and was finished by ten. It’s my first time with mulch and uncertain of the conventions, but am optimistic the cover will help.
Earlier Summer Vegetables
Written by: adekun on 27 April, 2007 12:49 pm - Filed under: blog — 2 Comments »
After a long and tiring day under the unrelenting sun, the summer vegetables were planted yesterday. There is still a little space to accommodate something else, perhaps a cucumber plant.
From the left:
- Tomatoes (iko, momotaro & tsugi momotaro)
- Aubergines, Peppers
- Sweet Potatoes
- Cucumbers
- Red Onions
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- White Onions
Although I didn’t cadge any cowpats, I did cadge some greens for the compost heap. After being offered a few barrow loads of compost from my neighbour’s compost mountain, the offer of a similar sized stack of shungiku (chrysanthemum) came.
I had made a short deviation from my no chemical strategy and treated my own heap with some pellets to deal with only* beetle larvae and woodlice.
It seems quite timely; it will make an excellent addition. I shall be spending the next week clipping away with the secateurs.
* I can only hope so.
Late Earlies Or Early Main Crop
Written by: adekun on 22 April, 2007 6:26 am - Filed under: blog — 3 Comments »
Over the past few days it has been mushiatsui – hot and humid. It is funny to read about those in the States and their snow, when it is already in the early twenties here. Without a firm potato planting regime established, today was chosen for the first set.
The spuds were bought towards the end of February and have been quietly waiting in the garage, whilst their entry time was pondered. Most are heading back, but sixteen got planted in the beds prepared this morning. One of several topics concerning the garden, I would like to give further thought to, is the differing varieties.
Improving on last years notes, of red or white, I can offer a little more on the day’s sowings.
- 十勝こがね (tokachikogane) - Hokkaido’s second most tasty potato, which is yellow and good for frying.
- だんしゃく (danshaku) - A very popular, white all rounder.
With a bit of luck these shall be ready upon our return from overseas.
Paying For Poo
Written by: adekun on 20 April, 2007 4:47 am - Filed under: blog — 2 Comments »
My plan to use the compost that has been stewing in the corner of the garden has been thwarted. During the last turning, I noticed an abundance of my sworn foes; koganemushi & nekirimushi (beetle larvae). Against my best efforts to do way with them, I seem to have created the perfect microclimate for them to propagate.
I am already tied to sourcing the bulk of my plants from the local farmer’s outlet. Not very self sufficient, but I believe a better step towards satisfying the fruit & veg requirement – well at least the vegetables.
The idea of commandeering the mother-in-laws car and taking a drive around Mount Daisen to the dairy farmers was appealing. Instead of leaving a lasting pong, I looked to nearer garden centres. Land Science is the closest, but predictably caters for the more chemically inclined gardener. The most economical compost was priced at ￥600, most of the twenty litre bags weighed in at double that.
Further a field there are a few alternatives and I chose JA, mentioned above. There is a wider selection and I was able to find some organic composted manure and chicken litter, priced at ￥265 (40L) and ￥100 (15kg) respectively. The two kanji for organic are 有機. I’ll skip the various interpretations of organic and settle for being content.
This was incorporated into the beds earlier in the week. At present wrangling with a 3D plan for the summer, the third being mindful of the shade cast.
A special mention for the asparagus, as the spears have already reached a height of three feet and have begun to fan out.
Waking Babies Everywhere
Written by: adekun on 16 April, 2007 9:19 am - Filed under: blog — 2 Comments »
During my first visit, the Orwellian aspects of Japanese daily life were quickly apparent. The use of loudspeakers in particular struck a chord. The announcements can range from the warning of a nearby fire, a missing loon from the nearby institute, the lone salesman and politicians hungry for votes. Here in Yonago the election campaign has finally come to a close. From the beginning of the month the sound trucks hit the streets. These tend to be tired diesel mini vans, modified to accommodate placards and a commanding PA system.
They patrol both public and residential areas screaming an introduction “this is candidate X” followed by a phrases such as “yoroshiku onegaishimasu” (please look upon me favourably) and “ganbarimasu” (I will do my best). The vans are often tailed by a car load of dressed up supporters hanging out of the windows, waving at everything and distracting passing drivers. The consequences for a pleb of the same undertaking would be most severe.
The recitals border on the hysterical and can be heard from afar. There is little chance of the shift worker, the sick or infants sleeping through the disturbance. Conversations have to cease, it is so penetrating, I have little doubt that a cranked up television set or modest hi-fi could compete.
The continuous seven or ten day spell is regulated to between the hours of eight in the morning to eight in the evening and exploited to the fullest.
If I were to seek the support of my fellow citizens, I would question this method thus:
- Are my polices, values and the like being conveyed?
- Is my own personal gain more important than people’s privacy?
- Is this practice good use of public funds?
- Does this influence people?
- Is this correct, e.g. environmental cost?
- And so on.
I had decided against publishing this post as my understanding is short and opinionated. After reading a story on the Maininchi site, I now have chance to offer a happier ending.
It seems ten hopefuls have been doing some similar thinking have stated they will not by riding sound trucks. One even travels by bicycle to seek support. Although not of the same proportions, I quote Henry Kissinger “Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation.” I hope the idea catches on.
Rock Forever
Written by: adekun on 13 April, 2007 9:17 am - Filed under: blog — No Comments »
In a few weeks the three of us begin our England/France expedition, which would have left the garden untendered for two months. After a few discussions with the in-laws, an accord has been reached on the summer vegetable impasse. I can’t really blame them for their apprehension since they have little free time. In addition, the current setup - an eight litre watering can, makes the job a chore.
I had already resigned to the belief, that I would be growing clover instead of cucumbers. The plan agreed is that I will prepare, sow and transfer (subject to availability). Whilst we are away, the in-laws water and later on we all eat the crop. I still have a sore throat and decided some light work in the garden would be better than staying indoors complaining to my wife about it. Along with some vintage Judas Priest, tulips and light rain for company, I picked up my spade for the first job viz. turning the compost.
Not the best tool for the job, but after fourteen months of searching, still no fork. Totally shagged out by the end of it and moved onto the main task of turning in the clover. After two spits. I hit my first boulder. Digging around I found this to be of Herculean size. I was a little surprised, as I left no stone unturned during the initial quarry. The soil can be quite clayey, making anything large difficult to move. Still to recover from The Samson Incident, my light work had turned into a couple of heats from the World’s Strongest Man.
This did start me thinking why the garden was beset with these rocks. Perhaps they were the Atlas Stones from a former competition too heavy to move. On the plus side, I probably have enough to start a small aggregate company. By the time I had finished daydreaming, so had the drizzle and the rain began in earnest.
Last Sakura
Written by: adekun on 10 April, 2007 3:33 am - Filed under: blog — 2 Comments »
It was a hot start to the day, so we decided to go to the nearby Minatoyama Park. The common sits at the foot of the city castle ruins and has a great many Sakura trees. It is coming to the end of the blossoming period and as we walked the petals drifted beside us.
After an unhurried meander, my wife went for a nap whilst I carried Kento up the hill and around the ramparts for a hazy view of the city - most of which is out of shot.
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