Sagittarius Viking
Mindful exploring, through the eyes of a viking daughter.
Heatwave; Gardening And Ecological Footprint
There is an unusual heatwave in my area with temperatures in the upper 80’s. We might even reach 90F the next four days. We surely didn’t have any summers like this when I was kid, neither did we have any winters as mild as this winter. I think these climate changes are very scary. We are doing great, enjoying our staycation, but in the bigger picture I think a lot about where this is going. I’ve always cared a lot about the environment, but I feel inclined to learn more ways of lowering my ecological footprint. What are your thoughts about this?
My garden is loving the heat. We’ve eaten lots of salad greens, celery, cilantro, and basil these past two weeks. I saw signs that the salad is threatening to go into bloom. That’s OK, I have started new salad inside. We also eat a lot of different sprouts that I grow inside in a kitchen window. The sprouts are coming fast in this warmer weather.
When it’s been too warm to do things outside I’ve been educating myself via YouTube about new gardening tricks. There is so many fabulous gardening channels out there. I’m also thinking about investing in a good food dehydrator, to be able to take the processing of my harvest (and all the berries and mushrooms available in the forests around me) to another level. It’s a big investment, and I am not sure that I am going to do it this year. When I do, I want to get one that will last for many years, and they are not cheap. My longterm goal is to be as self-sufficient as possible. Being able to grow a bigger garden, and have access to all the produce year round would be a game changer. Do you have any experience with dehydrating garden produce? I experimented with it a little in California, but I’m by no means an expert. I’d love to learn more.
I planted this zucchini from seeds about a month ago. No flowers, or fruit yet but it is looking very healthy, and sure is growing. I had the pot standing on the ground, but decided that it would be nicer to get it spread out here up on the bench, with less bugs crawling all over it. I have three zucchini plants in similar sizes, one next to this one on the bench (morning-day sun about 10 hours of direct sun,) and one in another spot in the garden (day-afternoon sun about 8-9 hours of partly shaded sun,) trying to figure out the best location for each plant, since this is the first year growing here. The green that you see at the soil surface in the pot is basil. Basil is an excellent companion to zucchini. It loves the shade under the leaves. The white that you see next to the basil is crushed eggshells. The eggshells is a slow release fertiliser, a steady source of calcium that prevents blossom end rot, helps aerate the soil, and keep slugs away. I mix eggshells into the soil while planting, and add some on the top every once in a while during the growing season. If you are free planting your veggies and have problems with slugs it pays off to spread eggshells generously all around.
Enough said about me, how are you doing? What is the weather like where you are? What is happening in your garden?
Love,
Maria
You said it right about the weather we’ve been going through. I remember when I was a kid, never felt the heat scorching through my skin. Back then I can stay out for hours now, I wouldn’t last for a few minutes unless needed. Very nice gardening keep up with the zucchini I wish you could post more of it in months to come.
Regards!
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The weather must have changed, right? I remember growing up in northern Sweden going four years as a teenager without ever wearing shorts in the summer because it was too cold.
I promise more garden photos 🙂 Thank you for your kind comment.
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Similarly, we’re having a heat wave, too. For the past week, it has been quite hot, but thankfully, dry heat. However, today the humidity is rising, which makes it more uncomfortable.
The climate has definitely changed from a generation ago. We used to have maybe two heat waves a summer and they lasted 3 days at the most. We’re seeing more and longer heat waves these days. More worrisome is the extremes of dry and wet weather. Most of the US is currently hot and dry, while the south is flooding. It seems the case the world over.
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The ground here is dry in some places but the days usually starts out cool, with a humidity of 75-80%, and then when the heat comes the humidity goes down to about 35%. The nights are cool, that is a blessing. It’s nice to be outside in the mornings.
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Sounds idyllic!
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In many ways it is. Thank you 🙂
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I believe that any climate change is strictly caused by Earth doing what it has done for millions of years, warming and cooling. This is not caused by human activity. You sure have a way with plants, Maria! Today’s high is forecast to be 108, normal for Las Vegas. 😎
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There is a pattern of heating and cooling in Earths usual activity, that is true. I do believe that our selfish ways (cutting down too much rain forest, poisoning the air etc) have increased the extremes. I hope you enjoy your heat, I know you like it 🙂
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Thanks, Maria! I do like the heat to a point, but at this temperature I can’t be out there too long. You probably don’t miss the heat.
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It smart to listen to your body 🙂 I’m happiest if it doesn’t get past 85. That’s just me. I used to enjoy going on vacations to really warm places, but not any more.
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You and I were born in colder climates, the body remembers and wants the cooler climate! 😊
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I believe you are right about that.
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What great photos!! I’m glad you are getting some wonderful growth in your garden. Thank you for the gardening tips! I didn’t know about the egg shells. I’ll start saving mine to use in my garden. And I didn’t know about the basil putting it with zucchini! Good to know! Gardening FUN! ❤️🍃🌾❤️
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Thank you so much! Gardening is a lot of fun!
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