So today I waded through brambles and nettles, scrambled down a steep slope, more brambles and nettles and bushes. All in the pouring rain, carrying a big coco block, water to rehydrate it, chicken wire, and some smaller tools. The idea was to dig over the two main plots, and maybe start a third, fence them off, and then they'd be ready to plant out next visit.
Upon arriving, I noticed a really well defined path through the undergrowth. Bear in mind it's been a month since I was last there, and I tried hard not to leave a trail. So I started getting worried. Dropped some chicken wire off at an unfinished plot and went to fetch the spade and fork I left hidden under a bush last visit. They were gone. Fuck. I went to the plot I dug over last visit, and a huge hole had been dug in it. Presumably by my spade, as the bin bag I had wrapped the metal parts of the tools in was there lying on top.
So, the plot is seriously compromised. Maybe somebody saw me digging last time, waited until I was gone, and went to investigate. Possibly they thought I had buried something? Or maybe they just stumbled on the plot. I dumped the water, and left immediately. Took a pic before going. You can maybe make out the hole. The coco wrapper in the middle was under a layer of soil, I had left it as an improvised mulch.
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As I was leaving the area and heading up a nearby street, I spotted a man standing at an upstairs window staring right at me. Maybe it was him that did it. Anyway, can't use that plot now.
I'm seriously pissed off, but also philosophical. Just the way things go sometimes. I'm down a spade and fork, and the coco I left in an old bucket last time. It's a shame because the soil is really good at that site. It could have been worse, at least I hadn't planted anything. Also even if someone saw me at the plot, they don't know who I am because I always wear a face covering at the plots, and on the way in and out.
But now I have a problem. I've got seedlings growing under lights, they really should be planted out in a couple of weeks or so. The photos can wait no problem, but the autos, semi-autos, and earlies should go out before the end of the month ideally. One difficulty is, I'm really busy at work just now, don't have a lot of time to scout for new plots.
I might go back to another site I reccied last year, an old railway siding. However I have a feeling the soil might be crap, or full of stone chipping under the top layer. So might need to use containers there. I can't really expand the current railway line plot much as I don't want it to be too conspicuous. But maybe there'll be somewhere in a different part of the same line I can use. I did scout out some other areas about a mile further along the line last year, so could try there.
Reckon I will try to make smaller plots, dotted around. Bit of a pain, but if some are discovered at least I won't lose too much. Also might have to expand my "plant and forget" activities over the summer, having now lost my biggest plots.
Ah well. I'm taking this as a sign to not get too complacent, and keep my wits about me even more than I already do...
Another four seeds haven't broken soil yet, looks like they won't at this rate: 2 x Guerrilla Gold Pie Fast, a Slaughtered Lamb and a Citrus Burst. Also in the tent, looks like a couple of stalled seedlings: the other Citrus Burst and the Kush Mintz.
