I'm sitting here looking at two very large, leftover bags of rich potting soil. It's almost March so this, in and of itself probably doesn't seem unusual to to anyone. But given the ugly mood that I've been in all winter, and most surprising to me, I wish I could use them. So, despite my gloom and doom, hope must spring eternal.
I live in a two room apartment with an uncovered, long, but narrow, south facing balcony. By June, it's 200 degrees out there every day. A human can't stand out there for the length of time required to do it, but an egg could be fried on the surface of that balcony by late May. I was hauling seven gallons of fertilizer - water (in jugs) twice a day, every day, just to keep last summer's flowers and two cherry tomato plants alive.
The apartment complex, in their boundless generosity has installed on each balcony, a large flower box, cantilevered out above the sidewalk below. They bring in the flowers that they love, a strange hybrid variety of "Hanging Geraniums" that are very popular in Bavaria and Switzerland. Our town is big on Bavaria, but it is not 200 degrees in Bavaria or Switzerland. Ever. The promise was, they were installing a drip watering system, rail to rail on each floor, from flower box to flower box, and we would have to do nothing except enjoy the mounds of tumbling pink blossoms. Unfortunately, the money ran out, and this system was "put off until next year". Now we have received an official letter explaining the lack of money or incentive or both for the watering system. That would be OK with me. I'd decided that I'd just buy some nice silk flowers and ivy and install them in potting clay. From the third floor, who'd notice? Or care?
That was not to be allowed. The "Hanging Geraniums" that made me want to hang myself last summer have been delivered, and the "Thanks for watering these" letter has been received and disposed of. No mention of what might happen if an occupant wants to go on a little vacation in July. I'm guessing that the mummified remains of "Hanging Geraniums" will be mine to dispose of, as well.
