I did other work too since the last post, but today I have sown the soybeans. Which, as you might remember, is the first time I am trying out this crop at all. Theoretically, I am a tiny bit too far north and a tiny bit too high up for it to prosper here, so there is a huge question mark over this endeavor. I tried to read up on it, and allegedly, tiny seedlings should be frost-resistant for a while. The current weather projection for the last frost of the spring is 8 May, so sowing it today should not be too early. It is the variety “Liska” that, according to the interwebs, grows in Canada. We shall see- even if the seeds do not completely ripen and dry on the stalk, I should still get unripe but edible green seeds similar to green peas.

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First, I had to use a string and a hoe to mark the rows on the plot where potatoes were grown last year. I got eight rows, a nice number. Whilst doing that, I collected nearly a full bucket of stones.

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The stone hoard behind my shed keeps growing. Shame it is worthless and, mostly, useless.  I do not think I will need this much gravel anytime soon. I have done all the concrete and paving works that needed to be done. Now, I just keep pouring buckets of stones on the growing pile.

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After I was done sowing, I watered it thoroughly with water from my sewage cleaning facility. The weather is way too dry this year so far, and I am hoarding rainwater like Scrooge McDuck coins.

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Since I expanded my growing operations significantly (by at least a factor of three over two years ago), it is no longer possible for me to water everything with watering cans. I had to use a pump and a hose last year already, but I had to stand there like a scarecrow for the whole time. Which was boring and also a huge waste of time.

So this year, I bought a cheap adjustable lawn sprinkler. To be able to water taller crops too, and slightly increase its scope, I rigged it on a ca 1 m tall pole that I can stick in the ground. In 20 minutes, it covers an area of circa 4×4 m with an equivalent of 10 mm rainfall and can be moved to the next piece of land. It is a significant labor saving, albeit at the cost of some electricity. At least I can put it in place, set a timer on my phone, and go do something else while it is doing its thing, thus using my time more efficiently.

Tomorrow I will sow some leftover peas and soybeans, and I will plant gladiolus bulbs. After that, I will be done with sowing and planting until the last frost day, after which I will do the rest.