004 | Video | Day 69

[tryingitall]

[Balthazar appears in the feed looking more or less the same as he ever does--except there's an inchworm in his hair, and he seems oblivious to it. A tiny, bright green thing, it's creeping along his temple like it's planning on hiding behind his ear. Someone should tell him.

But that's not what he's popped up to ask.]

So, we're doing the honesty thing? My confession for the day is that I'm bored out of my mind and I thought I'd try growing something, as it seems one of the more useful pastimes I can take up here. Unfortunately, I have no idea what I'm doing.

I've dug up the ground a bit, and I have some seeds. Looks like radishes, basil, and yellow squash. I could use a bit more instruction than what's written on the packets, though. Do they really need to be exactly 1/4 of an inch deep? Seems overly specific.

Comments

video

[hung_garian]

No, it has to be exact. More than a hair's breadth off and they'll wither and die. Nature's funny that way.

video

[tryingitall]

Damn! Really? [He doesn't trust you, Gabriel. Not for information-gathering purposes. :| ]

How do the mommy and daddy plants know how to drop the baby seeds so they're spaced properly, then?

video (shall we turn this into one big threadjacking mess?)

[servingmichael]

Joshua would be so disappointed in you.

video (Oh, lets!)

[tryingitall]

Oh, and I suppose you're an accomplished gardener, yourself?

Re: video

[hung_garian]

What am I, a biologist? Beats me. I just put it down to the miracle of Creation and don't bother trying to understand it, personally.

video

[tryingitall]

Aren't you an expert on reproduction? [Smirk.]

[bluesrat]

I think it sort of depends on what plant it is, some of them need to be planted different depths or different times of year? But I'm really a city boy, and I'm not sure. Is there a library somewhere here that might have books on it?

[He's still getting the hang of things with these watches, but he so wants to be helpful. Of course, he'd also love to know if there's a library, for his own sake.]

[tryingitall]

There is a library, but I already have an art book, a DIY repair book, and a couple on foraging wild plants, so I ought to finish with those before I get into gardening.

[bluesrat]

Is there? Good to know! I'll have to go check it out.

Also, you've... mm. I think you've got something, there... [brushes a finger at his own temple, hoping Balthazar will get the hint.]

[tryingitall]

What? Where? [He tries to look up, which doesn't help in the least, but at this point the inchworm is rearing up and wriggling around in search of a branch.

A quick touch to his hair uncovers the little beast, though, and he plucks it off as gently as possible.]

Oh. Well, I don't want that in with the plants.

Video

[godsprophet]

Uh, no, I think it's, you know. General.

Video

[tryingitall]

Hello, Chuck. Did you ever garden, then? Houseplants?

Video

[godsprophet]

[Oh, Balthazar. You have no idea. ]

No, not... really? I mean, I've watched other people do it, but I've never really done it myself.

Re: Video

[tryingitall]

[Well, he's not looking to grow a tree of the knowledge of good and evil. That would be overspecializing.]

I've been told the basil will grow indoors, if you want some in a pot for your desk.

voice;

[hexappeal]

You don't want to dig too shallow or they won't have room to grow. You also don't want to dig too deeply because they'll take longer to visibly have reached maturation and it will be harder to, ah, feed them. In the case of growing plants, quality usually coincides with quantity and smaller size.

[Ugh, she hates sounding like a know-it-all.]

Basically, don't make it too deep or too shallow and remember to follow instructions based on how much sunlight they do or don't need. Basil could be grown inside, as well. You might want to start it in a small section and then give one to each house so there's more room to flourish -- and for more hearty edibles.

voice;

[tryingitall]

[But he appreciates the information. She's more helpful than Gabriel, anyway.]

Wait, feed them? They get nourishment from soil and sunlight, don't they?

I have some terra cotta pots. I suppose I could start some of the basil in those. How do you know when to water them?

voice;

[hexappeal]

That's what I meant -- watering. Mulch is also useful, but I generally don't fertilize. [Organic, local, vegetarian hipster...]

I suggest at least once a day unless there's heavy rain. The best way to get a feel for it is trial and error.

voice;

[tryingitall]

[He hadn't thought about fertilizing, but now she's given him permission not to worry about it. Good, good!]

I think I can just about manage that. What can I use for mulch? Dead leaves from the wood?

[nedofpies]

[ Ned's not exactly got the same kind of mojo that he had going when he was some kind of gardening god, but he has done a bit of gardening, in his years of doing any odd jobs he could find. So, he offers ] It's a general measure. Where were you thinking of planting them? [ He hesitates a little before he makes his offer, because he doesn't really know Balthazar, and doesn't want to be pushy or awkward ] I could help, if you'd like. Be easier to show you than explain it over these.

[ Video ]

[tryingitall]

There's nothing but grass around the house I'm in. I thought I could dig up a few feet of earth on the sunny side of the building.

[He looks a little sheepish for needing the help, but maybe it's better to be humble and end up with a crop of vegetables.] Sure, all right. If you don't mind? I'm in House 11.

[nedofpies]

Are you attached to that grass? We'll have to dig it all up. Clear the area. You have a shovel or two? [ He can try to find some, before he heads over. He can tell that Balthazar is looking a little tentative and so he smiles, adds ] Of course I don't mind. You're not exactly taking me away from a busy schedule, here.

[tryingitall]

It's grass. There's only so attached one can get to it.

I have a shovel and I have a trowel and a little rake thing. And a crowbar, but I don't think that will help in this particular instance. [He's still got an inchworm on his sleeve. He may end up asking Ned what to do with it, too, as long as he's coming to visit.]

[violenthearted]

If you're able to grow anything successfully I'd like to hear about it. Although I can't offer much advice aside from what you'd find on the packaging.

[tryingitall]

I was hoping there'd be enough to share, if I do succeed, so I'll certainly let everyone know.

I don't believe we've met, have we?

[violenthearted]

I haven't met most people. [By choice, although he's mild rather than hostile about it. ]

Erik Lehnsherr. I'd say it's a pleasure, but under the circumstances I'd prefer not to waste your time.