Greetings, Fellow Plant Caretakers!
Biting cold out here around the 45th parallel, despite the optimism of snowdrops and once-upon-a-time traditions. While discouraging temperatures still reign, we're getting close to the time of the year our grandfathers used to trim their vineyards, fruit-bearing trees, perhaps even beards.
In the name of St Triffon, who cut his own nose, because of his blasphemous words, while cutting vine branches...we're supposed to be out there cutting and drinking. I know a lot can change in a week. Or two. Or three. And it'd better change.
Taking care of the grapes and all...
These above be the caretakers of Autumn. The care-taking in Spring needs to be done by two-legged and two-handed creatures with instruments. Otherwise the vines become too heavy and the fruit's quality becomes diluted to the point of no good for standard human taste. Also, bearing in mind my style of sparse irrigation that I apply to my pupils who are about to learn the ways of the desert...Yeah, whatever. Less size.
It felt unnatural at first, this messing up with the natural growth process. But we got no problems with any lack of growth on those fields. On the contrary. The onslaught of green is hard to hold back. In a year or two we would be lost to a jungle of sorts.
Without the use of chemicals and other harmful practices like burning down stuff...
On the other hand, I am more into letting things be rather than using chemicals...still, some might be needed in order to prolong these vines' lives. Or should I just replace them with more trees?
I wonder. Perhaps I will clear some of the less amazing vines and plant new trees in their place. I'm more into trees. Things that can take care of themselves.
Besides, I am a weak drinker. I don't Rakia. Which is another blasphemy, perhaps.
So be it. With the first signs of weather warming, some action needs to be taken in the garden, anyway.
Peace and Parsley!
Yours,
Manol
