My Yard Project
By eileenleyva
@eileenleyva (27555)
Philippines
December 26, 2018 9:48pm CST
I did take a rather long break from mylot, not because of writer's block nor indolence, it was a necessary break to care for my little paradise - my yard.
The project pranced from the necessity for fresh herbs the price of which skyrocketed to an unbelievable high.The chili, to my disbelief, did cost a thousand pesos per kilo. Gosh, I could have bought blouses and shirts and shoes with that sum.
Anyway, as the project progressed, I did realize how important what I was doing was. I noticed a small hole in my cemented garage, and water flows from it come the rainy season. The water underneath could overflow. Sigh.
I was thinking about sink holes and liquefaction. The Philippines is in the Ring of Fire, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are normal.
Then came the disaster that was Indonesia, where whole villages were swallowed by mud. A few days ago, people perished from a tsunami that came like a thief in the night - without warning. Later on, it was learned that a volcano erupted and a huge chuck of hot mass that rolled under the water could have triggered the tsunami.
My yard project is on going. I have a guava tree planted side by side with an aratelis tree. I was thinking the roots will hold the soil from water. On the other side the garage stands my mango tree.
Backyard has plenty of calamansi trees but I have planted lanzones and atis and avocado. Soon, I hope, I will have a mini forest in my paradise.
My yard project is on going. I have a guava tree planted side by side with an aratelis tree. I was thinking the roots will hold the soil from water. On the other side the garage stands my mango tree.
Backyard has plenty of calamansi trees but I have planted lanzones and atis and avocado. Soon, I hope, I will have a mini forest in my paradise.5 people like this
6 responses
@ilocosboy (45155)
• Philippines
27 Dec 18
That's nice project in your yard.
We have the same hobby, I'm already harvesting vegetables in my garden like pechay, string beans, okra, kumpitis and soon the tomatoes and eggplants.
I also have lots of caramay though not yet fruiting. I have also planted avocado, lemon and guavas and bananas.
2 people like this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
27 Dec 18
That harvest makes me envy you, really. I failed with the okra and the chili, actually.
But I have dill, baby oregano, kangkong, alugbati, pandan, ginger, garlic, and seedlings for fruit-bearing trees.
I don''t think I have much space for bananas. And my avocado must get a good spot, for I really love avocado.
Your project is most fulfilling. Helps the environment, too.1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
27 Dec 18
@ilocosboy , same problem here with the lady finger, or okra. My daughters find it slimy. Satisfying for me. Ha ha.
1 person likes this
@ilocosboy (45155)
• Philippines
27 Dec 18
Harvest is just fulfilling though sometimes we cannot eat them all just like the okra that kids don't even dare to touch.
Yeah helps the environment and helps economy, "para sa ekonomiya" as we say.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
27 Dec 18
Thank you. Glad you have a garden, too. The calamansi is easy to grow, yes, but this two months ago, I planted its bigger cousin called dayap, a native lemon the juice of which is so citrus.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
27 Dec 18
I had a season of grace, when flowers such as gardenia, hibiscus, santan, the lowly periwinkle adorned my front facade. The bees and the butterflies are a sight to see, too.
1 person likes this
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
27 Dec 18
@eileenleyva It has been long time I have seen butterflies. We are living in a concrete jungle and you can see nothing there.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
27 Dec 18
@Sreekala
My daughter brought with her a pot of calamansi in her unit at the city. Everyday, she waters it and now, the tiny plant provides the necessary oxygen in their unit.
My daughter brought with her a pot of calamansi in her unit at the city. Everyday, she waters it and now, the tiny plant provides the necessary oxygen in their unit.1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
27 Dec 18
I recommend the yard work. Many benefits we receive, not just the flowers and the fruits, it's also the greens for our eyes, the sun for our heart and skin, and so on.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
31 Dec 18
Seems like you have a big yard, Ms.Eileen, with all the fruit trees you've mentioned. I like the lanzones and avocado. Hope you have a good year ahead. Happy new year!
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
31 Dec 18
Oh no. No. Not a big yard. An old lady taught me how to trim the branches, so the trees could co-exist. Eventually, the roots will hold up the soil, and I would have fruits to munch.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
31 Dec 18
@eileenleyva You're industrious to be taking care of all those fruit trees :)
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
27 Dec 18
I love writing, and mylot provides me the space where I can express my thoughts. I am grateful to mylot and the members who have generously shared their works, too.
It is true though that none compares to the fresh air of the outdoors, the sunshine that kisses one every morning, the blue skies and white clouds that marvel the sky watchers with various cloud formation. Wow. And the feel of the soil on my hands, the smell of coffee grounds as fertilizer, the sight of leaves a-budding. One's thoughts travel to the realm of creation as one watches new life come to being, even if it is only a rosemary. I always feel delighted.
