Thumpers

I feel like a character in the Dune novel; calling up the worms.   Wasn’t it a thumper that was placed in the ground to draw those enormous beasts from underground?

I had 75 leek seedlings left over from the swoosh in the lower vegetable garden. So I decided to run a row right beside the fence up at the top potager.

And the way I plant leeks is to thump in this mighty metal rod, grind away and open up a good deep hole. In goes a leek. And then I fill the hole with water.

But as I thump and turn the metal rod, up come the worms. Annoyed by the vibrations? I don’t know. But there are plenty here in the good earth which wriggle madly away. And away from me.

In once sense it’s a great way to hold a worm census.   There are plenty.   So I just have to watch where I kneel and try not to squirm.

I planted 55 in a row beside the fence. And then ran 20 up the side of the path. Done. And for good measure I cut a basket load of asparagus and sorted out the carrots.

I made a mistake by broadcasting the clover seeds all over this part of the vegetable garden too soon. I now can’t tell good weeds from bad weeds.

Well, luckily I can spot a carrot seedling, so I thought it might be a good idea to mark out the good’uns with some mulch.   And then weed the rest.   Only once the seedlings are established and turning into little carrots will I dare to sow the green manure around the veg.

There are clover seedlings in among the potatoes; but that’s fine.   There are only two crops to fuss about. Big beefy potato plants, and dainty masses of clover.

And after a pause of two days, I have my little potting shed visitor back.   He does take to cashmere and wine boxes quite well, don’t you think?