I was determined to get the tomatoes and the last of the sunflowers planted this weekend, so I could get all the areas mulched, because my enthusiasm is quickly melting away in the heat and humidity that is our North Carolina summer. Besides, there are 3 thimble-sized tomatoes on the plants and the sunflowers are almost 3 feet tall and too top-heavy for the little starter pots. As the ants have taken over the piles of wood mulch from the winter's downed trees, and I don't feel like trying to clear them out right now, I bought 5 bags of mulch from Lowe's. It's probably not enough, but I can always get more.
Since the days are so hot, planting needs to occur in the late afternoon to let the plants recover overnight. By 4pm Saturday the sky is mostly cloudy and the trees and house have blocked any sun from the front flowerbed. It's time.
TOMATOES
PLAN A.
Assemble upside-down hangers from Gardener's Supply Co. Think all manner of nasty things about them for 30 minutes. Insert the now 2-feet tall tomato plants and fill halfway with "lightweight" potting soil.
Decide to hang them on the double shepherd's crook before completely topping off the soil due to the weight. Hang the first container and watch the pole lean dangerously to the left.
Prop the pole with a ladder and hurry to hang the second container.
Watch the pole lean dangerously forward.
Place the iron teapot on the crossbar that is supposed to stablize the pole. Watch the teapot tip.
Feel the sweat trickling down my back.
Go inside where it's cool and play Frontierville for 15 minutes.
PLAN B.
Discuss options with Jack, who has nothing helpful to offer.
Return to the front yard and dig a big hole in the front flowerbed.
Amend the clay with the potting soil, bone meal, Rootblast from the garage and stir.
Plant tomato plant #1 in hole #1 and fill in.
Dig second hole. Prepare to amend the soil here, also.
Pick up the bone meal bag, which is not bone meal, but fire ant killer and unsafe for use in vegetable beds.
Think a few more nasty thoughts as I unplant Tomato #1.
Plop down on the front porch steps with Tandi, to rest my back and survey the situation.
PLAN C
Reflect again on the fact that the pink zinnias I planted are clashing with the ruby celosia and offending my color sense.
Dig up zinnias and plant in Hole #1. Nobody's going to eat them unless it's the voles and maybe they'll get their just rewards.
Return ant killer to the garage and bring out the correct bag of bone meal.
Double check all bags and containers.
Amend the soil again and insert tomato plant #2 in the second hole.
Disassemble plant/birdfeeder hanger.
Water everything thoroughly with one hand while batting away bloodthirsty little mosquitoes with the other hand.
Put tools and soil supplements away.
Go into cool house and order Domino's for supper.
SUNFLOWERS
PLAN A
Pot up a bunch of the smaller sunflower plants to take to the unit picnic at our manager's house Sunday afternoon to
