Today I previsited Anna, who is very excited at the prospect of learning more and has made many attempts at growing. In pic 1 you’ll see she has made some planter boxes from old pallets, lined with rubbish bags and filled with whatever she can find.
She had planted 20+ toms in a tiny space, which were dying a slow death. Some thyme and spring onions which were doing well and other things which had died long ago due to lack of water and planted too close. She had tried a hand at seed raising in an ice cream container, leaving the lid on to create a ‘hot house’, but not taking the lid off and not transplanting early enough, so these also died. This is great learning as she knew this didn’t feel right but didn’t understand what else to do. I’m hoping to give her extra seedlings from my beds to fill all her planter boxes.
We discussed what plants need, and planned to keep the boxes she has, but adding in our bed. I’m excited to see the progress here with support. This is definitely a ‘hand up’ as opposed to a ‘hand out’.
Next visit was Michelle who had seemed a little disconnected in both visits. In the first one she seemed guarded, someone had recently smashed up her car while it was parked in her driveway, but this time she watched me and softened a little as we planted and I explained how to harvest. Her granddaughter joined me with the planting which was lovely.
She mentioned cats are a problem so I’ve sent her an easy way to net the bed and she said her brother will help her. She also has an old bath she is hoping to fill and plant, so we discussed how to get this sorted.
Rākau Tautoko 