Sowing the seed
Sowing the seed
I'm very excited about the first NaPoWriMo day! For those of you who don't know, this is a challenge to write a poem a day during the month of April. Today's prompt is to write a poem which instructs the reader how to do something. I sowed my first veggie seeds ever yesterday, so this is perfect timing. I've probably taken the prompt too literally, giving far too much information, but I enjoyed working through the process in my imagination.
To grow vegetables from seed
You need a lot of patience,
And time.
Select your seed packets in the winter months
When bright, lush photos break through the grey
With their latent promise.
Avoid the temptation to buy them all!
Buy only what you'll eat.
Keep safe until it's time for sowing.
Eastertime - March, or April
Open up the greenhouse, let fresh air flood in,
Lay out your seed trays, pots, compost, label sticks.
Fill each pot two thirds full with finely sifted compost.
Now, breathe in, control your shaking hands, and tear
The top of each packet, carefully across
To reveal the treasure inside:
Knobbly sweetcorn and beetroot, slim courgette,
Fat brown broad bean.
Plant singly, or in cosy groups, depending on their size,
Bury in the required depth of compost
To keep them anchored, nourished.
Water well, with a fine spray - don't drown them with kindness.
Have the courage to walk away
Leave them to work their magic.
In a few weeks, consider thinning, or planting out,
Move tender plants outside to take the air
Then tuck them up inside against the night.
Prepare and enrich your soil, discarding weeds and stones.
Plant out in rows, with careful spacing
With room to grow and spread their leaves.
Optional:
Talk to your seedlings as they grow
Let them know your pride in their strength, resilience
Encourage each new leaf as they grow taller, bushier,
Admire their pods, cobs, roots and fruits.
In autumn harvest with care, and gratitude
Taking only what what you need each day.
Return unused trimmings to the compost bin
To nourish next year's growth.
As the days grow short and the plot grows bare
Clean your tools, benches, pots. Tidy them away
Ready for next year.
© Copyright 2019. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved
I'm very excited about the first NaPoWriMo day! For those of you who don't know, this is a challenge to write a poem a day during the month of April. Today's prompt is to write a poem which instructs the reader how to do something. I sowed my first veggie seeds ever yesterday, so this is perfect timing. I've probably taken the prompt too literally, giving far too much information, but I enjoyed working through the process in my imagination.
To grow vegetables from seed
You need a lot of patience,
And time.
Select your seed packets in the winter months
When bright, lush photos break through the grey
With their latent promise.
Avoid the temptation to buy them all!
Buy only what you'll eat.
Keep safe until it's time for sowing.
Eastertime - March, or April
Open up the greenhouse, let fresh air flood in,
Lay out your seed trays, pots, compost, label sticks.
Fill each pot two thirds full with finely sifted compost.
Now, breathe in, control your shaking hands, and tear
The top of each packet, carefully across
To reveal the treasure inside:
Knobbly sweetcorn and beetroot, slim courgette,
Fat brown broad bean.
Plant singly, or in cosy groups, depending on their size,
Bury in the required depth of compost
To keep them anchored, nourished.
Water well, with a fine spray - don't drown them with kindness.
Have the courage to walk away
Leave them to work their magic.
In a few weeks, consider thinning, or planting out,
Move tender plants outside to take the air
Then tuck them up inside against the night.
Prepare and enrich your soil, discarding weeds and stones.
Plant out in rows, with careful spacing
With room to grow and spread their leaves.
Optional:
Talk to your seedlings as they grow
Let them know your pride in their strength, resilience
Encourage each new leaf as they grow taller, bushier,
Admire their pods, cobs, roots and fruits.
In autumn harvest with care, and gratitude
Taking only what what you need each day.
Return unused trimmings to the compost bin
To nourish next year's growth.
As the days grow short and the plot grows bare
Clean your tools, benches, pots. Tidy them away
Ready for next year.
© Copyright 2019. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved
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