Did I just helped kill itself?

Does anyone know that it isn't a smart idea to help a butterfly emerging from its cocoon?

Because it impairs its wings' growth - as good as dead.

One of the basil was looking really stuck, like someone trying to remove a shirt but the arms are stuck.

I gave it a few days, it was still stuck, so... last night, I sat down beside it, armed with a water spray to soften the shell and using a toothpick to pick it off.

Successful mission.

With casualties: I think I pulled off an equivalent to a human's hands.

I AM SO SORRY!!!

I really hope I did not just helped dig its grave.

---

The long beans are obviously overgrown and I suspect they have been pinching the nutrients from the marigold and tomato since I hardly see any but one defiant marigold.

This will be the last time I plant all the seeds together for nursing stage. It is quite obvious they are fighting where I can't see.

Envy Green to have some of that Green

It started since young when every kid is given the assignment to grow little green beans (mung beans) in cotton wool soaked in water to see how plants grow. Which is quite curious that it grew its first two tiny leaves and just collapse within a few days.

= Obviously, thinking back then, what nutrients do we expect the poor thing to get from just cotton and water? =

And then harvesting games start popping out like mushrooms. Harvest Moon on Playstation is such a joy.
(and great boredom because it is the same old till, plant, water, weed, break stones, wait, harvest, rewind and redo with a little event here and there, bribing elves to help the farm around, animals to feed)
This particular game started multiplying its own variety to be played on a GameBoy, and now on Facebook! Do you know how many farming games are in there? And exactly how many users are playing?!!

Such deprived humans who wants to grow a garden but don't have the space, the time, the money and too lazy to do so besides clicking the mouse and wait for the farm to grow within 24hours. Seriously, which plant grows and fruits that fast?

We are blatantly spoiled.
Until we saw the price and the infuriating quality of the vegetables.
Especially if someone is semi-vegan (I do consume milk products but probably 1-2 times a month?) and needs to eat a load.

---

"My garden is filled with weeds! This is going to take forever!"

I was fortunate that my mom likes gardening, resulting scattered pots of orchids, jasmine flowers, overgrown lime tree and various of shrubs and goodness knows what plant is that. The floor is mostly covered with 'rabbit grass' and those are not either has weeds or barren (some plants are quite possessive over their land and not forgetting a dog who likes to dig and pee the grass to death).

Of course there are some massive plants that made their way into the small garden plot...
Funny weeds which reaches up to my waist and as thick as my ankle.

But being in a very warm humid country, it is easier to grow flowers than vegetables due to the amount of pests waiting at every corners. Not forgetting the costs to keep them at bay.

That is when organic farming comes along.
Which does not make anything easier but definitely cheaper. I think.


"I don't have the drive!"

Wait until you see a neighbour's garden which is three times the size of yours, filled with weeds. And right smack in the middle of it is two small plots with two huge (and I mean it, HUGE) Chinese Kale sitting proudly and looked as if they were gloating. And many babies at the back waiting for their turn in the soil. Plus, they have two dogs (how did they keep the dogs from killing them?!! I don't recall seeing any fences).

Another neighbour has filled three quarters of the garden with sweet potato leaves. The missing quarter was dinner that day.

Not forgetting random jackfruit, mango, pomegranate, banana and papaya trees around the neighbourhood.

Which got me thinking: I don't really need to sit next to them and tend to them every minute of the day. I have the time to wait for them to grow as I am busy at work instead of roaming around the house aimlessly.
And being so ENVIOUS of their garden, mom pulled out some of the old seeds we bought for planting (but never got around doing it and has expired - mustard greens, spinach, green peas, marigold, unknown flowers) and we bought another set (tomato, long beans, marigold, basil, salad lettuce).

I pulled out all the scattered bricks to clear up for a spot, pile the pots, overturn a couple of (dead plants or given the execution notice) pots for the soil. The rabbit grass are hogging the spot I wanted, so instead of just slaughtering them - mom will be transplanting them to the other side of the garden this week.

That was the initial plan.

If only I have thought that through when I started a tiny nursery for the plants.

Because the main garden is approximately 5 feet x 12 feet, with a mini side garden of 5 feet x 1.5 feet. The front garden beyond our gate is 2 feet x 4 feet filled with pandan and a huge shrub (ignoring that plot). We do have a cemented backyard of 5 feet x 15 feet which receives the hot afternoon, setting sun. And at the moment, I am too lazy to move the pots and soil to the back. Stray cats tend to roam at the back, by the way.

We do have quite a bit of space. But it takes time to make plots out of weeds and deep-rooted grass.
Because 10 out of 12 long beans have sprouted and climbing 6 inches from the ground in 5 days.
I.Should.Have.Planted.Six!!! What was I thinking?!!

To make this easier, the mini side garden will be their new home (they are going to be sardines in there): this will be the first thing to do tomorrow evening.
We need to get a fence as well to keep the dog from chewing the poor things out. A frame for them to climb.
And plant more marigolds to keep the pests away.

So far, most of the basil have sprouted but they are a little slow in growing. It will be nearly a month before I attempt to transplant them, with the rest of the plants.
One marigold has sprouted and I have forgotten whether it is from the new seeds or the old.
Three spinach said hello. Very pleased to see them.
Two lettuce are getting there.

But where did the mustard leaves and tomatoes go?
I do hope they are growing.

Tonight, I will be planting some mung beans to turn them into quick compost and start seeding the bought potatoes. I have 2 buckets and a large pot for them. (hopefully mom does not catch me growing them - she thinks they are cheap to buy)
I really need to start making fresh compost.

---

Tomorrow, there is an organic farming gathering near my area, and have already pestered mom to go since I totally forgotten about it and needed to work half day.
And I just found out that we DO have an organic gardening community (not the farm) as well.
Fabulous.

Now, I couldn't wait to get back home to see how the plants doing.
This is quite exciting!

= After you get it in your head that it will not fruit within 48 hours in reality =